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I have been flying more recently into and out of Northolt. Being next to EGLL, it can make for some interesting scenarios particularly if easterlies are in use.
I've jotted down some information below particularly aimed at LL controllers that might help with this rather grey area in terms of Northolt procedures, and also for anyone wishing to log on to tower/radar.
Northolt EGWU
Northolt Tower: 120.670 MHz
Northolt Director: 130.350 MHz
Northolt Squawk Codes: 0260-0267
Aircraft under the control of Northolt in the Northolt RMA will be instructed to Squawk one of these codes.
RMA
SFC-2000ft. Abbreviated NRMA. Controlling Authority: ATC Northolt. When Northolt closed, Controlling Authority LL INT.
When vectoring, Northolt will ensure aircraft remain north of the southern RMA boundary (exception being runway 07) and within the limits of the LL RMA to the north.
Runway Useage
Runway in use based on EGLL Runway. Aircraft may encounter a tailwind. If the pilot cannot accept, then he must inform LL INT or WU as soon as possible.
Weather Minima for Approaches to Northolt: Northolt RVR is less than 600m or reported met visibility is less than 450m.
Airways Inbound Procedures
LL INT will pass the following details to ATC Northolt: Callsign, Stack, ETA, SSR Code.
INT will provide initial vectors from the stack for inbound traffic to Northolt. If there is more than 1 inbound aircraft, INT shall vector such traffic to allow a minimum approach spacing of 8nm at Northolt.
Traffic is transferred by silent handover to Northolt Director once separated from INT/FIN Traffic. The aircraft speed at handover should be 210kts or less.
Except for straight in approaches from LAM, all airways traffic inbound to Northolt is to be positioned by LL INT or Northolt director for right hand radar circuits on Runway 25, (including traffic routing from BIG), and left hand radar circuits on Runway 07, unless otherwise coordinated.
Westerly Operations
LL INT
LL INT will advise inbounds to Northolt of the runway in use and the type of approach (ILS or Visual Approach to Runway 25)*.
Vectors will be provided, and traffic should be handed to Northolt at, or descending to, 4000ft on London QNH.
Aircraft being positioned from LAM for a straight in approach to Runway 25 should be vectored by INT to intercept the Final Approach Track at no less than 10nm. INT must not instruct the aircraft to establish on the ILS unless prior co-ordinaton has been effected with Northolt. The aircraft can be handed to Northolt when clear of all INT N traffic, but for such an approach, the aircraft is released for further descent by Northolt ATC only when it crosses west of the BPK 184 radial. This is to maintain separation with LCY departures.
*If a pilot requests a different type of approach, INT will inform WU but will not approve nor confirm the type of approach with the pilot. WU will confirm the type of approach with the pilot once the aircraft is transferred to their frequency (130.350 MHz).
Northolt ATC
Once transferred, Northolt will descend the aircraft to 2000ft QNH or below subject to remaining inside controlled airspace. The aircraft must remain north of the southern boundary of the Northolt RMA.
Northolt Director must ensure that the aircraft remains within the lateral limits of the LL RMA for the LL runway configuration in use (LL RMA East, or LL RMA West). Standard separation is to be maintained. Standard Separation of 5nm may be reduced to 3nm for between aircraft under the control of Northolt, and that of LL INT.
Easterly Operations:
LL INT
LL INT will advise inbounds to Northolt of the runway in use and the type of approach (GCA or Visual Approach to Runway 07)*.
Vectors will be provided by INT, and traffic should be handed to Northolt at, or descending to, Altitude 3000ft on London QNH.
*If a pilot requests a different type of approach, INT will inform WU. WU will confirm with the pilot once the aircraft is transferred to their frequency (130.350 MHz).
Northolt ATC
Once transferred, Northolt will descend the aircraft to 2000ft QNH or below subject to remaining inside controlled airspace.
Aircraft making an approach to Runway 07 will be outside the Northolt RMA to the south. They must, however, remain on or north of the offset centreline. Northolt will descend the aircraft to 1500ft, keeping within Controlled Airspace, and position on the offset centreline of Runway 07 at a range of 8nm.
Northolt Director must ensure that the aircraft remains within the lateral limits of the LL RMA for the LL runway configuration in use (LL RMA East, or LL RMA West). Standard separation is to be maintained. Standard Separation of 5nm may be reduced to 3nm for between aircraft under the control of Northolt, and that of LL INT.
Providing the aircraft that is south of the RMA undertaking an approach to runway 07 is at altitude 2000ft or below, and squawking a Northolt dedicated Squawk code, no co-ordination is required with LL.
Departures
All Northolt departures will route via one of the Standard Instrument Departure (SID) routes or non-airways departures, available in the AIP.
Typical Clearance: Fraction 38X, cleared to Newquay, CPT4Y departure runway 25, Squawk 5421, next frequency when instructured London Control 132.6"
Aircraft must climb strictly in accordance with the vertical profile of the SID to avoid any losses of separation.
Departures will be subject to a release from WU Director, and WU Tower will hand any departures straight to LTCC/LON unless otherwise co-ordinated.
Notes
Aircraft departing LL and adhering to Standard Instrument Departure (SID) position/altitude requirements are vertically separated from the Northolt RMA.
If Northolt is online, INT N must co-ordinate any Missed Approaches at LL that is routing towards the CHT NDB. Such traffic is not separated from Northolt SID's.
Northolt is authorised to apply reduced vertical separation of 500ft between aircraft within the Northolt RMA.
Non-airways arrivals to Northolt are to be treated as arriving airways traffic.
Northolt will also handle any airways traffic inbound to Denham EGLD in the same fashion as detailed for Northolt inbounds.
Hopefully the information will be found useful. I will try and find another rainy day to comment on any specifics with the heli-lanes and the interaction with Northolt.
Regards,
Glen
Edited by Glen Watson, 26 August 2011 - 05:00 PM.
(I can feel an AFCAD for FS9 coming on) 
