Darwin (YPDN)
Departures
VFR aircraft should expect to depart via a published VFR Route. Pilots who have not planned via a VFR route can expect to be rerouted via one.
IFR aircraft should expect to be issued with a SID as per below:
| Aircraft Type | Runway | First Waypoint | SID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | All | HELLI | HELLI SID |
| Jets | All | JULIE | JULIE SID |
| Jets | All | OCTOB | OCTOB SID |
| Jets | All | RUPEG | RUPEG SID |
| Non-Jets | All | LAKUP | LAKUP SID |
| Non-Jets | All | OLTAS | OLTAS SID |
| Non-Jets | All | RUSKA | RUSKA SID |
| Non-Jets | All | VANDI | VANDI SID |
All other aircraft shall expect the DN (RADAR) SID.
Arrivals
An ILS is available to RWY 29. RNP approaches are available to RWY 11, RWY 29, and RWY 36. RNP(AR) approaches are available to RWY 11 and RWY 29.
IFR aircraft can generally expect to be processed via a STAR (or direct to the IAF) terminating with the following approach:
| Runway | Approach |
|---|---|
| 11 | RNP(AR) or RNP-Z if unable |
| 18 | Visual |
| 29 | ILS or RNP(AR) |
| 36 | RNP |
Circuit Operations
The circuit altitude varies with aircraft type.
| Aircraft | Altitude |
|---|---|
| Military Jet | A020 |
| Other Jet | A015 |
| Non-Jet | A010 |
| Helicopter | A010 |
VFR Routes
Details of each VFR route are found on the Darwin VTC. VFR pilots should plan via one of the routes when inbound to or outbound from YPDN.
Marrara Coded Clearance
VFR aircraft arriving via LPT may be cleared for a visual approach via a 'Marrara Downwind' clearance. Aircraft that area cleared for a Marrara Downwind must track from LPT towards Marrara Stadium before turning to joing a left (Runway 11) or right (Runway 29) downwind.
Helicopter Operations
VFR helicopters are generally processed via the TALC HEAD Helicopter route. There is both an inbound and outbound route. This route is delivered as a coded clearance designed to separate helicopters from fixed-wing aircraft.
Tip
Refer to the YPDN ERSA FAC for details of the coded clearance, including implied altitude restrictions.
Departures
DN ACD will issue airways clearance for all helicopters, including those on a helicopter route.
| Route | Waypoints |
|---|---|
| TALC HEAD OUTBOUND | WOW TCH |
Phraseology
QRS: "Darwin Delivery, helicopter QRS, for the Talc Head outbound, request clearance"
DN ACD: "QRS, Darwin Delivery, cleared Talc Head outbound, squawk 0215, departure frequency 134.1"
QRS: "Cleared Talc Head outbound, squawk 0215, departure frequency 134.1, QRS"
Arrivals
VFR helicopters are generally processed via by the TALC HEAD Inbound route. IFR helicopters should conform to fixed wing ops and expect to be processed via an appropriate runway.
Phraseology
QRS: "Darwin Tower, helicopter QRS, WSM, A005, received Tango, request Talc Head Inbound"
DN ADC: "QRS, Darwin Tower, cleared Talc Head Inbound, report at WOW."
QRS: "Cleared Talc Head Inbound, QRS"
Hospital Helipads
The Darwin CTR contains the helipad at the Royal Darwin Hospital (YXDH). This pad sits outside the manoeuvring area, so no takeoff or landing clearances will be issued. Instead, helicopters will be instructed to report airborne or report on the ground.
LAHSO
LAHSO is the independent operation of two crossing runways for arrivals and departures. It is a complicated procedure which is rarely used, but occassionally run during VATPAC's busiest events featuring YPDN. Strict pilot requirements apply during LAHSO.
The active aircraft is the landing aircraft issued with a hold short instruction, prohibiting them from rolling out on their assigned runway beyond the intersection with the crossing runway.
The passive aircraft is the landing or departing aircraft which has full use of their assigned runway.
YPDN operates LAHSO using RWY 29 as the passive runway and RWY 36 as the active runway.
Pilot Requirements
All Australian registered aircraft operating under a flight number callsign are assumed to be approved active participants. If a pilot is unable to participate, ATC must be informed no later than 120nm from the destination aerodrome.
Phraseology
VOZ852: "VOZ852, negative active LAHSO"
TRT: "VOZ852"
Other pilots who wish to participate must notify ATC no later than 200nm from the destination aerodrome.
Phraseology
ANZ1984: "Brisbane Centre, ANZ1984, maintaining FL360, LAHSO approved"
TRT: "ANZ1984, Brisbane Centre"
Pilots who are unable to participate actively will be sequenced as a passive aircraft. Pilots who are unable to participate at all will be sequenced for an independent approach.