TMA — Terminal Manoeuvring Area

What is a TMA

The TMA (Terminal Manoeuvring Area or Terminal Control Area) is a controlled airspace extending above a CTR, forming the volume in which APPROACH guides arrivals and departures.

Typical characteristics:

• Lower limit: variable, typically 1500-3500 ft AGL (or from the top of the CTR below)
• Upper limit: usually FL195 (but can be lower or higher)
• Horizontal extent: 30-100 km radius
• Shape: complex, "patchwork" — follows standard arrival/departure airways
• Class: typically C or D in Europe

Main TMAs in Switzerland

In Switzerland there are two significant TMAs:

Zurich TMA (LSZH)

• Class: C
• Extent: from Lake Constance to French border, large area
• Lower limit: variable (1500 ft AGL in outer areas, 1000 ft in central)
• Upper limit: FL195
• Subdivision: into sectors (Zurich TMA 1, 2, 3...) for operational management

Geneva TMA (LSGG)

• Class: C
• Extent: covers Lake Geneva region to pre-Alps
• Lower limit: variable (1500-2500 ft AGL)
• Upper limit: FL195
• Subdivision: into sectors under Geneva Approach

How VFR enters a TMA

VFR can enter a TMA only with explicit clearance from APPROACH. Options are:

1. Transit on predefined VFR route

Large TMAs (Zurich, Geneva) have published VFR routes. These are standardized paths with entry points, reporting points, fixed altitudes. Examples at Zurich: VFR route ECHO, VFR route NOVEMBER, VFR route GOLF.

2. VFR vectors (rare, on request)

When the pilot needs special assistance (lost, weather marginal), APPROACH can provide radar vectors even to VFR. See APPROACH.

3. Entry to land at the main field

If you land at the TMA airport (e.g. Zurich as destination), you pass through APPROACH then TOWER following standard procedures.

Flying under the TMA: the "VFR underground"

A common practice for VFR is flying under the TMA's lower limit, where the airspace is usually class G or class E. This allows avoiding clearances and only dialoguing with FIS.

At Zurich, under the TMA pilots often follow "VFR routes underground" — VFR routes published under the TMA itself. They have names like VFR route LIMA, VFR route MIKE, etc.

TMA and ATIS

When entering or transiting a TMA, you must always communicate the ATIS letter received for the main airport. Example: "with information Echo". If you haven't received it, say so honestly: "no ATIS information" — the controller will give you the essentials (QNH, runway in use, wind).

Swiss specifics

Summary — to remember

1. TMA = manoeuvring area above the CTR for arrivals and departures.
2. Class C in Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva). Bern/Lugano/Locarno don't have TMA.
3. VFR entry always with explicit clearance from APPROACH.
4. Predefined VFR routes in large TMAs — study them first.
5. Flying under TMA is possible in underlying G/E airspace, with altitude buffer.
6. ATIS letter always to communicate when entering/transiting.

Sources

• ICAO Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services
• AIP Switzerland — ENR 6 (Air Traffic Services Routes), ENR 2 (TMA descriptions)
• VFR Manual Switzerland — Skyguide
• Aero Locarno · Subject 090 — VFR Communications