Aviano Air Base: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Airport
{{Infobox Airport
| name          = Aeroporto "Pagliano e Gori" di Aviano
| name          = Aeroporto "Pagliano e Gori" di Aviano
| image         = AvianoAB 01.JPG
|image = LIPA-overview.jpg
|alt = Aviano AB in the current version with custom buildings at dawn.
|alt = Overview of the base in TerraSync.
|image2 = LIPA-twrview.jpg
|alt2 = Tower view.
| iata          = AVB
| iata          = AVB
| icao          = LIPA
| icao          = LIPA
Line 10: Line 12:
| website      = http://www.aviano.af.mil/
| website      = http://www.aviano.af.mil/
| runway        = 05/23
| runway        = 05/23
| length        = 2987 m/ 42608 ft
| length        = 2,987 m (9,800 ft)
| material      = Asphalt
| material      = Asphalt
| scenerytile  = e012n46
| scenerytile  = e012n46
| terrasync    = Not yet
| terrasync    = Yes
}}
}}


'''Aviano Air Base''' is a NATO base built in 1911 in the {{wikipedia|Friuli-Venezia_Giulia}} region. It is located in the {{wikipedia|Aviano}} municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps, about 8 NM from Pordenone.
'''Aviano Air Base''' (commonly wrote ''Aviano AB'' or improperly ''Aviano AFB'') is a NATO base built in 1911 in the Italian region of {{wikipedia|Friuli-Venezia_Giulia}}. It is located in the {{wikipedia|Aviano}} municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps, (reason why local people call it "Pedemontana"), at about 8 NM from Pordenone.
The {{wikipedia|Aeronautica Militare|Italian Air Force}} has administrative control of the base and hosts the {{wikipedia|US Air Force|U.S Air Force's}} {{wikipedia|31st Fighter Wing}}.
The {{wikipedia|Aeronautica Militare|Italian Air Force}} has administrative control of the base which hosts the {{wikipedia|US Air Force|U.S. Air Force}}'s {{wikipedia|31st Fighter Wing}}.
The 31st FW is the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Italian Alps. This strategic location makes the wing critical to operations in NATO's southern region. The 31st FW maintains two [[F-16]] fighter squadrons, {{wikipedia|555th Fighter Squadron|555th Fighter Squadron "Triple Nickel"}} and the {{wikipedia|510th Fighter Squadron|510th Fighter Squadron "Buzzards"}}, allowing the wing to conduct offense and defensive combat air operations.
The 31st FW (which commander is Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin) is assigned to the {{wikipedia|United States Air Forces in Europe}} major command and the {{wikipedia|Third Air Force}}. It's the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Italian Alps. This strategic location makes the wing critical to operations in NATO's southern region. The 31st FW maintains two [[F-16]] fighter squadrons, {{wikipedia|555th Fighter Squadron|555th Fighter Squadron "Triple Nickel"}} and the {{wikipedia|510th Fighter Squadron|510th Fighter Squadron "Buzzards"}}, allowing the wing to conduct offensive and defensive combat air operations.
In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness.
In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness, with a nearly every-day air training sessions, combat simulations and practice operations.
In FlightGear the base is used on a daily basis by the OPRF military group which conducts various exercises and combat sorties with a wide variety of aircrafts.
 


== History ==
== History ==
Aviano Air Base was established by the Italian government in 1911, and was used as training base for Italian pilots and construction facility for aircraft parts. During WWI, Italy used the airfield in missions against the Austro-Hungarian and German armies. At that time, two Italian aviators, Captain Maurizio Pagliano and Lieutenant Luigi Gori, conducted an unauthorized, but heroic and successful, air raid on the Austrian naval yards in Pula, in what is now Croatia. In their honor, the base's name was officially changed to "Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori", in 1919. During the war the airfield was also overrun by the Austro-German army in the months between November 1917 to November 1918. Between the two wars the airfield was again used as a training base.
''Aviano Air Base'' (in Italian: Base aerea di Aviano) is one of the oldest military airports in Italy, established by the Italian government in 1911, it was used as training base for Italian pilots and construction facility for aircraft parts. During WWI, Italy used the airfield in missions against the Austro-Hungarian and German armies. At that time, two Italian aviators, Captain Maurizio Pagliano and Lieutenant Luigi Gori, conducted an unauthorized, but heroic and successful, air raid on the Austrian naval yards in Pula, in what is now Croatia. In their honor, the base's name was officially changed to "Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori", in 1919. During the war the airfield was also overrun by the Austro-German army in the months between November 1917 to November 1918. Between the two wars the airfield was again used as a training base.
In the WWII, both the Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe flew missions from it. British forces captured the base in 1945; they conducted air operations there up to 1947, when the Italian Air Force resumed operational use of the airport, until the arrival of the US Air Force.
In the WWII, both the Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe flew missions from it. British forces captured the base in 1945; they conducted air operations there up to 1947, when the Italian Air Force resumed operational use of the airport and resized it in the early 50s until the arrival of the US Air Force.
In 1954, the US Government signed with the Italian Government an agreement for the joint use of the base which became NATO. In the years 1950-1990, Aviano housed in turns fighter squadrons, in support of the tasks assigned to NATO and deployments of the Air Force tasked with training in the use of weapons.
 
