Air Traffic Control at Ronaldsway, Isle of Man
2014
 
Changes  2014 - 2019
 
Island Images Homepage
IOM ATC History Index
 
 
 
ATC is provided from two locations, Aerodrome Control - located at the top of the 'stalk' and 
Approach Radar Control, located in the lower building.  Air Traffic Control procedures are governed by the UK Air Navigation Order, CAP 493 - The Manual of Air Traffic Services Pt1 and the Manual of Air Traffic Services Pt 2 (Ronaldsway Airport)
 
Aerodrome Control   -  Callsign 'Ronaldsway Tower'  118.9 Mhz
 
The author presses the 'Crash Alarm' for the last time on September 7th 2014 (it was just a routine practice callout)
 
Aerodrome Control has authority over aircraft on and in the immediate vicinity of the airport and vehicles on the Runways & Taxiways. Ronaldsway has two runways available, giving a total of four possible landing and take-off directions, they are designated according to the first two digits of their magnetic directions, the longest runway is either 26 or 08 with the shorter cross-runway 21 or 03. ATC decide on the 'Runway in Use', based mainly on the wind direction as aircraft performance is enhanced by operating into the wind, but also other factors such as navigation aids available or in light winds the direction traffic is arriving from or departing to. Pilots can request a non standard runway and ATC will try to oblige, but it may not be possible as our aim is to provide a 'safe, orderly and expeditious' flow of traffic and what might be advantageous to one flight could result in delays to several others and reduce overall expedition.
 
Ronaldsway Airport Diagram - December 2011
Ronaldsway Apron Diagram - December 2011
 
Aerodrome Controller Workstation
 
The tower controller keeps track of aircraft and vehicle movements using a 'flight progress board'.  This holds paper flight progress strips in coloured holders appropriate to the type of flight: Departures in blue holders, Arrivals in yellow, Local flights (not landing away from Ronaldsway) in green and Overflights in Red. Vehicles operating on the manoeuvring area have laminated strips showing their radio callsign.  All ATC instructions are recorded on the strips which are moved around the board to indicate positions of aircraft.  A specific section of the board is used to show aircraft or vehicles that have been allowed to enter the runway.  To assist the controller an Aerodrome Traffic Monitor shows radar derived information of the traffic situation in the vicinity and to aid visual acquisition of aircraft it is orientated 'south up' to replicate the controller's view..
 
Tower Flight Progress Board
Aerodrome Traffic Monitor (ATM)
 
ATIS 123.875 MHz
 
Aerodrome Control is where the ATIS - Automatic Terminal Information Service broadcast is prepared. This is transmitted continuously using a computer generated 'voice' when the airport is open and is routinely updated every 30 minutes.  It gives the runway in use, type of instrument approach to be expected, latest weather report from Met and any other pertinent information on the airfield or ATC operations. Each broadcast is identified by an incrementing letter of the alphabet.  Additional phrases can be recorded by ATC if required.
 
 
Copperchase Flight Data Management System (FDMS)
 
Integrating all the ATC data together is the Copperchase Flight Data Management System. Flight Plans are automatically received via the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) and live estimates on inbound flights by phone from Scottish Centre are entered to print paper Flight Progress Strips. Flight plans filed directly with Ronaldsway ATC are entered into the system for dissemination via the AFTN and Airways or local aircraft transponder codes (squawks) entered. Weather information from the Ronaldsway Met Office is displayed and relevant flight data is exported to the Park Air surveillance displays. The main duties of the Air Traffic Service Assistants (ATSAs) are keeping the FDMS up to date, by processing flight plans, inputting estimates and logging arrival and departure times of aircraft to produce the computer movement log book. FDMS terminals are located in both Aerodrome and Approach Radar ATSA and ATCO working positions enabling data to be entered as required. Ronaldsway Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) giving pertenant information on changes to published information are produced on the system for dissemination world-wide via the UK NOTAM Office.
FDMS Computer Terminal
Inputting an inbound estimate and squawk
Message Editor Window
 
 
Arrivals
 
Inbound aircraft will normally establish communications with tower when transferred by radar at 10 miles or less from the airfield, either when they are established on an instrument approach or visual with the airfield. There is normally no telephone co-ordination required from radar so long as the ATM and SSR is serviceable as the aircraft callsigns and landing order will be apparent from the display. If there is any possibility of confusion, e.g. a slow VFR light aircraft which will be overtaken by a faster IFR inbound, radar will co-ordinate with tower to ensure that both parties have agreed a plan of action.
 
