Introduction & Structure¶
The aerodrome documentation on this site is a virtual version of the Manual of Air Traffic Services (vMATS) Part 2 and is complementary to the 
CAP 493 (MATS Part 1). Together, these resources provide comprehensive instructions and information for ATS staff within VATSIM UK.
Each aerodrome's procedures have been divided into separate sections for ease of reference, each with its own three letter identification code, as follows:
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| PRE | Preface |
| GEN | Unit General Operating Procedures |
| ADC | Aerodrome Control |
| APC | Approach Control |
| LOW | Low Level Operations (General Air Traffic/VFR) |
| EMG | Emergency Procedures |
Note
Some smaller airfields may only have a selection of the above.
Validity of Procedures¶
Controllers must ensure they are using the most recent version of documentation when controlling and mentoring.
Variations to the procedures and information published on this site are handled as described below.
Permanent Changes to Procedures¶
Amendments to existing procedures and the introduction of new procedures will be notified through the publication of an ATC Procedure Changes Forum post. These shall have precedence over procedures published on this site.
Significant changes will also be highlighted to controllers via a UK Controller Plugin notification, but controllers are expected to check the forum and Discord for relevant changes.
AIP-Published Data¶
Some information included in the vMATS documentation is aeronautical data published in the UK AIP, e.g., the inbound course/axis for holds.
Where there are differences, the information published in the AIP shall take precedence.
The Operations Department aims to notify controllers of the differences between this document and the AIP by means of an ATC Procedure Changes forum post (see above).
Temporary Instructions (TIs)¶
A TI is a mandatory ATC instruction which is a temporary change to local ATC procedures. These will most often be published in advance of events for the purpose of opening non-standard sector splits but may also be used in case of vRAF military activity, or to set out VATSIM UK’s operational response to a temporary change to real world procedures.
All published instructions in the ATC Temporary Instructions Forum shall have precedence over procedures published on this site for the period of their validity.