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Pilot briefing Malta Airport

Visual Flight Rules, VFR

Luqa Control Zone

The Luqa CTR is a circle of 20 NM centered on the Luqa ARP. The Luqa CTR includes the Luqa ATZ which is as a circle of 4 NM centered on the Luqa ARP, an INNER zone (INNER CTR) and an OUTER zone (OUTER CTR). The INNER zone is a circle of 10NM centered on the Luqa ARP.

The Luqa CTR is further sub-divided into four sectors: NORTH, SOUTH, WEST AND EAST. ATC clearance is required for VFR flights operating in the INNER zone to transit from one sector to another unless otherwise instructed by ATC or if cleared on a standard VFR arrival/departure route. Unless otherwise instructed by ATC, clearance for VFR flights to transit from one sector to another is not required when operating in the OUTER zone.

VFR flights requesting to cross from one sector to the other when the visual patterns are active will be instructed by ATC to keep clear of the Luqa ATZ and traffic information given on the status of the circuit or specific position of the aircraft in the circuit. If required due to traffic in the circuit, aircraft requesting to transit the sectors may be instructed by ATC to proceed via alternative routes not to infringe the circuit pattern.

Visual Reporting Points (VRPs)

VRPs are used by VFR aircraft in order to navigate by visual "waypoints".
All DEP/ARR points and VRPs in Malta (as of 22 MAY 2022) are shown in the screenshots below.

Click on the images to view full size.

Domestic VFR departures / arrivals

Departures
Pilots of VFR domestic departures should advise their intentions on initial contact with Luqa GND order to operate in a VFR sector or within the visual pattern.

If circuit training is planned and approved by ATC, pilots will be advised to expect VFR patterns at the applicable circuit altitude.

Standard VFR clearances for circuit training will be assigned by ATC as follows:
EXPECT VFR CIRCUITS RWY [05]


Circuit traffic
RWY 31 - LEFT HAND circuit
RWY 13 - RIGHT HAND circuit
RWY 23 - LEFT HAND circuit
RWY 05 - RIGHT HAND circuit
Note: Variable direction circuit patterns are applicable for LIGHT aircraft as required by ATC. All the circuit patterns for LIGHT aircraft are considered to be usable when LMD-1/6 is active.

Visual circuits for LIGHT aircraft shall be conducted not above 1500 FT.
Unless otherwise advised by ATC all circuits for MEDIUM/HEAVY aircraft shall be conducted not above 2000 FT.
Visual circuits shall be carried out as indicated in the charts AD 2-LMML-MISC-VC1 - 1 to AD 2-LMML-MISC-VC8 - 1 in order to reduce noise levels over built-up areas unless otherwise instructed by ATC.

Due to international arrivals and departures and when required by ATC, circuit flights may expect to be transferred to Luqa APP for vectoring into a sequence of arrivals.

Arrivals
Domestic VFR flights operating in the VFR sectors and requesting to recover to LMML should advise ATC with their intentions in sufficient time. ATC will clear the aircraft via the published VFR arrival routes or direct to one of the published VRPs.

Aircraft planning to enter the Luqa CTR from uncontrolled airspace (Class G below 2000 FT outside the Luqa CTR) should request prior clearance for entry from Luqa APP.

Domestic VFR flights planning to enter the Luqa CTR via controlled airspace (Class C from 2000 FT outside the CTR) and requesting to recover to LMML should normally expect to follow the same procedures as specified for international VFR arrivals or expect clearance by ATC to proceed direct to specific VRPs.

ATC clearance is required for VFR flights operating in the INNER zone to transmit from one VFR sector to another unless otherwise advised by ATC or if cleared on a standard VFR arrival/departure route. Unless otherwise advised by ATC, clearance for VFR flights to transit from one VFR sector to another is not required when operating in the OUTER zone.

To minimize taxiing time and reduce runway occupancy, VFR traffic landing on RWY 31 may request, or be asked to perform, a midfield landing. When midfield landing is approved, aircraft are expected to touch down at a point on the runway between (abeam) Taxiway C and Taxiway F. Due to unavailability of standard markings and other visual aids, aircrew must ensure that they can perform such a maneuver and in case of doubt shall request to conduct a standard full-length approach and landing.

International VFR departures

International VFR flights planning to exit the LUQA CTR should flight plan as follows:

• Expect initial ATC clearance to continue on runway track and to climb to altitude 1500 FT.
• Further clearance to climb to requested VFR cruising levels may be expected after exiting the LUQA CTR INNER zone.
• Pilots should ensure familiarization with the VRPs indicated in the STANDARD VFR DEP ROUTES chart.
• Remark in Field 18 is mandatory if routing in Field 15 cannot be inserted.

International VFR arrivals

International VFR flights planning to enter the LUQA CTR should flight plan as follows:

• ATC clearance to enter the LUQA CTR OUTER zone should be expected at an altitude of 2000 FT.
• Aircraft may be instructed to orbit over a point designated on the ARR route before entering the visual pattern.
• Pilots should ensure familiarization with the VRPs indicated in the STANDARD VFR ARR ROUTES chart.
• Remark in Field 18 is mandatory if routing in Field 15 cannot be inserted.