1:3 Separation Standards

Question 1

Standard vertical or horizontal separation shall be provided between what in Class A airspace?

Answer 1

All flights

Question 2

Standard vertical or horizontal separation shall be provided between what in Class C?

Answer 2

IFR vs IFR
IFR vs VFR
SVFR vs IFR/SVFR

Question 3

Standard vertical or horizontal separation shall be provided between what in Class D airspace?

Answer 3

IFR vs IFR
SVFR vs IFR/SVFR

Question 4

Standard vertical or horizontal separation shall be provided between what in Class E airspace?

Answer 4

IFR vs IFR
SVFR vs IFR/SVFR

Question 5

What standard vertical or horizontal separation shall be provided in Class G airspace?

Answer 5

Responsibility of pilot, however in providing a deconfliction or procedural service, controllers will provide information and advice aimed at achieving defined deconfliction minima

Question 6

Separation standards are minima and shall be increased when… (x3)

Answer 6

1 - requested by the pilot
2 - a controller considers it necessary
3 - directed by the CAA

Question 7

When may standard separation be reduced? (x4)

Answer 7

1 - In the vicinity of aerodromes
2 - Search and rescue escort
3 - Loss of separation
4 - Surveillance system failure

Question 8

When may standard separation be reduced in the vicinity of an aerodrome? (x3)

Answer 8

1 - When adequate separation can be provided by the aerodrome controller
2 - If each aircraft is continuously visible to the pilots of other aircraft concerned and the pilots report they can maintain their own separation
3 - When one aircraft is following another, the pilot of the succeeding aircraft reports the other aircraft in sight and can maintain their own separation

Question 9

If for any reason a LOS occurs, what is the controller to do? (x2)

Answer 9

1 - use every means at their disposal to obtain the required minimum with the least possible delay
2 - when considered practicable, pass traffic information/essential traffic information

Question 10

What is essential traffic information?

Answer 10

Traffic which is separated for any period by less than the specified standard separation, normally when ATS surveillance systems are not available.

Question 11

What should essential traffic information include?

Answer 11

1 - direction of flight of conflicting aircraft
2 - type of conflicting aircraft
3 - Cruising level of conflicting aircraft and ETA for the reporting point (or for the reporting point closest to where the aircraft will cross levels)
4 - any alternative clearance

Question 12

What is vertical separation minima for subsonic aircraft?

Answer 12

• 1,000ft up to FL290
• 2,000ft above FL290 (except between FL290 and FL410 inclusive, 1,000ft may be applied between RVSM approved aircraft)

Question 13

What is vertical separation minima between aircraft flying supersonic?

Answer 13

• 2,000ft up to FL450
• 4,000ft above FL450

Question 14

When may an aircraft be instructed to climb or descend to a level previously occupied by another aircraft? (x3)

Answer 14

1 - when vertical separation already exists
2 - the vacating aircraft is proceeding to a level that will maintain vertical separation
3 - either the controller observes that the vacating aircraft has left the level or the pilot has reported vacating the level

Question 15

Aircraft may be instructed to change level at a specified… (x3)

Answer 15

time, place or rate

Question 16

If severe turbulence exists, when should instructions be delayed until?

Answer 16

Until the vacating aircraft is at, or through, another level separated by the required minimum

Question 17

When shall controllers exercise caution with regards to changing levels?

Answer 17

When instructing an aircraft to climb or descend to previously occupied level (consideration given to the fact that aircraft climb and descend at different rates - particularly relevant when holding)

Question 18

What may pilots in direct communication with each other be instructed to do (at their concurrence)?

Answer 18

Maintain a specified vertical separation between eachother during climb and descent

Question 19

Controllers may authorise an aircraft to climb or descend in VMC provided… (x5)

Answer 19

1 - the manoeuvre is restricted to Class D, E, F and G airspace at or below FL100
2 - it is during the hours of daylight
3 - the aircraft is flying in VMC
4 - the pilot climbing/descending agrees to maintain their own separation from other aircraft and the manoeuvre is agreed by the pilot of the other aircraft
5 - essential traffic information is given

Question 20

What are the 3 types of horizontal separation?

Answer 20

1 - Lateral
2 - Longitudinal
3 - Separation based on ATS surveillance system information

Question 21

What does the term ‘level change’ mean?

Answer 21

That portion of the climb and descent during which the vertical separation in relation to the level of another aircraft is less than the minima

Question 22

What is ‘an exact reporting point’?

Answer 22

A position established by a navigational facility which is:
1 - overhead a VOR
2 - overhead an NDB
3 - a position notified as a reporting point and which is established by the intersection of VOR radials, or of a VOR radial and a bearing from an NDB
4 - a position established by a VOR radial combined with a range from an associated DME

Question 23

How is lateral separation achieved?

Answer 23

By requiring aircraft to fly on different tracks or in different geographical locations as determined by visual observations or navigational aids

Question 24

How is track separation established?

Answer 24

By requiring aircraft to fly on specified tracks which are separated by a minimum amount appropriate to the navaid employed

Question 25

Using a VOR and associated DME/TACAN station, both aircraft must have reported established on radials how far apart, and at what distance for diverging/converging/inbound vs outbound aircraft?

Answer 25

At least 20 degrees

Diverging - one aircraft is 15nm from DME

Converging - one aircraft is 30nm from DME

Outbound is at least 20nm from DME OR Inbound is at least 30nm from DME