# EDDF - Frankfurt/Main Airport # Overview Frankfurt/Main airport is one of the largest airports in Europe and the world. Together with London Heathrow, it is also the busiest airport on the VATSIM network. **All stations at Frankfurt require a Tier 1 endorsement ([mentoring session necessary](https://board.vatsim-germany.org/threads/angebote-requests-training-request-thread.71382/ "Training Request Thread")).** DEL and GND positions require the EDDF\_GNDDEL endorsement which can be acquired by all controllers with an **S1** rating or higher. TWR requires the EDDF\_TWR endorsement which can be acquired by all controllers with an **S2** rating or higher. All APP/DEP positions require the EDDF\_APP endorsement which can be acquired by all controllers with an **S3** rating or higher. **Training:** Controllers with the S1 rating can staff TWR positions during their training (active EDDF\_TWR solo endorsement required). Controllers with the S2 rating can staff APP/DEP positions during their training (active EDDF\_APP solo endorsement required).

**P-Bridge** (taxiway P between P4 and N11) is **closed** until mid of june 2024! See [forum](https://board.vatsim-germany.org/threads/2-apr-2024-p-bridge-closure-at-eddf.72175/ "[2. APR 2024] P-Bridge closure at EDDF") for more details.

### Frankfurt/Main ATC Stations

Station	Station ID	Login	Frequency	Remark	Endorsement
DEP-ATIS	ADDF	EDDF\_D\_ATIS	118.730	--	--
ARR-ATIS	AADF	EDDF\_A\_ATIS	118.030	--	--
Delivery	DFC	EDDF\_DEL	122.035	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Coordinator	--	EDDF\_CO\_DEL	--	event position, monitors 122.035	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Apron
Center Apron	DFGC	EDDF\_C\_GND	121.855	primary	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
West Apron	DFGW	EDDF\_W\_GND	121.755	secondary	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
East Apron	DFGE	EDDF\_E\_GND	121.955	tertiary	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
~~South Apron~~	~~DFGS~~	~~EDDF\_S\_GND~~	~~121.655~~	not yet used in reality	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Deicing	DFGI	EDDF\_ICE\_GND	121.985	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Tower / Ground
Center Tower	DFTC	EDDF\_C\_TWR	118.780	primary	Tier 1: [EDDF\_TWR](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
West Tower	DFTW	EDDF\_W\_TWR	124.855	secondary	Tier 1: [EDDF\_TWR](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
North Tower	DFTN	EDDF\_N\_TWR	136.500	tertiary	Tier 1: [EDDF\_TWR](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
South Tower	DFTS	EDDF\_S\_TWR	119.905	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_TWR](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Supervisor	--	EDDF\_CO\_TWR	--	event position, airport-wide flow control and decision making	Tier 1: [EDDF\_TWR](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Ground	DFG	EDDF\_GND	121.805	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_GNDDEL](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
Arrival / Departure
North Arrival	DFAN	EDDF\_N\_APP	120.805	primary arrival	Tier 1: [EDDF\_APP](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
South Arrival	DFAS	EDDF\_S\_APP	125.355	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_APP](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
North Director	DFANT	EDDF\_H\_APP	127.280	primary feeder	Tier 1: [EDDF\_APP](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
South Director	DFAST	EDDF\_L\_APP	118.505	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_APP](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
North Departure	DFDN	EDDF\_N\_DEP	120.155	--	Tier 1: [EDDF\_APP](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")
South Departure	DFDS	EDDF\_S\_DEP	136.130	primary departure	Tier 1: [EDDF\_APP](https://core.vateud.net/my/endorsements "Your endorsements (VATEUD Core)")

### CTR Frankfurt/Main [![EDDF_CTR.jpg](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2024-03/scaled-1680-/eddf.jpg)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2024-03/eddf.jpg) *Frankfurt/Main D-CTR - © [openflightmaps.org](https://www.openflightmaps.org/)* ### Airport Capacity

Outbound EDDF		Inbound EDDF
RWY 18	40 / hr every 2 min + 10 extra movement	alternating	35 - 40 / hr
RWY 25C / 25L	25 / hr every 3 min + 5 extra movement	parallel independent	50 - 60 / hr
RWY 07C / 07R	40 / hr every 2 min + 10 extra movement	single runway	25 - 30 / hr
Sector Arrival South (DFAS): 8 - 10 aircraft at the same time
Sector Arrival North (DFAN): 10 - 12 aircraft at the same time

# Delivery Frankfurt Delivery is responsible for enroute and startup clearances for all departing IFR aircraft. VFR aircraft have to call Delivery for departure information. For all departures (IFR and VFR) Frankfurt Delivery is the first station to contact. **Startup:** When startup clearance cannot be given immediately or the pilot is not ready for startup within the next 5 minutes during high traffic situations, the pilot needs to stay on Delivery frequency until he receives startup clearance. If an expected startup time (TSAT) exists, the pilot should be informed about it. This procedure might be necessary during events with a lot of outbound traffic. With startup Delivery transfers the aircraft to the responsible Apron station depending on the current stand. Mind the different initial climbs for the different SIDs and runways! **Euroscope:** Delivery shall ensure that the initial climb is set and the correct SID is coded into the flightplan (very important for Center!). When issuing startup the corresponding ground state "SUG" (Startup Given) and the clearance received flag need to be set. **Events:** For events Delivery has a very important role regarding the efficient traffic flow at the airport and runways. Check the usage of slots as well as the Event Coordinator article for more information. During events startup should only be issued when the outbound is ready for pushback within the next 5 minutes. Otherwise clearance can already be given and the pilot needs to report ready for startup on Delivery frequency. ### SID Assignment The runway used for departure and the corresponding SID are based on the first waypoint of a flight plan. Outbounds to the north will always use runway 25C/07C. Departures to the east, south and west will get runway 18 for departure. There is only one exception of that during 07 operations, where outbounds to the east will also use runway 07C. **South Apron:** Aircraft parked in the southern part of the airport can be told to prepare both runways (25C/07C and 07R/25L), final decision will be by Tower later on during taxi depending on inbound traffic. This should be noted in the remark section (e.g. "25C/25L"). During low traffic situation, runway 25L/07R can be issued directly. The default SID designator for each runway and waypoint can be seen in the table below.

Waypoint	RWY 25C	RWY 18	RWY 07C
ANEKI	-	L	-
CINDY	-	S	-
KOMIB	-	-	D
OBOKA	M / G	-	E / D
MARUN	M / F	-	E / D
SOBRA	-	L	-
SULUS	-	S	D
TOBAK	M / F	-	D
ULKIG	-	L	-

