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🔴 V-LARA Airspace Reservation

V-LARA site is not yet released for public use.

Record of Amendments

Version Issue Date Reason for Change
0.1 d1 28 DEC 2024 Initial draft

V-LARA Booking Client - Pilot Guide

1. INTRODUCTION

The V-LARA Web Booking Client can be used to make airspace reservations in Finland on VATSIM network. Pilots or organizations can view all upcoming airspace reservations in Finland and add their own reservations.

It is currently possible to make reservations for all TSA, TRA and Local TRA areas in Finland either for Civil or Military operations. Pilots and organizations are kindly requested to familiarize themselves with the procedures for operations in Reserved Areas (including flight planning and phraseology).

Check the Basic Use Case and Useful Links & Phraseology at the end of this page!

2. LOGIN PAGE

When the page loads, you will be automatically shown the login page. The V-LARA application uses VATSIM OAuth2 login for authenticating users. The PilotView will be opened automatically after successful authentication.

2.1 LOGIN ERRORS

If the login process fails, the error message will be displayed below the login button.

  • Login Failed. If problems presist, please contact your system administrator.

3. MAIN PAGE

The main page is broken up into three main sections: the Reservations Display, the Actions Display, and the Map Display.

The navigator bar on the left has number of buttons for performing actions:

  • Notification Icon - (currently only in use for AMC/ATC)
  • Status Icon - displays the connectivity between the Web Client and the server
  • Help Button - links to this user guide
  • Logout Button - log the currently logged in user out of V-LARA

4. RESERVATION DISPLAY

The reservations are displayed in a simple table to the top left of the screen showing all airspace reservations in Finland. The table is automatically updated without the need for any page refreshes.

The background of the status field is automatically changed to match the reservation’s current status:

  • Status RESERVED
  • Status PENDING
  • Status ACTIVE
  • Status CANCELLED

4.1 GANTT CHART

To open the Gantt Chart, click on the "Chart" title text on the top of the page.

The Gantt Chart is used for the visualisation of reservations in the LARA Web Client. Areas are represented by rows in the chart and reservations are placed on the chart as rectangular slots at the times they are for.

The time range visible in the chart is displayed on the timescale at the top of the chart.

5. ACTIONS DISPLAY

The actions table displays all actions relevant to the user logged in and is updated automatically without the need for a page refresh. To perform an action, click on the row in the table to open the Reservation Editor and then click on the button for that action at the bottom of the editor.

Pilots and organizations will only see their own reservations listed in the Actions Display. Pilots can edit their reservations up to 30 minutes prior start-time. After that the reservation will go to "Pending" state and only AMC/ATC can make modifications to the reservation.

The background of each row is automatically changed to match the reservation’s current status:

  • Status RESERVED (reservation can be edited by pilot)
  • Status PENDING (from here on reservation can only be edited by AMC/ATC)
  • Status ACTIVE
  • Status CANCELLED

6. MAP DISPLAY

The map displays boundaries for all reservable airspace blocks in Finland. Additionally the map displays the airspace reservations with the following color coding:

  • Status RESERVED (blue outline)
  • Status PENDING (orange outline)
  • Status ACTIVE (red fill)
  • Cancelled reservations are not shown on the map

The map works like any other browser-based map which can be navigated by clicking and dragging the map, and zooming in and out by double-clicking or using the mouse-wheel.

7. RESERVATION EDITOR

The Reservation Editor is a form which allows users to view, create, edit reservations as well as perform actions such as approving and cancelling reservations.

To open the Reservation Editor, click on a table row in Actions Display, or click on the Add reservation -button in the top-menu to start creating a new reservation.

Create only a reservation if intending to use the airspace. The reservations will be visible to ATC in real time.

Pilots can edit their reservations up to 30 minutes prior reservation start time.

7.1 BASIC SECTION

The basic section of the reservation editor contains fields for displaying and setting the creator, point of contact, and callsigns associated with the reservation editor.

The user creating the reservation is always in charge of the reservation and will be the Point of Contact for AMC/ATC if coordination or changes to the reservation needs to be made.

The callsign editor is a special form field with aids to help create and remove callsigns. To add a callsign, type the callsign and either click somewhere outside of the callsign field, if finished editing, or type a comma (,) to add a callsign and continue editing.

