Pilot Briefing für Jet, Turboprop, MEP/SEP APC B & C

Frankfurt-Egelsbach airfield (EDFE) is an uncontrolled airfield near Frankfurt/Main International Airport (EDDF) and can only be operated under VFR. Flight rule changes with a Y/Z flight plan are possible.

EDFE is the busiest General / Business Aviation airfield in Germany with more than 80,000 annual flight movements, many of them are school/training flights simultaneously in the northern and southern traffic patterns. The traffic mix includes HPA business jets, SEP/MEP piston aircraft and helicopters as well as microlight aircraft and TMG motor gliders. Due to the inhomogeneous traffic mix and the high traffic volume, thorough flight preparation and high attention during arrival and departure are essential.

The volume of traffic on the entry and exit routes as well as in both traffic patterns can be temporarily very high. Early contact with EGELSBACH INFORMATION and appropriate air speed will support safe and efficient approach and departure procedures.

The tracks along the EDFE entries and exits as well as the published traffic patterns serve to ensure safe flight guidance as well as coordination between faster and slower aircraft and noise abatement above populated areas. To account for different airspeeds, all jets, turboprops and MEP/SEP aircraft of Approach Category B & C fly via the DELTA and YANKEE entry and exit, all other aircraft fly via the TANGO, ECHO, KILO and DELTA entries and exits.

Due to the proximity of Frankfurt Airport in the northwest, the lower limit of airspace C and D (clearance required) gradually extends down to 1,500 ft MSL. Approaches into EDFE therefore are only possible from the south or east at a maximum altitude of 1,500 ft MSL. To the north and west, the CTR (airspace D) of Frankfurt airport is located close to EDFE airport. Good knowledge of the airspace structure and the courses published in the approach plates are essential to avoid airspace violations.

Due to the traffic density and complexity, Frankfurt-Egelsbach airfield is surrounded by

• ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone),
• TMZ (Transponder Mandatory Zone) and
• RMZ (Radio Mandatory Zone)

with identical dimensions.

Flights in EDFE airspace (ATZ/TMZ/RMZ) are therefore only permitted for the purpose of take-off and landing with an operational transponder and by establishing radio contact with EGELSBACH INFORMATION. Frankfurt-Egelsbach airfield provides Aerodrome Flight Information Service, AFIS. EGELSBACH INFORMATION uses an air situation display system and, if necessary, provides traffic information depending on the workload situation.

Pilots of all jets, turboprops and all aircraft of Approach Category B & C must complete this briefing and answer the subsequent comprehension questions to be allowed to fly to Frankfurt-Egelsbach airfield. The briefing is valid for 12 months.

• Asphalt runway 26/08, antiskid, PCN34, approach lighting HIRL, REIL, RTIL, APAPI 4,4°
  • RWY 26: LDA 1.166 m x 25 m, 150 m overrun at west end of runway
  • RWY 26: TORA 1.400 m x 25 m
  • RWY 08: LDA 1.400 m x 25 m
  • RWY 08: TORA 1.166 m x 25 m, 150 m overrun at west end of runway can be used for take-off run.
• Grass runway 26/08, south of asphalt runway, 1,2t MPW, Heli 5t MPW
  • RWY 26: LDA 520 m x 30 m
  • RWY 26: TORA 450 m x 30 m, can be increased by 30 m if safety strip in front of RWY is used
  • RWY 08: LDA 450 m x 25 m
  • RWY 08: TORA 520 m x 25 m, can be increased by 30 m if safety strip in front of RWY is used
• Elevation 385 ft
• Radio communications:
  • EGELSBACH INFORMATION 118,405 MHz (ge, en)
  • EGELSBACH APRON 121,730 MHz (ge, en)
• Standard Fire Cat 3. Fire Cat 4 oder 5 O/R
• Aircraft up to 5,7 t MTOM
• 5,7 t up to 20 t PPR
• Microlight aircraft are subject to PPR

Please also consult the AIP/VFR.

Egelsbach Airfield provides a certified MET REPORT. It can be accessed on the official aviation weather pages of the German Weather Service (DWD) or be transmitted by EGELSBACH INFORMATION.

The SERA.5001 VFR minimum visual weather conditions for visibility and distance from clouds in airspace G in the ATZ and in airspaces D and E in the surrounding airspaces apply.

Local regulation: Jet, turboprop, MEP/SEP APC B & C require a surface visibility of at least 5,000 m for night approaches. The current values ​​can be found in the MET REPORT.

Excerpts from the AIP VFR (https://aip.dfs.de/basicAIP/) are also available on the Egelsbach airfield website at https://egelsbach-airport.com/piloteninfo/#aip-vfr-auszuege.

The approach to Frankfurt-Egelsbach must be performed under visual flight rules (VFR). According to Section 1.10 AIP, entries into the ATZ with a flight rule change from IFR to VFR are also only allowed up to a MAX ALT of 1,500 ft MSL to remain free of airspace C and D.

Such approaches are usually conducted out of Frankfurt airspace C with an early descent to MVA. Prior to flight rule change, LANGEN RADAR will generally inform you about the runway in use at EDFE and the entry expected by EGELSBACH INFORMATION. Please be aware of potentially unknown VFR traffic outside the ATZ in airspace E and G.

It is recommended to proactively work towards cancelling IFR to change to EGELSBACH INFORMATION at an early stage, especially when there is high traffic volume or a high workload on LANGEN RADAR. The change should happen at least 10 minutes prior to reaching Egelsbach airfield.