*[![EDDF_SID_waypoints.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-sid-waypoints.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-sid-waypoints.png)Location of waypoints that are available for flights out of Frankfurt* For a quick overview the **[Quicksheet for EDDF](https://dms.vatsim-germany.org/s/xKbC3HDGMj4Ae2E)** includes all assignment rules. The Quicksheet includes all useful SIDs outbound EDDF, with the ones for standard operation set in bold font. For deviation from these rules, coordination between Delivery and the Tower controllers is required, as he is responsible for the departure sequences. Be advised that non-standard SIDs can create dependencies to other arrivals and departures. Departures in brackets can be cleared without prior coordination when filed or requested by a pilot. Especially during high workload for TWR and APP default SIDs have to be used. If necessary the pilot's filed route has to be amended by Delivery (often a complete new route is required). Additonally you can use the **[SOP-Quicksheet for EDDF](https://dms.vatsim-germany.org/s/rJCQS6FLB9fwk6s)** as a reference (this is by no means the entire SOP but covers the most important procedures) ### Departure Routes #### Runway 25C/25L **M/H-Departures:** Runway 25C/25L is primarily used for northbound flights. All Light and Medium as well as Heavy aircraft with 3 or 4 engines are always assigned the M/H-Departures (so called "Südumfliegung") by default. After departure they lead with a left turn towards the south before turning to the north. If these aircraft types are not able to fly this departure route (e.g. they cannot comply with the climb restriction), they need to use the F and G-Departures. **F/G-Departures:** Heavies with 2 engines (including B757) will get a departure route with Designator F/G and turn directly north after take-off (deviations due to weather possible). Departures towards the south that use runway 25C/25L will also use Designator F. **W/K and N/P-Departures:** W and K departures are only available for aircraft with special equipment (RNP + fixed radius) and should be used by request only. Night Departures with Designator N are available for all 3- and 4-engined Heavy and Super aircraft between 2200-0700LT. Single- and Twin-Props may use Designator P to SOBRA instead of runway 18. **Low Visibility Operations:** During LVO all departing traffic that is able to fullfill the climb restriction (including two engined heavies) out of runway 25C/25L should get the M/H SIDs due to restrictions with approaching traffic. #### Runway 07C/07R **E/D-Departures:** Runway 07C/07R is used for north- and eastbound flights. Light and Medium aircraft are assigned a departure with Designator E, if available. Heavy and Super aircraft (including B757) are assigned a departure with Designator D. Between 2200-0700 LT all flights towards the north and east should get Designator D due to noise abatement. **SULUS-Departures:** During 07 operations departures to the east (SULUS, KOMIB) are sent only via runway 07C/07R and not via runway 18. **X/Y-Departures:** Designator X and Y are only available for departures to the south and west and for aircraft with special equipment (RNP + fixed radius). They should not be used. #### Runway 18 In standard configuration runway 18 is used for outbound flights to the south, west and east. SIDs with Designator S and L should be used according to the table above. S is always the shorter routing, while L is the one used if someone cannot comply with the restrictions on the S route. SIDs with designator A, U, R and T should not be used. During 07 operations runway 18 is not used for flights to the east. ### Datalink Clearance (PDC/DCL) At Frankfurt Airport we offer Datalink Clearance to the pilots throughout the **[Hoppie System](https://www.hoppie.nl/acars/)** and the Topsky Plugin. The airport code EDDF should be used (already preselected). An example of the DCL message the pilot will receive can be seen below. It's important that the **current ATIS Designator** will be entered via the remarks. By default startup always needs to be approved seperately.

CLD 2042 220117 EDDF PDC 026 SAS461L CLRD TO EKCH OFF 25C VIA MARUN7M CLIMB FL070 SQUAWK 2037 ADT MDI NEXT FREQ 121.905 ATIS H REQUEST STARTUP ON 121.905

### Additional Information #### Old SIDs Over time several SIDs have been replaced. New controllers might not know the old ones that a pilot with an older AIRAC cycle could have in his database. If someone only has an outdated AIRAC cycle, the old SIDs could be used instead of a vectored departure. You will find the current equivalents in the table below.

Old Waypoint	Current Waypoint	Route to use in case of old AIRAC
BIBTI	OBOKA	BIBTI #M/#G or #E/#D SID
DKB	CINDY	DKB #S SID for CINDY Z74 HAREM T104 DKB
NOMBO	CINDY	NOMBO #S SID for CINDY Z74 LAMPU DCT NOMBO
RATIM	CINDY	RATIM #S SID for CINDY L603 RATIM (Prop only)
ROTEN	CINDY	ROTEN #S SID - ROTEN #T STAR (DEST EDDN only)
AKONI	CINDY	AKONI #S SID for CINDY SID

#### SID Restrictions Due to a lot of different route planning tools, some non valid routes out of Frankfurt exist. To ensure an efficient operation within the upper and lower airspace several restrictions should be met if workload permits. To solve the issue, usually **a completely new route has to be filed!** Therefore **[grd.aero-nav.com](https://grd.aero-nav.com)** can be used. All restrictions can be found in the table below.

Waypoint	Restriction	Remark
ANEKI	not for DEST EDDM + EDMM FIR	reroute via CINDY
CINDY	via CINDY \[...\] T104 \[...\] DEST EDDM, EDDN only	reroute for other DEST required
CINDY	via CINDY L603 \[...\] Prop only, max. FL230	reroute for non prop
KOMIB	only DEST EDDN, mandatory during 07 operations	reroute via CINDY for 25 operations
TOBAK	not via TOBAK Z10 \[...\]	reroute via MARUN
MTR / TAU / RID	NON-RNAV only, max. FL90	reroute for RNAV capable aircraft (e.g. A320, B738)

# Apron

Frankfurt Apron can be split into 4 stations as shown in the table and images below. If more than one of these stations is staffed, Delivery needs to be staffed first. If just one Apron is online, this Apron takes over all other Apron stations, but not Frankfurt Ground.

Station	Station ID	Login	Frequency	Remark
Center Apron	DFGC	EDDF\_C\_GND	121.855	primary
East Apron	DFGE	EDDF\_E\_GND	121.955	secondary
West Apron	DFGW	EDDF\_W\_GND	121.755	will be taken over be DFGC if not staffed
South Apron	DFGS	EDDF\_S\_GND	121.655	will be taken over by DFGE if not staffed not yet operational in the real world
Deicing	DFGI	EDDF\_ICE\_GND	121.985	deicing operations only
Ground	DFG	EDDF\_GND	121.805	will be taken over bei DFTS if not staffed

[![EDDF_AoR_TWR_07.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-aor-twr-07.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-aor-twr-07.png)*AoR for 07 operations* [![EDDF_AoR_TWR_25.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-aor-twr-25.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-aor-twr-25.png)*AoR for 25 operations* ### General Procedures ##### Taxiway Usage Taxiway L is always used in the direction towards the holding point of the center runway, depending on runway in use. Taxiway N is used the other way (see image). During 07 operations taxiway N west of N11 is also used towards the west, which shall be used for runway 18 outbounds (L, N14, N). [![EDFF_EDDF_N_L.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/edff-eddf-n-l.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/edff-eddf-n-l.png)*Usage of Taxiways N and L* **Taxiway Restrictions:** For B747, A380, A346 and B77W can be found [here](https://chartfox.org/EDDF#EDDF_90779). The auto gate assignment will take care of that, so if a stand is auto assigned, the aircraft is allowed to taxi on the taxiway to get there. **Taxiway Links:** Links connect taxiways N7 and N8 at different locations to enable the best traffic flow. If N7 and N8 are used within the same instruction, **Links 3, 4 or 5** shall be used whenever applicable. These Links should be used with care because some pilots might not find/know them (Links are difficult to find as there are no signs, just visible at the charts). More images are available [here](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/books/airports-langen-fir-edgg/page/vfr-traffic-c7N "Taxiway Links at Frankfurt Airport").

**Link 1** does not exist in real life anymore, and can not be found on any charts! Link 3 or N8 - N - N7 should be used instead.

[![EDDF_Link1_Link3_outside.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-link1-link3-outside.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-link1-link3-outside.png)*Usage of Link 1 and Link 3 between N7 and N8* **Colored Lines:** Colored lines (orange and blue) are available at N in front of Terminal 2 and at N7 between N and L. These lines can be used by all aircraft up to a size of an A321/B739. With P3D colored lines between N1 and N3 are not available. Some preplanning is required to use them in the most efficient way. [![Blueorange.jpg](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/blueorange.jpg)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/blueorange.jpg)*N-Blue and N-Orange used at the same time for parallel taxi* **Pushback:** V134 - V178 (all facing south), as well as positions C2, B10 and A1 are taxi out positions. V143 and V144 are pushback positions! Pushback from positions V106 - V118 (even number) should be issued straight back to allow multiple pushbacks and taxi in without blocking other positions. > DLH123, pushback approved, straight back, facing north. [![EDDF_straight_push.jpg](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-straight-push.jpg)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-straight-push.jpg)*Straight pushback at positions V106 - V118 without turn* **Gate Assignment:** Gates will be assigned by Ground Radar Plugin according to the real world. A-Stands are mainly used for DLH, AUA, TAP, AEE, SWR and UAL (Schengen and Non-Schengen area). Gates A50 to Gates A69 are DLH only. B and C-Stands are used for Star Alliance flights outside the Schengen area. Terminal 2 is mostly used for non-Star Alliance members and low cost operators, that are also located at the V-Positions in front of Terminal 2.

The first apron controller the inbound traffic contacts will always tell them their gate, even if it's under another Apron's responsibility.