To remove a callsign, click on the x next to the callsign to remove.

7.2 ACTIVITY SECTION

The activity section allows for the configuration of booking type, responsible agency, permeability/segregation, activity type, priority, and number of aircraft. All form fields work as with forms outside of V-LARA. To quickly set the priority or number of aircraft, the value can also be typed into the field.

7.3 TIME SECTION

The time section of the form allows for the configuration of the start and end times of a reservation. To edit these fields, click the button next to the field and use the calendar or time pickers to choose the time. It is also possible to type the desired values directly into the text boxes, but they must use the same format as use to display the value.

The time values are in UTC timezone.

The following rules are checked automatically when validating the Start- and End Time by the system:

  • No overlapping reservation times using the same airspace blocks
  • Start time must be at least 30 minutes from now
  • Minimum reservation endurance is 30 minutes
  • Maximum reservation endurance is 8 hours
  • Reservation cannot be made more than 7 days in advance

7.4 AIRSPACE SECTION

The airspace section allows for the configuration of the areas in a reservation. To configure an area, select the name from the dropdown and configure the level values. The level value fields can also be typed directly in the field.

Always Flight Levels when adding a Lower or Upper value. Use 0 in the Lower-field to indicate SFC (surface). Use 999 in the Upper-field to indicate UNL (unlimited).

To add another area to the reservation, click the plus (+) button to add a new row and configure the same fields. To remove an added row, click the red button alongside the row.

Pilots shall check the area specifications from Finland AIP prior reservation. There might be listed important Remarks or Flight Level limitations. AMC/ATC has the possibility to modify the reservation if required (e.g. due other traffic).

7.5 REMARKS SECTION

The remarks section contains the remarks for a reservation. To add a remark, type into the Add remark field. When submitting the reservation, the remark will be added to the reservation.

7.6 ACTION BUTTONS

Depending on the user role and the status of the reservation, different Action Buttons may be shown.

  • EDIT RESERVATION - this button will confirm the changes and publish the edited reservation
  • CANCEL RESERVATION - this button will prompt the user to give a Cancellation Reason. The reason must be at least 3 characters long. After giving the reason, user can confirm the cancellation.
  • CLOSE - this button will close the Reservation Editor. Changes will not be saved.

Basic Use Case



Review the Procedures

Familiarize yourself with the Local TRA, TRA and TSA areas and the flight procedures related to training area flights in Finland.

Add your reservation to V-LARA

Once you have chosen your training area including the upper and lower limits, go ahead and make a new reservation in V-LARA at least 30 minutes before your flight. Double check the content before submitting the reservation.

Make a Flight Plan

Generate a Flight Plan with the correct information in order for ATC to know what you are going to do. For local TRA flights, use the XXTA code in the route section (replace XX with the last two characters of the airport ICAO code). For TSA flights, please check Military Procedures (links are listed below)

Editing and Cancelling Reservations

Pilots can edit their reservation until 30 minutes before the reservation starts. After that, only ATC is able to make changes to your reservation.

Please cancel the reservation if you are not intending to use the airspace. ATC will normally cancel your reservation once the activity in your reserved area has ended.

A. LOCAL TRA AND TRA FLIGHTS

Flight Plan content
  • The general IFR training area code XXTA is inserted to the Route for Local Training area flights
    • for example JYTA (the code for Jyväskylä training area)
  • You may insert your Training Area request to the RMK field
    • for example RMK/TRAJY04

See Local TRA areas for each Aerodrome: https://www.ais.fi/localtra/localtra.htm

Phraseology

🎧 ATC phrases:

  O-BC, cleared training area 72 and 73, upper limit 8000 feet
O-BC, selvä harjoitusalue 72 ja 73, yläraja 8000 jalkaa
O-BC, maintain 3000 feet or below until training area
O-BC, säilytä 3000 jalkaa tai alapuolella kunnes harjoitusalueella

Example of clearance to TRA area:

