London Gatwick (EGKK) Pilot Guide¶

All UK airports in general, but especially Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester have very high traffic levels on VATSIM. We appreciate you visiting this page to ensure you are prepared for your flight.

General information¶

Charts¶

Its vital that you have access to current navigation charts, as there have been recent changes to the airport layout.

If you don't have a payware chart subscription, you can access free charts from ChartFox using your VATSIM login.

Scenery¶

There are multiple up-to-date Gatwick freeware and payware sceneries available.

Simulator	Payware	Freeware
MSFS	iniBuilds 2024	mkvy 2020 & 2024
X-Plane 11/12	-	mACA454

Controller Positions¶

RT Callsign	Logon	Frequency
Gatwick ATIS	EGKK_ATIS	136.525
Gatwick Delivery	EGKK_DEL	121.955
Gatwick Planner	EGKK_P_GND	134.230
Gatwick Ground	EGKK_N_GND	121.540
Gatwick Ground	EGKK_S_GND	121.805
Gatwick Tower	EGKK_TWR	124.230
Gatwick Director	EGKK_F_APP	118.950
Gatwick Director	EGKK_APP	126.825

General Advice¶

If you don't understand an instruction, always ask the controller to clarify rather than do what you think.

When being handed to a new frequency, take 5-10 seconds on new frequency to make sure no one is transmitting or waiting for a response before calling up. In the UK, we call this 'tune, listen, talk':

• Tune the frequency. Check that the input is correct, and leave time for the software to effect the frequency change. The UK is busy and the network infrastructure can occasionally struggle - frequency changes may not be instantaneous!

• Listen to the frequency. A controller may be waiting for another pilot to respond while they look something up - pilot responses are not immediate and just because there is 'a gap' does not mean there is room for you to talk! Wait for some time, listen for a couple of transmissions and then...

• Talk. Think before you speak and be clear about what message you need to give. Avoid rambling, be courteous and speak clearly - needing to repeat a transmission because you spoke too quickly to be heard is always slower than just saying it slowly, once, in the first place.

If you are requested to 'monitor' a frequency, switch to the assigned frequency as soon as practical and do not say anything. The controller will call you up when needed. This may take some time - be patient, comply only with your previously assigned instruction and wait.

If you are told to contact a new controller with "your callsign only", then your initial call should include just that!

Departure¶

Clearance¶

Departure clearance is obtained from Gatwick Delivery EGKK_DEL, or in its absence by the position providing top-down coverage. If Gatwick Delivery is closed, but both Gatwick Ground EGKK_N_GND & EGKK_S_GND positions are open, clearance should be obtained from the position covering your stand as marked on the charts.

At Gatwick, PDC is the preferred method of obtaining clearance. If you are not using the Hoppie's ACARS network, you may be sent a PDC to your pilot client via text. You should not read this back!

If requesting clearance via voice, report:

• Aircraft type
• Stand number
• ATIS
• QNH

All SIDs at Gatwick are runway dependant, thus the runway in use will not be included in departure clearance. You should check the ATIS for the runway in use and check that you have planned and filed the correct SID before calling for clearance.

Pushback¶

Tug release points do not exist at Gatwick. All pushback instructions will contain a direction, and optionally a taxiway/stand to push onto.

Be prepared to comply with non-standard pushback instrucitons:

• Code C (A321/B737) or smaller aircraft on stands 554-562 and even numbered 16-28 stands may be instructed to straight push onto the adjacent taxiway perpendicular to the centerline.

• Aircraft may be instructed to push straight back into stands 41-43, 132-133 & 64-66 facing out of the stand.

• Aircraft may be instructed to make a long pushback finishing abeam (next to) a stand.

Taxi out¶

Gatwick has split ground operations. When in use pilots can expect to be given intermediate taxi instructions to one of the following holding points as shown in the diagram below.

When the Main Runway 08R/26L is in use (the standad config for Gatwick), the Northern Runway 08L/26R is used and referred to as a taxiway, NOT a runway. You do NOT need additional clearance to enter and taxi on TWY 08L/26R. This information can also be found on the ground charts.

