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Reference

ATC Vector Visual

UOAF guidance for using BMS ATC vectors to conduct a visual recovery without collapsing the queue or creating avoidable conflicts.

Normal procedure Adaptive procedures

Normal Procedure

  1. Enter the ATC queue by having flight lead request ATC vectors for visual approach.
  2. Follow ATC directives.
  3. Report on final to Tower when on final.
  4. Land.

Entering the ATC Queue

  1. Arrive within 30 nm of the destination airbase so you are inside ATC Approach airspace.
  2. Flight lead orders the flight onto the correct destination approach preset or frequency. This is usually UHF 4, UHF 7, or UHF 10.
  3. Flight lead requests vectors for visual approach. This enters all members of the flight into the ATC queue as long as they are within 5 nm of lead.

Important notes:

  • ATC may pass QNH on initial contact, and each pilot should set the altimeter accordingly.
  • All pilots need to be on the correct approach frequency before the request or they will not hear their vectors.

Following ATC Directives

ATC vectors each member of the flight individually, which makes the approach frequency busy very quickly.

Each directive can include up to three variables:

  1. Heading
  2. Altitude
  3. Speed

Example directive:

Plasma 1-1, turn right heading 355. Descend to 5000. Maintain 300 kts.

Guidance:

  • Listen carefully for your own callsign.
  • Obey directives as quickly and safely as possible.
  • If you miss a call, request Say again.
  • Pay close attention to assigned speed so you do not overtake traffic ahead of you and disrupt the queue.

Orbiting

ATC may tell a pilot to orbit for spacing at a given altitude.

Example:

Falcon 2-2, orbit for spacing. 6000.

Notes:

  • This means begin a right-hand orbit at the assigned altitude.
  • All orbit directives are right-handed.
  • If ATC tells you to orbit above 4000 ft, expect traffic below.

On Final

ATC will eventually begin appending the landing runway to directives, which signals that the handoff to Tower is approaching.

Example:

Viper 1-3, turn heading 305. Descend to 4000. Maintain 270 kts. Vectors to final. Runway 18.

When Approach says Contact Tower on Final:

  • Switch to the tower preset or frequency. This is typically UHF 3, UHF 8, or UHF 11.
  • Once within 6 nm of the field and within 30° of either side of the threshold, report On final.

Important note:

  • Do not request landing clearance separately. The tower queue was already established through Approach and Tower is waiting for the final call.

Adaptive Procedures

Traffic Advisory Calls

ATC may warn you about traffic that could be on a collision course.

Example:

Fury 1-3, traffic 11 o'clock.

Pilot actions:

  1. Look immediately in the stated direction.
  2. Establish visual contact.
  3. Decide quickly whether you need to deconflict.
  4. Once you see the traffic and have the situation under control, reply Traffic in Sight.

If you do not acknowledge traffic, ATC may keep warning you and you may miss other critical directives.

Authorization Canceled

ATC may cancel your approach if:

  • You flew too close to traffic,
  • You disobeyed directives, or
  • The runway suddenly became unavailable.

If this happens:

  • Abort the approach or landing.
  • Fly back outside the immediate airfield area.
  • Re-enter the queue by contacting Approach again.

If you absolutely cannot abort, declare an emergency.

Not Reporting Final

Landing without reporting to Tower that you are on final disrupts the final queue and may cause ATC to revoke authorizations for other flights to create room.

Aborting

If you cannot land safely:

  • Abort the approach or landing.
  • Call the abort on whichever ATC frequency you are currently using.
  • If you are already on final, inform Tower.
  • If you are still on approach, inform Approach.
  • Fly clear of the immediate airfield area.
  • If you still intend to land, contact Approach again and request vectors.

Always tell ATC you are aborting so the queue stays coherent.

Declaring an Emergency

If you have a real in-flight emergency, for example a fuel leak, you may need to declare an emergency on the ATC frequency and land immediately.

  • Declaring an emergency is a serious action because it disrupts the queue.
  • Do not use it for convenience.