Arrival - Thüringen Low

Sectorization

München Radar sectors Thüringen Low Nord and Thüringen Low Süd (EDDP_TRN/TRS_APP) are responsible for all arrivals and departures from/to Leipzig/Halle (EDDP) and Erfurt-Weimar (EDDE). 
Additionally, the station EDDP_TRS_APP covers sector Sachsen Low (SAS), handling all movements at Dresden (EDDC).

Requirement for staffing the sectors is proficient knowledge of the SOPs for airports EDDP, EDDE and EDDC, as top-down service shall be provided at those airports. Besides those controlled airports, the uncontrolled airfield Leipzig-Altenburg (EDAC) lays within the sector, offering IFR procedures and is therefore sorrounded by a RMZ.

It is possible to staff two additional stations within Leipzig TMA for delegating Director tasks to separate stations: Leipzig Arrival Nord/Süd (EDDP_ND/SD_APP) which do not hold a sector themselves but receive a full release for traffic being sent to them.

The sector dimensions and divisions for the approach sectors underlying EBG Ost are shown in this chart:

Approach sectors underlying EBG Ost

The airspace

Leipzig/Halle (EDDP)

Around Leipzig/Halle Airport, there's an airspace delta (non-CTR) that's split into different sectors. The upper limit of this airspace is FL75. This means that between airspace delta and airspace charlie, which starts at FL100, there's another airspace echo so that VFR traffic can pass the airport at high altitudes. In order to protect IFR traffic, a TMZ has been established around Delta airspace. This means that VFR traffic in this ‘echo band’ must independently enter a squawk (4404) and establish listening watch on the frequency. The air traffic controller does not need to be called. This listening squawk lets the air traffic controller know that the pilot is listening and allows them to contact the pilot if necessary. There are also several D(HX) and TMZ(HX) zones, which are activated or deactivated depending on the runway direction. The activated sectors are always on the intercept side. The speed limit for Airspace D (250 kts) must not be lifted, and arriving and departing aircraft must always be guided in protected airspace (TMZ or Airspace C/D).

Luftraum D um Leipzig/Halle

Erfurt-Weimar (EDDE)

Unlike Leipzig/Halle, Erfurt-Weimar Airport does not have Delta or Charlie airspace. Due to low traffic volumes, Erfurt-Weimar has a TMZ(HX) area, which is only activated for individual IFR aircraft. The squawk code to be entered here is 4410.

TMZ um Erfurt

Departing traffic

Leipzig/Halle

Since parallel departures are possible in Leipzig, the tower only handoffs aircraft after the first aircraft has turned off the runway. The initial climb on all SIDs is FL070. The course of the departure routes determines which arrival sector receives which departures:

Thüringen Low Nord (EDDP_TRN_APP)	Thüringen Low Süd (EDDP_TRS_APP)
ORTAG, ODLUN, MAG, UMBAL, RUDAK	NEVKO, GOLAT, DRN

The speed limit for Airspace D (250 kts) shall not be cancelled; departing aircraft shall always be flown in protected airspace (TMZ or Airspace C/D).

Departing aircraft may always be cleared to the last waypoint of the SID. Departures via GOLAT may be cleared to ALOSO and via NEVKO to BAMKI. Particular attention should be paid to potential conflicts in the Sachsen Low.

Erfurt-Weimar

Departures from Erfurt must be coordinated individually with the tower before take-off. The reason for this is the short distance to the sector boundaries of EDGG_HEF_CTR and EDDN_FRK_APP.

Handovers

Thüringen Low hands over departing aircraft from Leipzig as follows:

Sektor	Wegpunkte	Übergabehöhen
Gera (EDMM_GER_CTR)	NEVKO, GOLAT	FL190
Halle (EDMM_HAL_CTR)	ORTAG	FL190
Sachsen Low (EDDC__SAS_APP)	DRN	FL150
Börde (EDWW_B_CTR)	ODLUN, MAG, UMBAL	FL120
Fläming (EDWW_F_CTR)	RUDAK	FL130

The Gera sector and the Meissen sector cover each other in case one of these sectors is not online.