Tower has absolute control of the runways and will clear an aircraft to land once a preceding landing aircraft has taxied clear of the runway or a departing aircraft is airborne.  Normally aircraft will receive a landing clearance by about 4 miles from touchdown but it may be later if an aircraft is departing or a vehicle crossing the runway.  Once the aircraft has landed and slowed to taxiing speed, instructions are issued to the parking stand, e.g. 'Jersey 8 Bravo Golf, taxy to stand ten via bravo, alpha and foxtrot'.
 
Departures
 
Departing aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) will call tower before starting engines, giving the ATIS information letter  and are passed an 'airways' or local clearance as appropriate. A typical 'airways' clearance would be: 'Jersey Eight Alpha Hotel is cleared to Manchester via (airway) Lima One Zero.  Climb Flight Level seven zero, after noise abatement turn right (onto) heading one five five, squawk zero four seven seven.  This gives the pilot his initial departure clearance and he will read it back to ATC for confirmation.  Departures operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) will normally make their first call after starting engine(s) and be issued with a local clearance and squawk.  As Ronaldsway is situated in Class D controlled airspace, all flight require a flight plan to be submitted to ATC before departure.  Sometimes pilots will pass this by radio after starting, but this inevitably results in some delay to their flight as the plan has to entered into the computer system to print a flight progress strip.
 
Initial Clearance
 
The clearance issued to Jersey Eight Alpha Hotel (BEE8AH) has been recorded on the flight progress strip, passed to the crew and read back - the ticks indicates that the read back is correct.
 
When the flight has completed boarding and is ready to go he will call tower again and be cleared for 'push and start'. This authorizes engine start and for the aircraft to be pushed back off stand by the tug, positioning onto the apron centreline.  As ATC has no responsibility or control over  vehicles operating on the Apron area, it is up to the ground crews to ensure that all vehicles and other obstructions are clear before commencing the pushback. Smaller aircraft, e.g. Let 410s may taxi directly off stand without being pushed back first.
When engine start is completed and the tug disconnected the pilot will call for taxy instructions and if the route is clear a typical ATC response would be 'Jersey 8 alpha hotel, runway 08 taxy to hold alpha nine via bravo, the QNH is 1021', which the pilot will read back.  All ATC instructions must be read back for confirmation.  The pilot will switch on the aircraft ATC transponder with the issued 'squawk' code to show his position on ATC secondary surveillance radars and taxi to the holding point.  As the aircraft approaches the holding point, the tower controller phones Ronaldsway radar and requests a 'release'.  This gives him permission to let the aircraft depart in accordance with any instructions radar might issue.  If there is no conflicting traffic, the reply might be 'released to Scottish Control on 133.050', i.e. the aircraft can depart in accordance with the clearance already issued and be transferred directly to Scottish Centre on frequency 133.050.  If there is conflicting traffic, the radar controller can change the assigned heading or add a level restriction, e.g. 'Jersey 8AH climb straight ahead after departure, released'.  In this case the tower controller passes the amended clearance to the pilot and obtains a read back before instructing the aircraft 'Runaway zero eight, line up and wait' and after again reading the instruction back the pilot taxies the aircraft onto the runway. 
 
 
Departure Co-ordination
 
The radar controller has amended the initial clearance to instruct the aircraft to climb straight ahead after departure which has been annotated on the strip, passed to the pilot and read back (ticks by the instructions). The revised clearance will be due to one or both of the inbound aircraft shown by the flight progress strips above the runway designator as the flight paths are required to cross at some point.
 If there are no other aircraft or vehicles on the runway the controller will then transmit 'Jersey 8 alpha hotel, runway 08 cleared for take-off' which will be read back and the pilot will commence the take-off run.  After the aircraft is airborne and established in the climb, in this case probably passing around 2000 ft, communications will be transferred to the appropriate departure frequency: 'Jersey 8 alpha hotel, contact Ronaldsway radar, 120.850'. 
 
