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APPROACH

The 'traffic warden' of arriving traffic. It works inside the TMA — the funnel toward the main airport — and its job is to order the queue of arrivals from every direction, each with its speed, altitude, and category.

5 min read
ICAO Doc 4444 · Chapter 6
Stefano Dias, ATCO

What APPROACH does

APPROACH (Approach Control or APP) is the ATC unit responsible for arrivals and departures control at the airport, primarily within the Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA).

Its competencies:

  1. Radar vectoring of inbound traffic from airways toward the airport
  2. Sequencing of aircraft in landing queue
  3. Vertical and lateral separation between arrivals and departures
  4. Controlled descent (descent clearances) from airways to approach level
  5. Coordination with TOWER (handing aircraft to final approach) and en-route control centers (ACC)
  6. Service for VFR in transit through the TMA or for special VFR
TMA = funnel

The TMA is the "funnel zone" three-dimensional that channels all incoming traffic toward the airport. Typically extends 50-100 km radius from the airport and from 1500 ft AGL up to FL195 (or beyond).

When to call APPROACH

In a VFR flight, you call APPROACH:

  • For clearance to transit through a TMA (e.g. crossing Zurich TMA to reach Bern)
  • For Special VFR (SVFR) arriving at a controlled airport in marginal weather
  • When transferred from INFORMATION arriving at a major airport
  • For VFR radar vectors (rare, but possible on request in some TMAs)
  • For IFR departures, when after take-off TOWER hands you to APPROACH

At small/medium VFR airports (Lugano, Locarno, Bern), APPROACH doesn't exist as a separate unit. The TOWER performs all functions — including extended traffic area control.

Typical phraseology

VFR TMA transit

Crossing Zurich TMA
HB-PMRZurich Approach, HB-PMR.
APPHB-PMR, Zurich Approach.
HB-PMRHB-PMR, Cessna 172, position 5 NM south of Eglisau, altitude 4500 feet, VFR Schaffhausen to Berne, request transit through TMA via VFR route ECHO.
APPHB-PMR, transit through TMA approved via VFR route ECHO, maintain altitude 4500 feet, QNH 1018, squawk 4271.
HB-PMRTransit via ECHO, maintain 4500 feet, QNH 1018, squawk 4271, HB-PMR.

Hand-off to TOWER

Final approach
APPHB-PMR, contact Zurich Tower 118.100, good day.
HB-PMR118.100, good day, HB-PMR.
(...frequency change...)
HB-PMRZurich Tower, HB-PMR, with you, established on right downwind 28.
TWRHB-PMR, Zurich Tower, continue approach, runway 28, number 2 to land.

VFR and Approach: a delicate relationship

For VFR, APPROACH is a powerful resource but with two golden rules:

  1. You must have explicit authorization to cross a TMA. You can't enter a controlled TMA "because you're flying straight ahead". You call the controller before entering and wait for clearance.

  2. VFR routes within large TMAs are predefined in the AIP. They have names (e.g. ECHO, NOVEMBER, GOLF) and standard altitudes. APPROACH will assign you one of these routes. Study them before flying.

Frequent error

Entering TMA without requesting clearance. If the TMA is class C or D, even though VFR is admitted, you must have explicit authorization. A TMA violation is a serious infraction of air rules with administrative consequences.

Radar vectors for VFR

In some cases APPROACH can offer radar vectors even for VFR — especially if the pilot is having navigation difficulties or requests assistance. It's a non-standard but possible service. Phraseology:

Vector request
HB-PMRZurich Approach, HB-PMR, request vectors to Schaffhausen, lost in haze conditions.
APPHB-PMR, fly heading 350, descend altitude 3500 feet, expect direct Schaffhausen.
HB-PMRHeading 350, descend 3500 feet, HB-PMR.

VFR radar vectors are assistance, not a guarantee of terrain clearance. The pilot remains responsible for avoiding obstacles — the controller doesn't take that liability.

Special VFR (SVFR)

In marginal weather (reduced visibility, low clouds) APPROACH and TOWER can authorize a Special VFR: a VFR flight in CTR with reduced minima, at the discretion of pilot and controller. Request explicitly:

SVFR request
HB-PMRZurich Approach, HB-PMR, request Special VFR for entry into Zurich CTR, current weather marginal.
APPHB-PMR, Special VFR approved, maintain VMC, contact Zurich Tower 118.100.

SVFR has lower visibility minima than standard VFR (e.g. 1500m instead of 5km in class D CTR), but the pilot must maintain VMC.

Swiss specifics

🇨🇭 Swiss context

In Switzerland APPROACH exists at:

- Zurich Approach (124.075 / 125.325) — Zurich TMA - Geneva Approach (131.325 / 121.225) — Geneva TMA - Bern Approach (rare, conditional on activation)

The Zurich and Geneva TMAs have predefined VFR routes well published in the AIP (ENR 6 and VFR Manual). Study them before attempting a transit. VFR transit is frequent and well managed, but requires explicit clearance.

Summary — to remember

  1. APPROACH controls the TMA, the funnel toward the main airport.
  2. VFR TMA transit always requires explicit clearance.
  3. Exists only at major airports (Zurich, Geneva in CH).
  4. Radar vectors available for VFR in case of need.
  5. Special VFR explicitly requested in marginal conditions.
  6. Study predefined VFR routes in the AIP before flying in a large TMA.

Sources

  • ICAO Doc 4444 — PANS-ATM, Chapter 6 (Procedures for Approach Control)
  • ICAO Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services
  • AIP Switzerland — ENR 6 (Air Traffic Services Routes), VFR Manual
  • Skyguide VFR Guide — TMA procedures
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