> **Frankfurt Apron (West)**: DLH1255, gate A25, taxi via N11, L hold short of N8. > > **Frankfurt Apron (West)**: DLH1255, contact Apron on 121.855. **Inbounds 25C / 07C:** Inbound traffic to runway 25C/07C will be handed over from Tower with a hold short of L. This traffic is still blocking the runway after vacating and has to be treated with number one priority. **Handoff:** Handoff to the next Apron controller will always take place with a hold short instruction of the next intersection close to the border of the area of responsibility (e.g. traffic from Center to West at N with a hold short of N10). Do not label any hold short for the transfer that is defined by the SOP! **Traffic Flow:** If you have any “potential conflict” that will just generate waiting time for the pilot, please try to solve the problem without assigning a new gate. That will improve your preplanning skills a lot. Always try to work with conditional information as precisely as possible, but do not overload the pilot with useless information! > **Frankfurt Apron**: DLH123 at L give way to opposite company A320. > > **Frankfurt Apron**: DLH456 at N4 number two behind Singapore A350 from right. > > **Frankfurt Apron**: DLH789 behind opposite British Airway A319 taxi to holding point runway 18 via N, hold short of N5. **Tricks:** - keep the traffic flow dynamical and use conditional instructions as often as practicable. Resolve a hold short with a conditional instruction as soon as practicable. - you may deviate from the default taxi flow (coordination might be required) to enable an efficient flow (e.g. via N3, N, N1 instead of L). - you may have to adjust the routing to avoid conflicts and holdshorts - you have to monitor taxiway M and the holding points to see what you can expect entering your sector within the next minutes ### Use of Intersections

**Runway 07C/25C:** Apron will not clear outbound traffic into intersections for runway 25C/07C. All outbounds are instructed to hold short of the intersection and Tower will instruct them to join the intersection that might be the best for the departure sequence.

> **Frankfurt Apron**: DLH123, taxi to runway 25C via N4 and L, hold short of L3. > **Frankfurt Apron (Center)**: DLH505, taxi to runway 25C via N8 and L, hold short of N4. > > **Frankfurt Apron (Center)**: DLH505, contact Apron on 121.955. > > **Frankfurt Apron (East)**: DLH505, hallo, continue via L, hold short of L3. > > **Frankfurt Apron (East)**: DLH505, contact Tower on 118.780. > **Frankfurt Apron**: AAL71, taxi to runway 25C via N, N1, hold short of L. > > **Frankfurt Apron**: BAW906U, taxi to runway 18 via orange line and N, hold short of N5. It is important that every handoff takes place as early as possible and has to be free of conflicts. Every potential conflict needs to be solved prior to the handoff. As soon as the outbound traffic is in contact with Tower, it is released by Apron up to L1 and Tower has the possibility to use every further intersection available. Even if the pilot reported to Apron to be able for L6, Tower still can use L3 (or L1) intersection if there is no benefit for the outbound to use an intersection. In that situation with traffic on L under control of Tower, other outbound traffic e.g. joining L via N3 needs to be number 2 behind the traffic on L. Intersections a pilot is able for should be noted in the remarks. Do not label any hold short for the transfer that is defined by the SOP! Keep in mind that if you would like to solve a conflict it might be useful to let outbound traffic continue via L even if he would be able for L6. **Runway 18:** Departures out of runway 18 will always be sent directly to the holding point via N/L. Handoff should take place early, so that Tower still has the chance to take outbounds via N-South. During 25 operations intersection L needs to be coordinated. During 07 Operations N is still preferred for all heavy aircraft (routing via L, N14, N). During high traffic load (decision rests with apron control) All MEDIUM and LIGHT aircraft departing via runway 18 and parking east of taxiway N3 shall be asked if they are able for departure out of intersection S. If they are, they should taxi to hold short of U2. Frankfurt Tower is responsible for further taxi. > **Frankfurt Apron**: DLH123A, advise able to depart from runway 18 intersection S? ### Runway Crossing The taxiways used for crossing are based on the planned parking position and runway in use (see image below). These taxiways are mandatory and only if a pilot uses the wrong taxiway the Tower controller should deviate from that after coordination with Apron. It is also possible to coordinate a different crossing taxiway (M6, M10, M30, Y, T) or procedure between Tower and Apron for crossing. **LVO:** During LVO inbound traffic landed on runway 25L/07R will not cross the center runway. All traffic needs to taxi via T or Y, depending on their planned stand.

Tower is not allowed to issue take-off clearances as long as the intersection is blocked by just crossed traffic. That’s why **Tower will issue the initial taxi route after crossing** to the Pilot. This depends on the runway in use and the intersection used (see images).

When traffic crossed the runway it shall be sent to the according apron control as soon as possible, so traffic does not need to stop. Apron is responsible for separation in the Apron at all times. Tower can issue the crossing clearances without looking at potential conflicts. A lot of planning is required for that.

[![EDDF_crossing_07_apn.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/eddf-crossing-07-apn.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/crossing-07.jpg)

[![EDDF_crossing_25_apn.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/eddf-crossing-25-apn.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-07/crossing-25.jpg) Inbound traffic entering the Apron without crossing the runway will be instructed according to the table below. Frankfurt Apron is always responsible for all GAT and movements at the southern apron!

Entry	Stand	Hold short of
P	all except those via P1	N11
P1	F231 - F238 and V266 - V270	W
S4 - S23	South Parking (S, V3xx, J, K, G)	S4 - S23, according to the stand

### Specialties during 07 Operations **Border at N5:** Traffic from Center to East Apron needs to hold short of N5. As soon as the handoff is initiated, this traffic is released and will always be number one (green aircraft). Only hand off aircraft which you do not need to stay there (e.g. if you would like to have your outbound at N5 as number 1 - see image, THY25L).

[![EDDF_N5_07.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/scaled-1680-/eddf-n5-07.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/eddf-n5-07.png)

**Mixed Area:** Taxiway L between N5 and N11 is used in mixed responsibility and owned by West and Center Apron. Inbound Traffic with parking position inside the area of Center Apron will get the handoff from East to Center Apron short of N5. Outbound traffic towards runway 07C and 18 will be handed over from East to West Apron also short of N5. Outbound traffic from Center to West Apron need to hold short of L and is released for further taxi on handoff by Center. After the handoff this traffic is always number one to turn on L if there is other inbound traffic under control of Center Apron. So West Apron do not need to take care of inbound traffic under control of Center. [![EDDF_mixed_area.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/scaled-1680-/eddf-mixed-area.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/eddf-mixed-area.png) ### De-Icing At Frankfurt de-icing is done around 50% at the parking position and 50% remote on the deicing pads. For departures out of runway 18 and 07 DP1 and DP2 are primary used, while for departures out of runway 25 DP3 and DP4 are prefered if deicing on the position is not possible. Most of the pads have an east and west part, where simultanious de-icing is possible.

DP	Location	max. Usage
DP1	west of runway 18	Code F (A388/B748)
DP2C	west of runway 18	Code F (A388/B748)
DP2E / DP2W	west of runway 18	Code C (B739/A321)
DP3E / DP3W	N7 blue/orange - facing north (!)	Code C (B739/A321)
DP4E / DP4W	V159 and V161	max. 2 engined heavies
DP5	G16A	not used

Outbounds on the southern apron need to use one of the pads on the northern side if deicing on the position is not possible. As soon as the aircraft is on the pad the pilot need to contact the "ice house" to coordinate the deicing process and further details. > **Frankfurt Apron**: DLH123 continue to DP2 Center, hold abeam the eyeline and contact the ice house on 121.985. # Tower

Frankfurt Tower can be split into 4 stations as shown in the table and image below.

Station	Station ID	Login	Frequency	Remark
Center Tower	DFTC	EDDF\_C\_TWR	118.780	primary station
West Tower	DFTW	EDDF\_W\_TWR	124.855	secondary station
North Tower	DFTN	EDDF\_N\_TWR	136.500	will be taken over by DFTW if not staffed
South Tower	DFTS	EDDF\_S\_TWR	119.905	will be taken over by DFTC if not staffed
Ground	DFG	EDDF\_GND	121.805	will be taken over by DFTS if not staffed

Ground can also be taken over by West Tower after coordination. However, it cannot be taken over by any Apron station. If multiple Tower stations are staffed, the responsibility for VFR traffic within the control zone can be coordinated for every single VFR flight or in general. Without coordination, South Tower is responsible for all VFR traffic (inbound VFR traffic from the North will initially call North Tower). ### Runway Usage Frankfurt Tower is responsible for the direction of operations. 25 operation is preferred up to a tailwind component of 5 kts. Runway 18 is always used up to a tailwind component of 15 knots. If the [tailwind component](https://sim.tools/ "sim.tools") of runway 18 is greater than 10 knots, this should be broadcasted via ATIS. Then pilots need to report if unable to accept runway 18 on initial call. It might be more efficient to close runway 18 depending on the amount of pilots that report being unable due to the required separation (see departure intervals).