 
Ground Movement Control
 
Ground movements are controlled to de-conflict aircraft and to optimize the departure order of aircraft on the same route, aircraft being cleared to one of the designated holding points or given clear instructions regarding other aircraft, e.g. 'follow the Stobart Air ATR to hold Alpha 9'.  If a runway has to be crossed while taxiing this must be specifically instructed, e.g. 'taxy to hold alpha one via foxtrot and alpha, cross runway two one' . 
 Vehicles are controlled on the Manoeuvring Area using a discrete UHF frequency. 118.9 is re-broadcast on this frequency so that vehicle drivers can be aware of aircraft movements. ATC has no responsibility for vehicles operating on the airport Aprons (aircraft parking areas). On the aprons, vehicles must use the designated roadways and give way to all aircraft movements. Certain vehicles are permitted to 'Free Range' on taxiways (but not runways) keeping well clear of all aircraft movements.
 
Runway and Taxiway Lighting
 
During the hours of darkness or in poor visibility the airfield runways are illuminated with white lights and the taxiways with green centreline and blue edge lights.  These lights are all controlled from the Visual Control Room using a touchscreen display.  Taxiway holding points adjacent to runways are protected by red 'Stop Bars', a row of red lights across the taxiway which aircraft and vehicles are forbidden to cross.  When the controller gives permission to enter the runway, he deselects the stop bar on the lighting panel and the green centreline lights continue onto the runway.
Aerodrome Control at Dusk
 
 
Aerodrome Lighting Control Panel
 

 
 Approach Radar Control     'Ronaldsway Approach/Radar' 120.85 MHz &  118.2 MHz
The Ronaldsway Approach Radar desk - actually a straight desk, distortion caused by the panoramic photo.
 
Approach Radar Controller Workstation
The author at work in 'Radar 1'
 
Ronaldsway Approach Radar usually controls aircraft up to about 40 miles from the airport. Inbound traffic arriving via the Airways system is transferred from Scottish Control, usually with no telephone co-ordination required, in accordance with standing agreements that vary according to the route flown. Off-route traffic will be identified and issued a clearance into controlled airspace at a level under Ronaldsway's jurisdiction, that is at Flight Level 70 or below.
 
Northern Irish Sea Airspace Maps
 
Agreed Levels
Under 'Standing Agreements' with the Area Control Centre, inbound aircraft are descended by Scottish Control and outbound aircraft climbed by Ronaldsway Radar to standard levels as depicted. This ensures vertical separation with no co-ordination normally required between units.
 
Airway 'Lima Ten' to the southeast is worked as a one way system, aircraft positioned on radar headings to keep inbounds on the north side and outbounds on the south side.
 
Inbound aircraft flying under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are vectored (given headings to steer and levels to fly at) using radar until they are established on an appropriate Instrument Approach or wish to continue with a visual approach.  Separation is provided by ATC from other IFR aircraft either laterally or vertically. The minimum separations allowed are 3 miles laterally or 1000 ft vertically.  They are then transferred to Tower.
 
Outbound Airways traffic is worked by Ronaldsway Radar if there is a confliction with local traffic, either inbound or overflying.  Once the confliction is resolved the aircraft is transferred to the relevant Scottish Control sector in accordance with the standing agreement.  Levels are assigned to keep aircraft within controlled airspace and radar cover (to the north radar cover at lower levels is restricted due to screening from the hills).  Within the Ronaldsway Control Zone, the minimum altitudes to be used are defined by the 'ATC Surveillance Minimum Altitude Chart'
 
ATC Surveillance Minimum Altitude Chart
 
Shows the lowest altitudes that can be allocated by controller when vectoring aircraft
(Click for larger map)
 
 
Two common ATC Scenarios - vectoring aircraft arriving via airway L10 for an Instrument Landing System Approach
 
 Vectoring for ILS Approach Runway 26
A significant proportion of the airways traffic to Ronaldsway arrives via Lima Ten from the south east direction.  As the aircraft are already positioned by Area Control on the north side of the airway, they are easily de-conflicted with outbound traffic being routed by Ronaldsway to the south side of the airway.  The only problem that can occur is aircraft wanting to 'stay high' for fuel conservation and having to be retained inside the confines of the airway as the top of Ronaldsway's Control Zone only extends up to Flight Level 65. MATS Pt1 instructs controllers that aircraft are to be retained within Controlled Airspace if possible.
 
