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Iceland Radio (North Sector)

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 to aircraft entering, or within, the Reykjavik CTA.

There are two main types of interactions handled via Iceland Radio:

  • Oceanic clearances to airborne aircraft entering the Reykjavik OCA, and to departures on the ground at Greenlandic airports (BG**) requiring oceanic clearance.
  • ATC instructions and clearances to aircraft in the North sector.

For VATSIM purposes, we combine the role of the controller at Reykjavik ACC (who would "issue" the above clearances and instructions), and the role of the Gufunes "Iceland Radio" operator (who would relay them to the pilot)aircraft) into one position.

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. 

Responsibilities

Solo Operations

Radio 1 (BICC_1_FSS) shall always be the first Iceland Radio position to be opened. In isolation, Radio 1 shall perform all the responsibilities of Iceland Radio. This means:

  • Issuing oceanic clearances to airborne aircraft entering the Reykjavik OCA, and to departures on the ground at Greenlandic airports (BG**) requiring oceanic clearance.
  • An ADS-B based air traffic control service to aircraft in the North sector.

Previously, the North sector did not have any ATS surveillance coverage, and was therefore controlled procedurally. However, with developments in ADS-B satellite coverage, the North sector is now fully covered by satellite ADS-B. Hence, normal ATS surveillance procedures apply in the North sector. 

Radio 1 may also choose to provide the following additional services, workload permitting:

  • If no BIRD positions are online: An ADS-B air traffic control service to aircraft in the West sector.
  • If Nuuk Information (BGGL_FSS) is offline: Enroute FIS in BGGL FIR below FL195, top-down AFIS for Greenlandic (BG**) aerodromes, and top-down control service at BGSF.

These additional services are provided at the controller’s discretion, and are not mandatory.

Split Operations

During heavy traffic situations, 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:

  • Oceanic clearance to aircraft entering the East & West sectors.
  • Oceanic clearance to all departures from Greenlandic airports (BG**) on the ground (in coordination with the local AFIS position, if online.)

Radio 2 (BICC_2_FSS) provides:

  • Oceanic clearance to aircraft entering the North & South sectors.
  • An ADS-B based air traffic control service to aircraft in the North sector.

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

Clearance Phraseology

Even though all BICC positions’ usual radio callsign is “Iceland Radio,” oceanic clearances are to be relayed to pilots using the phrase “Reykjavik Control clears you to…” For example:

🎧 AAL501, Reykjavik Control clears you to Washington via BARUD 63N010W 63N020W 63N030W 62N040W 60N050W AVUTI, from BARUD maintain FL340, Mach 0.82.

This is to reflect the fact that in real life, Iceland Radio relays clearances & instructions from Reykjavik OACCACC ("Reykjavik Control"Control.").

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