Runway	Usage	Remark
25C / 07C	Departure	for emergencies and swingovers also for landings (coordinate exceptions)
25R / 07L	Landing only	not allowed for A380, B747, DC10, MD11, L-1011
25L / 07R	Landing	for VFR traffic and outbounds from the south apron also for departures
18	Departure only	--

Inbounds for the GAT and the south apron should be instructed to vacate runway 25L/07R to the south. ### General Procedures **Modes of Operation:** Tower has to coordinate with Langen Radar whether parallel independent, dependent or alternating (former staggered) mode will be used. The minimum separation between an aircraft on final runway 25L/07R and another aircraft on final runway 25R/07L is measured diagonal head to head.

Mode	Spacing 25L/07R - 25R/07L
alternating	2.5 NM
dependent	1.5 NM
parallel independent	independent

**Approaches:** By default, the ILS Approach is used for all arrivals, except coordinated otherwise. For runway 25R/07L ILS Y is preferred without tailwind and during CAT I operations. **Missed Approaches:** For all published approaches, the missed approaches will be as published, except coordinated otherwise. In case of a missed approach, the responsible radar station shall be informed (via Topsky or verbally). Missed approaches are handed over to Arrival, not Departure. **Separation:** Initially Frankfurt Arrival is responsible for separation until transfer of communication. The minimum separation between two aircraft approaching the same runway is 2.5 NM or wake turbulence separation, whichever is higher. Frankfurt Tower is responsible for maintaining separation, if necessary by use of adequate means (e.g. speed control), of arriving traffic from transfer of communication until touchdown and during the initial part of a missed approach. **Lineup:** Independent lineups can be used on any runway as the intersections are 500 m apart from each other (e.g. L3 + L6 and L20 + L17). Otherwise, outbounds need to line up behind (e.g. L3 + L4 and L17 + L16). Traffic information for the second departing traffic is mandatory! > DLH123 lineup runway 25C, number two for departure, B737 is departing out of L6 **Low Visibility Operations:** LVO shall be announced in the ATIS (Code &lvp), and only the Z ILS for the northwestern RWY may be used. During LVO the sensitive areas at the runway do not need to be clear before issuing a landing clearance. Nevertheless, the target spacing for arrivals shall be increased and runway crossings are not allowed. Additionally, all traffic shall be told to hold at the CAT III holding points. RVR values will be given with the landing clearance and in the case of guided take-off (RVR ≤ 125m) with the take-off clearance. ### VFR Traffic D-CTR of Frankfurt reaches up to 2500ft AMSL. For details see VFR charts. **Runway used:** VFR Traffic should use runway 25L/07R for arrival and preferred for departure. Depending on inbound and outbound traffic load, departures via runway 18 are suitable. VFR departures out of runway 25L/25C can be instructed not to overfly runway 18. Nevertheless, it is necessary to wait with an 18-takeoff clearance until the VFR departure turns away from runway 18. There are VFR holdings in the control zone north and south of the airport. Traffic in these holdings shall be instructed to stay clear of runway 18 or final runway 25R. **VFR Squawk:** All VFR traffic inside the controlzone of Frankfurt will get the transpondercode 4447. Police (POL - 0036) and Christoph rescue helicopter (CHX - 4444) will remain their squawk. **Helicopter Operation:** All helicopters always have to land or depart at an active runway at Frankfurt airport, even in case of an emergency operation. Thereafter they need to air-taxi to their destination at the airport (usually a stand at the GAT or next to the accident side). **Important Landmarks for VFR Flights** - River Main - Downtown Frankfurt (Northeast of the CTR) - BAB 3 (west to east through the CTR) - BAB 5 (north to south through the CTR) - BAB 60 (Splitting of BAB 67 to the west) - BAB 67 (north to the southwest of RWY 18) - Frankfurt Uniklinik (Northeast of the CTR) [VFR Charts - Openflightmaps](https://www.openflightmaps.org/ed-germany/?airac=2301&language=local) ### Runway Dependencies The parallel runway systems 25L/25C and 07C/07R cannot be used independently, wake turbulence separation must be applied for departures and arrivals. Apart from that, every aircraft movement not mentioned below is independent to all departures or arrivals as long as it is not obviously dangerous. During precision approaches (i.e. ILS and GLS) or visual approaches on the southern or the center runway, the other runway may be used for departures simultaneously (tabu zones for runway 25 have to be considered though, see below). During non-precision approaches (i.e. RNP), the southern and center runway have to be considered as one single runway and runway separation between the parallel runway system has to be maintained. Reduced runway separation is not possible. Nevertheless, line-up and crossing clearances are always allowed for the parallel runway.

**Targetspacing** for inbounds only need to be applied by Arrival when **requested by Tower!** Otherwise radar or WTC separation is used by default.

#### 07 Operations **Outbounds 07:** While precision or visual approaches are used, all outbounds out of runway 07C are independent to all arrivals on runway 07R and departures on runway 18. In case of a go around on runway 07R, Tower has to ensure separation. Therefore the missed approach should be turned to the south and the southbound departures out of runway 07C should stay on runway track. Missed approaches on RWY 07L and OBOKA/MARUN#E departures are **not** separated procedural. In case of go around on runway 07L, Tower has to ensure separation with departures out of runway 07C. **Outbounds 18:** Departing aircraft on runway 18 have to start their takeoff roll before any aircraft on final runway 07R is between 4 NM final and runway 18. For departures out of **intersection M** it must be ensured that the inbound will not overfly the departing traffic on runway 18, the 4 NM restriction does not need to be taken into account as well as wake turbulence separation. Departing taxi out of full length can taxi down the runway to intersection M (not via taxiway Y) to improve the departure sequence. Outbounds via **intersection S** are completely independent to arrivals for runways 07C and 07R. Traffic departing full length need to be separated by time-based wake turbulence to arrivals on runway 07R. > DLH123, lineup runway 18, on the runway taxi down intersection M. ![EDDF_dependencies_07.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/scaled-1680-/eddf-dependencies-07.png)*dependencies during 07 operations* #### 25 Operations **M/H-Departure and departures to the south (e.g. CINDY#F):** Takeoff clearances for runway 25C/25L can be issued when the following conditions are met. - **Inbound Traffic:** For departures out of runway 25C there is no aircraft between 4 NM final and threshold runway 25L. The takeoff roll has to start before any inbound for runway 25L reaches 4 NM final (only applicable for inbounds runway 25L, not for visuals runway 25C). For runway 25L only runway separation has to be applied. - **Outbound Traffic:** As soon as departures out of runway 18 started the takeoff run there is no further dependence between 18 and M/W/H/K SIDs from runway 25C/25L. **G/F-Departure to the north:** Takeoff clearances for runway 25C/25L can be issued when the following conditions are met. - No aircraft between 0,5 NM and 5,5 NM final runway 25R, takeoff roll has to start before any traffic inbound runway 25R reaches 5,5 NM final. - Independent of arrivals on runway 25L. - Departures out of runway 25L need a release by DFTW. - During LVO both red areas for 25L and 25R need to be clear of traffic when starting the takeoff roll. **18 Departures:** Outbounds from runway 25C/25L via M/W/H/K Departures need to overfly or reach 2000ft AMSL when overflying runway 18 before the takeoff clearance can be issued. ![EDDF_dependencies_25.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/scaled-1680-/eddf-dependencies-25.png)*dependencies during 25 operations*

**Missed Approaches:** Missed approaches from runway 25C and 25L are dependent to runway 18 departures. The takeoff clearance on runway 18 can be given, as soon as separation is ensured. ### Departure Intervals

Tower will get Outbounds for runway 07C/25C short of the intersections. The intersection to use can be decided by Tower depending on the best departure sequence. Therefore only L1, L3, L4, (L5) and L6 can be used during 25 operations and L14, L16, L17, L19, L20, L21 for 07 operations. Tower needs to instruct the pilot to join the intersection.