 Vectoring for ILS Approach Runway 08
Slightly more complicated as the arriving traffic is still positioned by Area Control on the north side of the airway and departures have to be positioned on the south side due to a traffic orientation system involving the whole route structure between England and Northern Ireland.  At some point the aircraft tracks have to be crossed and vertical separation must be maintained until horizontal radar separation is obtained.  Often not helped by inbound aircraft wanting to maintain an optimum descent profile (staying high) to save fuel. This can result in outbound aircraft effectively being 'trapped' at lower levels. (And using more fuel!)
 
 
A close up view of the surveillance display showing runway 26 in use. 'Aer Arran 8 Lima Charlie' was being vectored to the ILS but has become visual with the airfield and released for a visual approach (own navigation with no ATC level restrictions) as it is horizontally separated from departure 'Neptune 521' which is being vectored to the south side of the airway climbing to Flight Level 70.
 
The green 'blips' on the display are from the Primary Radar showing track history with a small diamond symbol showing current position from the Secondary Surveillance Radar. The aircraft data block shows the radio callsign 'Jersey 821' with the SSR ATC Squawk code, 7026.  The next line shows the current level reported by the aircraft transponder, in this case Flight Level 57 with the down arrow indicating that the aircraft is descending. The bottom line shows the computed ground-speed, 232 Knots.
 
Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS)
 
Although Ronaldsway ATC is mainly concerned with aircraft operating within controlled airspace, services are also provided to aircraft operating in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace.  Services available outside controlled airspace are either 'Basic Service', ''Traffic Service',  'Procedural Service' or 'Deconfliction Service', which are defined in the Manual of Air Traffic Services and other aeronautical publications.
 
ATSOCAS Services Available
ATSOCAS Examples
 
Reduced Radar Services
 
If either the Watchman Primary radar (PSR) or Cossor Secondary radar (SSR) has to be taken out of service, Ronaldsway can operate using the remaining system, but with significant degradation to the service provided. If operating without SSR, there are no aircraft labels on the display and aircraft identities have to be remembered by the controller.  Each aircraft has to be individually identified before a radar service can be provided and as there is no height information provided, many more radio transmissions are required to establish vertical separations. All of the 'Standing Agreements' with Scottish Control cease to exist so every inbound and outbound aircraft has to be co-ordinated between Ronaldsway and Scottish. For aircraft operating outside controlled airspace, there is also no height information on 'unknown' aircraft so aircraft operating under a Deconfliction Service have to be vectored well clear of any unidentified blip, even though the 'unknown' aircraft may be flying 30,000 ft above Ronaldsway's traffic.  The Short Tern Conflict Alert (STCA) safety net is also unavailable without SSR.
 
Ronaldsway Radar - PSR Only
 
If using SSR only, only aircraft with operating transponders will be shown on the controllers display. Inside controlled airspace this is not a problem as transponders are mandatory, but outside there may be aircraft flying without transponders or with transponders not switched on for one reason or other. These aircraft are totally invisible to the controller when operating using SSR only and pilots will be informed of the 'reduced service - SSR only'
 
Approach Control
 
In the event of a complete radar failure, Ronaldsway is able to offer a 'Procedural Approach' service, providing separations based on time, level and distance in accordance with MATS part 1. Although it is quite possible to work the airspace in this way (and not unlike the service provided in 1937 in 'QBI') it is un-expeditious and large delays are likely to build up in busy traffic situations, with traffic being held both in the air and on the ground. The Flight Progress Board becomes essential to the control of traffic, levels allocated to aircraft being recorded as with radar control, but in addition many more radio calls are required between ATC and aircraft to ascertain when levels are vacated and can be allocated to another aircraft. Expected Approach Times (EATs) are issued to inbound aircraft that have to hold, as a rule of thumb when aircraft are making instrument approaches, one aircraft can land every 10 minutes, providing that there are no conflicting departing aircraft. Inbound aircraft may have to enter a holding pattern at a higher level if there is a departing aircraft below. Once the departure is laterally separated (time or distance) the inbound aircraft can be descended in the hold to a suitable level to commence approach.
 