=== About the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano ===
Before being deployed in Italy, the 31 FW had its home at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.
In the end of August 1992, Hurricane Andrew swept across southern Florida, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Every building of Homestead AFB received some damage and many buildings were destroyed. The fighter squadrons evacuated most of the planes before the storm but were unable to return. In the aftermath, the secretary of defense recommended closure of the base (then used by the Air Force Reserve) and inactivating the 31st FW. To avoid losing the wing’s heritage and history as the highest scoring Army Air Force unit in the Mediterranean Theater in WWII, the impressive combat record in Vietnam and number of significant firsts they produced in the early years of the Air Force, the 31 FW was chosen to move rather than fade into obscurity. On April 1, 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing inactivated at Homestead AFB and subsequently activated at Aviano Air Base, Italy in place of the 401st Fighter Wing.
 
 
Between the 1990s and 2005 and then in 2011, Aviano hosted various aircrafts for multiple operations in ex-Jugoslavia, Iraq and Lybia and deployed aircrafts to Iraq, Lybia, Afghanistan and (presently) in Turkey in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
 
Apart from the local F-16s, many U.S. planes arrive/set off to/from Aviano AB, like C-130/J, C-17 and weekly [http://www.spacea.net/ Space-A] charter flights from/to [[Ramstein Air Base]] and Baltimore (usually on Wednesday).


== Technical characteristics ==
== Technical characteristics ==
Aviano AB's elevetion is 410 ft (125 m).
=== Runway ===
=== Runway ===
The airport has only one runway (045°/225°), 2987 m long and 55 m wide. Both runways 05 and 23 will have got two BAK-12 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arresting_gear#Land-based_systems aircraft arresting systems] for emergency landings and training in the beta version.
The airport has only one runway (045°/225°), 2987 m long and 55 m wide. (Both runways 05 and 23 will have got two BAK-12 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arresting_gear#Land-based_systems aircraft arresting systems] for emergency landings and training in the beta version).
* Both directions are used for takeoffs (though runway 05 is much preferred).
* Both directions are used for takeoffs (though runway 05 is much preferred).
* Runway 23 is not used a lot for landings (except when there is strong down wind) for visual approaches only.
* Runway 23 is not used a lot for landings (except when there is strong down wind), for visual approaches only.
* Runway 05 is suitable for all landings and is served by a ILS system (frequency: 390.00 MHz).
* Runway 05 is suitable for all landings and is served by an ILS system (frequency: 390.00 MHz).


=== Layout ===
=== Layout ===
Line 38: Line 54:
* Area D contains a soccer field and picnic area.
* Area D contains a soccer field and picnic area.
* Area E contains AFN, military working dog kennels and Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment. The Italian Carabinieri (military police) also have their base headquarters in this area.
* Area E contains AFN, military working dog kennels and Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment. The Italian Carabinieri (military police) also have their base headquarters in this area.
* Area F is the flightline area, and is the largest area in Aviano. The complex contains the active runway and taxiways and most of the base's facilities like the AMC terminal, the legal office and the Commissary.
* Area F is the flightline area and is the largest area in Aviano. The complex contains the active runway and taxiways and most of the base's facilities like the AMC passenger terminal, the legal office and the Commissary.
 
Aprons for transport aircrafts, tankers, etc. are located on the north/north-east sides, east side, south-west side; Four taxiways lead directly to the runway. Two taxiways run parallel to it. The north-west side, the south-west side and the south side feature "rings" used by fighter aircrafts. The north-east side feature an area/ring for helicopters.


