Reykjavik Approach

Reykjavik Approach provides approach control service for all aircraft in the RKReykjavik (RK) sector of Faxi TMA. If Reykjavik Approach is offline, Keflavik Approach bandboxes the RK sectors and performs these responsibilities.

Arrivals

While there is no official preferred runway at BIRK, as RWY 01/19 is the longer of the two runways at BIRK, heavier aircraft (e.g., turboprops and airliners) should be offered that runway where possible.

Runway 19 STARs

Only RWY 19 at BIRK has published STARs.

Reykjavik Control (lowest South sector) clears arrivals onto the STAR and descends them to FL100. If Reykjavik Control is offline, then Approach may contact aircraft early (3-5mins before they reach the start of the STAR) issue this STAR clearance and descent.

Other Runways

As no other runways at BIRK have STARs, it is left to Approach’s discretion on how to route and sequence such arrivals.

Approach may, for instance, issue a direct to the IAF, or provide radar vectors.

Instrument Approaches

BIRK has varying levels of approach equipment for each runway. Therefore, the standard approach types are as follows:

• Runway 01: RNP
• Runway 19: IL
• Runway 13: LOC Z
• Runway 31: RNP A

The various IAFs for the standard approaches at BIRK each have different altitudes at which pilots should cross them, due to terrain and built-up urban areas directly surrounding the airport (particularly to the East). The following table lists the current initial altitudes for each IAF at time of publication:

RWY 01 (RNP)	NEXEM	4000’	RWY 13 (LOC Z, RNP)	NARMO	2400’
	BABTU	3300’		ELNIG
	KERIR	5100’		TABIT
RWY 19 (ILS Z, RNP)	MIKVU	3600’	RWY 31 (RNP A)	FUZZO	3500’
	LUSUG	5100’		EGGUR
	KUSUR	5000’		DIZMA
	EXINU INGAN 2N, RH 2N, & MYRAR 1N only	3600’ MYRAR 1N: 3700’

NOTE! These altitudes may change over time as procedures & airspace are updated. Controllers should always reference the Iceland AIP to determine the correct published altitude.

Non-Standard Arrivals & Approaches

If aircraft are unable to accept the above standard approaches, then alternative approaches should be offered in order of precision.

RNP / LOC Z Approaches

Like at BIKF, the RNP & LOC Z approaches at BIRK share the same lateral routing and vertical profile to the ILS/LOC Z approaches. Handling them is thus similar to an ILS Z approach, simply substituting the appropriate phraseology (e.g., "RNP" instead of "ILS Z.")

Vectored ILS / LOC Approaches

Aircraft on a vectored ILS approach into BIRK should be established no closer than 7 NM from the airport, at no greater than 30° from runway heading. 

ILS Y / LOC Y / NDB Approaches

The ILS/LOC Y and NDB procedures for RWY 19 at BIRK are teardrop procedures commencing from RK NDB. Aircraft on these approaches should be routed direct RK as soon as practical. Once commencing the procedure, they should be asked report beacon outbound, then report established on final approach course/the ILS/localizer (as appropriate.)

As these procedures will require the aircraft to descend into the CTR, Approach should coordinate with Reykjavik Tower to notify them of any aircraft on these approaches.

Clearance Below 2000ft (VFR / Visual Approaches)

Twin- or multi-engine aircraft who are VFR entering BIRK CTR, or are requesting a visual approach into BIRK, must be cleared below 2000ft by Reykjavik Tower. Approach should coordinate with Tower to make them aware of such arrivals prior to transfer of communications.

Departures

Traffic permitting, it is common practice for Approach to issue a direct to the last waypoint of the SID immediately after radar identifying the aircraft, even if said waypoints lie outside the TMA. This does not require coordination with Reykjavik Control.