GEN | RAF Fairford (EGVA)

ATC Positions

Callsign	Position Logon	Controller Identifier	Frequency
Fairford Information	EGVA_ATIS	ATIS	135.455
Fairford Tower	EGVA_TWR	TWR	124.800

Altimeter Setting Procedures

As Fairford is operated by the US Air Force, altimeter settings in METARs are given in Inches of Mercury (inHg). All arriving and departing aircraft shall operate initially on the Brize QNH until they make initial contact with TWR, when they shall be passed the Fairford Altimeter (QNH). Aircraft remaining in the visual circuit shall operate on the Fairford Altimeter. QFE is also available on request and can be calculated by subtracting 0.31 inHg from the Altimeter.

Note

Controllers should be aware that aircraft may request the QNH/QFE in hectopascals, and this should be provided where possible using a conversion tool.

The Transition Altitude is 3000 feet, except that portion of airspace underneath the Daventry CTA, where the Transition Altitude is 6000 feet.

Runways and Instrument Approach Procedures

There is no preferential runway system at Fairford, however the calm wind runway shall be Runway 27. Runway selection shall be coordinated with Brize APP.

There are two IAPs available to each runway at Fairford: a radar-vectored ILS approach or a TACAN approach. Radar-to-Visual recoveries are also available when conditions allow.

VFR Procedures

VFR circuits shall be not above 1300 ft for “Light” category aircraft, and 1800 ft for aircraft within the “Small” category or higher. Circuit direction for Runway 09 is Right-Hand, and Runway 27 is Left-Hand. Circuit direction shall not be varied without prior coordination with Brize ZONE, as this will lead to aircraft entering the Brize Class D CTR.

VFR departures are to be instructed to leave the Fairford MATZ not above 3000 ft, routing via a specified compass direction. Conversely, pilots may request a specific, non-defined routing, e.g. “on track Blakehill Farm”. TWR shall pre-note Brize ZONE when the aircraft requests start, passing Callsign, Type and Routing.

VFR arrivals shall make initial contact with Brize ZONE no later than 15 NM from Fairford, and from outside the MATZ and Brize CTR boundary. Light aircraft and helicopters can expect to be instructed to join the visual circuit by TWR once Brize ZONE has transferred the traffic. High performance aircraft can expect an initials join for the active runway, with an overhead break into the circuit.

Local SSR Code Procedures

Fairford TWR shall not assign squawks to aircraft without prior coordination with Brize APP, unless the aircraft is operating with an IFR GAT flight plan. GAT shall be assigned a UKCP-generated squawk passed with the clearance, during taxi.

Brize is assigned the local SSR code range 3701-3745.

Mode A Code(s)	Allocation
3701-3707	Brize ZONE
3710-3726	Brize LARS
3730-3736	Brize APP/DIR - IFR Departures
3740-3745	Brize APP/DIR - IFR Arrivals and Visual/Radar Circuits