 
 
Instrument Approaches
 
Instrument approaches are designed to allow an aircraft flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) to become visual with the airfield and complete a landing. Each Instrument Approach Procedure has defined minimum altitudes below which an aircraft is not allowed to descend without visual contact with the airfield. The Instrument Landing Systems are certificated to 'ILS Category One' enabling instrument approaches down to a minimum altitude (runway 26) of around 200 feet (subject to pilot/company minima). At the specified 'Decision Height' pilots must be able to continue the approach visually or commence a missed approach. Automatic landings are not permitted at Ronaldsway.
 
Ronaldsway has instrument approach procedures published for runways 03, 08 & 26. The main instrument approaches used are the Instrument Landing Systems on runways 08 & 26. Both runways also have non-precision NDB/DME approaches and Surveillance Radar Approaches available. Runway 08 also has a VOR/DME approach available, using the en-route 'IOM' beacon to the west of the airfield. The only instrument approach available to runway 03 is a Surveillance Radar Approach. There are no instrument approaches available to runway 21, if required an instrument approach can be made to another runway followed by visual manoeuvring to land on runway 21.
 
CAA Approach Procedure Charts
These give a pilot all the information required to complete a instrument approach to land, including the point at which the approach must be discontinued if the airfield is not sighted. This varies according the aircraft category (based on size & speed) and the approach type. Pilots will more normally use charts produced by one of the big commercial companies, e.g. Aerad or Jeppesen. Charts are published for every approach available, those below are just a selection.
03 SRA
08 VOR/DME
08 ILS/DME
26 ILS/DME
26 NDB/DME

 
 Aircraft operating at Ronaldsway in 2014
 
For more Aircraft from 2014 and earlier see my Aircraft Pictures Web pages
 
Scheduled Airlines
FlyBe
 
EasyJet
Citywing
BA CityFlyer
Stobart Air
Atlantic Airlines
 
The Isle of Man Aircraft Register
 
Aircraft registered in the Isle of Man are regular visitors, often arriving direct from the manufacturer for registration formalities, before continuing on to customers around 
the world. By Mid 2014 over 700 aircraft had been registered since 2007, using the prefix M-
Bombardier Global Express
Embraer Phenom 300
Piaggio Avanti
 
Military Flights
 
Ronaldsway is regularly visited by military aircraft, most often the Hawk T1 & T2 jet trainers from RAF Valley, usually for ILS training or practice diversions.
RAF Hawk T1 from 208 Sqn, Valley
RAF Tornado GR4 from 41 (R) Sqn at Coningsby
RAF Sea King from 22 Sqn, Valley
 
The RAF Red Arrows
 
French Air Force Xingu
Swiss Air Force Super King AIr
French Navy Falcon 10
 
EAM and the ATP
 
Ronaldsway has long had an association with the British Aerospace ATP, since Manx Airlines started operating them in 1988.  This continues today with aircraft maintenance organisation European Aircraft Maintenance (IOM) carrying out major servicing, mainly for Swedish operators West Air and NextJet.
West Air ATP-F
NextJet ATP

 
ATC Engineering
 
ATC engineering is a small section of specialist engineers who keep all of the ATC technical equipment operating. This ranges from the many computer systems used to radio beacons, radio transmitters and receivers, instrument landing systems, radar and radar display consoles and radio and radar recording systems. Whilst based in the control tower, considerable amounts of equipment are located around or away from the airfield. The picture shows the main equipment room in the control tower.
 
 
 Navigation Aids used at Ronaldsway
 
Ronaldsway is equipped with a variety of radio navigation aids, to enable pilots flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) to fly to a point where they can safely complete a landing on one of the runways. These days the use of GPS is becoming common for en-route navigation and airfield approach procedures are published for some airfields in the UK. As yet, no such procedures have been designed for Ronaldsway.
 