EGELSBACH INFORMATION can inform you about the current MET REPORT and, if possible, information about other traffic in the ATZ. Please keep in mind that within the ATZ there may be significantly slower aircraft on the approaches or in the traffic patterns. A speed adapted to other traffic, if possible not more than 140 KIAS, is recommended.

If equipped, it is recommended to operate the TCAS in the TA setting.

According to paragraph 1.10 AIP it is recommended not to exceed an airspeed of 160 KIAS.

The APAPI is located 115 m after THR runway 26 and is calibrated to a descent angle of 4.4°. At a GS of 120 kts, this corresponds to a vertical speed of 935 ft/min or sink rate of 468 ft/NM.

Mind the forested hill at 2 NM (591 ft + approx. 100 ft tree height = approx. 700 ft obstacle height).

The formation of dense ground fog on final approach is possible. This is NOT covered by the MET REPORT and may cover part or all of the forested hill mentioned.

Shortly before the runway, a railway line with overhead wires runs in a north-south direction. It is equipped with obstacle lights at night.

The threshold is displaced by 234 m. The available ground roll from the APAPI to the end of LDA is 1051 m + 150 m overrun.

Braking action on the runway is not measured.

In case of GO AROUND, note the close by CTR of EDDF. It is located approx. 1.3 NM west of the runway end along the extended centerline. It is therefore advisable to initiate a left turn early on, if possible about 0.5 NM behind the end of the runway (DER), in order to follow the DELTA exit in a southerly direction along the motorway. Initially do not climb above 1,500 ft MSL to remain clear of airspace D and C.

Remain on EGELSBACH INFORMATION within the RMZ Egelsbach until EGELSBACH INFORMATION recommends changing over to LANGEN RADAR.

To enable an extended final approach and thus reduce the workload for the flight crew, the DFS offers a so-called “flight rule change procedure” on runway 26, which leads via the RNAV waypoints PEKIG and ASBAB along the approach centerline. (see image below).

Initially, a clearance is issued to descend to 3,000 ft altitude to the point PEKIG. PEKIG represents the IFR Clearance Limit.

Shortly after PEKIG, further clearance is given for a descent to the MVA of 2,100 ft (winter: 2,300 ft) to waypoint ASBAB. The change from IFR to VFR must happen before ASBAB. Therefore, it is recommended to request to cancel IFR and change to VFR as soon as practicable.

If IFR cancellation is not possible, the aircraft will be vectored by LANGEN RADAR northbound or southbound for a next approach via PEKIG.

Continuing the approach, the routing leads straight ahead with a descent initially to 1,500 ft MSL for the entry into the EDFE ATZ/RMZ/TMZ. Next, the 4.4° APAPI glide path will be intercepted to continue visually towards the threshold of runway 26.

In case of go-around, the same procedure as described above for the approach to runway 26 via YANKEE for jet, turboprop, MEP/SEP APC B & C (see point 2.2) applies.

The procedure was developed in cooperation with German ATC (DFS) and it is not mandatory. It is subject to a fee of €30.- from DFS and is billed per approach via the landing fee.

If possible, reduce the IAS to the lowest safe speed before entering EDFE ATZ. 140 KIAS or less is recommended. Note the gradually lowering airspaces C and D south of the CTR Frankfurt.

After entering the ATZ, do not fly west of the A5 motorway.

Mind the high voltage power line (712 ft) on right base for RWY 08.

During this phase of the flight, the airport may be seen late, especially from the left seat.

When turning into the final approach, consider the turn radius and the relatively short final approach of less than 1 NM to THR runway 08.

The APAPI is located 115 m after THR runway 08 and is calibrated to an approach angle of 4.4°. At a GS of 120 kts, this corresponds to a vertical speed of 935 ft/min or sink rate of 468 ft/NM. The remaining available ground roll distance to the end of the runway is 1,285 m (LDA 1285 m).

In case of go-around, follow the extended runway centerline on course 082° straight ahead and do not initiate any turns initially. Do not climb above 1,500 ft MSL. Follow the YANKEE excursion.

Remain on EGELSBACH INFORMATION within the RMZ Egelsbach until EGELSBACH INFORMATION recommends changing over to LANGEN RADAR.

The entry via LIMA is NOT usable for jets, turboprops and MEP/SEP APC B & C! After a cloudbreaking procedure at Frankfurt Airport, jets, turboprops and MEP/SEP APC B & C fly into the ATZ EDFE via DELTA and YANKEE respectively.

Departures with an intended flight rule change from VFR to IFR must request departure information via EGELSBACH APRON before start-up. EGELSBACH APRON will transmit the exit from EDFE ATZ coordinated with ATC, the squawk and the IFR-pickup frequency of LANGEN RADAR for the flight rule change.

For departures to the west, note the proximity of the CTR of EDDF. It is located approx. 1.3 NM west of the runway end along the extended centerline. It is therefore advisable to initiate a left turn early on, if possible about 0.5 NM behind the end of the runway (DER), in order to follow the DELTA exit in a southerly direction along the motorway. The overflight of the town of Erzhausen in close vicinity south-west of the runway should be avoided. Initially, do not climb above 1,500 ft MSL to remain clear of airspace D and C.

Remain on EGELSBACH INFORMATION within the RMZ Egelsbach until EGELSBACH INFORMATION recommends changing over to LANGEN RADAR.

Follow the extended runway centerline on course 082° straight ahead and do not initiate any turns initially. Do not climb above 1,500 ft MSL. Follow the YANKEE excursion.

Remain on EGELSBACH INFORMATION within the RMZ Egelsbach until EGELSBACH INFORMATION recommends changing over to LANGEN RADAR.