3. Arrivals
Chapter 3. Arrivals
Bahrain Approach (APP) is responsible for ensuring all aircraft arriving into the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) are safely separated vertically and laterally before being handed off to the TWR Controller on final approach. All aircraft shall be sequenced within the limitations listed within Section 3.1 of this document.
3.1 Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR)
Bahrain offers 3 different Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR) which are to be assigned to aircraft entering the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) these will either be assigned by the En-Route Controller; however, in the absence of an En-Route Controller these should be assigned by the Approach Controller on initial contact with the pilot.
Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR) are assigned based on the arrival routing of the aircraft, typically the last waypoint in an aircraft's Flight Plan (FPL) will be the first waypoint of the Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR).
For example an aircraft arriving from the North will typically have KOBOK as the last waypoint in their Flight Plan (FPL), this aircraft would then be assigned the KOBOK1 arrival.
Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR) are designed to efficiently and effectively bring aircraft from the en route environment down in the busy Terminal Maneuvering Areas (TMA) surrounding major airports. It is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to ensure aircraft are effectively managed on the Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR) and sequenced for final approach before being handed off to the TWR Controller.
All Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR) arriving into Bahrain are RNAV (Area Navigation) which require an aircraft to be equipped with specific onboard equipment in order to be able to follow the arrival routing to a certain degree of accuracy. All RNAV arrivals into Bahrain are RNAV1 which means aircraft must be able to maintain a total system error of no more than 1 nautical mile (NM) for 95% of the flight time.
If an aircraft is not equipped with the required equipment to fly an RNAV1 arrival or are experiencing GPS jamming/spoofing they must inform the Approach Controller that they are unable to fly the assigned STAR they should then be issued vectors for the arrival and the Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) cancelled.
3.1.1 KOBOK ONE RNAV ARRIVAL (KOBOK1)
This Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is designed to bring aircraft arriving from the North West into the Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) and is suitable for both RWY12L/30R. Aircraft will be expected to maintain altitude until cleared for the approach. As stated in Section 3.3.1 it is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to ensure traffic is managed effectively on all Standard Terminal Arrival Routings (STAR).
| Waypoint | Recommended Speed Restriction | Altitude Range |
|---|---|---|
| KOBOK | 230 kts - 250 kts | 12000FT |
| ELELO | 220 kts - 230 kts | 8000FT - 10000FT |
| OBSAS | 210 kts | 8000FT |
| RIGAG | 210 kts | 5000FT - 7000FT |
| NAGAT | 190 kts | 4000FT |
| ALRAS | 190 kts | 4000FT |
Once the aircraft reaches NAGAT or ALRAS they should be assigned either a heading to leave each respective fix on either for base turn or to extend the downwind leg further for separation.
3.1.2 LADNA ONE RNAV ARRIVAL (LADNA1)
This Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is designed to bring aircraft arriving from the West into the Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) and is suitable for both RWY12L/30R. Aircraft will be expected to maintain altitude until cleared for the approach. As stated in Section 3.2.1 it is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to ensure traffic is managed effectively on all Standard Terminal Arrival Routings (STAR).
| Waypoint | Recommended Speed Restriction | Altitude Range |
|---|---|---|
| LADNA | 210 kts | 9000FT |
| ELELO | 210 kts | 8000FT - 9000FT |
| OBSAS | 210 kts | 8000FT |
| RIGAG | 210 kts | 5000FT - 7000FT |
| NAGAT | 190 kts | 4000FT |
| ALRAS | 190 kts | 4000FT |
Once the aircraft reaches NAGAT or ALRAS they should be assigned either a heading to leave each respective fix on either for base turn or to extend the downwind leg further for separation.
3.1.3 ORDIG ONE RNAV ARRIVAL (ORDIG1)
This Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is designed to bring aircraft arriving from the North East into the Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) and is suitable for both RWY12L/30R. Aircraft will be expected to maintain altitude until cleared for the approach. As stated in Section 3.2.1 it is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to ensure traffic is managed effectively on all Standard Terminal Arrival Routings (STAR).
| Waypoint | Recommended Speed Restriction | Altitude Range |
|---|---|---|
| ORDIG | 230 kts - 250 kts | 12000FT |
| LOVAK | 210 kts - 230 kts | 9000FT - 10000FT |
| OBSAS | 210 kts | 8000FT |
| RIGAG | 210 kts | 5000FT - 7000FT |
| NAGAT | 190 kts | 4000FT |
| ALRAS | 190 kts | 4000FT |
Once the aircraft reaches NAGAT or ALRAS they should be assigned either a heading to leave each respective fix on either for base turn or to extend the downwind leg further for separation.
Charts
It is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to have a complete and full understanding of all the Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR) into Bahrain and know the limitations of each.
