Cross the Pond East 2014
Pilot Briefing
General Edward Lawrence Logan International (KBOS)
October 25, 2014 1100Z
INTRODUCTION
On behalf of the controllers and staff of the virtual Boston ARTCC, we would like to thank you for choosing
Boston as your departure airport for this year’s Cross the Pond event!
AIRPORT INFORMATION AND CHARTS
http://airnav.com/airport/KBOS
TERMINAL LAYOUT
International flights operated by US carriers tend to depart from their gates at Boston, rather than Terminal E.
Though we are presenting the normal terminal airline usage, it would be tremendously impractical to attempt to
position 18x the “normal” international air carrier departure load all at Terminal E (the International terminal).
As such, pilots are encouraged to use any available gate at any available terminal.
KBOS Terminal Layout
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Terminal A normally serves Alaska, Continental, and Delta (domestic flights).
Terminal B of normally serves Air Canada, American (except international arrivals), American Eagle, Charters, Midwest, Spirit, US
Airways (except international arrivals), US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle to LaGuardia & D.C., and Virgin America.
Terminal C normally serves AirTran, Cape Air, Charters, JetBlue, Sun Country, United, United and United Express.
Terminal E normally serves Air Lingus, Alitalia, Air France, American (international arrivals only), British Airways, Charter, Delta
(international arrivals only), Iberia, Icelandair, Lufthansa, Porter, SATA Azores Express, Southwest, Swiss, and TACV airlines.
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TAXIWAY LAYOUT
Over the past few years (and definitely since FS9 and FSX came out), there have been several
changes/updates to the taxiway layout at KBOS. Affected and new taxiways include: Alpha, Alpha-1, Alpha-2,
Bravo, Delta, Echo, Echo-1, Echo-2, Golf, Kilo, & Mike. We realize that use of the current layout will differ from
default scenery found in FS2004, FSX and XPlane. However, it has been over 2.5 years since many of the
configuration changes took effect, and a majority of pilots are now using add-on scenery and/or current charts,
so it causes more confusion to provide guidance using the old, default configuration.
Therefore, ground control service consistent with the new/current/real taxiway system will be provided unless
the pilot specifically advises the controller that he/she has a preference for the old taxiway system
Old Diagram
New Diagram
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SCENERY
As of now, we are aware that the following software vendors have current and accurate payware KBOS
scenery available (for both FS9 and FSX):
 FlyTampa KBOS v3.2
www.flytampa.org
 Blueprint Simulations KBOS v1.3.x
www.blueprintsimulations.com/BluePrint_KBOS.html
There are a few freeware versions available by searching the internet, with varying quality. If you know of any
that you feel are very good quality, please email that information to atm -at- bostonartcc.net. If possible, also
include a screenshot of overhead the airport, so we may evaluate taxiway layout accuracy (any other
screenshots welcome also).
KBOS PLANNED ATC POSITIONS/FREQUENCIES
POSITION
ATIS
Boston Clearance Delivery
Boston Ramp Control
Boston Ground
Boston Tower
Boston Departure
Boston Approach
Boston Center
FREQUENCY
135.00
121.65
134.05
121.90, 121.75
128.80, 132.22
133.00
118.25, 127.22
Various
IDENTIFIER
KBOS_ATIS
BOS_DEL
BOS_R_GND
BOS_GND, BOS_X_GND
BOS_TWR, BOS_X_TWR
BOS_DEP
BOS_X_APP
BOS_XX_CTR
Note: X denotes additional position identifiers that may be in use
FLIGHT PLANS
All event participants are expected to file the route that you were assigned by the event organizers.
COMMUNICATIONS
Due to the heavy traffic load, please limit your communications to only those transmissions required to check in
on frequency, read-back clearances or acknowledge instructions. Be brief - say what you need to say to be
understood, but say it in the least number of words possible. Superfluous transmissions should be
avoided. Following these guidelines will help ensure that our controllers can provide every pilot professional
service out of Boston Logan Airport.
CALCULATED TAKE OFF TIMES
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All participants are assigned a Calculated Take off Time (CTOT), also known as “slot time”. For the purpose of
this event, slot times have a margin of -5 and +5 minutes. A slot time of 1215Z implies that the flight must be
airborne between 1210Z and 1220Z. Ensure you are logged in at least 30 minutes prior to your slot time to
allow sufficient time to taxi from your parking position to the runway in use.
Assigned slot times must be input as the first item in the remarks section of the flight plan. Pilots who fail to do
so may incur a slight ground delay, as their CTOT must be looked up manually.
Clearances shall be requested with Boston Delivery (BOS_DEL) no later than 30 minutes prior to your slot
time. After obtaining the clearance, delivery will instruct you to contact Boston Ramp Control (BOS_R_GND).
The controller working this position will give you a start-up clearance at a specific time that will allow for
enough time to pushback, start your engines and taxi to the assigned runway.
DEPARTURE PROCEDURE
RNAV Departure Procedures are now the standard departure procedures in use at Boston Logan International
Airport (KBOS). However, those with default flight simulator databases that have not had AIRAC/database
updates in 2014 may not be able to fly those departure procedures. Valid departure runways for all RNAV DPs
except WYLYY include 4R, 9, 15R, 22L, 22R; valid departure runway for WYLYY is 27 only.
