McMurdo Center

Section 1:

1.1 - Responsibilities

McMurdo ATC provides Enroute/Oceanic Air Traffic Control, flight following, Non-Radar Approach Control, VFR Control Tower services and Search and Rescue coordination. These services are provided for aircraft operating south of 60° South latitude in the McMurdo Sector and USAP flights operating over the Antarctic Continent. Other Antarctic ATC agencies may assist Mac Center in providing these services. Mac Center coordinates with Auckland Radio for flights between Antarctica and New Zealand and Brisbane Radio for flights between Antarctica and Australia. 

1.2 - Frequency and Callsign Information

1.2.1 Use of 118.2 MHz

Within the McMurdo Sector, applicable to all aircraft, aircraft coming from New Zealand, Australia etc, will begin on the HF frequency and as they get closer to Antarctica, will be transferred to the VHF frequency 118.2. For controllers to be able to use 118.2, you must cross couple (XC) NZCM_CTR. NZCM_CTR is a fake position and only to be used to XC capabilities. Controllers must not log on NZCM_CTR

1.3 Standard Operations-

Mac Center provides enroute/oceanic air traffic control, flight following, and search and rescue coordination services to all aircraft operating over the Antarctic continent. In addition, Mac Center provides non-radar Approach/Control
Services in Class E airspace within 100 NM of Pegasus, Pheonix Feild and Williams Fields below FL245 when there is no operating control tower. Furthermore, Mac Center provides traffic advisory service for VFR and IFR aircraft outside
Class D airspace. 

1.4 Classes of Airspace 

As Mac Center is controlled in the real world by American Military Controllers, controllers from VATNZ should be aware of the different classes of airspace and what they mean. 

1.4.1 Class A

Within the McMurdo Sector, applicable to all aircraft, includes the airspace beginning at Flight Level 245 up to and including Flight Level 600.

1.4.2 Class D

The area around the operating control tower at Pheonix Field is designated Class D airspace. The area is a 4.3 NM (5 SM) radius from the center of the airport surface up to and including 2500 AGL. Two-way radio contact with the control tower is mandatory prior to entering Class D airspace.

1.4.3 Class E

Class E airspace is controlled airspace within 100 NM of Williams Field, or Pegasus Field TACANs (excluding Class D airspace) extending from the surface up to, but not including, FL 245. 

In Class E airspace, the following traffic services are provided by ATC:

• IFR flights provided with an ATC service are separated from other IFR flights
• IFR flights receive information about VFR flights as far as practicable
• VFR flights receive flight following where available on request and
• Hazard alerts will be directed to pilots of known VFR flights.

Traffic information services provided by ATC do not relieve pilots of their responsibilities for continued vigilance to see and avoid other aircraft.

VFR flights entering Class E airspace do not require a clearance. VFR flights entering and operating in Class E airspace should:

• avoid published IFR routes, where possible
• monitor the appropriate Class E frequency and announce if in potential conflict
• take appropriate action to avoid potential conflict and
• avoid IFR holding patterns.

1.5 Handoff

When NZFX_TWR OR NZIR_TWR are online, Mac Center controllers will handover aircraft to the TWR when the aircraft are reaching FL245. If NZFX_TWR or NZIR_TWR are offline, Mac Center controllers may provide an approach service within the Class E airspace, however, Mac Center cannot provide a service within the Class D airspace and aircraft should then be handed over to UNICOM. 

Note: Aircraft may operate under VFR within Class E airspace from the surface up to the floor of Class A airspace.

Mac Center coordinates with Auckland Radio for flights between Antarctica andNew Zealand, and Brisbane Radio for flights between Antarctica and Australia. The transfer of control and responsibility between Mac Center and Auckland Center is 60o South latitude. The transfer of control point between Mac Center and Brisbane Radio is the FIR boundary along 163° East Longitude.