Skip to main content

Apron

All aprons in Berlin are controlled by two Apron stations.

The Main Apron (EDDB_A_GND) shall connect first. Apron North (E_GND) may be staffed as soon as Berlin Delivery is connected. 

EDDB_Ground_Stations_Overview.pngAoR Berlin-Brandenburg Airport

Procedures

Virtual Court

  • Road crossing north of B01
  • Taxiways V1 and V2 will end at the virtual court
  • VC is the only taxiway which connects the Main Apron with Apron North
  • Crossing the virtual court is only possible via VC (physical barriers installed)
  • The virtual court displays a hotspot for ground movements in this area
  • Traffic may be re-routed via P1 or P2 to relieve the virtual court (coordination with Berlin Ground required)

Efficiency

  • Usage of all available taxiways on the Main Apron will generate maximum capacity in this area
  • Good pre-planning and coordination with other stations required
  • Traffic to aprons A and C may be routed non-standard after coordination to reduce unnecessary waiting times.

Pushback

Straight Pushback: Often used for departing aircraft at aprons A and C to not block taxiways for other aircraft.

RYR302H, pushback approved, straight back, facing south.

Pushback with 180-Turn: Used for aircraft parked next to each other to reduce blocking and waiting times. The 180-turn will be given with the taxi clearance. 

Pushback on VC and V1/V2: It is allowed to instruct aircraft a pushback on all three main taxiways. Wingspan clearance to other traffic must be obtained at any time!

AFR36DV, pushback approved, facing south on VC.

Special Pushback "Virtual Court":

POSITION STEP 1 STEP 2 INSTRUCTION
B01 - B02 Pushback straight back Pull forward on V2 until reaching B03, facing south "Pushback approved, straight back on V2, then pull forward, disconnect abeam position B03 facing south."
B03 Pushback facing south on V2 Pull forward until reaching B03 "Pushback approved, facing south on V2, then pull forward, disconnect abeam postion B03."
D02 - D03 Pushback on VC -- "Pushback approved, facing north on VC"
D04 - D05 Pushback straight back Pull forward on V1 until reaching D06, facing south "Pushback approved, straight back on V1, then pull forward, disconnect abeam position D06 facing south."
D06 Pushback facing south on V1 Pull forward until reaching D06 "Pushback approved, facing south on V1, then pull forward, disconnect abeam position D06."

On the Vatsim network, not every pilot can perform the "push and pull" procedure. Therefore, an instruction to push back on VC might be an alternative solution. 

Examples:

EDDB_Pushback_01.png EDDB_Pushback_02.png
Pushback from D02, D05 and B02
Pushback from D06 and B03

Taxi

Swingover: Aircraft might be instructed to switch from one taxiway to another taxiway at any time (except during LVP).

DLH202, swingover VC, taxi via VC, V1, hold short of Entry South.

Hold abeam: It is possible to instruct aircraft to hold short abeam of any stand.

  DLH202, hold short abeam stand D16.

Gate Assignment

Gate Assignments shall always be done via the Ground Radar Plugin.

  • All gates ending with "A" (e.g. B15A) are designed for heavy aircraft
  • All gates ending with "B" (e.g. B15B) are designed for the Airbus A380
  • Stands E01-E19, 33-36 and 70-75 are so-called taxi-out stands (no pushback required)

De-Icing

  • De-Icing for heavy aircraft at Apron A, B, C, D, and E has to be done at the parking position
  • There are two central de-icing pads:
    • Stands E03, E05, E07, E09, E11, E13, E15, E17 (Entry to the Pad via P2, exit via P1)
    • 72-74 ("Pad North", approved for aircraft with AFCT code up to code letter D)

P2-Orange

Taxiway P2-Orange can only be used during daylight operations.

Low Visibility Procedures

The following applies during Low Visibility Procedures (LVP):

  • Swingover procedure not permitted
  • Crossing the virtual court via VC no permitted (Re-Routing via P1, P2 and T mandatory)
  • Use of conditional clearance not permitted

Handoffs

Handoffs during 07-Ops

FROM TO HOLD SHORT OF FROM POSITION REMARK
A_GND N_GND C Main Apron Prior release from E-GND required
A_GND S_GND B Main Apron --
E_GND N_GND C A/D-Apron --
E_GND N_GND C E-Apron --
E_GND S_GND B E-Apron --
E_GND N_GND K or K1 Apron 2-3 --

All handoffs indicate to the next station that the aircraft is released for any further taxi. Conflicts and cleared conflicts shall not exist when performing a handoff to the next station.

EDDB_Main_Apron_07_Übergaben.png

EDDB_Nord_Apron_07_Übergaben.png

Handoffs during 25-Ops

FROM TO HOLD SHORT OF FROM POSITION REMARK
A_GND N_GND C -- Prior release from E-GND required
A_GND S_GND B B/D-Apron --
A_GND S_GND B C-Apron --
E_GND S_GND B E-Apron --
A_GND N_GND K Apron 2-3 Via N1 preferred
E_GND N_GND C A-Apron --
E_GND N_GND C D01-D03 --
E_GND N_GND C E-Apron --
E_GND N_GND K (via K5) Apron 2-3 --
E_GND N_GND G (via K6) Apron 2-3 --

All handoffs indicate to the next station that the aircraft is released for any further taxi. Conflicts and cleared conflicts shall not exist when performing a handoff to the next station.

EDDB_Main_Apron_25_Übergaben.png

EDDB_Nord_Apron_25_Übergaben.png

Taxiways

Restrictions

TAXIWAYS RESTRICTION NOTE
V1, V2 -- Independent use possible
V1, V2, VC max. wingspan < 36 m During simultaneous movements on V1-VC or V2-VC
V3, VC max. wingspan <36 m During simultaneous movements on V3 and VC
E max. wingspan <65 m --
F max. wingspan < 65 m When bordering apron E
P1, P2 max. wingspan < 36 m --

EDDB_Taxiways_Main_Apron.png

TAXIWAYS RESTRICTION NOTE
N2 max. wingspan < 65 m When bordering positions 50-55
N2 max. wingspan < 52 m When bordering positions 56-57
K4 max. wingspan < 65 m --
N1 max. wingspan < 52 m When bordering positions 19-27
K5 max. wheelbase < 18 m North of taxiway G
All other max. wingspan < 36 m Only inside AoR of Berlin Apron

EDDB_Taxiways_Nord_Apron.png

Max Wingspan A/C Types
< 30m AT72 / CRJX / DH8D / RJ1H / etc.
< 36m B739 / A321 / BCS3 / E195 / etc.
< 52m B753 / B763 / A306 / etc.
< 65m A333 / A346 / A35K / B744 / B77W / B78X / etc.
< 80m A124 / A388 / B748 / etc.
> 80m A225