Hi everyone,
After a request from @whyevenbothernaming, @Jger and @LaTrixtance for a airport guide for LFML (Marseille Provences) this topic is now ready ;).
The goal of this guide is to enhance the gaming experience by teaching pilots and air traffic controllers how to use this airport as realistically as possible.
Summary
- History
- Terminals
- Holdings Shorts
- Runways
- Patterns
- Departure procedures
- Arrival procedures
- For ATC
- Sources
Marseille-Provence airport (IATA code: MRS - ICAO code: LFML), formerly known as Marseille-Marignane airport (until 1986), is a French international airport located in the commune of Marignane, equidistant from Marseille and Aix-en-Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhône département.
With a record 10,800,254 passengers (up 6.4% on 2019 and 18.1% on 2022), it ranks as France’s fourth busiest airport after Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Nice-Côte d’Azur.
It is served by thirty-four airlines and offers over 131 destinations in Europe, North Africa,
Canada and the Indian Ocean.
Marseille Provence airport is located by the sea, to the west of the city of Marseille. With its 2 runways, 3500 m and 2370 m long, the airport can accommodate aircraft ranging from the Cessna C172 to the A380, divided between the aeroclub and business aviation, the cargo terminal, the dedicated (formerly MP2, renamed Terminal 2) and Terminal 1.
Parking
You can also use this website for know what Terminals is used by which Airlines :
Aéroport Marseille Provence : Liste des compagnies aériennes -aéroport Marseille
For runway 31L/13R: Access to West hangars via F3 and F7 for aircraft with wingspans of less than 24m.(in Red).
For runway 31R/13L: Taxiway D4 prohibited for take-off, taxiway reserved for exit.(in Green).
Main Runway features :
Configuration 31
â—Ź 31R: Takeoff / Landing (equipped with ILS) for IFR and VFR.
â—Ź 31L: Visual landing (VPT). Take-off possible for VFR aircraft,
possibility of doing laps in 31L. Take-offs prohibited when the crosswind component is greater than 12kts on a wet runway.
Low-traffic configuration 13
â—Ź 13L: Take-off / Landing (equipped with ILS CAT I/II/III) for IFR and VFR aircraft
â—Ź 13R: Takeoff possible for VFR aircraft, possibility of doing laps in 13R. 13R runway. Used for visual approaches.
Configuration 13 for heavy traffic
â—Ź 13L: IFR / VFR takeoff
â—Ź 13R: IFR / VFR landing + Pattern
Night-time “calm air” configuration
From 23:00 (local) to 06:00 (local) and in calm wind conditions, with light traffic, the preferred runways are preferential runways are : 13L for landing (ILS) and 31R for takeoff.
The pattern is carried out as published, unless otherwise authorized by ATC.
Standard Instrument Departure (SID) routes are :
- Configuration 13 :
- Configuration 31 :
For more details, please consult the charts of airports (in sources)
The Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is specified below :
- Configuration 13 :
- Configuration 31 :
Final Apprroach :
- Arrival 13 :
- Arrival 31 :
For more details, please consult the charts of airports (in sources)
For Pattern please follow this instruction :
Minimum Guiding Altitudes (MGA) :
The map below shows the MGA in the Provence area :
Managing altitudes for departing and approaching aircraft at Provence is a tricky business.
By convention, we don’t give direct access to departing traffic until they are above the MSA (Minimum Security Altitude).
For arrival management, traffic levels must not fall below AMG, which means difficulties in applying radar guidance, particularly for the ILS 31R approach. In
configuration 31, it is common practice to guide aircraft right up to the IAF, and let pilots carry out the full approach procedure. the complete approach procedure. However, it is possible to give more advantageous depending on where the traffic is coming from and the AMSR on its route.
Arrival procedures :
In 31 configuration :
â—Ź Radar vectoring is not permitted on final approach in view of AMGs. Be careful to AMGs before giving a direct, a heading or a descent clearance.
â—Ź For approaches from DOLIV, maintain FL80 until LACAZ vertical and begin descent 5000 ft before IBILI.
In configuration 13 :
â—Ź Stable FL70 on ERLAX
The final approach procedures (FNA) are :
This guide is now complete.
Hope to you see at LFLL airport and in the sky ;)
Thank you for your attention.
If something you look wrong you can send me a message for improve the guide :)