3.2 Initial Contact
Aircraft arriving into the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) are to be provided with a set of instructions which will allow the aircraft to fly an assigned routing, descend in a manner which will keep them separated from other traffic and under a controlled speed to ensure traffic is sequenced into the TMA efficiently.
Upon initial contact the Approach Controller should provide a pilot with the following information in the event the ACC Controller above them is not online:
- The Assigned Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR)
- The approach aid they will use to land at the airport along with the active runway
- An altitude to which to descend to if necessary
- Local Pressure at the Airfield of Arrival
Approach Controller: "DHX268, Identified, Cleared ORDIG1 Arrival, ILS Approach Runway 30R, descend altitude 8000FT, QNH 1010"
If the ACC Controller is online and they're arriving from the Bahrain En-Route Environment then Bahrain Radar will provide them with their expected Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR). However, the ACC Controller will only tell the aircraft to "expect" a particular STAR. It is still the responsibility of the Approach Controller to clear the aircraft onto a particular STAR.
Identifying Aircraft
Remember it is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to ensure all aircraft are identified on initial contact, aircraft should be assigned an individual squawk code if not already and squawking mode 'Charlie' which provides altitude information.
3.3 Sequencing Aircraft
All aircraft entering the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) should be sequenced in order to ensure separation is always maintained, it is wholly the responsibility of the Approach Controller to have a plan for all aircraft and know their position in sequence. This can be achieved by ensuring aircraft are under speed control and descending in a controlled manner in accordance with the Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR).
The Approach Controller should always have a clear plan of action when controlling and keep things as uniform as possible, this will ensure a constant steady flow of arriving traffic whilst ensuring all traffic are safely separated.
3.3.1 Holding
If at any point the controller is unable to manage the traffic load within the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) it is their responsibility to place aircraft into the hold until traffic can once again be sequenced for an approach to the runway.
Within the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) there are 6 published holding procedures and they are as follows:
| Hold Identifier | Vertical Limits | Inbound Holding Course | Maximum Holding Speed | Turn Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBSAS | 3000FT - 13000FT | 207° | 240 kts | Right |
| ALRAS | 3000FT - 13000FT | 300° | 210 kts | Right |
| NAGAT | 3000FT - 13000FT | 120° | 210 kts | Left |
| MARWA | 5000FT - FL150 | 302° | 240 kts | Left |
| RAZAN | 5000FT - FL150 | 122° | 240 kts | Right |
| BHR (VOR) | 25000FT - FL170 | Various | Various | Various |
It is imperative that the Approach Controller fully understands the standard procedures of each of the above holding patterns within the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA). This should include the vertical limits, inbound holding courses, maximum holding speed and the direction of turns they can expect aircraft to carry out if entered into one of the published holds.
If it is required to put an aircraft in one of the above holds the following phraseology should be used.
Approach Controller: "GFA164, enter published hold at OBSAS, descend altitude 8000FT, speed 230 kts, expect 10 minute delay"
Aircraft will have published holds within the aircraft's AIRAC cycle uploaded into their FMC by standard. However, in the event they do not you will be required to provide the aircraft with the full requirements to carry out the hold procedure.
Approach Controller: "GFA164, enter hold at OBSAS, inbound holding course 207°, descend altitude 8000FT, speed 230 kts, right hand turns, you can expect 10 minute delay"
When the situation within the Bahrain Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) has become managed and you can now accept aircraft for final approach aircraft must be sequenced appropriately from the hold. If the aircraft is still on their Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) you can issue them with a standard clearance.
Approach Controller: GFA164, on completion of this pattern, cancel the hold, descend altitude 4000FT via the STAR, speed 210 kts"
If the controller deems it necessary they can cancel the hold by issuing radar vectors for the approach, this can be done by doing the following:
Approach Controller: GFA164, cancel hold, turn right heading 120°, descend altitude 4000FT, speed 210 kts"
3.3.1.2 Holding Altitudes
If placing aircraft in the hold they must always as per Section 3.1 remain vertically separated by 1000FT. When placing multiple aircraft into the same holding pattern they cannot all hold at the same altitude so the Approach Controller is responsible for ensuring each aircraft has its own block altitude within the holding pattern.
For instance, the 1st aircraft would enter the hold at 8000FT, 2nd aircraft would enter the hold at 9000FT, 3rd aircraft would enter the hold at 10000FT and so forth.
When the requirement for the hold is no longer required, the aircraft at the bottom of the hold will be given instructions to exit first whether that be by radar vectors or to carry on with the published Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR), this will then allow the 2nd aircraft within the holding pattern to descend to the block altitude within the holding pattern that the previous aircraft held.
The Approach Controller will continue to descend aircraft in the holding pattern until it is their time to leave the hold.
3.4 Approach Aids
Bahrain offers 3 different types of approach aids to landing aircraft. It is important the Approach Controller fully understands the different types of approach aids and their capabilities.