Pilots who know, prior to requesting clearance, they will be unable to comply with an RNAV departure
procedure should file the current Radar Vectored Departure Procedure (currently the LOGAN7) and/or advise
the controller as they are requesting their clearance (e.g. "Boston Clearance Delivery, American 159 Heavy,
requesting clearance to Gatwick, unable to accept an RNAV Departure Procedure.").
For Cross The Pond Eastbound, the most likely DPs are BRUWN3, CELTK3, LBSTA3.
 BRUWN3 (RNAV) – Issued to RNAV-capable, turbojet aircraft proceeding southbound or
southeastbound.
 CELTK3 (RNAV) – Issued to RNAV-capable, turbojet aircraft departing proceeding eastbound or
southeastbound.
 LBSTA3 (RNAV) – Issued to RNAV-capable, turbojet aircraft proceeding northeastbound.
 LOGAN7 (Vector) – Issued to aircraft unable to utilize an RNAV departure procedure. If an RNAVcapable aircraft is being used, this DP must be requested by the pilot.
All pilots are advised to review their departure clearances carefully, and if unable to comply with the
clearance issued, advise the controller.
All DPs, including links to their charts, may be found at http://airnav.com/airport/KBOS
NAVIGATION
It is expected that most, if not all, pilots flying the Cross The Pond event will have FMS with current AIRAC
data onboard. However, for those flying FS9/FSX with a default GPS, it is important to remember that all of the
Boston RNAV DPs, and most of the fixes used within those procedures, are new since the default FS9/FSX
GPS data was compiled. As such, unless you have updated your default GPS, you won’t have the fixes you’ll
need to fly the procedures.
A fellow VATSIM pilot, Graham Mitchell, has graciously developed and shared with the community updates for
the default MSFS GPS. These can be found on his website: http://www.btinternet.com/~gb.mitch/index.html A
discussion can be found on the VATSIM forums: http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30992 With
these updates, it is possible to fly the RNAV DPs (and STARs as well) by using the GPS. It's a bit of plugging
in direct-to waypoints fast and furious right after takeoff, but it can certainly be done.
STARTUP
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Perform your preflight and cockpit checks prior to connecting to the VATSIM network.
Pilots should connect to the network at least 30-45 minutes prior to their CTOT, and place your
aircraft at a gate.
Once connected (30-45 minutes prior to your departure time), listen to the ATIS on 135.000. Be aware,
in severe weather, this may update frequently.
File your flight plan on VATSIM. Routes will be emailed to you by the CTP committee the night prior to
the event. Include your CTOT as the first element of the comments field.
Contact BOS_DEL on 121.65 to request your IFR clearance no less than 30 minutes prior to your
CTOT.
After a correct readback, Delivery will advise you to monitor Ramp Control (BOS_R_GND).
Tune the new frequency and wait until the controller calls you (approximately 20 minutes prior to your
planned departure time).
Ramp Control will either give you clearance for pushback/start or notify you of any delays.
Pushback approval is valid for one minute. If you are unable to begin your pushback within this time,
advise the ramp controller, then report when you are ready. Once you have pushed back, you will be
instructed to contact or monitor ground control on 121.900.
TAXI / TAKEOFF
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Contact Ground (or monitor, as instructed) and advise that you are ready to taxi. Advise the ground
controller if you request taxi instructions using the old layout, otherwise they will give instructions
according to the new taxiway layout at Boston.
You will be given a specific taxiway routing. Read back the taxi clearance in its entirety along with any
hold-short instructions.
EXAMPLE:
BOS_GND: Shamrock 125, Runway 4R, taxi via Bravo, Hold Short of the 4L Approach.
EIN125: Runway 4R, taxi via Bravo, Hold Short of the 4L Approach, Shamrock 125.
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Be advised that all aircraft are now required to hold short of all runways, active or inactive, until
receiving an explicit crossing clearance
EXAMPLE:
ATC: Shamrock 125, Cross Runway 27
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Ground Control will advise you to either contact or monitor the tower.
Switch to the assigned tower frequency
If instructed to monitor the tower, simply listen in. The tower will contact you when workload and traffic
flow permits.
Once your takeoff clearance is given, you are expected to be ready to depart immediately. Advise tower
or ground of any delays as soon as possible.
Your routing will include either one of the RNAV departures or the LOGAN7 radar vector departure.
You are expected to understand and fly your departure correctly. The departure heading from each
runway is depicted clearly on the departure procedures. Upon departure, you are expected to turn
immediately (safety, speed and altitude permitting) to the depicted departure heading and follow
your departure procedure.
Immediately after takeoff you will be instructed to contact Boston Departure on 133.00.
When contacting departure, be sure to announce your altitude.
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FEEDBACK
You are encouraged to leave feedback for your Boston controller team at http://www.bostonartcc.net/feedback
General event feedback may be left on the Cross the Pond website at http://ctp.vatsim-uk.co.uk
RESOURCES
For additional information on Boston Logan International Airport, see http://airnav.com/airport/KBOS
The controllers and staff of the Boston ARTCC thank you for choosing to fly out of Boston Logan with
Team Boston! We hope you enjoy your experience, and hope to see you in our airspace again soon.
Please leave us feedback on our performance at our website.
Have a great flight!
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