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SBGL - Galeão

General Information

Information
Aerodrome name Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim
Type of Operation International, Public and Military
Transition altitude 7000 ft
Elevation 28 ft (9 m)
Largest aircraft Wide-bodies (code 4E); A380 and B747-8 under special procedures1
Airspace Galeão CTR, class D, GND/2000 ft9
Accepts A380? 1

Useful Information

Select one of the tools in the tabs above (Charts, Weather or Traffic) to access the aerodrome information.

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Traffic

Runways

Preferential runway system

SBGL has two runways that do not cross but converge to the west: 10/28 (4000 m, concrete), north of the terminals, and 15/33 (3180 m, asphalt), southwest of them3.

  • Takeoffs: 10

    4000 × 45 m. Preferential for takeoff in segregated operations. ILS CAT II on 10 and ILS on 28.

  • Landings: 15

    3180 × 47 m. Preferential for landing in segregated operations. ILS on 15. Displaced thresholds in both directions.

Preferential system

With a tailwind component of 7 kt or less and dry runways, the configuration in the table below applies, according to the scenario in use3.

With the preferential system in use, pilots requesting the alternate system should expect a delay to their landing or takeoff3.

Scenario Landings Takeoffs When
Segregated operations (preferential) 15 10 Tailwind of 7 kt or less and dry runways
Single runway 15/33 15 15 Only 15/33 available
Single runway 10/28 10 10 Only 10/28 available
Converging operations 28 33 Activated by Tower, see Converging operations

Runway data

Runway Dimensions TORA LDA Approach Remarks
10 4000 × 45 m 4000 m 4000 m ILS CAT II
28 4000 × 45 m 4000 m 4000 m ILS
15 3180 × 47 m 3060 m 2930 m ILS Displaced threshold (130 m)
33 3180 × 47 m 3050 m 2930 m Non-precision Displaced threshold (120 m)
  • On 15/33, pilots start the takeoff from the beginning of the runway, without taxiing to the displaced threshold2.
  • The aerodrome accepts aircraft up to code 4E. The A380 and B747-8 operate under special procedures1.

ATC Units

Code Abbr. Callsign Frequency Remarks
SBGL_ATIS AGL Galeão ATIS 127.600 D-ATIS
SBGL_DEL DGL Galeão Clearance 121.000 DCL (code SBGL)
SBGL_RMP RGL Galeão Apron 121.950 Events only
SBGL_GND GGL Galeão Ground 121.650
SBGL_TWR TGL Galeão Tower 118.000

DCL

SBGL has DCL (departure clearance via datalink)4. On the network, the station code is SBGL.
Station code SBGL
Who operates it SBGL_DEL. Without DEL, whichever position covers clearance top-down (GND, TWR, APP or ACC)
Controller tool TopSky DCL window, with your personal Hoppie ACARS code
Pilot tool Aircraft ACARS or a Hoppie-compatible client, sending the clearance request to SBGL

How it works:

  1. The pilot sends the request (RCD) to SBGL, with the stand and the ATIS letter.
  2. The controller checks the flight plan and replies with the clearance: limit, runway, SID, squawk, ATIS letter and next frequency.
  3. The pilot accepts (WILCO/ACCEPT). The clearance is then delivered and no voice readback is needed.
  4. Once the clearance is accepted, the pilot calls Apron (or Ground, without Apron) for start-up or pushback.

Controller setup

  • Log in to the TopSky DCL with the code SBGL before opening the position.
  • Announce it in the controller information: DCL AVBL LOGON SBGL.
  • A request with errors (invalid plan, wrong SID, no ATIS) is answered with REVERT TO VOICE: the pilot calls Clearance on frequency.
  • If the pilot does not accept within a reasonable time, treat the clearance as not delivered and call by voice.

