1.1 Off route clearance

During weekends, FRI 1700-MON 0700 (FRI 1600-MON 0600) and night hours, traffic conditions permitting, ATC may clear flights via off route trajectories within controlled airspace, in order to promote economical flight operations (see also ENR 1.10 paragraph 2).

1.2 IFR joining clearance

For an IFR flight intending to depart from an aerodrome without ATC and join controlled airspace, IFR joining procedures are applicable according ENR 1.5 paragraph 3.

An IFR flight intending to join controlled airspace in the Amsterdam FIR shall make a request for joining clearance on the appropriate frequency (see ENR 6-2.2) at least 10 minutes before the aircraft is estimated to reach the joining position. ATS routes may only be joined over a designated reporting point.

A request for joining clearance shall contain:

• aircraft identification.
• aerodrome of departure and destination.
• ATS route.
• joining position and ETA joining position.
• joining level.

1.3 Wake turbulence - ATC separation minima

The wake turbulence separation minima applied by ATC are:

• for Schiphol TMAs and CTRs: the RECAT-EU wake turbulence separation minima, based on the EUROCONTROL document 'RECAT-EU European Wake Turbulence Categorisation and Separation Minima on Approach and Departure' (Edition 1.1 – 2015). See EHAM AD 2.22;
• for other areas in the Amsterdam FIR: the ICAO wake turbulence separation minima, based on the 4 categories as described in ICAO Doc 4444-ATM/501 (PANS-ATM) chapter 5.8 and 8.7.3.4.

1.4 Formation flights (SERA.3135)

Formation flights along ATS routes within the Amsterdam FIR, will be accepted, provided that:

1. Aircraft are not carrying passengers for compensation or for hire.
2. Prior arrangements have been made between the pilots concerned.
3. Prior to the execution of such formation flights pilots have received permission from all ATC units concerned. Permission for Amsterdam FIR can be obtained as described in paragraph 1.5 below.
4. The formation will be conform the standard formation criteria. (A standard formation is one in which a proximity of no more than 0,5 NM laterally or longitudinally and within 100 FT vertically from the formation leader is maintained by each aircraft in the formation).
5. The formation leader shall squawk the assigned transponder code.
6. A proper ICAO flight plan has been submitted.

A formation flight will be handled by ATC as a single aircraft, with increased radar separation (1 NM). When individual control is requested, advisory information will be issued to assist pilots in attaining standard ATC separation.

When pilot-reports indicate that standard ATC separation has been established normal ATC clearances will be issued.

1.5 Co-ordination of flights with a specific character

2.1 General

Position reports shall be made:

1. Over compulsory reporting points, unless otherwise instructed (see item b).
2. As instructed by ATC.

Position reports shall contain:

1. Aircraft identification.
2. Position and time.
3. Level, except when the aircraft is in level flight and this level has previously been reported.

In addition after clearance to change level pilots shall report: leaving previously assigned level and reaching cleared level.

2.2 IFR flights operating outside controlled airspace

IFR flights operating outside controlled airspace in the Amsterdam FIR shall:

1. Be capable to establish two-way radio communication with the appropriate ATS unit (see ENR 6-2.2).
2. All motorised aircraft flying below Schiphol TMA 1 are strongly recommended to maintain listening watch on Amsterdam Information 124.300.
3. Pass position reports on entering or leaving the Amsterdam FIR and when so required by the relevant ATS unit (see also ENR 2.2 paragraph 3.4.2 and 3.4.3).

Position reports shall contain the information as stated in paragraph 2.1 and in addition, when entering the Amsterdam FIR:

• ETA at the destination aerodrome if situated in the Amsterdam FIR, or
• ETA at the intended position of leaving the Amsterdam FIR.

2.3 IFR flights operating in or above RVSM airspace

As specified in the ICAO EUR Regional Supplementary Procedures (Doc 7030/4 - EUR), chapter 1, paragraph 1.1.1.2, flights shall be conducted in accordance with instrument flight rules when operated within or above the EUR RVSM airspace.

Therefore, flights operating as general air traffic (GAT) within the Amsterdam FIR at or above FL 290, as described in ENR 2.1, shall be conducted in accordance with the instrument flight rules.

3.1 General procedures for IFR flights

3.2 Arriving flights

For IFR flights with a destination situated in the Amsterdam FIR, communication failure procedures are contained in the paragraph "Instrument approach procedures" for each airport (AD 2.22).

4.1 Area of application

FRA procedures are available within the lateral limits of the Brussels UIR, the Amsterdam FIR (excluding ATS delegated areas), the Hannover UIR (excluding ATS delegated areas) and those parts of the Rhein UIR where the provision of ATS is delegated to Maastricht UAC between FL 245 and FL 660 (hereafter mentioned MUAC FRA). For detailed lateral and vertical limits see ENR 2.2. Detailed information and charts are available on https://www.eurocontrol.int/service/free-route-airspace-maastricht-uac.

4.2 Time of application

MUAC FRA is available H24.

The ATS route network and RAD annex 3B direct routings (DCTs) are not available above FL 245, except for those segments required for the vertical connection to the lower airspace or for special purposes.

4.3 Eligible flights

Eligible flights are those overflying aircraft that enter and exit MUAC FRA (FL 245-FL 660). Additional eligible flights are those that depart or arrive from/to aerodromes below the lateral area of MUAC FRA or in its proximity and have a requested flight level above FL 245 within MUAC FRA.

4.4 Definitions

FRA (free route airspace)
A specified airspace within which users may freely plan a route between a defined entry point and a defined exit point, with the possibility to route via intermediate (published or unpublished) waypoints, without reference to the ATS route network, subject to airspace availability. Within this airspace, flights remain subject to air traffic control.

FRA horizontal entry point (E)
A published significant point on the horizontal boundary of the FRA from which FRA operations are allowed. The FRA relevance of such points is included in ENR 4.1 and ENR 4.4 columns as (E).

FRA horizontal exit point (X)
A published significant point on the horizontal boundary of the FRA to which FRA operations are allowed. The FRA relevance of such points is included in ENR 4.1 and ENR 4.4 columns as (X).

FRA intermediate point (I)
A published significant point or unpublished point, defined by geographical coordinates or by bearing and distance via which FRA operations are allowed. Intermediate points may be used to connect FRA operations to the ATS route network. If published, the FRA relevance of such points is included in ENR 4.1 and ENR 4.4 columns as (I).

FRA arrival connecting point (A)
A published significant point to which FRA operations are allowed for arriving traffic to specific aerodromes. The FRA relevance of such points is included in ENR 4.1 and ENR 4.4 columns as (A).

FRA departure connecting point (D)
A published significant point from which FRA operations are allowed for departing traffic from specific aerodromes. The FRA relevance of such points is included in ENR 4.1 and ENR 4.4 columns as (D).

4.5 MUAC FRA flight procedures and flight planning

4.6 Route availability document (RAD)

For specifications, availability and restrictions regarding FRA see European RAD: https://www.nm.eurocontrol.int/RAD/index.html.