Usage of Intersections

Only intersections with a published TORA (see charts) may be used for departures, even if the pilot reports that he would be able for a different intersection. As an exception, helicopters may depart from every part of the runway up to the runway end. Generally, an intersection may only be assigned to a departing aircraft when the pilot either reports by himself that he is able for that intersection or agrees to it after a controller’s request - regardless of the aircraft type. In theory, every pilot has to report the earliest possible takeoff intersection to the tower controller according to the AIP EDDF. This is often not done in practice though, therefore the tower controller still needs to ask if the pilot is able to use an intersection. Exemptions of this rule are intersections L and M of runway 18 during 07 operations. The ATIS states that these are to be expected for every aircraft and pilots have to report if they are unable for M. Also, it is common practice to assign the following intersections without prior agreement since they only differ by a few meters from full runway length: L3 (25C), L20 (07C), N-South / L / W3 (18 - only applies for Mediums, Heavies have to be asked).

All departures must be separated by at least 3 NM or wake turbulence separation, whichever is greater. Tower has to ensure initial separation between departures and between departures and missed approaches. Transfer of communication shall take place when Tower has ensured this separation. **Departures with the same SID** need to be separated by at least 5 NM at transfer of communication.

**Rule of Thumb for aircraft with same performance:** A separation of 3 NM can be achieved when the succeeding traffic receives its takeoff clearance as soon as the proceeding traffic will overfly the end of the departure runway. For a separation of 5 NM the proceeding traffic needs to be 2 NM away from the end of the departure runway. If no radar screen is used, 2 minutes separation can be used in this case as well.

**Same SID, different runways**: Especially between southern departures out of runways 07/25 and 18, Tower has to pay special attention to initial separation. #### Staffing with multiple Tower If more than one Tower position is staffed, DFTW is responsible for the coordination between departures runway 18 and 25C/25L. DFTC/DFTS always needs a release by DFTW for all departures with initial turn to the south (e.g. M / W / H / K / CINDY\_F etc.) if not coordinated otherwise. Communication should only be "released" on the TS server. ### Stopbars Stopbars U2 - U8, T2 - T8, Y2 - Y12 and S40 close to the extended centerline are used to avoid conflicts between taxiing and arriving aircraft. They can be seen on the Airport Chart and on the Euroscope Screen. Taxiway U shall be used southbound and Taxiway T shall be used northbound. **Stopbars at T and U:** There must not be any traffic between T2 and T4 (RWY 25C) or T6 and T8 (RWY 25L) when there is landing traffic vertically above TWY T or departures out of 07C/07R still below 500ft AGL.

As a rule of thumb, the crossing clearance may be given when the inbound is on minimum 4 NM final.

There must not be traffic with a tail height greater than 11,81 m (all light and medium aircraft except A318 and B737 NG/MAX) between U2 and U4 (RWY 25C) or U6 and U8 (RWY 25L) when there is landing traffic vertically above TWY U (precision approach only!) or departures out of 07C/07R still below 500ft AGL. . If the arriving traffic on runway 25C/25L with an active landing clearance is flying a non-precision-approach (e.g. visual swingover), there must not be any traffic between U2/U6 and U4/U8. [![eddf-t4.jpeg](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-t4.jpeg)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-t4.jpeg)*Inbounds have to hold short of stopbar T4 (yellow lines on the ground).* *Name of the stopbar at the red sign on the left.* **Stopbars at Y:** There must not be any traffic between Y4/Y10 and Y2 (RWY 07C), when there is landing traffic for runway 07C vertically above TWY Y or outbounds runway 25C still below 500ft AGL. There must not be any traffic between Y6/Y12 and S40 (RWY 07R), when there is landing traffic for runway 07R vertically above TWY Y or outbounds runway 25L still below 500ft AGL. **U-Taxi:** Outbounds via runway 18 intersection S will taxi via the southside of the airport and are transferred from Apron to Ground short of stopbar U2. Further taxi will be issued via U - S - S11 - R - S25/(S28) - S. Explicit crossing of stopbars U2 and U6 is required. Depending on the inbound traffic for runway 25L/07R (there should be no opposite during taxi) further taxi via M can be used to save time.

Pilots can be instructed to use **Transition 1** via U - S - S11 - R - S28 - S to holdingpoint runway 18. Explicit crossing of stopbars U2 and U6 is still required! If the pilot seems to be unable to follow Transition 1, issue the taxiways as usual.

### Runway Crossing and Transfers #### Inbound Inbounds should be transferred from Tower to the corresponding Apron according to the image below. For most of the crossings Tower has to issue the first instruction after crossing to get the intersection clear as fast as possible (see image for that). After instructing the pilot, the handoff should be initiated. All transfers should be initiated early enough for an efficient traffic flow. Exceptions (e.g. hold short of L or via M6/L1 instead of T) are possible, but need to be coordinated between Tower and Apron individually for every aircraft. During **LVO** crossing of runways is not allowed, all inbounds have to taxi via Y (stand within west and center apron area) and T (stand within east apron area).

To protect the center runway, all traffic holding short shall be instructed to stop at the CAT II/III holding point!

> **Frankfurt Tower**: DLH123A, taxi via M M8, hold at CAT II holding point runway 25C. During 07 Operations inbounds landed on runway 07L with parking position west of N11 should be transferred directly to West Apron. ![EDDF_crossing_07_apn.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/eddf-crossing-07-apn.png) ![EDDF_crossing_25_apn.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-09/eddf-crossing-25-apn.png) Inbound traffic entering the Apron without crossing the runway will be instructed according to the table below. Frankfurt Apron is always responsible for all GAT and movements at the southern apron!

Entry	Stand	Hold short of
P	all except those via P1	N11
P1	F231 - F238 and V266 - V270	W
S4 - S23	South Parking (S, V3xx, J, K, G)	S4 - S23, according to the stand

Do not label hold shorts that are defined by the SOP!

#### Transfer Tower to Departure/Arrival **Departures:** All departing aircraft out of Frankfurt must be instructed to contact the appropriate Langen Radar frequency after departure. This instruction shall be given when the aircraft is airborne and free of conflict. The transfer shall be initiated early enough to avoid the flight leveling off (at +/- 1000 ft AMSL). Frankfurt Departure might be split into North Departure (DFDN) for outbounds to the north (OBOKA, MARUN, TOBAK) and South Departure (DFDS) for outbounds to the south (ANEKI, CINDY, KOMIB, SOBRA, SULUS and ULKIG). If Departure is not staffed, same rule apply for North (DFAN) and South Arrival (DFAS).

Frankfurt Arrival/Departure controllers shall always cross-couple both departure frequencies.

**Missed Approaches:** Transferred to the appropriate approach controller when staffed, go arounds from RWY 25R/07L to North Arrival, RWY 25L/07R to South Arrival. ### Visual Swingovers Inbounds for runway 25L have the possibility to do a visual swingover (visual approach) to runway 25C when reaching the 7 NM final (2500ft MSL). Therefore the pilot has to have the runway in sight. During 07 operations a swingover is only available for safety reasons. **Dependencies:** Visual swingovers are dependent to approaches on runway 25R/07L, even when using parallel independent operations! They do not have to be coordinated with Langen Radar as long as separation to other aircraft is obviously great enough. The **succeeding** aircraft has to confirm the parallel traffic in sight and maintain visual separation. **Missed Approach:** With the clearance for the visual approach the pilot has to be given a new instruction how to continue in case of a missed approach. Therefore runway track and a climb to 5000ft shall be used. If 25C is served on a different frequency (Center Tower is staffed), the pilot has to switch frequency for the visual swingover. They have to be asked if they are able for visual approach and frequency change. > **Frankfurt Tower**: DLH123, advise able for visual approach runway 25C and parallel A320 2 o'clock in sight? > > **Pilot**: Able and in sight, DLH123. > > **Frankfurt Tower**: DLH123, maintain own separation, cleared visual approach runway 25C, (do not overshoot to the north). In case of missed approach climb straight ahead 5000ft (and contact Frankfurt Tower 118.780). A swingover can have several benefits. Separation minima can be reduced (described below) or safety reasons e.g. to avoid missed approaches. Pilots are often happy about reduced taxi times on ground. **Swing to depart**: A swingover can also be used to improve the outbound flow for runway 25C with M/W departures, as there is no 4 NM restriction that need to be taken into account. A takeoff clearance on runway 25C can also be issued if the inbound is closer than 4 NM, what would not be possible if this traffic is approaching runway 25L. The inbound will be handed over to the according apron, with a hold short of L, as soon as possible. > **Frankfurt Tower**: DLH123, vacate to the right, hold short of L and contact Frankfurt Apron 121.855. ### Reduced Minimum Radar Separation > 2\) Reduced radar separation minima on parallel runway systems (Based on NfL I-55/11) > > 2.1) During approaches to the parallel runway system 07C/07R and 25C/25L at Frankfurt/Main Airport, a radar separation minimum of 2.5 NM applies on final approach between 10 NM and touchdown, provided the following conditions are met: > >

a) The preceding aircraft has the same or a lower weight category. Aircraft of weight category SUPER, HEAVY and the B757 as preceding aircraft are excluded from this procedure.

b) The exit taxiways of the runway can be observed from the control tower visually or by means of surface movement radar.

c) The runway is dry.