Areas of responsibility

SBGL map with the runway strips in yellow, under Tower, aprons 1, 2, 3 and 5 in green, under Apron, and the rest in blue, under Ground
Yellow strips: Tower. Green: Apron (events only). Everything else: Ground. The dashed line runs through the runway holding points. White circles: apron numbers.
Position Responsible for
APRON (events only) Aprons 1, 2, 3 and 5, up to the apron exit
GND TWY B, K, N, M and the links up to the holding point; aprons 6, 7 and 8. Without APRON, also aprons 1, 2, 3 and 5
TWR Both runways, the 15/33 crossings and the taxiways inside the holding points
  • With Apron online, aircraft bound for aprons 1, 2, 3 and 5 call Apron before entering the apron4.
  • Departure: Apron hands the aircraft to Ground at the apron exit; Ground hands it to Tower before the holding point.
  • Arrival: after vacating, Tower hands the aircraft to Ground; Ground hands it to Apron before the apron entry.
Galeão Apron area of responsibility

Galeão Apron area of responsibility

Ground flow

General rule

  • TWY B runs along 15/33 and links aprons 2, 3 and 5 to the runway 15 and 33 ends. K and Y run between B and the terminals.
  • N and M run along 10/28. L1 links apron 1 to N, which leads to the runway 10 threshold via P.
  • L2 to L5 link the aprons to B.

Ground flow in segregated operations: departures via L1, N and P to the runway 10 threshold; landings on 15 vacating via D or E
Green: departures. Dashed orange: wingspan above 36 m. Blue: arrivals.

  • Departures (10): L1, N and P to the runway 10 threshold.
  • Wingspan above 36 m (10): leave apron 2 via L3, then K, N and P.
  • Landings (15): vacate via D or E and continue on B to the apron link (L2 to L5).

Example: GLO1234, taxi to holding point runway 10 via L1, N, P.

Ground flow in converging operations: departures via B to G, runway 33 threshold; landings on 28 vacating via DD or BB and continuing on N to L1
Green: departures. Dashed orange: wingspan above 36 m. Blue: arrivals. Red bar: mandatory hold before crossing 15/33.

  • Departures (33): B southeastbound to G, at the runway 33 end.
  • Wingspan above 36 m (33): B to F, cross 15/33 with Tower clearance, J, across apron 5 and enter via H. B between F and G is limited to 36 m.
  • Landings (28): vacate via DD or BB and continue westbound on N to L1.

Example: TAM3456, taxi to holding point runway 33 via L4, B, G.

Runway exits

Pilots must adjust their landing for minimum runway occupancy (MROT), especially at busy times5.

Runway Exits
15 D (~1390 m) or E (~1890 m)
33 C (~1960 m)
10 AA (~1090 m) or CC (~2060 m)
28 DD (~1170 m) or BB (~2080 m)

Approximate distance from the threshold to the exit, measured on the diagram.

Taxi restrictions

Restriction Where
Maximum wingspan 36 m Apron 1 and TWY Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y46
Maximum wingspan 36 m TWY B between F and G6
Stop bars K between L2 and L3; M between K and L1, between L1 and P and between P and Q; N between L1 and P and between Q and S; T between N and M7

Hotspots

  • HS1: pilots crossing 15/33 via F and J have entered the runway without clearance. Cross only with explicit Tower clearance.
  • HS2 and HS3: on AA and CC, watch out for inadvertently re-entering the active 10/28.

Takeoff points

SBGL overview with numbered aprons and the takeoff points marked with the available TORA
Takeoff points (purple) with the available TORA. Circled numbers: aprons.
Runway Point TORA
10 P (threshold) 4000 m
28 Z (threshold) 4000 m
15 A (start of the runway) 3060 m
33 G or H (start of the runway) 3050 m
  • Pilots reach the holding point ready for departure; if not, they tell ATC in advance2.
  • Start the takeoff roll within 10 seconds of the takeoff clearance2.
  • RBAC 121 aircraft may be cleared for simultaneous departures from SBRJ runway 02 and SBGL runway 158.

Converging operations

Tower may activate simultaneous operations on runways 28 and 33, always segregated: landings on 28 and takeoffs from 332.

Conditions (all)2:

  • Visibility at or above the procedure minimum and ceiling at least 100 ft above the DH.
  • The operation is announced on the ATIS (or by radio, without ATIS) when traffic enters the TMA.
  • A specific approach chart in use, with "Converging" in its name (e.g. IAC ILS U (Converging) RWY 28). These charts have the missed approach point moved back from the threshold.