 Aeronautical radio beacons transmit an identification in morse code, usually two or three letters. Pilots will listen to the beacon to ensure that they have tuned the correct frequency although equipment on some modern aircraft can 'auto tune' the beacon and display the identification visually on the flight deck.
 
Non Directional Beacon (NDB)
'RWY' 359 kHz
Wikipedia NDB Article
 
Located on the airfield the NDB is a basic Medium Frequency homing beacon, can be used for holding and non precision instrument let down procedures. NDBs have been in use for aircraft navigation since the 1930s and radiate a signal in all directions (hence 'non-directional'). Automatic Direction Finding (ADF) equipment in aircraft enable pilots to navigate to or from the beacon. The beacon radiates on a continuous basis, even when the airport is closed.
 
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
'I-RY or I-RH'
Wikipedia DME Article
 
Located adjacent to the 'RWY' NDB, DME is a radar based system that provides aircraft with a distance from the beacon. DME frequencies are paired with an associated VHF navigation aid, in this case the Instrument Landing Systems on runways 26 & 08. The airborne DME equipment is automatically tuned by the ILS/VOR equipment and interrogates the ground beacon, receiving a reply pulse that enables it to calculate and display the slant range to the beacon, which is displayed in a digital format on the flight deck. This gives distances from touchdown on either runway, being located equidistance from the runway thresholds. The DME beacon codes according to the ILS system in use, but is also used in conjunction with the NDB approaches and just to give a distance to the airfield.
 
The mast on the left of the picture with the 'hat' is the RWY Non Directional Beacon radiating on 359 KHz.
 
On the right is the vertical aerial for the airfield 
Distance Measuring Equipment.
 
The orange and white hut contains the beacon equipment.
 
 
Instrument Landing Systems (ILS/DME)
I-RH & I-RY 111.15 Mhz DME CH48Y
Wikipedia ILS Article
 
Precision instrument approach aids installed for runways 08 & 26. Comprising a VHF Localizer signal for horizontal guidance and a UHF Glideslope signal for vertical guidance together with Distance Measuring Equipment giving range from touchdown. The runway 08 Localizer is offset by 4 degrees to the north of the final approach track, this was due to siting problems for the localizer aerial. The usual location at the far end of the runway was not available and the aerial had to be located to the south side of the runway.. Only one of the two ILS systems can be radiating at any time and a complex interlocking system is installed to facilitate changing from one to the other.
 
Offset ILS Localizer Aerial - Runway 08
ILS Glidepath Aerial - Runway 26
 
 
 
'IOM' VHF Omni Directional Range with Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME)
IOM 112.2 Mhz  DME CH59X
Located to the west of Ronaldsway near Cregneash
Wikipedia VOR Article
The 'IOM is an en-route navigation aid operated by the UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS), 
but also used by Ronaldsway for holding and approach to runway 08
 
The aerials for the co-located  'IOM' VOR & DME
 
The large circular aerial is for the VOR with the vertical aerial for the DME above. Electronic equipment is in the building below the aerial.
 
 
Watchman 10cm S band Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR) & Cossor Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) Mode A/C
Wikipedia Article - Radar
Wikipedia Article - Secondary Surveillance Radar
 
Providing surveillance out to a range of 60nm, the radar is used for separation and tactical vectoring of aircraft to a final approach aid. The watchman can also be used to conduct Surveillance Radar Approaches (SRA) to runways 03, 08 & 26, the controller giving headings to steer to maintain the final approach track to 2nm from touchdown, together with advisory altitudes or heights. The radar aerials are co-located on the same turning gear, with the SSR aerial mounted on top of the PSR aerial. Primary radar works by detecting radar pulses reflected from objects, generally aircraft but also ships, land surfaces and precipitation and produces a 'blip' on the radar screen. Secondary radar works by interrogating a transponder fitted to the aircraft and returns a discrete code (squawk) and a height, which is displayed on the screen. Using the display processor a particular code can be associated with an aircraft callsign to display it on the controllers screen.
 
