The CIX VFR Club Switzerland
Club Events - Switzerland Link Up
Geneva to Bern
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Briefing 20th October 2015
Overview

This month we are visiting Switzerland, starting from Geneva (LSGG) and flying to Bern (LSZB). The route takes us past both Lausanne (LSGL) and Neuchatel (LSGN), hence optional T&Gs or even Full-stop landings to regroup are possible.
We should have company en-route as this is a joint event with our sister club in Switzerland "FLYdgenossen.ch".

Start Time and Place

In a break from recent practice this event is limited to just the 20th October as: -
1) It is intended to be a joint venture as mentioned above.
2) We are hoping that ATC will be arranged for that night.
The start time/"Chocks off" will be between 19:30 to 20:00 UK local (18:30 - 19:00 UTC), and as the flight is approximately an hour long we should be landing around 20:30 to 21:00 UK local (19:30 - 20:00 UTC). For our Swiss colleagues, and especially the ATC, this will actually mean a finish around 22:00 local - hence the moderately early start time.
Please note the comment from our co-ordinating member in Switzerland, Roger Kaufmann: -
"One point in particular: LSGG is vACC Switzerland's training airport so the ATCOs are justifiably sticklers for details. It's important that all VFR planes park in the GAC, which is across from the main terminal (so west of it). Mind you, nobody's going to complain if a GA aircraft is parked at a finger dock (unless there's heavy IFR traffic at the time), but taxiing with the correct taxiways will be important."

What Aircraft can I fly

Any aircraft can be flown in this event as long as it is within the EASA GA category.

Flight Planning Your flight plan should show:
  • Departure = LSGG (Geneva)
  • Destination = LSZB (Bern-Belp)
  • Route = LSGG to LSZB Via Depart route Echo, LSGL, LSGN, Approach route Whiskey
  • Comments = /V/ DAYLIGHT / CIX VFR CLUB /

Note the Depart and approach routes are mandatory in Swiss airspace, as is the communication of the mandatory reporting points to the ATCo, so careful/accurate flying is required!
At 120 knots this Route should take about 49 minutes. (According to PlanG)
The Plan-G file for this Event can be downloaded from HERE.
The VAC charts for Geneva can be downloaded from HERE.
The VAC charts for Bern can be downloaded from HERE.
Alternatively the charts, and ground charts (for taxiways etc.) can be downloaded from the vACC Switzerland website HERE.

ATC

At the time of publishing this event plan, ATC has not actually been confirmed, but is anticipated to be available!
(As it is possible that the same controller will provide the service at both departure and destination it would be courteous to ensure that we have all departed from Geneva in time for him/her to set up at Bern for the first arrivals. - Hence that half hour departure slot above, allowing him some extra time to get everybody away before having to change positions.)

Radio Discipline

Take care not to let our Teamspeak chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when transmitting on Teamspeak you can't hear the R/T. So be brief on Teamspeak, and be aware that ATC might be trying to get through. If anyone hears an R/T message which seems to be being ignored, just say "ATC is calling G-CIXN" if you have identified the callsign, or "ATC is calling us" which is a cue for everyone to be quiet on Teamspeak until ATC call again (which they will). Remember too that if asked to "Stand By" by ATC, you do not reply - not even "Roger", but simply wait until you are called again.

Remember also that there are several different ATC frequencies in use, and you may not be able to hear when communications are taking place. Make sure you have set and know how to use a Teamspeak mute switch.

Acknowledgements Event Idea and co-ordinator: Roger Kaufmann
Event planning & Briefing: Max Symons
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