Updated: 2024-07-30 --- # Ground Controller Responsibilities Ground controllers are responsible for: - The safe and efficient movement of aircraft on the ground at an airfield - Passing clearance instructions to aircraft prior to taxi - Transferring aircraft to tower control when appropriate Not every situation in can be covered in the procedures in this document, all controllers must exercise good judgement in dealing with situations out of the norm. Controllers have wide latitude to make non-standard decisions for safety of flight. # Airport Diagram >[!note] > vCSG-3 does not use airfield diagrams or approach / departure plates unless specifically briefed. The airport diagram is what pilots use to navigate the airport. Be aware that LotATC has more plates than pilots have in DCS so ground controllers need to be prepared to work with pilots who do not have airport diagrams. Information on the airport diagram includes - Field elevation - Runway magnetic headings - Taxiway names (Letters) - Airfield Frequencies (Single controller use frequency from F10 map) ![[Pasted image 20230811004224.png|400]] # Ground Control Procedures ## Departures ### In the Pit Aircraft that spawn at the field and intend to depart should give an “In the pit” call when up on frequency. Ground controllers should acknowledge this with a “Loud and Clear” call. >[!example] In the Pit >“`[callsign]`, in the pit on `[frequency]`” >>[!quote] >>`A/C`: “Victory 101, in the pit on 263.0” >[!example] Controller Reply >“`[Callsign]`, `[Airport]` Ground, loud and clear on `[frequency]`” >>[!quote] >>==GND==: “Victory 101, Nellis Ground, loud and clear on 263.0” It is recommended the controller develop a log system and note which aircraft have come up on frequency ### Clearance When an aircraft is ready to receive their clearance, they should inform the ground controller they are "Ready to Copy Clearance", upon hearing this, Ground will pass the clearance instructions. Sometimes aircraft forget to get their clearance and will give a “Ready to Taxi” (or simply “Taxi”) call to ground. Ground should respond with a call instructing to “Advise when ready to copy Clearance”, upon receiving a ready call, Ground will pass the aircraft their Clearance instructions. Clearance includes the location the aircraft is cleared to and the route of getting there (which can be as fragged/as filed), the method of departure, the local altimeter, runway in use, departure frequency if applicable, and transponder code if applicable, Aircraft should read back the whole clearance. >[!note] > vCSG-3 provides information that would normally be included in the ATIS as part of the clearance. >[!example] Clearance >“`[Callsign]`, `[airport]` ground, cleared `[to destination/as fragged]`, `[departure instructions]`, `[airport]` altimeter `[# inhg]`, runway `[#]` in use, (departure frequency `[frequency or button]`), (squawk `[transponder code]`)” >>[!quote] >>==GND==: “Victory 101, Nellis ground, cleared as fragged, on departure fly runway heading, 1 DME past the TACAN turn left heading 360, climb and maintain 6000, Nellis altimeter 30.01, runway 03L in use, departure button 8, squawk per SOP.” > >>[!quote] >>==GND==: “Victory 101, Nellis ground, cleared to tonopah test range via the CASE III departure then as filed, Nellis altimeter 30.01, runway 21R in use.” ### Taxi After the aircraft reads back their clearance, ground control should provide taxi instructions to the active runway. Do not plan to use taxiway names unless explicitly briefed. Aircraft can be simply told to “taxi to and hold short” a runway as long as there are no potential collisions. Procedural taxi may also be used, where aircraft are given taxi instructions one step at a time by watching the aircraft in real time and calling each turn. Only Tower can clear aircraft to cross the active runway, so if that is necessary, coordinate with the tower controller. Any instruction to cross a runway, active or inactive, must be explicitly stated. >[!example] Taxi >“`[Callsign]`, taxi (via) hold short `[runway/taxiway]`” >>[!quote] >>==GND==: “Victory 101, taxi and hold short 03L” > >>[!quote] >>==GND==: “Victory 101, taxi to hold short 03L via Golf, Alpha, cross runway 03R at Alpha, ” ### Contact Tower Once the aircraft has a taxi clearance to hold short of the active runway and there are no more intersections in front of them, they can be switched to tower. Switch aircraft no later than when they arrive at the hold short. >[!example] Contact Tower >“`[Callsign]`, contact tower `[frequency or button]`” >>[!quote] >>==GND==: “Victory 101, contact tower button 7” ### Departure Flow >[!example] `A/C`: "In the Pit" ==GND==: "Loud and Clear" `A/C`: "Ready to copy clearance" ==GND==: _Sends Clearance_ `A/C`: _Reads Back Clearance_ ==GNC==: _Gives Taxi Instructions_ `A/C`: _Reads Back Taxi Instructions and begins to Taxi_ *`A/C` Reaches Hold Short* ==GND==: _Switches Aircraft to tower_ %% ```mermaid sequenceDiagram Aircraft->>Controller: "In the Pit" Controller->>Aircraft: "Loud and Clear" Aircraft->>Controller: "Ready to Taxi" Controller->>Aircraft: "Advise when ready to copy clearance" Aircraft->>Controller: "Ready to copy" Controller-->>Aircraft: Sends Clearance Aircraft-->>Controller: Reads Back Clearance Controller-->>Aircraft: Gives Taxi Instructions Aircraft-->>Controller: Reads Back Taxi Instructions Aircraft--)Controller: Begins Taxi Aircraft--)Controller: Reaches Hold Short Controller-->>Aircraft: Switches Aircraft to tower ``` %% ## Departure Example Situation: Nellis Ground, multiple controllers, 06L Active >[!example] `A/C`: “Victory 101 in the pit 275.8” ==GND==: “Victory 101, Nellis Ground, loud and clear on 275.8” `A/C`: “Nellis Ground, Victory 101 Clearance to Silverbow on request, ready to copy” ==GND==: “Victory 101 Cleared to Tonopah test range as filed, on departure fly runway heading, one DME past the TACAN turn left 360, climb and maintain 10000, expect 15000 10 minutes after departure, Nellis altimeter 30.01, Runway 03L in use, departure button 8, squawk per SOP.” `A/C`: “Victory 101, Cleared to Tonopah as filed, Runway heading, one DME left 360, 10000, 15 after 10, altimeter 30.01, 03L, Departure button 8, squawk per SOP, ready to taxi” ==GND==: “Victory 101, readback correct, Taxi and hold short 03L” `A/C`: “Victory 101, Taxi and hold short 03L” *`A/C` Reaches Hold Short* ==GND==: “Victory 101, Switch tower button 7” `A/C`: “Victory 101 Switching button 7” # Arrivals Aircraft will be switched to ground after clearing the runway. Simply ask aircraft their intentions, then provide taxi instructions to the appropriate location. Aircraft looking to shutdown/logoff should be taxied to any open ramp. Aircraft looking to rearm/refuel should be taxied to a rearming pad if available or a ramp near the active runway if not. Aircraft looking to taxi back and depart should be given taxi instructions to the hold short of the active runway.