The base is also full of aprons and hangars of different sizes for fighters and also big aircrafts like the [[747]] or the [[C-17 Globemaster III]].
=== Operational considerations ===
{{note|Some charts will be provided shortly about take-off/land procedures.}}
High mountainous terrain north of the airport requires pilots to perform steep maneuvers if arriving from north or going north. It is advisable to study available charts carefully.
 
When departing from runway 05 the plane must (unless stated by ATC) perform a right turn just a bit after take-off to heading 110-120. If going north (e.g. charter flight to [[ETAR]]) the aircraft needs to gain altitude quickly during a large circle around the air base before turning right again to 340-350 and going north.
 
Missed approach procedures are not similar: depending on wind, weather conditions and aircraft size, the aircraft has to:
* turn left to 230, climb to 1,400 ft and mantain a speed of 280-220 (depending on the aircraft) then wait till reaching the NDB and turn to 160 starting to descend and then final to 050 at the NDB;
* turn right to 230, climb to 2,400 ft and mantain a speed of 300-240 (yet depending on the aircraft) the wait till the aircraft passes the NDB of about 4-5 NM and turn to 020 starting to descend and then final to 050. In this type of approach the NDB should be in front of you when turning final.
 
Touch n go approach (often used by fighters) are very similar to the first missed approach procedure:
* turn left to 225, climb to 1,000 ft and mantain a speed of 280-260 (depending on the fighter) then wait till reaching the NDB and turn to 150 starting to descend and then final to 050 at the NDB.
 
When landing from the North, it is suggested to:
* cross the Alps at or above FL140;
* turn right to 220 and descend to FL120 before reaching the end of the Alps, reducing airspeed to 270 kts or less;
* continue like this until arriving to the beginning of the glideslope in the FGMap and then turn to 150, descending to FL090.
* reduce airspeed before turning final and land on runway 05.
 
The area (likely to [[LIPX]]) is often subject to fogs in autumn and especially winter seasons (sometimes also during spring and summer during bad weather conditions due to its proximity to the Carnic Pre-Alps just a few miles away) so visibility often decreases to just a few hundreds of meters. It is recommended to follow ATC guidance if present or use ILS.


=== Communications ===
=== Communications ===
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|-
|-
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | GND
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | GND
| 120.100
| 122.100
|-
|-
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | CLNC DEL
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | CLNC DEL
| 120.100
| 122.100
|-
|-
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | APP
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | APP
| 120.120
| 120.120
|-
|-
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | APP
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | APP 2
| 120.125
| 120.125
|-
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | APP (ItAF-USAF)
| 134.100
|-
|-
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | DEP
! style="background:#efefef; text-align: center" | DEP
| 142.350
| 142.350
|}
|}


==== Navaids ====
==== Navaids ====
Line 93: Line 132:
== Custom scenery ==
== Custom scenery ==
[[User:J Maverick 16|J Maverick 16]] is currently redesigning the airport so that the [[scenery]] is as faithful as possible to the real air base.
[[User:J Maverick 16|J Maverick 16]] is currently redesigning the airport so that the [[scenery]] is as faithful as possible to the real air base.
The airport will be submitted for inclusion in the international scenery as soon as the ground layout and the buildings are done; further updates (more buildings, boudaries, decorations...) will be released via [[TerraSync]].
The airport will be submitted for inclusion in the international scenery as soon as the ground layout and the buildings are done; further updates (more buildings, boundaries, decorations...) will be released via [[TerraSync]]. A first preview of the beta can be found on [https://github.com/JMaverick16/LIPA-development GitHub] (unused). As of 2019/05, the development version layout requires an overall review and update, release timing remains unknown. Presently, several shared objects (tower, radar, shelters, aircrafts, etc.) have been submitted and included in TerraSync but will be replaced once the final version becomes available.
 
