Flughafen Stuttgart Pilotenbriefing
General
At The Ground
Always have charts available! The easiest way to find some charts is to use Chartfox (Vatsim Login required).
Hold Short Instructions:
Sometimes hold short instructions are possible. If you are given a hold short of instruction: Hold in front of the dashed yellow line, do not turn into the taxiway! See the example image.
It might happen that you were advised to hold short of a runway intersection (e.g. L3 or L20). Do not turn into it, it will be assigned by Tower on initial contact!
Give way Instruction:
Often you will hear an instruction to continue taxi as number two behind a passing aircraft (e.g. “Taxi to holdingpoint runway 07 via M L2 and K, at November number 2 behind company A320 from the left”). This means, you have to give way to this aircraft at the crossing taxiway. Please make sure to follow this instruction correctly, otherwise ask the controller if the mentioned traffic is not in sight or you are unsure what to do.
Departing Traffic
Start-Up and Enroute (IFR) Clearance
In Germany you have to request “start-up” to get your IFR clearance. This does not include the pushback, therefore a separate approval is required!
- Always check the current ATIS first!
- Report Callsign, ATIS Information and request start-up
(e.g. “Lufthansa 12FU, Information A, request start-up and enroute clearance.”) - Only request start-up when you are ready for pushback within the next 5 minutes
- Clearance also available via Datalink (PDC/DCL via Hoppie ACARS System) - check Controller Info for Airport Code!
- Valid routes out of Stuttgart are available via grd.aero-nav.com.
Pushback
Only ask for Pushback if you are able to start pushback immediately when receiving pushback approval! Below you will find a tutorial how to prepare the most common pushback tools and use it the most efficient way. It might be possible that ATC will instruct you to do a specific routing for pushback (into a specific taxiway, push and then pull foreward, etc.). Always report when unable or if you do not understand the instruction! Set your Squawk and turn on your Transponder before offblock.
Tower
Intersection Departure:
To optimize the traffic flow expect intersection departures. Report earliest available intersection to Ground/Tower during or before taxi.
Departure
Departure frequency will not be issued by Tower. Chech the ATIS for Departure Frequency! Use ICAO Noise Abatement Departure Procedure 2. Accelerate to flap retraction speed at 1000AGL (~1400ft on your altimeter).
Do not climb above your initial climb until advised by ATC! You will receive your initial climb with your startup clearance and you can find it on the departure charts (written part) as well. At Stuttgart it is always 5000ft.
Note that most SIDs have a speed limit for the first turn which always has to be adhered to, unless cleared otherwise by ATC.
Arriving Traffic
Arrival
Normal descent speeds are 280kt ± 20kt until FL100, thereafter max. 250kt. On downwind expect vectors to final, mostly shortly after passing abeam the FAF/FAP. Plan your descent accordingly! Maintain good speeds. As a general guidance on base you should be around 220kt, when cleared for the final approach between 200-180kt. Expect to cross the FAF/FAP between 200 -180kt and to maintain 170kt until 5 DME.
When contacting Stuttgart Director report your Callsign only! Expect late descend on intercept altitude due to MVA.
Landing
Expedite vacating the runway after landing. Use the first high speed exit reasonably possible. Do not taxi slowly on the runway. Change frequency only when instructed to do so!
Additional Information
Pushback at Stuttgart
Pushback with P3D and GSX
First of all make sure you are familar with custom pushback with GSX (see manual for that).
- Click Prepare for push-back and departure. GSX will remove the jetways, ground equipment and attach the tug.
- Once GSX is ready to start the pushback it will show you the menu where the pushback direction can be selected. This is the moment to request pushback from ATC!
- Should you have to wait a little and the GSX menu close in the meantime you can reopen it at any time by opening the GSX main menu and clicking on “Prepare position for push-back and departure” again.
- Once clearance is received all you have to do is to select the required direction in GSX or plan a manual routing, release the brakes and you can start to push within seconds from ATC’s approval.
CAUTION: When using the Catayna files for GSX, depending on the disconnect position this might push you in a strange way as it will not pull you foreward.
Pushback with X-Plane
Use Better Pushback for the best result.
- First of all, do not preplan your pushback!
- When you are ready for pushback “request pushback” inside the plugin Option. The plugin will now ask you to plan the pushback, but just click on "Connect first" at the right lower corner to only connect pushback tug. This enables you later to draw the pushback path according to the instruction by ATC.
- Wait until the tug is connected and the ground crew is ready for pushback. This is the moment to request pushback from ATC!
- Now you can click on “request pushback” again and plan your pushback route with the adviced facing/instruction (or area). Hit enter, release your parking brake and start the pushback.
This is the most efficient way to do the pushback at huge airports.