👨‍✈️ Tower, T21, apron M request taxi and clearance to Training Area, information Mike
Torni, T21, asematasolla M, pyydän rullata ja selvitystä harjoitusalueelle, tiedotus Mike
🎧 T21, tower, cleared to training area G11, maintain 5000 feet or below until training area
T21, torni, selvä harjoitusalueelle G11, säilytä 5000 jalkaa tai alapuolella kunnes harjoitusalueella
👨‍✈️ Cleared to training area G11, maintain 5000 feet or below until training area, T21
Selvä harjoitusalueelle G11, säilytän 5000 jalkaa tai alapuolella kunnes harjoitusalueella, T21
- - - - -
🎧 T21, wind 300 degrees, 4 knots, runway 24 cleared for takeoff, right turn
T21, tuuli 300 astetta, 4 solmua, kiitotie 24 selvä lentoonlähtöön, oikea kaarto
👨‍✈️ Cleared for takeoff, right turn, T21
Selvä lentoonlähtöön, oikea kaarto, T21

B. MILITARY FLIGHTS TO TSA AREAS

Flight Plan content
  • Use tactical points instead of the area name in the Flight Plan route
    • for example C/H13C/N0440F230F250 (area TSAH51, point is located in the center of the TSA area, requested flight level block 230-250)

Tactical points are not defined in the charts. The points are based on coordinates located on the resective TSA area.

tsa_points.png

  • W = WEST
  • N = NORTH
  • S = SOUTH
  • E = EAST
  • C = CENTER

When choosing your TSA area, pilots are requested to use the Defense Force primary TSA areas. More information here:

Area groups SAVU, RUKA, MERI, KIURU, KOLI, KIUKO, POKA, HAKA, KAIRA, KURU and SAIMA are available in V-LARA! Please check the remarks and area limitations in the links above.

Area groups ITÄKAIRA, CENTRAL FINLAND, OSTROBOTHNIA and PIPO are not reservable in V-LARA.

  • Block altitudes or flight levels are usually used in formation flights
  • DO NOT include tactical or military Remarks in the ATC Flight Plan, as civil ATC is not responsible for military traffic within TSA areas. Aircraft registrations and other data not relevant for civil ATC may be omitted.
    • Add only necessary information such as RMK/TSAH13 OK or FOR/MASTER1+MASTER2 for formation flights in the FPL remarks section.

FPL-MIL.png

Phraseology

Military aircraft may start-up and taxi without taxi instructions on military aprons. Departing aircraft will receive the Runway Holding Point from ATC. Arriving aircraft will be instructed to "taxi to apron".

SSR codes are given to every aircraft in formation.

👨‍✈️ Oulu tower, MASTER 1, two-ship, taxiing to holding point M, departure in standard formation, information A, QNH 1013
Oulun torni, MASTER 1, kahdella, rullaan odotukseen M, lähtö tiiviissä osastossa, tiedotus A, QNH 1013
🎧 MASTER 1, Oulu tower, cross runway from M to B, taxi to holding point A runway 12, clearance available
MASTER 1, Oulun torni, ylitä kiitotie M kautta, rullaa odotukseen A kiitotie 12, selvitys saatavilla
👨‍✈️ Cross runway from M to B, taxiing to holding point A, ready to copy, MASTER 1
Ylitän kiitotien M kautta ja rullaan odotukseen A, valmiina kopioimaan, MASTER1
🎧 MASTER 1, cleared to point H51C, climb to block 11 thousand to 12 thousand feet, QNH 1013, squawk 3411
MASTER 1, selvä pisteelle H51C, nouse korkeusalueelle 11 tuhatta, 12 tuhatta jalkaa, QNH 1013, koodaa 3411
👨‍✈️ Cleared to point H51C, climb to block 11 thousand to 12 thousand feet, QNH 1013, squawk 3411, MASTER 1
Selvä pisteelle H51C, nousen korkeusalueelle 11 tuhatta, 12 tuhatta jalkaa, QNH 1013, koodaan 3411, MASTER 1
🎧 MASTER 2, squawk 3412
MASTER 2, koodaa 3412
👨‍✈️ Squawk 3412, MASTER 2
Koodaan 3412, MASTER 2
🎧 MASTER 1, clearance correct
MASTER 1, selvitys oikein
👨‍✈️ MASTER 1
MASTER 1



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