=== Progress ===
=== Progress ===
''The following table takes into account improvements available only in the current development version.''
''The following table takes into account improvements available only in the current development version.''
Line 103: Line 141:
! scope="col"| Remarks
! scope="col"| Remarks
|-
|-
| Runway, beacon, PAPI, Tower
| Runway, beacon, PAPI, ILS, Tower
| {{done}}
| {{done}}
| Shoulders have been added and the runway prolonged and adapted as the real one; beacon has been moved out of a taxiway and the PAPI on rwy 05 moved away form the edge; the tower position has been moved to the current position.
| Shoulders have been added and the runway prolonged and adapted as the real one; beacon has been moved out of a taxiway, PAPI have been moved to the real position and the ILS system on rwy 05 moved away from the edge; the tower position has been moved to the current position.
|-
|-
| Taxiway layouts
| Taxiway layouts
| {{progressbar|90}}
| {{progressbar|90}}
| Nearly done, only some adjustments here and there, especially in the south-west zone.
| Re-designed all of them with a lot of accuracies.
|-
|-
| Taxi signs
| Taxi signs
| {{progressbar|10}}
| {{done}}
| For now there are only the most important ones, they will be added when the layout is done.
| All signs are placed correctly.
|-
|-
| Aprons
| Aprons
| {{progressbar|90}}
| {{progressbar|90}}
| A lot of small parkings have been added in the Area F, especially the great one on the left side rwy 23, need only a few fine tunings. Edited the northeast zone of parkings and proceeding with the southwest; in the north-east zone a car park have been added.
| A lot of small parkings have been added/edited in Area F, especially the great one on the left side of rwy 23, need only a few fine tunings. Edited the northeast zone of parkings and the southwest. Also some parts of the internal area of the base are ready.
|-
|-
| Buildings
| Buildings
| {{progressbar|20}}
| {{progressbar|20}}
| They've been added with the current version (as seen in the img above), but need to be completely replaced with the new one. A custom tower with the 31st FW emblem has been added.
| Some of them have been added with the current layout version (as seen in the img above), but need to be completely replaced with the new one. Some buildings have to be created from scratch. A custom tower with the 31st FW emblem has been added.
|-
|-
| Parking positions and ground net
| Parking positions and ground net
| {{progressbar|70}}
| {{progressbar|80}}
| Most of the parking position have been added, have to do nearly all the net.
| Most of the parking positions have been added, net is almost ready.
|-
| Exclusion zones
| {{done}}
| They include also the internal part of the base.
|-
| Roads
| {{progressbar|90}}
| The base has lots of roads, most of them are created, need to fix some curves.
|-
|-
| Comprehensive air base scenery
| Comprehensive air base scenery
| {{progressbar|40}}
| {{progressbar|70}}
| The ground layout is nearly ok, taxi signs are only at the beginning, the aprons will be finished when the southwest zone is completed, buildings have to be repositioned but a few objects are already in the correct position, all the ground net an the taxi lights have to be added but most of the parking positions have been setted.
| The ground layout is nearly ok, taxi signs are placed, the aprons need only some fine edits, buildings have to be repositioned and some must be created, most the ground net and taxi lights are added and most of the parking positions have been set.  
|}
|}


== ATC services (USAF_AV) ==
== ATC services (USAF_AV) ==
[[File:AVB Area-F.jpg|thumb|Chart of [[LIPA]].]]
{{note|IMPORTANT: When under ATC guidance, please start your MP session '''on any suitable apron''' OR at least '''on rwy 05'''}}
[[ATC]] service is provided with [[OpenRadar]] regularly on weekends, using also {{wikipedia|Mumble (software)|Mumble}} and [[FGCom]] - check [http://flightgear-atc.alwaysdata.net/ Lenny's website] for the exact times and dates, but usually on Saturday evenings and Thursday evenings. For further informations about LIPA, you can download the chart on the right, use [http://skyvector.com/airport/LIPA/Aviano-Airport SkyVector] and [http://www.gcmap.com/airport/AVB GCMAP]. The air base is also included in the [https://plus.google.com/113151232487920064268/posts NIATCA project].
[[File:AVB Area-F.jpg|thumb|250px|Chart of [[LIPA]]]]
To avoid pilot/ATC misunderstandings see the [[ATC_best_practices#Minimum_list_of_best_practices|minimum list of best practices]], and don't simulate an emergency or found an excuse to land/take-off from Aviano only because it is controlled in that moment, especially for airliners (e.g. terrorists on board, engine faliture, passenger with cardiac arrest, President on board,...).
[[ATC]] service is provided with [[OpenRadar]] regularly on weekends and weekdays, using also [[Mumble]] and the Discord server (sometimes also FGUK's Teamspeak channel too) - check [http://flightgear-atc.alwaysdata.net/ Lenny's website] for the exact times and dates, but usually on Sunday evenings and Tuesdays evenings. For further information about LIPA, you can download the chart on the right, use [http://skyvector.com/airport/LIPA/Aviano-Airport SkyVector] and [http://www.gcmap.com/airport/AVB GCMAP]. The air base is also included in the [[NIATCA]] project.
To avoid pilot/ATC misunderstandings see the [[ATC_best_practices#Minimum_list_of_best_practices|minimum list of best practices]]. Remember that this is a military American air base and not a civilian airport, with different rules and procedures so don't simulate an emergency or found an excuse to land/take-off from Aviano only because it is the only one controlled in that moment, especially for airliners (e.g. (and these ones all happened to me) terrorists on board, engine failure, passenger with cardiac arrest, President on board, very top secret mission, ...).
 