2.2) The reduced radar separation minimum may also be applied between staggered approaches to the parallel runways. In these cases, neither the line of sight of the exit taxiways (2.1b) nor the runway conditions (2.1c) need to be considered as a precondition.

*Quote from AIP Germany/AD 2 EDDF 1-34 (by the German Luftfahrt-Bundesamt), applicable on VATSIM.*

Langen Radar should not use separation less than 3NM on purpose. However the use of reduced minimum radar separation on final approach can avoid the need for missed approaches.

# Arrival/Departure Arrival can be split in 6 stations as shown in the table below.

Sector	Station ID	Login	Frequency	Remark
**Pickup
Arrival North	DFAN	EDDF\_N\_APP	120.805	primary
Arrival South	DFAS	EDDF\_S\_APP	125.355	--
**Feeder
Director North	DFFN	EDDF\_H\_APP	127.280	secondary
Director South	DFFS	EDDF\_L\_APP	118.505	--
Departure
Departure North	DFDN	EDDF\_N\_DEP	120.155	--
Departure South	DFDS	EDDF\_S\_DEP	136.130	--

All APP/DEP frequencies shall always be cross-coupled by the responsible controller.

### Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) Below you can find the arrival sector of Frankfurt with its subsectors. In case there is only one controller online, the whole sector is controlled by them. All subsectors combined constitute the Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA). The MVA chart is available via [chartforx.org](https://chartfox.org/eddf "chartfox.org") or as Topsky Map at Euroscope. The airspace structure can be found at [openflightmaps.org](https://www.openflightmaps.org/ "openflightmaps.org").

[![frankfurt-approach-sectors-07-config.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-11/scaled-1680-/frankfurt-approach-sectors-07-config.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-11/frankfurt-approach-sectors-07-config.png)

[![frankfurt-approach-sectors-25-config.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-11/frankfurt-approach-sectors-25-config.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-11/frankfurt-approach-sectors-25-config.png)

**Departure:** If only one Departure controller is online, he takes over the other Departure sector. If no Departure controller is online, Arrival North takes over Departure North and Arrival South takes over Departure South. If only one Arrival controller is online, he takes over the other Arrival sector. **Director (Feeder):** Feeders do not have their own sectors. They are assistants of the Arrival controllers which is why Director North has the same sector as Arrival North and Director South has the same sector as Arrival South. If only one Director is online, he is the Director for both Arrival controllers. ### Arrival Procedures #### General Procedures **Arrival Routes:** As the clearance limits for all EDDF STARs are outside of the TMA, the appropriate Center controller issues the clearance for any STAR and initiates the handoff before sector entry. In normal operations, the RNAV STARs from SPESA, KERAX, RASVO, IMCOM, RAMOB, PETIX, EMPAX, TANJO and DEBHI are used. In this case, Center clears most aircraft from the north via the northern STAR and every aircraft from the south via the southern STAR. All aircraft unable for the northern runways, the restricted heavies (A380s, B747s, MD11s (and AN124/AN225)), as well as aircraft parking at the GAT, shall be cleared for the southern STAR in order to ensure that they will arrive in the southern downwind. The designators for the RNAV STARs are shown below. All other aircraft landing on the southern RWY should be cleared for the southern arrival as well.

Runway	STAR	Routing	Old Transition
25	A	North	25N-Transition
25	B	South	25S-Transition
07	C	South	07S-Transition
07	D	North	07N-Transition

**Alternative RNAV STARs:** These STARs are only used between 22 and 05 lcl for the RNP X approach.

Runway	STAR	Routing	IAF
**25	G	North	ORVIV
**25	G	South	KUGUK
**07	R	North	IBLUS
**07	R	South	ULNOK

Even after the clearance for the STAR, the Arrival controller can always use vectors for sequencing.

**Releases:** Traffic handed over from Center to Frankfurt Arrival is fully released for turns and further descent. Arrival needs to ensure sufficient spacing between traffic. Inbounds should always stay clear of the departure sector even if Arrival handles departures as well. #### Approaches The following approaches are available at Frankfurt.

Approach	Runways	Remarks
ILS	07R/25L	3° glide path RNAV required
ILS X	07C/25C	3° glide path non-RNAV
ILS Y	07L/25R	3.2° glide path RNAV required
ILS Z	07L/25R 07C/25C	3° glide path RNAV required
GLS Y	all	3.2° glide path shall only be used upon pilot request
GLS Z	all	3° glide path shall only be used upon pilot request
RNP X	07L/25R 07C/25C	noise abatement procedure (former RNP Y)
RNP Y	all	3.2° glide path
RNP Z	all	3° glide path

**Usage of the different Approaches:** By default, ILS approaches are always used. Visual approaches should only be used if a pilot is unable to fly the ILS or RNP Z for any reason. In this case, the visual approach does not change any dependencies according to Operation Modes. All other approaches shall only be used on the pilot’s request and after coordination with all relevant stations (esp. Director and Tower). In high-traffic situations only ILS approaches are recommended. Depending on the traffic load, the **RNP X** approach for runway 25C/L or 07C/R is used between 22 and 05 local time. Coordination with Tower required. Intercepting below 4000ft should be avoided due to noise abatement. If a pilot missed the intercept and overshoot he could be turned back onto the ILS and descended below 4000ft in compliance with the MVA. **Runway Assignment:** Usually inbounds from the north will get the northern runway while inbound from the south will get the southern runway. Arrival/Feeder can deviate from that if required or requested by the pilot. Traffic for the GAT and Cargo aircraft except GEC, FDX, BCS, and BOX will always get the southern runway. **Non-RNAV:** All aircraft without RNAV capabilities need to fly the **ILS X** for runway **07C/25C** due to the missed approach procedure. #### Runway 25R/07L (Nord-West-Landebahn) Runway 25R/07L is not allowed for the following aircraft types: B747, A380, MD11, DC10, AN124, L-1011 **ILS Y/Z:** For runway 25R/07L an ILS-Z and ILS-Y exist. The ILS-Z approach has a 3°-glide slope and the ILS-Y has a 3,2° glide slope. The ILS-Y approach is the default one used. If there is a tailwind or LVO (CAT 2/3 operations) ILS-Z needs to be used. The ILS approach in use has to be mentioned in the ATIS! Coordination between Tower and Arrival may be necessary. Keep in mind, always the full approach name must be used (e.g. "expect ILS ZULU runway 25R”). #### Target Spacings As Tower must respect dependencies between departing and arriving aircraft, there are target spacings that should be present at touchdown for the highest efficiency of the runway system. Depending on the amount of departures, it is important that these minima are met whenever possible. Coordination is required if these can temporarily not be met or if Tower needs more spacing.

**Targetspacing** for inbounds only need to be applied by Arrival when **requested by Tower!** Otherwise radar or WTC seperation is used by default.

These target spacings at handoff are as follows: - **07R arrivals:** 5 NM (minimum 4 NM at touchdown) - **07L arrivals:** Radar Separation - **25L arrivals:** 6 NM (minimum 5 NM at touchdown) - **25R arrivals:** 6 NM

Wake Turbulence Separation must be applied where necessary all the time.