Thüringen Low hands over departing aircraft from Erfurt as follows:

Sektor	Wegpunkte	Übergabehöhen
Kitzingen (EDGG_KTG_CTR)	ERSIL	FL140
Franken Low (EDDN_FRK_APP)	BAMKI, TABAT	FL160
Harz (EDWW_R_CTR)	KUMER	FL180
Harz (EDWW_R_CTR)	BIRKA	FL200 (released von Halle)

Arriving traffic

Arriving traffic comes via the arrival fixes KOJEC, LUXBO, GOXLI and YAWOY. It is important to note that aircraft via ADMOS and BERDI to KOJEC come directly from the Bremen Harz sector (EDWW_R_CTR). Aircraft from MAG to KOJEC come directly from the Börde sector (EDWW_B_CTR). The same applies to aircraft via LUXBO and YAWOY, which are transferred directly from Meissen (EDMM_M_CTR). There are also arrival routes via GOT, which are suitable for non-RNAV aircraft. Here, it is recommended to take aircraft on headings, as the GOT arrivals cross the airport precisely. The speed limit for Airspace D (250 kts) shall not be cancelled; approaching aircraft shall always be guided in protected airspace (TMZ or Airspace C/D).

Approach paths

Incoming traffic via KOJEC and GOXLI is not cleared for the respective STAR by the centre. This task is performed by the respective arrival station. Incoming aircraft via YAWOY and LUXBO are already cleared for a STAR by Sachsen Low (EDDC_SAS_APP). For better planning, aircraft should expect FL110 at KOJEC, LUXBO, GOXLI and YAWOY. The course of the arrival routes is also important, as they conflict with departure routes to the south and north.

Approach paths and conflicts at 26 operations

As can be seen, STARs and SIDs intersect in most cases. It is therefore important to ensure that separation between departing and arriving traffic is maintained at all times. The following altitudes are recommended on the STARs:

Position	Fluhgöhe
Starting point of the STAR	FL110
Upwind	FL100
Downwind up to airport level	FL080
Downwind from airport level	5000ft

It is possible to deviate from these altitudes, but it is important not to clear any aircraft below FL080 before the conflict point between the SID and STAR has been passed. The reason for this is the initial climb from FL070 on all departure routes.

Directs to the respective STAR are may made to waypoints DP424 and DP465.

After the aircraft have flown past the last waypoint of the STAR, the pilot is expected to maintain the downwind track. In this case, special attention must be paid to the MVA and the boundary to Berlin Arrival, especially during 26 operations. Entry into this sector without coordination is not permitted. It is the task of the arrival controllers to keep the downwind as short as possible. In reality, the utilisation of both runways is ensured during peak times.

Transitions

Leipzig/Halle Airport has CDA transitions (Continuous Descent Approach), which are available from the waypoints MAXEB, UPLEG and LIPVO. These transitions may only be used between 22:00 and 06:00 local time. However, they are not used very often.

Approach types

At Leipzig/Halle Airport, there are three published approach types for all runways. Leipzig has ILS, LOC and RNP approaches. If a visual approach needs to be cleared, the approach controller is obliged to inform the tower controller.

At night, the final approach must be at least at 11 NM for noise protection reasons (26: DP447/DP437, 08: DP442/DP432).

Operating mode

Independent parallel approaches are permitted in Leipzig. However, the primary operating mode is staggered. Every controller must familiarise themselves with the conditions of the respective operating mode in advance. Further information is available at the Tower-SOP. It is important to note that despite all conditions for IPA or staggered approaches, the MVA must be observed at all times!

Runway assignments

• Aircraft on the KOJEC, LUXBO arrival awaiting the northern runway
• Aircraft on GOXLI, YAWOY arrival awaiting the southern runway
• Aircraft parked on aprons 1 and 3 await the northern runway
• If traffic conditions permit, cargo aircraft land on the southern runway
• The A346/B77W/B744/B748/A388 aircraft types should be assigned to the southern runway

Depending on the traffic situation, deviations from these specifications are possible. However, the arrival determines the runway to be used by the aircraft in all cases. During high-traffic operations, it is recommended to send more aircraft to the northern runway, as the southern runway is heavily congested with departures due to cargo traffic.

