# VFR Traffic

<p class="callout success"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We ask all pilots to also read the [General section](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/books/airports-langen-fir-edgg/page/general "EDDF Pilotbriefing General") with **information relevant to all pilots**.</span></p>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Frankfurt/Main’s airspace and amount of jetliner traffic make the airport **very unsuitable for VFR traffic** in the real world. As there is a high level of traffic on VATSIM as well, controllers will often be unable to accommodate many VFR requests. Especially during events you can expect to be denied traffic circuits and might face significant delays for takeoffs, landings, and CTR crossings.</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You should be prepared for the controller to **instruct you to leave the control zone** if the traffic load rises or you fail to comply with instructions promptly and accurately.</span>

<p class="callout info"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In the real world, **most non-airline traffic will fly to [Frankfurt-Egelsbach](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/books/airfields-germany/page/edfe-frankfurt-egelsbach "Frankfurt-Egelsbach briefing")** instead of Frankfurt/Main.</span></p>

### <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Airspace Structure</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Frankfurt/Main CTR has a **top altitude of 2500 ft MSL, about 2100 ft AGL**. Please pay close attention to setting the correct QNH and your altitude to avoid inadvertently entering **airspace D or C above**.</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There are four mandatory reporting points around the CTR. Romeo 1 and Sierra are generally only available for departures. If Egelsbach Radio is staffed, **traffic via Lima is subject to approval by Egelsbach Radio**. Keep in mind that ATC might instruct you to use a different reporting point than the one you requested, if necessary.</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">**Two VFR holdings** are charted for Frankfurt, one in the North and one in the South of the field. If no further clearance has been given after entering the CTR, you are expected to hold using these VFR holdings.  
</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Frankfurt/Main is bordered by the **Egelsbach ATZ in the Southeast** and the **Wiesbaden CTR(HX) in the Northwest**.</span>

### <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Departure</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">VFR departures have to **initially call Frankfurt Delivery**</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.</span>

<p class="callout info"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When departing runways 25L or 25C, you can expect to be instructed to not overfly runway 18. If you are unable to comply with this instruction, **inform ATC on initial contact** that you need to overfly runway 18.</span></p>

### <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Arrival</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Runway 25R/07L is **not available for VFR traffic**.</span>

### <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Traffic circuits</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Due to the layout of Frankfurt/Main, the airspace around it, and the high amount of jetliner traffic, the airport is **not well suited for VFR traffic circuits**. This means that **pilots need to be very proficient** and can expect to spend a lot of time in one of the holdings.</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">During periods of high traffic, ATC might need to fit you into **very tight gaps**, resulting in very short to non-existent finals as well as early crosswind turns. Please follow all instructions accurately and immediately to avoid go arounds and ensure separation.</span>

### <span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Who to contact?</span>

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When multiple Tower stations are staffed, it might not be immediately obvious who you should contact. Please **refer to the following table** in such cases:</span>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-intention-frequency-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 58.2716%; border-width: 1px; background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241); border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); height: 216px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 33.7592%;"></col><col style="width: 66.2444%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); background-color: rgb(194, 224, 244); vertical-align: middle;">**Intention**  
</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); background-color: rgb(194, 224, 244); vertical-align: middle;">**Frequency (contact topmost station online)**  
</td></tr><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle;">Outbound  
</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">122.035 *(Frankfurt Delivery)*  
</td></tr><tr><td class="align-center" rowspan="3" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle;">Inbound from the North  
</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">136.500 *(Frankfurt Tower)*  
</td></tr><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">124.855 *(Frankfurt Tower)*  
</td></tr><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">118.780 *(Frankfurt Tower)*  
</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2" style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle;">Inbound from the South</td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">119.905 *(Frankfurt Tower)*</td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(149, 165, 166); vertical-align: middle; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">118.780 *(Frankfurt Tower)*</td></tr></tbody></table>