Pilots must2:

  • Tell APP on first contact if they cannot fly the "Converging" approach.
  • On a go-around after the MAPT, turn before the limiting radial on the chart. If unable, tell APP or Tower.

Cut-off point

The point on the 28 final that the approaching aircraft must not yet have passed for Tower to clear a takeoff from 33. Beyond it, nobody takes off from 33 until the aircraft has landed or gone around.

Condition Cut-off point
IMC 3 NM from the runway 28 threshold
VMC (ceiling ≥ 1500 ft and visibility ≥ 5000 m) 1.4 NM from the runway 28 threshold

Cut-off point and phraseology: TWR-GL operational model, referenced in the AIP2.

On a go-around after the MAPT on 28, separation from the aircraft taking off from 33 may be reduced. In VMC, visual separation may work; give essential traffic information as early as possible.

PTATC, turn right for the missed approach procedure, essential local traffic, B737 starting takeoff runway 33.
PTATC, turn right for the missed approach procedure, essential local traffic, B737 taking off runway 33, passing midfield.
PTATC, turn right for the missed approach procedure, essential local traffic, B737 taking off runway 33, crossing threshold 15.

PTATC, traffic, B737 going around runway 28, caution essential local traffic, passing threshold 28.
PTATC, traffic, B737 going around runway 28, caution essential local traffic, passing midfield.

Aprons and airlines

A reference for simulation. Stands follow the PDC charts and the AIP; airlines follow the airport's airline list on Wikipedia. The split between stands is a simplification, not the airport's official allocation. VAs use the stands of the real airline they represent.

Apron1·2Terminals 1 and 2Domestic · apron 1 up to 36 m wingspanStands 23 to 45
GOL
GLO
LATAM
TAM
Azul
AZU
Apron3Terminal 2 · South PierInternationalStands 46 to 84
LATAM
TAM
GOL
GLO
Azul
AZU
LATAM Chile
LAN
LATAM Perú
LPE
Aerolíneas Argentinas
ARG
Avianca
AVA
BoA
BOV
Copa
CMP
JetSMART
JAT
SKY Airline
SKU
Paranair
American Airlines
AAL
Delta
DAL
United
UAL
Air Canada
ACA
Air Transat
TSC
Air France
AFR
KLM
KLM
British Airways
BAW
Iberia
IBE
ITA Airways
ITY
Lufthansa
DLH
TAP
TAP
Emirates
UAE
Apron1·2·3RemoteOvernight and overflowStands 85 to 149

Any airline, subject to availability and wingspan.

Apron5Cargo terminalFreighters, general aviation and extended staysStands 1 to 31
LATAM Cargo
LCO
Atlas Air
GTI
Cargolux
CLX
Total
TTL
Modern
MWM
Sky Lease
KYE
Aerotrans
Apron6MaintenanceHangars by TWY L7

Aircraft under maintenance.

Apron7·8Galeão Air BaseMilitary · 8: National Air Mail (CAN)
FAB
  • Aprons 1, 2 and 3 take domestic and international commercial aviation, general aviation, air taxi and government aircraft. Apron 5 takes freighters, general aviation, extended stays and military transport6.
  • Aircraft with a wingspan above 36 m do not use apron 16.

Logos from GRU Airport and Travelpayouts (Cargolux and Atlas Air). Trademarks belong to their respective airlines.

Other procedures

Approaches and landings

  • Vacate the runway as quickly as possible (MROT)5.
  • Pilots do not report gear down, except in an emergency.

Aerodrome regulations

  • Follow the VAC to join and leave the traffic pattern10.

Diagrams drawn by VATSIM Brasil on OpenStreetMap geometry (ODbL), checked against the SBGL ADC and PDC charts. Not for real-world navigation. Normative source: AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL, AMDT 2610A1.

  1. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.20, item 1. ↩↩↩

  2. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.20, item 2. ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  3. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.20, item 3. Declared distances: AD 2.13. ↩↩↩

  4. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.18. ↩↩

  5. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.20, items 2 and 8. ↩↩

  6. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.8 and ADC chart. ↩↩↩↩

  7. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.9. Hotspots: ADC chart. ↩

  8. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.22. ↩

  9. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.17. ↩

  10. AIP Brasil, AD 2 SBGL 2.23. ↩