Handover to arrival

The handover to arrival normally takes place at a speed of 220 kts. If traffic conditions permit or require, aircraft may also be handed over at a higher or lower speed.

Traffic on the downwind leg is normally handed over as shown below:

Downwind	RWY 08	RWY 26
North	5000ft	4000ft
South	4000ft	5000ft

Individual direct approaches can also be coordinated with the arrival.

Two Feeder Operations

 Before opening the second arrival position, TRS, TRN and DPSD need to be staffed. The following procedures are necessary for two arrivals:

• Independent parallel approaches shall be used
• Independent Parallel Approaches need to fly an ILS approach or
• an RNP Approach with vertical guidance (LNAV-only is not authorized, this is desribed on the approach charts as well)
• Intercept headings need to be ≤ 30 degrees to the final approach track. 
  
• 1 NM straight and level on the intercept heading,
• 2 NM straight and level on the final approach course

 

• The north arrival (F_APP) receives aircraft for the northern runway
• The south arrival (U_APP) receives aircraft for the southern runway
• The pickup determines the runway and transfers aircraft to the appropriate feeder

 

Application of RECAT-EU procedures

Leipzig is one of the airports at which the DFS approved the use of the RECAT-EU procedures.

The use of them is only allowed for the category "Lower Heavy/Upper Heavy" and "Lower Heavy/Lower Heavy", these are the aircraft types: 

Upper Heavy	Lower Heavy
A330	A300
A340	A310
A350	B703
B747	B757
B777	B767
B787	B783
IL96	C135
	DC10
	DC85
	IL76
	MD11
	TU22
	TU95

According to the procedure 2 of the above aircraft types only have to be separated 3NM (wake turbulence) unless another method of separation (e.g. radar separation) requires more. 

The pilot can refuse this procedure at any time, but shall inform you early. 

Caution between Upper-Heavy and Lower-Heavy! The "Lower Heavy" must be preceding! 
Mediums are excluded from this procedure! 

Erfurt-Weimar

Aircraft are guided either via headings or the STAR. Clearance for the STAR is always given from Thüringen Süd Low. Here, particular attention must be paid to the convergence of traffic on the downwind and base legs. In addition, attention must be paid to VFR traffic, as the Erfurt TMZ area is very small and not every pilot is aware of the activity in this airspace. Furthermore, the MVA in Erfurt plays a not insignificant role. As soon as low visibility operations have to be used, approach direction 09 is no longer usable. Only the ILS on 27 up to CAT IIIb is permitted here.

Overflights

The Thüringen Low sector is also responsible for some overflights due to its vertical boundary of FL195.

Further information can be found in the internal ATCISS.

Holzdorf

The Holzdorf military airfield has an area of responsibility in which Holzdorf Radar can control aircraft when activated. Berlin Arrival South is obliged to inform München Radar about the activation/deactivation of Holzdorf.

All aircraft to/from Holzdorf must be individually coordinated between Bremen Radar/München Radar and Holzdorf Radar.

Release Areas

TORGAU Area

• GND - FL105 (Wenn Holzdorf AoR aktiv: 5500 MSL - FL105)
• Delegation von DBAS an TRN/S
• Only EDDP Inbound RWY 26

Activation only possible upon request from TRN/S by DBAS

MULDE A Area

• FL135 - FL165/FL195
• Delegation von TRN/S an ACC Sector FLG
• For EDDB TMA Inbounds (earlier descent possible)

Activation only possible upon request from ACC Sector FLG via TRN/S

MULDE B Area

• FL165 - FL195
• Delegation von TRN/S an ACC Sector FLG
• For EDDB TMA Inbounds (earlier descent possible)

Activation only possible upon request from ACC Sector FLG via TRN/S

MULDE A,B Area, Torgau Area