== Aviano Open Days Week-end ==
Aviano Open Days Week-end will be a mega-event where every airman will be able to perform flights with any type of aircraft (from non-U.S. fighters to big airliners) during a whole week-end. ATC will be provided every day in 3-hour intervals (followed by 1 or 2 hours of free flying) from approximately 07:00 to 20:00 UTC time, with the possibility of having two towers controlling in the same time or replacing USAF_AV. Also airshows (one will be planned by FGUK) will be expected. Communications will happen on the MPChat, Mumble, Teamspeak and [[FGCom]].


== Screenshot gallery of LIPA ==
== Screenshot gallery of LIPA ==


=== WED developement ===
=== WED development ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:LIPA before.png|[[WED]] screenshot of Aviano before the developement
File:LIPA before.png|[[WED]] screenshot of Aviano before the developement
File:LIPA after04.JPG|Screenshot of [[WED]] after the developing
File:LIPA after04.JPG|Screenshot of [[WED]] after the developing
File:LIPA after11.JPG|[[WED]] screenshot after development
File:LIPA after11.JPG|[[WED]] screenshot after development
File:Current LIPA layout.png|After nearly 2 years, this is the current LIPA layout (yet to be finished)
</gallery>
</gallery>


=== Old layout version ===
=== Old (current) layout version ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:AvianoAB 01.JPG|Overview of the airfield with initial draft version of the custom scenery
File:F-15 LIPA.JPG|[[F-15]] ready for take-off from rwy 05
File:F-15 LIPA.JPG|[[F-15]] ready for take-off from rwy 05
File:747-8i LIPA.JPG|A [[Boeing 747-8i]] parked in the AMC apron by evening with custom buildings
File:747-8i LIPA.JPG|A [[Boeing 747-8i]] parked in the AMC apron by evening with custom buildings
Line 154: Line 206:
File:FA-18D LIPA.JPG|An F/A-18D Hornet landing on rwy 05
File:FA-18D LIPA.JPG|An F/A-18D Hornet landing on rwy 05
File:AVB PassengerTerminal.JPG|View of the Aviano Passenger Terminal with a C-17
File:AVB PassengerTerminal.JPG|View of the Aviano Passenger Terminal with a C-17
File:767-AVB.JPG|An 767-300 taked off from Aviano in Delta livery to [[ETAR]]
File:767-AVB.JPG|A [[Boieng]] 767-300 took off from Aviano in Delta livery, destination [[ETAR]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


=== New layout version ===
=== New layout version ===
...
...
<!--
<gallery>
</gallery>
-->


== The Aviano AB Livery Pack for F-16CJ ==
== The Aviano AB Livery Pack for F-16CJ ==
[[File:F16CJ Liv Pack.jpg|thumb|"Logo" of the [[Aviano Air Base]] Livery Pack.]]
[[File:F16CJ Liv Pack.jpg|thumb|200px|"Logo" of the [[Aviano Air Base]] Livery Pack.]]
The [http://www.fguk.eu/index.php/hangar/viewdownload/12-liveries/444-f-16cj-aviano-ab-livery-pack Aviano Air Base Livery Pack] is a set of 10 USAF liveries used by squadrons in the base for the General Dynamics [[F-16CJ]] Fighting Falcon of [http://www.fguk.eu FGUK] created by Gary Brown and requested by [[User:J Maverick 16|J Maverick 16]]. List of liveries, development and preview available [http://www.fguk.eu/index.php/forum/liveries-textures/4758-aviano-ab-livery-pack here].
The [http://www.fguk.eu/index.php/hangar/viewdownload/12-liveries/444-f-16cj-aviano-ab-livery-pack Aviano Air Base Livery Pack] is a set of 10 USAF liveries used by squadrons and units in the base for the General Dynamics [[F-16CJ]] Fighting Falcon of [http://www.fguk.eu FGUK] created by Gary Brown and requested by [[User:J Maverick 16|J Maverick 16]]. List of liveries, development and preview from FGUK available [http://www.fguk.eu/index.php/forum/liveries-textures/4758-aviano-ab-livery-pack here]; from the FGForum [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=24135 here].
All the said liveries plus 10 others can be currently found in the [[FGAddon]] [[F-16]], or the constantly updated version on [https://github.com/NikolaiVChr/f16 GitHub].
 