#### Separation on final As per the AIP for EDDF, separation between two aircraft approaching the same runway can be reduced to 2.5 NM under some conditions: > **4. Reduced minimum radar separation between approaches to runways 07L, 07C, 07R, 25R, 25C and 25L** > > 4.1 During approaches to runways 07L, 07C, 07R, 25R, 25C and 25L, the radar separation minimum of 2.5 NM applies on final approach between 10 NM and touchdown, provided the following conditions are met: > > 1. The preceding aircraft has the same or a lower weight category. Aircraft of the weight category SUPER, HEAVY and the B757 as preceding aircraft, are excluded from this procedure. > 2. The exit taxiways of the runway can be observed from the control tower visually or by means of surface movement radar. > 3. The runway is dry. > > 4.2 The reduced radar separation minima may also be applied between staggered approaches to the parallel runways. In these cases, neither the line of sight of the exit taxiways (4.1 b) nor the runway conditions (4.1 c) need to be considered as a precondition. Additionally, the separation between dependent parallel approaches to the parallel runway systems 25L/25R and 07L/07R can be reduced to 1.5 NM.

REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR DEPENDENT PARALLEL APPROACHES

Dependent parallel approaches should only be conducted to parallel runways when the following conditions are met: 1. separate air traffic controllers are responsible for the sequencing and spacing of arriving aircraft to each runway; **(Note: As an exception for DFS, this procedure may also be used with only one Director)** 2. the runway centre lines are spaced by 915 m (3 000 ft) or more; 3. the final approach course or track is intercepted by use of: 1. vectoring; or 2. a published arrival and approach procedures that intercepts with the IAF or the IF. 4. \[...\] 5. the instrument flight procedure that aligns the aircraft with the extended runway centre line is one of the following: 1. a precision approach procedure; 2. \[...\] 3. \[...\] - an appropriate, documented safety assessment has shown that an acceptable level of safety can be met; and - operations are approved by the competent authority; 6. aircraft are advised that approaches are in use to both runways; 7. the nominal tracks of the missed approach procedures diverge by at least 30 degrees; 8. \[...\] 9. a minimum of nominal 300 m (1 000 ft) vertical separation or a minimum of 5.6 km (3.0 NM) horizontal separation is provided between aircraft until established on the final approach courses or tracks of parallel approaches; 10. the minimum horizontal separation to be provided between aircraft established on the same final approach course or track is 5.6 km (3.0 NM), or 4.6 km (2.5 NM) horizontal separation if so determined in accordance with ATS.TR.215, unless increased longitudinal separation is required due to wake turbulence; 11. the minimum horizontal separation to be provided diagonally between successive aircraft on adjacent final approach courses or tracks is: 1. 1. \[...\] 2. [![EDDF_APP_Dependent.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-02/scaled-1680-/eddf-app-dependent.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-02/eddf-app-dependent.png) Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/373, ANNEX IV — Part-ATS, 10.02.2023

#### Low Visibility Operations (LVO) The current RVR values need to be given with the approach clearance. During low visibility operations, target spacings to all runways shall be as follows: - **Preceding WTC M:** minimum 5 NM or target spacing, whichever is greater - **Preceding WTC H/J:** minimum 7 NM #### Missed Approaches If no other procedure is coordinated, all missed approaches for ILS, RNP, and GLS approaches will be as published. It is strongly recommended to stick to the missed approach as published. In case of a swing over to runway 25C, this missed approach will climb on runway track to 5000ft. All other missed approaches for visual approaches to any other runway need to be coordinated in advance. During 25 operations, missed approaches via the south of the airport on headings need to cross the departure routes out of runway 18 at least at 5000ft due to the initial climb of 4000ft. Missed approaches could be on headings by arrival as soon as they are above the MVA. Headings like 160 or 340 are not recommended for vectoring back onto the downwind. ### Holdings The following holdings can be used by Frankfurt Arrival, but are not recommended except due to emergencies or runway closure on short notice: MTR, CHA, FKS, TAU, GED For traffic management purposes the Center controller shall use the following holdings instead: UNOKO (via RASVO), EMGOD (via IMCOM), ROLIS, KERAX, SPESA (above FL130). SPESA holding at and below FL130 lays in the TMA. It can be coordinated to delegate aircraft below FL135 in the SPESA holding to the appropriate Center controller. When holdings are used, close coordination between the Center and Arrival controller is mandatory. When an aircraft shall leave the holding towards approach, the Center controller shall instruct the pilot to leave the holding via the appropriate STAR and to contact the Arrival controller.

It is very important not to drain out the final. Even if the Approach sector is too busy and traffic management holdings are necessary, usually there is no need to completely close sector entry for more than 5 minutes (around one orbit in the hold). After a short closure because of an overload on the Arrival/Director stations, it is recommended to set an aircraft rate per time, e.g. not more than one aircraft per 4 minutes via RASVO/IMCOM/ROLIS/KERAX and not more than one aircraft per 3 minutes via SPESA. Try to clear the holdings as quickly as possible. Due to the enormous capacity in parallel operations (up to 60 movements per hour), usually extensive holding usage is not necessary.

Besides the traditional holdings radar vectors along the downwind and final (without an approach clearance) can be used to delay inbounds as well. In this way, there is a lot of capacity to hold aircraft and it is easy to dissolve. It is recommended to use this procedure when the airport is completely closed for a short time. Do not have too many aircraft in this holding structure to make separation easy – the Center holdings can be used for any additional aircraft. ### Departure Procedures Inbounds should stay above outbounds, clear of the Departure sector (at or above FL90). Outbound should stay at FL80 or below until they are clear of inbound traffic. If Departure and Arrival are staffed, a direct climb to FL110/FL130 can be coordinated if there is no conflict. If the Arrival controller takes over the respective Departure sector, it is possible to let a departure climb above an arriving aircraft if the climb rate permits. Therefore make sure that at first inbound and outbound are vertically separated. Only when it is predictable that the outbound can overclimb the inbound, further climb should be issued. Departing aircraft shall be handed over to the appropriate Center controller on the following flight levels to the following station:

Level	SID / Waypoint
FL110	CINDY / SULUS (out of RWY 18) / OBOKA (out of 07)
FL130	ANEKI / SOBRA / ULKIG / OBOKA (out of 25) / MARUN / TOBAK / SULUS (out of 07)

All departing aircraft shall be handed over to the appropriate Center controller as early as possible, clear of any other traffic. **Traffic handed over from Departure to Center is fully released for further climb and turns.** Especially departing aircraft with the same routing, even for just some time, shall be separated by at least 10 NM laterally whenever possible. Otherwise, additional vertical separation shall be applied (e.g. for merging F and M/H routes if not solved by vectors, directs, or speeds). ### Modes of Operation The runways system can be used in three different ways. This chapter explains these different modes of operation. In all systems, the main landing runways are 07R/25L and 07L/25R. Runway 07C/25C can be used as well (especially via visual swing-overs; see TWR SOP). In parallel operations, runway 07C/25C shall not be used by the Approach controllers and it shall not be used by the Tower controller for visual swing-overs two times right behind each other (swing-overs during 07 operations are only allowed for safety reasons anyways – see TWR SOP). If these rules are followed, visual swing-overs do not affect the following dependencies or independencies in any way.

Dependent operations are much easier to use but it does not have as much traffic capacity as parallel operations do. Usually, dependent operations are used on VATSIM. Especially during bigger events parallel operations may be the best way of handling the traffic.

#### Parallel Independent Operations Arriving aircraft on runway 07L/25R are independent of arriving aircraft on runway 07R/25L as soon as they are established on the localizer. 1. The first Arrival controller to be contacted (not Director!) by the pilot assigns the runway. After the runway assignment, the handoff from one Arrival controller to another Arrival controller is necessary if the aircraft leaves one Arrival sector and enters another Arrival sector. 2. The pilot is handed over from the appropriate Arrival controller to the appropriate Director controller (Director North for all runway 07L/25R arrivals, Director South for all runway 07R/25L arrivals) no later than 10 NM before the expected turn onto the final (earlier handoff preferred). 3. Before hand-over from the Arrival to the Director controller, the aircraft must be instructed to descend to the intercept altitude (5000ft for 07L/25R, 4000ft for 07R/25L) whenever possible (this is strongly preferred!). If this is not possible, FL60/6000ft or higher could be used. Often it makes sense to instruct all pilots to maintain 220 KIAS before the handover to the Director controller. 4. The localizer or ILS clearance cannot be issued before the aircraft has reached the ILS intercept altitude. 5. Aircraft have to be at intercept altitudes inside the turn areas (see image). Any aircraft in the turn area not at intercept altitude has to be coordinated with both directors. If an aircraft is flying straight in and can not reach intercept altitude before entering the turn area, it has to be turned towards the downwind. 6. Outbound capacities can be reduced due to parallel operations. Target spacings (see above) should still be met wherever practicable.