The co-located radar aerials for the Watchman Primary Radar and Cossor Secondary Surveillance Radar  The PSR aerial is the lower solid dish type aerial with the Large Vertical Aperture SSR aerial above.
 
Selex ATCR-33S PSR on the hill behind
 
Radar showing 'uncancelled' returns from weather and land areas in the IOM and England
A more normal picture with and weather and land returns processed out.
 
Radar returns are shown on Park Air situation displays, with the Watchman primary radar returns shown as green 'blips' overlaid with the Cossor SSR labels.  Aircraft processed by the Copperchase FDMS system, e.g. all Ronaldsway inbound and outbound aircraft, have the aircraft callsign and level displayed other aircraft just show the ATC squawk code and level.  The system computed groundspeed can also be displayed as required by controllers.  The displays also provide 'Safety Nets', at the moment the only one in use at Ronaldsway is Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA) - see above for a more detailed description.

 
The Area Control Centres
 
London (Swanwick) & Scottish (Prestwick) Centres operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS)
 
Air traffic control services over a wider area around the British Isles are provided from the two Area Control Centres, London ACC at Swanwick and Scottish ACC at Prestwick.  In the vicinity of the Isle of Man, most Area ATC is provided by Scottish Control some by London Centre.  Services are provided by both civil and military controllers.
 
Scottish Area Control Centre
London Area Control Centre
 
 
Scottish Control
Pictures courtesy of and © NATS PC 
 
Scottish controls en-route aircraft operating within the controlled airspace structure over the northern half of the UK
Sectors controlling traffic in the vicinity of the Isle of Man are: 
Antrim Sector 123.775, Isle of Man Sector 133.050, Rathlin Sector 129.1
Scottish Prestwick Centre Operations Room
Scottish Centre 'West 2' Group
 
Antrim Sector controls Lima 10, Whiskey 911 Delta and Whiskey 928 Delta to the north and east of the Isle of Man.
Isle of Man Sector controls Lima 10 and and Whiskey 2 Delta to the south and east of the Isle of Man. 
When 'bandboxed' (combined) with Wallesey Sector uses 128.050
Rathlin  Sector controls the high level routes over the Isle of Man and as such has no direct interface with Ronaldsway.
 
A Scottish sector using Electronic Flight Progress Strips
Scottish Control Surveillance Display picture
 
 
NATS Radar Stations covering the airspace surrounding the Isle of Man
NATS Lowther Hill Radar Station
NATS St Anne's radar Station
 
 
Scottish Information 119.875
Scottish Information provides a Flight Information and Alerting service to all aircraft that require it to the north of the Isle of Man.
Flight Information Service Officer at NATS Prestwick Centre
 
 
London Control
London Information 125.475      London Volmet North 126.6
Most of the airspace controlled by London has no direct interface with Ronaldsway, however to the south of the Isle of Man a Flight Information Service is provided by London Information. London Volmet provides a continuous broadcast of weather reports for airfields, including Ronaldsway.
 
London Military
London Military 277.625 127.450
Provides a service to the many military aircraft operating around the northern Irish Sea. Often providing an Airways crossing service, one of their major customers are the Hawk aircraft operating from RAF Valley on Anglesey, that need to cross the controlled airspace over the Isle of Man before continuing with operating over southern Scotland or the Lake District. Provides a radar service in Air to Air refuelling Area 13 which is located just to the east of the Isle of Man.
London Military Sector at Swanwick
 
 
Snaefell Radio Station
Operated by NATS and providing en-route ATC transmit and receive services for London & Scottish Centres.
Located on the highest point of the Isle of Man, accessed by the Snaefell Mountain Railway tramcars or in Winter months by NATS own railcar
NATS Snaefell Radio Station
NATS Railcar
 

Listening to ATC Radio
I should probably mention at this point that despite what has been published in the past and the general availability of radio scanners and publications detailing frequencies, monitoring ATC communications is in fact illegal without proper authorization, although as far as I am aware, nobody has been prosecuted for it and it seems to generally accepted in the UK (and Isle of Man).
Ofcom publish guidance here.
 
 All pictures on this website unless otherwise credited are  © Jon Wornham