== See also: ==
* [[NIATCA|The NIATCA project]]
* [[Ramstein Air Base]]
* [[Spangdahlem Air Base]]


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
Line 174: Line 237:


[[Category:Airports in Italy]]
[[Category:Airports in Italy]]
[[it:Base aerea di Aviano]]

Latest revision as of 14:19, 6 October 2020

Aeroporto "Pagliano e Gori" di Aviano
Overview of the base in TerraSync.
Overview of the base in TerraSync.
Tower view.
Tower view.
IATA: AVB ICAO: LIPA
Type Military
Owner Aeronautica Militare Italiana; US Air Force (user)
City Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
website
Runways
Runway Length Material
05/23 2,987 m (9,800 ft) Asphalt
Scenery tile e012n46
TerraSync Yes


Aviano Air Base (commonly wrote Aviano AB or improperly Aviano AFB) is a NATO base built in 1911 in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia_Giulia This is a link to a Wikipedia article. It is located in the Aviano This is a link to a Wikipedia article municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps, (reason why local people call it "Pedemontana"), at about 8 NM from Pordenone. The Italian Air Force This is a link to a Wikipedia article has administrative control of the base which hosts the U.S. Air Force This is a link to a Wikipedia article's 31st Fighter Wing This is a link to a Wikipedia article. The 31st FW (which commander is Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin) is assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe This is a link to a Wikipedia article major command and the Third Air Force This is a link to a Wikipedia article. It's the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Italian Alps. This strategic location makes the wing critical to operations in NATO's southern region. The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, 555th Fighter Squadron "Triple Nickel" This is a link to a Wikipedia article and the 510th Fighter Squadron "Buzzards" This is a link to a Wikipedia article, allowing the wing to conduct offensive and defensive combat air operations. In peacetime, the 31st FW prepares for its combat role by maintaining aircraft and personnel in a high state of readiness, with a nearly every-day air training sessions, combat simulations and practice operations. In FlightGear the base is used on a daily basis by the OPRF military group which conducts various exercises and combat sorties with a wide variety of aircrafts.


History

Aviano Air Base (in Italian: Base aerea di Aviano) is one of the oldest military airports in Italy, established by the Italian government in 1911, it was used as training base for Italian pilots and construction facility for aircraft parts. During WWI, Italy used the airfield in missions against the Austro-Hungarian and German armies. At that time, two Italian aviators, Captain Maurizio Pagliano and Lieutenant Luigi Gori, conducted an unauthorized, but heroic and successful, air raid on the Austrian naval yards in Pula, in what is now Croatia. In their honor, the base's name was officially changed to "Aeroporto Pagliano e Gori", in 1919. During the war the airfield was also overrun by the Austro-German army in the months between November 1917 to November 1918. Between the two wars the airfield was again used as a training base. In the WWII, both the Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe flew missions from it. British forces captured the base in 1945; they conducted air operations there up to 1947, when the Italian Air Force resumed operational use of the airport and resized it in the early 50s until the arrival of the US Air Force. In 1954, the US Government signed with the Italian Government an agreement for the joint use of the base which became NATO. In the years 1950-1990, Aviano housed in turns fighter squadrons, in support of the tasks assigned to NATO and deployments of the Air Force tasked with training in the use of weapons.

About the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano

Before being deployed in Italy, the 31 FW had its home at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. In the end of August 1992, Hurricane Andrew swept across southern Florida, leaving extensive damage in its wake. Every building of Homestead AFB received some damage and many buildings were destroyed. The fighter squadrons evacuated most of the planes before the storm but were unable to return. In the aftermath, the secretary of defense recommended closure of the base (then used by the Air Force Reserve) and inactivating the 31st FW. To avoid losing the wing’s heritage and history as the highest scoring Army Air Force unit in the Mediterranean Theater in WWII, the impressive combat record in Vietnam and number of significant firsts they produced in the early years of the Air Force, the 31 FW was chosen to move rather than fade into obscurity. On April 1, 1994, the 31st Fighter Wing inactivated at Homestead AFB and subsequently activated at Aviano Air Base, Italy in place of the 401st Fighter Wing.


