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Iceland Radio (North Sector)

UPDATE: Effective 1 March 2024, Iceland Radio no longer requires a separate endorsement to control. All Iceland-familiarized C1 controllers are allowed to staff Iceland Radio.

The position of "Iceland Radio" serves a unique function within the VATSIM Reykjavik CTA, in relation to oceanic clearances and ATC service in the North sector.

List of ATS Positions

Radio 1

BICC_1_FSS

Iceland Radio

127.850

Radio 2

BICC_2_FSS

126.550

Radio 3

EVENT ONLY

BICC_3_FSS

129.625

Introduction to Iceland Radio

In real life, radio operators at Gufunes Communication Centre in Reykjavik, using the callsign "Iceland Radio," relay communications from Reykjavik ACC/OAC to aircraft entering, or within, the Reykjavik CTA.

Since the abolishment of oceanic clearances in the BIRD OCA, Iceland Radio operators primarily relay Reykjavik ACC/OAC instructions & clearances to aircraft in the North sector. Iceland Radio also handles RCL messages for aircraft entering BIRD OCA, who are not CPDLC equipped.

For VATSIM purposes, we combine the role of the controller at Reykjavik ACC (who issues the clearances and instructions), and the role of the Gufunes radio operator (who relays them to the aircraft), into one.

North Sector

North Sector.png

The North sector of Reykjavik OACC overlies northern Greenland and a large portion of the Arctic Sea. It is surrounded by Edmonton FIR to the West, and Bodo oceanic FIR to the East. It is also “bordered” by Murmansk FIR to the East, with a slight gap of uncontrolled (internationally disputed) airspace in between.

Airspace Classification

The North sector is classified as:

  • Class A from:
    • FL55+ within BIRD FIR.
    • FL195+ within BGGL FIR (see Delegated Airspace below.)
  • Class G from GND — FL55 within BIRD FIR, and GND – FL195 within BGGL FIR.

In BGGL FIR below FL195, flight information service is provided by Nuuk Information (BGGL_FSS), which is a separate position to Iceland Radio.

However, controllers staffing Iceland Radio may, at their discretion (workload permitting), choose to cover Nuuk Information's responsibilities top-down.

Underlying Aerodromes

NIL

If Iceland Radio chooses to cover Nuuk Information top-down, then Iceland Radio shall also provide top-down ATC for BGSF and top-down AFIS for other Greenlandic (BG**) aerodromes.

Delegated Airspace

A significant portion of the North sector consists of airspace delegated from Greenland (Nuuk FIR | BGGL) to Iceland (Reykjavik ACC) from FL195+. Reykjavik ACC provides enroute ATC service in this airspace, which is (like the rest of the OCA) classified as Class A.

The diagram below indicates which portions of the North sector are delegated from BGGL FIR (i.e., controlled from FL195+), and which portions are part of BIRD FIR (i.e., controlled from FL55+.)

North sector delegation map.png

Responsibilities and Procedures

Solo Operations

Radio 1 (BICC_1_FSS) shall always be the first Iceland Radio position to be opened. In isolation (i.e., with no other BICC positions online), Radio 1 shall perform the following responsibilities:

  • An ADS-B based ATC service to aircraft in the North sector.
    • With developments in ADS-B satellite coverage, the North sector is now fully covered by satellite ADS-B, and normal ATS surveillance procedures apply (procedural control is no longer required.)
  • Processing & responding to RCL messages for airborne aircraft entering the Reykjavik OCA (all sectors, not just North.)
  • Issuing IFR clearances to aircraft departing Greenlandic (BG**) AFIS aerodromes (throughout all of Greenland, not just the aerodromes underlying the North sector.)
    • Clearance is relayed via local AFIS if online. If local AFIS is offline, aircraft shall contact Radio 1 directly for clearance. After issuing clearance, BICC shall instruct the aircraft to return to UNICOM until entering controlled airspace.

As described earlier, Radio 1 may also optionally (workload permitting) choose to cover the responsibilities of Nuuk Information (BGGL_FSS) top-down, including top-down ATC/AFIS for Greenlandic (BG**) aerodromes.

Split Operations

During heavy traffic situations, or events like CTP, it may be desirable to split the responsibilities of Iceland Radio across multiple positions/controllers.

Under routine circumstances, a two-way split is possible, between Radio 1 (BICC_1_FSS) and Radio 2 (BICC_2_FSS.)

Under such a split, Radio 1 (BICC_1_FSS) provides the following services:

  • Processing & responding to RCL messages for aircraft entering the East and West sectors.
  • IFR/oceanic clearance to aircraft departing Greenlandic AFIS aerodromes.

Radio 2 (BICC_2_FSS) provides:

  • Processing & responding to RCL messages for aircraft entering the North and South sectors.
  • ATC service to aircraft in the North sector.

(It is assumed that if the workload is heavy enough that two BICC positions are required, neither BICC position will have the capacity to also cover the responsibilities of Nuuk Information.)

During events, an additional Iceland Radio position/frequency, Radio 3 (BICC_3_FSS), may also be opened. Radio 3 is an “overflow” position with responsibilities assigned on an ad-hoc basis. It shall not be opened during normal operations.

Phraseology

Even though "Iceland Radio" is the callsign used by all the above BICC positions, all clearances and instructions should be given to pilots prefaced by the phrase “Reykjavik Control clears you…”

For example, for an amended route clearance issued in response to an RCL message:

🎧 AAL501, amended route clearance, Reykjavik Control clears you after ING direct NASBU.

This reflects the fact that in real life, Iceland Radio relays clearances & instructions from Reykjavik ACC/OAC ("Reykjavik Control.")

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