With two Feeders it might be helpful to have all arrivals for runway 25L/07R (e.g. the ones not allowed on 25R/07L) on the southern downwind by clearing also arrivals from the north for the southern STAR. Inbounds from the north downwind for the southern runway will be handed over to FFS.

##### Procedures for parallel independent - During this mode of operation, aircraft have to be able to fly 1 NM straight and level before intercepting the LOC and 2 NM straight and level before intercepting the GS (See ICAO DOC 4444). - The Non-Transgression-Zone (NTZ) provided with the local Euroscope files defines a zone that must not be violated by approaching traffic. According to the ICAO definition, upon violation of the NTZ by one of the approaching aircraft, the aircraft in the adjacent approach must be instructed to perform a Go Around. It is not sufficient to instruct a Go Around for the aircraft violating the NTZ. - The intercept of aircraft has to be performed so, that the aircraft establishes on the LOC inside the turn area. - The line left of the turn area indicates the latest point at which an aircraft has to be established on the LOC, not below the published ILS intercept altitude, due to noise abatement reasons. Intercepts closer to the airport should be the exception if for example pilots overshoot the LOC and have to be turned back toward the ILS. [![EDDF_Turn_areas_25.png](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/scaled-1680-/eddf-turn-areas-25.png)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2022-07/eddf-turn-areas-25.png)*Turn areas for 25 configuration (green)* ##### Staffing Possible staffing configurations (no others are possible!): 1. **DFDN, DFAN, DFFN** (recommended if no more controllers are available but there is too much traffic for staggered operations. Otherwise use staffing option 2 or use staggered operations.) 2. **DFAN, DFAS, DFFN, DFFS** (DFDN, DFDS) (recommended!) 3. **DFAN, DFAS, DFFN** (DFDN, DFDS) (not recommended!) 4. **DFAN, DFFN, DFFS** (DFDN, DFDS) (usually not recommended!) 5. **DFAN, DFFN** (only in exceptional cases where there aren't more controllers but the traffic amount does not allow staggered operations. This should be changed back to staggered operations as soon as practical.) *Station in brackets: additionally one or more of these stations can be staffed.* If just one Director is staffed, he takes over the other Director. DFAS and DFAN, DFFN and DFFS as well as DFDN and DFDS can be interchanged if one of the frequencies is preferred due to the neighbor station.

In real life parallel operations can only be used with two Director controllers. On VATSIM parallel operations with only one director is possible if necessary, but not recommended. With two directors, only parallel operations are possible.

#### Dependent Operations Arriving aircraft on runway 07L/25R are dependent to arriving traffic on runway 07R/25L. However, the separation for aircraft established on the parallel runways can be reduced to 1.5 NM. Wake turbulence separation has to be given at any time for aircraft approaching the same runway. It is also important that all aircraft have to fly a precision approach. If an aircraft is unable for a precision approach, it is required to switch to alternating operations for this aircraft. ##### Procedures Director assigns the runway on the initial contact or very soon thereafter. The handoff from Arrival to Director should take place no later than 10 NM before the expected turn onto the final (earlier handoff is preferred when able). ##### Staffing Possible staffing configurations (no others are possible!): 1. **FAN** (FFN, FDN, FDS) 2. **FAN, FAS, FFN** (FDN, FDS) (not recommended!) Station in brackets: additionally one or more of these stations can be staffed. FAS and FAN, FFN and FFS as well as FDN and FDS can be interchanged. #### Alternating Operations All arriving aircraft must maintain radar separation. Reduced Minimum Radar Separation (RRS) can be applied if necessary. ##### Procedures Director assigns the runway on the initial contact or very soon thereafter. The handoff from Arrival to Director should take place no later than 10 NM before the expected turn onto the final (earlier handoff is preferred when able). ##### Staffing Possible staffing configurations (no others are possible!): 1. **FAN** (FFN, FDN, FDS) 2. **FAN, FAS, FFN** (FDN, FDS) (not recommended!) Station in brackets: additionally one or more of these stations can be staffed. FAS and FAN, FFN and FFS as well as FDN and FDS can be interchanged. ### Minor Airports within the TMA #### Egelsbach Egelsbach (EDFE) is an uncontrolled airfield within the Frankfurt TMA. Egelsbach is handled the same way as any other uncontrolled airfield. If Egelsbach Radio is offline, it can be handled by DFAS if this controller has the VATSIM AFIS endorsement. Egelsbach airport can be delegated to Frankfurt Tower if this controller has the AFIS endorsement. If no controllers have the AFIS endorsement, Egelsbach airport cannot be covered with AFIS service. Although Egelsbach is an uncontrolled airfield, a big ratio of the traffic is business traffic. This traffic is usually IFR but must depart or land VFR in Egelsbach. Standard procedures for IFR pickup or IFR cancellation apply. It is recommended to execute IFR cancellations southeast of EDDF at 4000ft or below. It is also recommended to instruct pilots inbound Egelsbach to leave airspace CHARLIE to below as soon as IFR is canceled. Charts are available in the [AIP VFR](https://aip.dfs.de/BasicVFR/pages/C019C6.html "DFS AIP VFR EDFE"). #### Wiesbaden IFR in-/outbounds to Wiesbaden (ETOU) need to be separated to Frankfurt in-/outbounds. Coordination between Arrival and Frankfurt Tower might be necessary. An ILS approach is only available for runway 25 while both runways have RNP and TACAN approaches. Charts are available via [MILAIS GEMIL FLIP US DoD](https://www.milais.org/publications.php "MILAIS Publications"). ### Coordination Before any session, the following coordination must be made: **With Tower:** Runways in use (TWR decision), current ATIS information (TWR decision), mode of operation (APP decision) **With Center:** STARs to use (APP decision), holdings usage (only if necessary – APP and CTR responsibility but APP decision) All handovers are carried out as silent handovers as long as the relevant LOAs or additional agreements do not define a different procedure.

Outbound EDDF		Inbound EDDF
RWY 18	40 / hr every 2 min + 10 extra movement	alternating	35 - 40 / hr
RWY 25C / 25L	25 / hr every 3 min + 5 extra movement	parallel independent	50 - 60 / hr
RWY 07C / 07R	40 / hr every 2 min + 10 extra movement	single runway	25 - 30 / hr
Sector Arrival South (DFAS): 8 - 10 aircraft at the same time
Sector Arrival North (DFAN): 10 - 12 aircraft at the same time

Waypoint	RWY 25C	RWY 18	RWY 07C
ANEKI	-	L	-
CINDY	-	S	-
KOMIB	-	-	D
OBOKA	M / G	-	E / D
MARUN	M / F	-	E / D
SOBRA	-	L	-
SULUS	-	S	D
TOBAK	M / F	-	D
ULKIG	-	L	-

Old Waypoint	Current Waypoint	Route to use in case of old AIRAC
BIBTI	OBOKA	BIBTI #M/#G or #E/#D SID
DKB	CINDY	DKB #S SID for CINDY Z74 HAREM T104 DKB
NOMBO	CINDY	NOMBO #S SID for CINDY Z74 LAMPU DCT NOMBO
RATIM	CINDY	RATIM #S SID for CINDY L603 RATIM (Prop only)
ROTEN	CINDY	ROTEN #S SID - ROTEN #T STAR (DEST EDDN only)
AKONI	CINDY	AKONI #S SID for CINDY SID

Waypoint	Restriction	Remark
ANEKI	not for DEST EDDM + EDMM FIR	reroute via CINDY
CINDY	via CINDY \[...\] T104 \[...\] DEST EDDM, EDDN only	reroute for other DEST required
CINDY	via CINDY L603 \[...\] Prop only, max. FL230	reroute for non prop
KOMIB	only DEST EDDN, mandatory during 07 operations	reroute via CINDY for 25 operations
TOBAK	not via TOBAK Z10 \[...\]	reroute via MARUN
MTR / TAU / RID	NON-RNAV only, max. FL90	reroute for RNAV capable aircraft (e.g. A320, B738)

Entry	Stand	Hold short of
P	all except those via P1	N11
P1	F231 - F238 and V266 - V270	W
S4 - S23	South Parking (S, V3xx, J, K, G)	S4 - S23, according to the stand