Between the 1990s and 2005 and then in 2011, Aviano hosted various aircrafts for multiple operations in ex-Jugoslavia, Iraq and Lybia and deployed aircrafts to Iraq, Lybia, Afghanistan and (presently) in Turkey in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Apart from the local F-16s, many U.S. planes arrive/set off to/from Aviano AB, like C-130/J, C-17 and weekly Space-A charter flights from/to Ramstein Air Base and Baltimore (usually on Wednesday).

Technical characteristics

Aviano AB's elevetion is 410 ft (125 m).

Runway

The airport has only one runway (045°/225°), 2987 m long and 55 m wide. (Both runways 05 and 23 will have got two BAK-12 aircraft arresting systems for emergency landings and training in the beta version).

  • Both directions are used for takeoffs (though runway 05 is much preferred).
  • Runway 23 is not used a lot for landings (except when there is strong down wind), for visual approaches only.
  • Runway 05 is suitable for all landings and is served by an ILS system (frequency: 390.00 MHz).

Layout

  • Area A1 contains a few of Aviano's support functions (such as the library and chapel) and the Department of Defense Dependents School for the base population's children.
  • Area A2 contains a fitness centers, dining facility, dormitories, thrift shop and a fire department.
  • Area C contains most of the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron's facilities.
  • Area D contains a soccer field and picnic area.
  • Area E contains AFN, military working dog kennels and Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment. The Italian Carabinieri (military police) also have their base headquarters in this area.
  • Area F is the flightline area and is the largest area in Aviano. The complex contains the active runway and taxiways and most of the base's facilities like the AMC passenger terminal, the legal office and the Commissary.

Aprons for transport aircrafts, tankers, etc. are located on the north/north-east sides, east side, south-west side; Four taxiways lead directly to the runway. Two taxiways run parallel to it. The north-west side, the south-west side and the south side feature "rings" used by fighter aircrafts. The north-east side feature an area/ring for helicopters.

Operational considerations

Note  Some charts will be provided shortly about take-off/land procedures.

High mountainous terrain north of the airport requires pilots to perform steep maneuvers if arriving from north or going north. It is advisable to study available charts carefully.

When departing from runway 05 the plane must (unless stated by ATC) perform a right turn just a bit after take-off to heading 110-120. If going north (e.g. charter flight to ETAR) the aircraft needs to gain altitude quickly during a large circle around the air base before turning right again to 340-350 and going north.

Missed approach procedures are not similar: depending on wind, weather conditions and aircraft size, the aircraft has to:

  • turn left to 230, climb to 1,400 ft and mantain a speed of 280-220 (depending on the aircraft) then wait till reaching the NDB and turn to 160 starting to descend and then final to 050 at the NDB;
  • turn right to 230, climb to 2,400 ft and mantain a speed of 300-240 (yet depending on the aircraft) the wait till the aircraft passes the NDB of about 4-5 NM and turn to 020 starting to descend and then final to 050. In this type of approach the NDB should be in front of you when turning final.

Touch n go approach (often used by fighters) are very similar to the first missed approach procedure:

  • turn left to 225, climb to 1,000 ft and mantain a speed of 280-260 (depending on the fighter) then wait till reaching the NDB and turn to 150 starting to descend and then final to 050 at the NDB.

When landing from the North, it is suggested to:

  • cross the Alps at or above FL140;
  • turn right to 220 and descend to FL120 before reaching the end of the Alps, reducing airspeed to 270 kts or less;
  • continue like this until arriving to the beginning of the glideslope in the FGMap and then turn to 150, descending to FL090.
  • reduce airspeed before turning final and land on runway 05.

The area (likely to LIPX) is often subject to fogs in autumn and especially winter seasons (sometimes also during spring and summer during bad weather conditions due to its proximity to the Carnic Pre-Alps just a few miles away) so visibility often decreases to just a few hundreds of meters. It is recommended to follow ATC guidance if present or use ILS.

