Pilot briefing Malta Airport
Departures
Clearance Delivery
Pilots of departing aircraft shall contact Luqa GND for ATC clearance not earlier than 15 minutes before planned start-up / push-back stating aircraft type, apron location, stand number and the code letter of the latest ATIS information received. Pre-departure clearance will not be issued by Luqa GND for international flights unless a flight plan has been received. Pilots shall notify Luqa GND of any subsequent changes to SID / routing within the LMMMFIR following receipt of clearance.
International flights may also be subject to re-routings or restrictions due to unplanned military activity or contingency procedures in force. Flights affected will be informed on first contact with ATC when requesting clearance delivery.
Start-up taxi clearance
All aircraft should request start-up clearance from Luqa GND. Requests for start-up clearance shall not be made earlier than 5 minutes before planned start-up. Any delays in start-up should be communicated to ATC as early as possible.
Push-back is
not needed on any stands at Luqa (LMML), except the following stands:
On Apron 8 (all stands) and Apron 9 (stands 1 thru 8 + 1R and 8L), apply minimum 55° nose-gear angle on power turn-out from parking position.
Push back is NOT needed from any other stands than mentioned above as long as your aircraft is no larger than the max width/length specifications and you are parked correctly.
Line-up clearance
When ATC issues a line-up clearance to a departing aircraft, the pilot has to ensure that the aircraft will be ready for departure on line-up. If the aircraft is not ready for departure, the pilot shall notify ATC accordingly.
Multiple line-ups on the same runway
Multiple line-ups is a technique to expedite the departure of aircraft from the runway. It concerns departing aircraft being instructed to line-up on the same runway at different points using different access taxiways.
The application of this procedure is at the discretion of Luqa TWR and subject to the procedures indicated below.
The use of multiple line-ups from the same runway access point is not considered as an application of multiple line-ups on the same runway but an application of a conditional ATC clearance for sequencing of departing traffic.
Multiple line-up instructions on the same runway from different runway intersections may be issued by Luqa TWR subject to the following provisions:
- Multiple line-up instructions shall only be issued by Luqa TWR;
- Not more than two aircraft may be lined-up at different points on the same runway as indicated below:
- THR RWY 13 and RWY 13 intersection F or intersection E;
- THR RWY 31 and RWY 31 intersection C or intersection D;
- THR RWY 23 and RWY 23 intersection Q or intersection R;
- THR RWY 05 and RWY 05 intersection P.
- Multiple line-up instructions shall not be issued when the visibility is less than 5 KM;
- Multiple line-ups may only be authorised when both aircraft are continuously visible to Luqa TWR on the manoeuvring area either by visual observation or by the use of video cameras.
Departure procedures
The departure clearance will be provided by Luqa GND following a clearance delivery request by the pilot. The clearance will contain the Standard Instrument Departure (SID) to be followed based on the departure runway in use, the initial standard cleared level, a discrete SSR code and CTOT if applicable. Whenever a SID cannot be issued, aircraft will be given a radar departure consisting of the initial track or heading to be followed after take-off and the cleared level.
Strict compliance with the issued ATC clearance is necessary at all times. Non-compliance may result in less than standard separation between aircraft. If a flight is unable to comply with issued clearances, the ATC unit concerned should be informed before take-off and an alternative clearance requested.
When the pilot intends to take-off from an intersection, the pilot shall notify ATC on requesting start-up clearance. The requirements of the assigned standard instrument departure procedure to be followed must be met at all times.
Standard Instrument Departure procedures
The Standard Instrument Departure procedures applicable to aircraft departing from Luqa aerodrome reflect Noise Preferential Routings. Pilots should not deviate from these procedures and should not request alternative departure routings unless required to do so due to adverse weather.
Pilots of departing aircraft should climb to the initial cleared level specified in the clearance delivery unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
On first contact with Luqa APP, pilots of departing aircraft should report:
- call sign,
- SID designator,
- current altitude and
- cleared altitude.
En-route cruising level will be issued after departure by Malta ATC.
