Departing Traffic
We ask all pilots to also read the General section with information relevant to all pilots.
Preparation
A thorough preparation is important for any flight. We ask you to conduct a thorough briefing to avoid delays and keep it fun for everyone.
Route planning
You can find valid routes for many destinations in the AeroNav Global Route Database.
When planning a route via SimBrief, please use routes with the Eurocontrol icon, as those will generally be valid.
When filing an invalid flight plan, you will usually have to file a completely new flight plan before ATC can issue your enroute clearance.
SID assignment
If there is no SID leading to the first waypoint of your flight plan, please check which AIRAC you are using - if your AIRAC cycle is too outdated, it might take some time until the controllers can coordinate a solution for you. Please also make sure you are complying with the following restrictions that exist for some of these waypoints.
| Waypoint |
Restrictions |
| DKB |
only for flights continuing Northeast-bound via N869 or to destinations EDDN, EDTY, and EDQ* |
| ETASA |
only to destinations EDDF, EDFC, EDFE, and ETOU |
| GEBNO |
only for flights continuing North-bound via Z76 and with requested max. FL180 |
| KRH |
only to destinations EDDR, EDRZ, EDSB, ETAR, and ETIP; Monday through Friday only for flights with requested max. FL80 |
| OKIBA |
only for flights with requested min. FL200 |
| ROTWE |
if continuing via NATOR: only for jet aircraft |
| STG |
only for local IFR training flights |
| SUL |
if jet aircraft: only to destinations EDNY, EDTL, LSZH, and LSZR |
| TAGIK |
only for flights continuing via ABUMO or ASKIK and with requested max. FL240 |
| TEDGO |
only for local IFR training flights or to destination ETHL |
K-SIDs
SIDs with designator K are only assigned on pilot request and require special navigational capabilities.
If you would like to use the K-SID to your initial waypoint, inform ATC when requesting your clearance. Keep in mind that the general traffic situation might prevent the controller from clearing you via the K-SID.
Enroute Clearance
Clearance requests in Germany are very short. Please avoid unnecessarily long clearance requests to reduce frequency congestion.
Pilot: Stuttgart Delivery, Germanwings 6CG, stand 41, request clearance, information S.
All SIDs in Stuttgart are runway dependent, so ATC will not inform you of your departure runway as this is already clear from your SID assignment.
Datalink Clearance (DCL/PDC)
Stuttgart also offers electronic datalink clearances (also known as PDC or Pre-Departure Clearance) using the Hoppie ACARS system. The station code is EDDS. If your aircraft does not have a direct integration of the Hoppie system, you can also use easyCPDLC.
Requesting clearance electronically is preferred over voice clearances as it reduces frequency congestion thus avoiding delays. Because of this, we ask all pilots able to use the Hoppie ACARS system to do so.
Startup
Startup approval is the "go" from the controller's side to start your engines. It is also an assurance that you will be cleared to start moving within the next few minutes. It is requested and approved separately from pushback.
Pushback will not be issued by Delivery. Startup approval is not a clearance for pushback!
ACDM Procedures
Stuttgart employs ACDM procedures for efficient operations. This requires pilots to comply with assigned ACDM times. Please set your TOBT using the vACDM pilot interface to help the controllers with preplanning and reduce delays.
When there is delay during periods of high traffic, it is your responsibility to request startup during your TSAT window - don't rely on ATC to call you!
If you are unfamiliar with ACDM procedures, please read the vACDM pilot guide.
Pushback
Only request pushback if you are actually ready to start pushing back. If you take longer than 1 - 2 minutes to start moving, ATC might have to cancel your pushback clearance to avoid delays for other pilots.
Keep in mind that some positions on Stuttgart's apron are taxi-out stands. If you are parked on one of these taxi-out stands, you won't need a pushback.
If you are unsure about your pushback instruction or unable to comply for any reason, hold position and inform ATC immediately.
Orange line pushback
Aircraft parked at positions 71 - 75 with a maximum wingspan of 36 m might be given a pushback clearance onto the orange line instead of taxiway N. This will allow other aircraft to still pass on N.
If the orange line is missing from your scenery or you are otherwise unable to comply with this pushback instruction, hold position and inform ATC immediately.
Taxi
While Stuttgart's layout is relatively simple, it is still important to conduct a thorough briefing of expected taxi routes as well as correct taxiing. To avoid delays for yourself and other users, start taxiing as soon as possible after receiving your taxi clearance and request taxi in a timely manner after your pushback.
If you are unsure about your taxi instructions, hold position and inform ATC immediately.
Takeoff
Stuttgart has only one runway which needs to be used for both departures and arrivals. Especially during periods of high traffic it is important to begin your takeoff roll as soon as you receive your clearance and be prepared for immediate takeoff clearances. If you take too long, ATC will have to cancel your takeoff clearance and issue a go around for the arriving aircraft.
Visual departure
(Turbo-)Prop aircraft up to 5.7t MTOM should be prepared for Tower to ask them if they can accept a visual departure. This procedure involves flying an assigned heading once airborne while maintaining your own terrain clearance.
Only accept a visual departure if you feel confident that you can follow the instructions, otherwise you should reject the visual departure clearance.
Auto-handoff
Stuttgart utilizes an auto-handoff procedure for departures where Tower will not hand off outbounds to the approach controller. The current departure frequency will always either be noted in the ATIS or part of your clearance.
Contact the departure frequency immediately when airborne unless explicitly told to remain on Tower frequency.