On the ground

Aircraft which are departing London Stansted IFR should, wherever possible, file a Standard Instrument Departure (SID).

When following a SID, due to the interaction with other routes, initial altitudes must be observed. Please use charts. If unsure, ask the the controller!

On first contact with Stansted ATC you must state your aircraft type, stand number, ATIS code letter (if received) and the QNH you currently have. 

First Contact after Departure

On initial contact with London Control, Stansted Direcotr or Essex Radar (when airborne) report your departure, and your passing & cleared altitudes. 
e.g. "London Control, ABC123, BUZAD7R departure, passing altitude 3500 feet, climbing to altitude 4000 feet."

Heathrow Positioning Flights

Aircraft routing to London Heathrow (EGLL) should file via the Lambourne (LAM) departure.
Standard Route for EGSS-EGLL: LAM

Gatwick Positioning Flights

Aircraft routing to London Gatwick (EGKK) should file via the Detling (DET) departure.
Standard Route for EGSS-EGKK: DET

Luton Positioning Flights

Aircraft routing to London Luton (EGGW) should file via the Barkway (BKY) departure.
Standard Route for EGSS-EGGW: BKY BUSTA LOREL

Aircraft inbound via a STAR must follow the routing and level/speed restrictions as laid out in the appropriate chart.  Normally, on the network aircraft will be vectored from either ABBOT or BKY to final approach, descending where appropriate.  Aircraft must not however proceed beyond LOREL or ABBOT without ATC clearance but instead should enter the hold at either ABBOT or LOREL and await further instructions.  Essex Radar (ESSEX_APP) handles the stacks and these are detailed below.  

LOREL: (Left hand turns, Inbound Course: 188)

ABBOT: (Right hand turns, Inbound Course: 267)

1 minute legs. Standard Holding Speeds for the LTMA apply.  (Up to and including FL140: 220kts, At FL150 and above Standard ICAO Holding Speeds)

From the stacks Essex Radar will hand inbound aircraft to Stansted Director who will vector the aircraft onto base and finally final approach for the appropriate runway.

VFR Circuits

VFR circuits are to the south of the airfield at an altitude of 1400ft or a height of 1000ft.  Aircraft wishing to fly VFR circuits should indicate this on initial contact with Stansted Ground and expect taxi instructions to the relevant holding point.  Once at the hold clearance will be granted,subject to current traffic situations.  

VRPs

• Audley End Railway Station (North)
• Epping (South)
• Great Dunmow (East)
• Puckeridge (A10/A120 Intersection) (West)

Please note that there are more VRPs in the Stansted area but these are the ones most commonly used on the network. 

Departing

Aircraft who wish to depart the zone should contact Stansted Ground for taxi clearance to the relevant holding point. Once at the holding point Stansted Tower will issue the zone exit clearance via the appropriate VRP and usually instruct the aircraft to maintain an altitude of not above 1500ft.  Once the aircraft is airborne and clear of any other traffic in the ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone) it will be handed off to Stansted Director.

Arriving

Aircraft wishing to enter the Stansted CTR/CTA should contact Essex Radar at least 5 minutes before the CTR/CTA boundary.  VFR flights will be instructed to route towards the relevant VRP and if there is a delay remain clear of the CTR/CTA. Clearance to enter the CTR/CTA will usually have an altitude restriction of not above 1500ft to reduce any conflict with IFR flights.  Once the aircraft is visual with the airfield they will be handed off to Stansted Tower.  

General

Aircraft flying VFR should, wherever possible, file a flight plan to assist controllers in facilitating the requested routing.  VFR Pilots are also strongly recommended to have either an appropriate VFR Chart or for flying within the Stansted Area the Control Zone and Control Area Chart (AD 2-EGSS-4-1)