Communications

FGCom frequencies

(The following table takes into account some frequencies available only in the current development version.)

COMM
ATIS 129.300
TWR 142.050
GND 122.100
CLNC DEL 122.100
APP 120.120
APP 2 120.125
APP (ItAF-USAF) 134.100
DEP 142.350

Navaids

TACAN
AVI 111X, 00 NM


NDB
AVI 390, 046.0 deg, 9.5 NM

Custom scenery

J Maverick 16 is currently redesigning the airport so that the scenery is as faithful as possible to the real air base. The airport will be submitted for inclusion in the international scenery as soon as the ground layout and the buildings are done; further updates (more buildings, boundaries, decorations...) will be released via TerraSync. A first preview of the beta can be found on GitHub (unused). As of 2019/05, the development version layout requires an overall review and update, release timing remains unknown. Presently, several shared objects (tower, radar, shelters, aircrafts, etc.) have been submitted and included in TerraSync but will be replaced once the final version becomes available.

Progress

The following table takes into account improvements available only in the current development version.

Task Progress Remarks
Runway, beacon, PAPI, ILS, Tower Done Done Shoulders have been added and the runway prolonged and adapted as the real one; beacon has been moved out of a taxiway, PAPI have been moved to the real position and the ILS system on rwy 05 moved away from the edge; the tower position has been moved to the current position.
Taxiway layouts 90}% completed Re-designed all of them with a lot of accuracies.
Taxi signs Done Done All signs are placed correctly.
Aprons 90}% completed A lot of small parkings have been added/edited in Area F, especially the great one on the left side of rwy 23, need only a few fine tunings. Edited the northeast zone of parkings and the southwest. Also some parts of the internal area of the base are ready.
Buildings 20}% completed Some of them have been added with the current layout version (as seen in the img above), but need to be completely replaced with the new one. Some buildings have to be created from scratch. A custom tower with the 31st FW emblem has been added.
Parking positions and ground net 80}% completed Most of the parking positions have been added, net is almost ready.
Exclusion zones Done Done They include also the internal part of the base.
Roads 90}% completed The base has lots of roads, most of them are created, need to fix some curves.
Comprehensive air base scenery 70}% completed The ground layout is nearly ok, taxi signs are placed, the aprons need only some fine edits, buildings have to be repositioned and some must be created, most the ground net and taxi lights are added and most of the parking positions have been set.

ATC services (USAF_AV)

Note  IMPORTANT: When under ATC guidance, please start your MP session on any suitable apron OR at least on rwy 05
Chart of LIPA

ATC service is provided with OpenRadar regularly on weekends and weekdays, using also Mumble and the Discord server (sometimes also FGUK's Teamspeak channel too) - check Lenny's website for the exact times and dates, but usually on Sunday evenings and Tuesdays evenings. For further information about LIPA, you can download the chart on the right, use SkyVector and GCMAP. The air base is also included in the NIATCA project. To avoid pilot/ATC misunderstandings see the minimum list of best practices. Remember that this is a military American air base and not a civilian airport, with different rules and procedures so don't simulate an emergency or found an excuse to land/take-off from Aviano only because it is the only one controlled in that moment, especially for airliners (e.g. (and these ones all happened to me) terrorists on board, engine failure, passenger with cardiac arrest, President on board, very top secret mission, ...).

Aviano Open Days Week-end

Aviano Open Days Week-end will be a mega-event where every airman will be able to perform flights with any type of aircraft (from non-U.S. fighters to big airliners) during a whole week-end. ATC will be provided every day in 3-hour intervals (followed by 1 or 2 hours of free flying) from approximately 07:00 to 20:00 UTC time, with the possibility of having two towers controlling in the same time or replacing USAF_AV. Also airshows (one will be planned by FGUK) will be expected. Communications will happen on the MPChat, Mumble, Teamspeak and FGCom.

Screenshot gallery of LIPA

WED development

Old (current) layout version

New layout version

...

The Aviano AB Livery Pack for F-16CJ

"Logo" of the Aviano Air Base Livery Pack.

The Aviano Air Base Livery Pack is a set of 10 USAF liveries used by squadrons and units in the base for the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon of FGUK created by Gary Brown and requested by J Maverick 16. List of liveries, development and preview from FGUK available here; from the FGForum here. All the said liveries plus 10 others can be currently found in the FGAddon F-16, or the constantly updated version on GitHub.

See also:

External Links