- Instrument Landing System (ILS)
- VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)
- Required Navigation Performance (RNP)
3.4.1 Precision Approach
A precision approach is an approach that offers both Lateral and Vertical guidance to the runway, this is typically an Instrument Landing System (ILS).
3.4.2 Non-Precision Approach
A non-precision approach is an approach that offers lateral guidance to the runway but not vertical guidance. There are various different types of approaches which are classified as non-precision. The ones available in Bahrain are:
- VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)
- Required Navigation Performance (RNP)
GPS/RNP approaches
Despite having the ability to provide aircraft with vertical guidance RNP approaches are still technically deemed non-precision this is due to their reliance on satellites to provide lateral and vertical guidance.
Both RWY12L/30R offer the same types of approaches, the standard approach type to be made in Bahrain will be the Instrument Landing System (ILS) however in the event the ILS is not functioning or the pilot wants to request an approach utilising one of the non-precision approaches available at Bahrain this can be approved, traffic permitting.
3.4.3 Final Approach
It is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to transition aircraft from the Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) to the final approach phase. This is achieved by vectoring the aircraft from the last waypoint on the STAR for the base leg turn then onto an intercepting heading for the assigned approach aid.
3.4.4 Vectoring for ILS Approaches
For aircraft flying the ILS approach to either RWY12L or RWY30R they will be given an intercepting vector from the Approach Controller to intercept the localiser which provides the aircraft with lateral guidance.
Aircraft should be given a vector within 30 degrees of the final approach course for the runway. The absolute maximum intercept vector for the localiser should be no more than 40 degrees.
Example:
Approach Controller: "DHX268, turn right heading 270 degrees, descend altitude 1500FT, cleared ILS Approach RWY30R, report established"
3.4.5 Clearing Aircraft for RNP approaches
Aircraft flying the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach will be cleared via the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) to execute the approach. The aircraft should be cleared to proceed direct to either the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) or the Intermediate Fix (IF).
Example:
Approach Controller: "DHX268, proceed direct LOVAL, descend altitude 2500FT, via LOVAL, cleared RNP Approach RWY12L, report established on the final approach track, QNH 1003."
Differences
As the RNP is not a precision approach, aircraft should be told to report final instead of report established.
3.4.6 Clearing Aircraft for the VOR Approach
For an aircraft electing to fly the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) approach this can either be done by the aircraft flying the full procedural which involves overflying the BHR VOR and performing the 'tear drop' procedure. This procedure will involve the aircraft intercepting an outbound radial from the BHR VOR based on aircraft category until a specified distance listed on the approach chart and then turning to intercept an inbound radial which will establish the aircraft on final approach and provide lateral guidance to the aircraft.
You can also provide an aircraft with vectors to intercept the inbound radial for final approach, this will prevent the aircraft from having to fly the full procedural VOR/DME approach.
3.4.7 Procedural VOR Approach Clearance
Approach Controller: "GFA013, via the BHR VOR, cleared procedural VOR/DME approach RWY12L, report on outbound radial, descend altitude 2500FT, QNH 1003."
Once the aircraft reaches the specified distance on the outbound radial they will begin their turn to intercept the inbound final approach radial.
Approach Controller: "GFA013, report established on inbound radial RWY12L"
3.4.8 Vectors for VOR Approach Clearance
Approach Controller: "GFA013, turn right heading 150 degrees, descend altitude 1500FT, cleared VOR approach RWY12L, report established on the inbound radial, QNH 1003."
Traffic Load
The Approach Controller must not accept non-standard approach requests if the traffic situation in the TMA does not allow.
3.4.9 Visual Approach
Aircraft wishing to conduct a visual approach must be able to maintain visual contact with the runway at all times once cleared for the visual approach. It is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to position the aircraft to a point in which visual contact can be maintained before clearing the aircraft.
Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) conditions must exist for an aircraft to request a visual approach. Ceiling height must be greater than 1500FT and ground visibility must be greater than 5 km.
The Approach Controller cannot issue a visual approach clearance, it must be requested from the pilot.
Approach Controller: "GFA771, report airfield in sight"
Once the aircraft has confirmed they have the airfield in sight they can then be issued with a visual approach clearance.
Approach Controller: "GFA771, cleared visual approach RWY30R, QNH 1003"
Once they have acknowledged they are cleared for the visual approach they should be handed straight to the TWR Controller. If TWR is not online, the Approach Controller should tell the aircraft to report final.
3.5 Tag Management
It is the responsibility of the Approach Controller to ensure aircraft tags are managed correctly and promptly upon giving instructions. This is to ensure all surrounding controlling units are aware of the planned intentions of each aircraft and to ensure correct management of aircraft within the TMA.
This includes ensuring altitudes and flight levels are correctly set in accordance with instructions the aircraft has received, any headings or directs the aircraft has been given must be updated accordingly in the aircraft tag and all assigned speeds shall be set.