Take-off¶

Pay close attention to the holding point you were assigned by ground. These allow the tower controller to create the most efficient departure sequence. Don't just follow the aircraft in front of you as they may be on a different route!

Once handed off to the tower, switch as soon as possible! This typically occurs around P/N for westerly operations, and passing S on easterly operations.

If you need additional time at the hold, or on the runway for operational reasons, tell the tower controller as soon as possible. Don't wait until you've been cleared to line up or take off, as that will be too late.

To keep traffic moving, expect the use of conditional line-up clearances. These will always be against the next aircraft to use the runway. Once the aircraft has passed in front of you, begin your line-up. The aircraft does not need to have touched down.

Gatwick operates one of the busiest single runway airports in the world, and as such the tower controller has to make the most use of gaps in arrivals. When you are cleared for takeoff the expectation if you start your takeoff roll immediately.

Your takeoff clearance will include the surface winds, and potentially traffic information that the controller deems pertinent to your flight. You do not need to read back the winds, or every detail about the traffic.

SID¶

The airspace around Gatwick is incredibly busy, with many conflicting routes. You must follow the altitude and speed contraints of the SID exactly, otherwise you risk colliding with other traffic.

On your first contact with London Control (or Gatwick Director for SFD SIDs), report:

• Callsign
• SID Designator
• Current altitude
• Cleared altitude

It is very likely you will be vectored off the SID during the initial stages of your flight. Follow each instruction promptly and be ready to rejoin your filed route when directed by ATC.

Arrival¶

STAR¶

Altitude constrains noted on the charts are for reference only. Actual descent will be as directed by ATC. You can expect clearances to be level at or abeam a certain fix. Make sure you are able to comply with this in your aircraft, and advise if unable.

If further clearance has not been received when reaching the clearance limit, aircraft shall enter the published HOLD procedure as shown on the STAR charts.

Holding Fix	Inbound Course	Turn Direction	Leg Length	Speed
WILLO	283	R	5.1 NM	Max 220 kts
TIMBA	307	R	1 min	Max 220 kts

All planes will be vectored onto the ILS by default. If you require a different approach type inform Gatwick Director EGKK_APP at the earliest suitable opportunity, ideally on initial contact.

Pilots should plan the following speeds unless otherwise instructed. Keep in mind that ATC instructions always take precedent.

• Below FL100 - 250 KIAS

• Leaving the hold - 220 KIAS

• Base - 180 KIAS

• Established on final - 160 KIAS until 4nm

On first descent to an altitude Intermediate Gatwick Director EGKK_APP will inform you of an estimated track mileage from your current position to touchdown. If online, this will also be updated by the Final Gatwick Director EGKK_F_APP on initial contact, and in both cases does NOT need to be read back. You should use this to calculate and fly a Continuous Descent Approach.

On transfer from the Intermediate Gatwick Director to Final Gatwick Director report ONLY your callsign to them, unless otherwise instructed by the previous controller.

Due to traffic or airspace constrains it is sometimes necessary to establish aircraft above the platform altitude at 3000' for RWY26L. If this is the case, you will be cleared to establish on the localiser, and then descend ONLY with the glidepath.

Landing¶

Check in with Gatwick Tower EGKK_TWR with your callsign ONLY, unless otherwise instructed by the previous controller.

Gatwick operates one of the busiest single runway airports in the world, so the tower controller has to make the most use of gaps in arrivals. There may be one or two departures prior to your arrival, you should not read back that information.

It is normal not to receive landing clearance by the approach minimums. You can continue your approach until the moment before touching down without having to go around.

When the runway is temporarily occupied, a landing clearance may be issued to an arriving aircraft provided that the controller is satisfied that at the time the landing aircraft crosses the threshold, certain criteria will be met.

Due to high traffic volume it is imperative you vacate the runway as quickly as possible to avoid go arounds. Plan to use the first available high speed exit.

Taxi in¶