Usage instructions for the ZLA sector file

If using VRC, before using the ZLA sector file for the first time only, you must make a few changes to your controller client settings. Please make the following changes:

  1. Ensure 'SY_alias' file is loaded into VRC using the Alias section on the settings/general menu (you are encouraged to create your own alias file, but the SY_alias is a great start)
  2. Ensure the zla.pof file zipped with the sector file is loaded into VRC using the POF file section on the settings/general menu
  3. Select "Settings"->"Color Profiles...", then select "add" and name your color profile at the top of the menu that appears.
  4. Change the 'High Airways' color to a somewhat subdued, but readable color (this will be the color of the MVA values)
  5. Change the color of 'Low Boundaries' to a somewhat subdued, but readable color (this will be the boundaries for the MVA areas)
  6. Click "OK" and close the color profiles box.  Then select "Settings"->"Color Profile" and select the color profile you created.
  7. Make sure that 'Hi Airway Labels' are activated on the 'View' menu.
  8. Make sure that 'Low Boundaries' are activated on the 'View' menu.
  9. Type '.mva' into VRC command line. This alias will display all the MVA markers. Typing '.mva' again will remove the MVA markers. You may also activate/deactivate the MVA display for particular windows using .mva /2, .mva /3, etc.
  10. Set the desired colors for the following other items (ARTCC boundaries = TRACON boundaries; High Boundaries = Center Boundaries)
  11. Ensure that the "Assign Squawk Codes In Random Order" box is checked on the Settings->General->Miscellaneous menu.
  12. Save profile

Features:

  1. To turn all TRACON boundaries on and off, toggle the ARTCC Boundaries
  2. To turn all CENTER boundaries on and off, toggle the High Boundaries
  3. The Victor airways contain the MEA (minimum enroute altitude). For example, 'V186 [50]' means that V186 at that point has a minimum enroute altitude of 5000 feet above mean sea level. They are always “turned on” if the victor airway labels are turned on.
  4. The Diagrams menu contains most SIDS and STARS, and also lots of additional information. Both columns contain this additional information.
  5. The floors and ceilings of class B, C, and D airspace are available by activating the "Static Text" selection on the "View" menu. Class D airspace only shows the ceiling, except for those airports that have a section of class D airspace with a floor above the surface.
  6. The frequencies of the adjoining ARTCC sectors are available by activating "Static Text"
  7. Details about each restricted area and warning area are depicted in the sector file and are available by activating "Static Text"
  8. Most Class B and C airports, and some class D airports, include runway, taxiway, and helipad information as static text. Zoom in on the appropriate airport and activate "Static text" to display these.
  9. All static text has the color of the text coded in the sector file and cannot be changed in VRC.
  10. Some individual instrument approach centerlines can be displayed using the ".fc" command. Centerlines are coded using a format of "LAX_I25L"; to display the LAX 25L centerline, type ".fc LAX_I25L". The type of approach is coded using the same letters used in the scratchpad codes.  So, the SMO VOR-A approach is coded "SMO_OA," the SNA LDA 19R approach is coded "SNA_D19R," etc. You may find it useful to create aliases to turn these on and off individually or in groups. Some aliases are provided in the SY_alias file.

The Diagrams menu contains the following information in addition to the usual SIDS/STARS:

  1. All LA Center sub-sectors and frequencies (the color for the center sectors is coded in the sector file and not user selectable).
  2. All TRACON sectors and subsectors, and their respective frequencies (the color for the TRACON boundaries is coded in the sector file and not user selectable).
  3. Class B, C, and D airspace (the color for the boundaries is coded in the sector file and not user selectable).
  4. A few key ILS approaches (user selects color with the "STARs" color).
  5. LAX Special flight rules area and LAX class B airspace transition routes (user selects color with the "STARs" color).
  6. VFR routings for LAS (user selects color with the "STARs color).
  7. Items titled "=LAX WEST OPS NTZ COMPLEX" and "=LAX EAST OPS NTZ COMPLEX." These are used when simultaneous ILS approaches are in use at LAX. The centerlines on these displays are each 1 mile long and the enclosed area between the runway centerlines is the no transgression zone (user selects color with the STARs color).  See the LAX_APP SOP for more details.
  8. An item titled "SMO_TWR VFR REPORT PTS."  This item displays helpful information for a controller working SMO_TWR.  The centerlines are 1 mile long each and mark the extended centerline of runway 21, not the centerline of the VOR-A approach (which is marked using the runway centerlines generated by VRC).  The boxes mark certain VFR reporting points which are identified by a FIX located at the center of the box.  This item's color is coded in the sector file and not user selectable.
  9. MOAs are listed on the SIDs menu (the color for the MOAs is coded in the sector file and not user selectable).
  10. L.A. Basin Helicopter routes are included in the SIDs menu using the prefix "HELI". These routes can be called up individually, or by using the aliases in the SY_Alias file zipped with the sector file.

See the VRC documentation for more details on using the software.

Other files zipped with the sector file

vSTARS Facility

The vSTARS facility configuration file for LAS and Socal. See the vSTARS documentation for help using the software.

ZLA-ASDEX Folder

Contains sector files designed to simulate ASDE-X at LAX, LAS, SNA, and SAN. These are designed to be used with the corresponding color profile discussed below. Remember, each window in VRC can use a different sector file. So, you could use one of these ASDE-X sector files in one window and the main sector file in another.

ZLA Color Profiles.txt

Three optional color profiles are provided. Instructions for installing them in VRC are at the beginning of the document. One color profile is intended to be used with the ASDE-X sector files, a second profile is for the RACD diagrams included in the main sector file, and the third profile simulates real world ARTS and STARS displays. Each window in VRC can use a different color profile.

Changes

Details the changes in each version of the sector file.

Alias File (SY_alias.txt)

The alias file contains most of the phraseology used in the LA sector, and gives very useful information about crossing altitudes, routings, procedures, etc. It is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the standard phraseology contained within the alias file. There are also several hundred aliases at the end of the file which are very useful for looking up TEC routes in southern California.

airportissues.txt

All of the controlled airports in ZLA airspace have had their layouts depicted in the sector file. A few of them have issues between what is depicted in MSFS and what exists in the real world. This document lists these differences and discusses other airport related issues.

Sweatbox folder

Training events conducted on sweatbox require some configuration files for VRC. See the readme file in this folder for more details. If you have questions, please feel free to ask the instructor/mentor conducting your sweatbox session.