11. Separation Flashcards by Tayyibah Ali

How is aircraft separation governed?

Governed by internationally agreed standards.

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How is aircraft separation achieved?

by allocating aircraft different heights or by issuing headings (vectors) so that the aircraft be at the same height but minimum horizontal distance apart.

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In the LTCA, by how many miles apart horizontally can aircraft that operate under radar at the same height be?

In the London Terminal Control Area, aircraft operating under radar control must be separated by 3 nautical miles from other aircraft at the same height. If they are less than 3 miles apart they must be separated by a minimum of 1,000 feet.

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How many nautical miles apart must aircraft be outside the LTCA?

Outside of London Terminal control airspace, aircraft operating under radar control must be kept 5 nautical miles apart if they are at the same level or 1000ft vertically up to FL290. Above this, 1000ft vertical separation may continue to be provided up to FL410, subject to aircraft being suitably equipped to comply with Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) rules, other wise 2000ft should be applied.

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what is RVSM and why is it useful

NATS was at the forefront of introducing Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM). Aircraft that have had their altimeters checked to a high degree of accuracy and which can comply with other strict criteria are allowed to fly across the Atlantic track structure with only 1000 feet separation above FL290 and below FL 410. This separation standard allows many more aircraft to fly through airspace where RVSM is allowed.

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What is the primary reason why controlled airspace is provided?

To protect users (mostly commercial airliners).

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ACFT which fly into controlled airspace must be __________________ and their pilots must hold the necessary _____.

) Equipped to certain standard.

2. ) Qualifications.

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Pilots must obtain _____ to enter controlled airspace and must follow ATC instructions _____ except in __________.

) Clearance.
) Implicitly.
) Emergency Situations.

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Describe Class A airspace (4)

) It is the most strictly regulated airspace where ACFT must comply with ATC instructions at all times.
) Only IFR flight is permitted.
) ACFT are separated from all other traffic.
) Users are mainly airliners and business jets.

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Describe Class C airspace (3)

) In the UK it extends from FL195 to FL660.
) Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
) Clearance is required to enter and compliance with ATC instructions is mandatory.

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Describe Class D airspace (3)

) Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
) Clearance is required to enter and compliance with ATC instructions is mandatory.
) Control Areas around ADs are Class D and in Class D airspace, a speed limit of 250 knots applies to all ACFT below FL100.

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Describe Class E airspace (3)

) Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
) IFR traffic requires clearance to enter and compliance with ATC instruction is mandatory for separation purposes.
) VFR traffic does not require clearance to enter.

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Controlled airspace is also divided by type depending on the function it provides. These types are…(5)

) Aerodrome Control Zones.
) Aerodrome Traffic Zones.
) Control Areas.
) Terminal Control Area.
) Airways.
) Upper Air Routes (UARs)

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What is the purpose of an Aerodrome Control Zone?

To afford protection to ACFT in the immediate vicinity of aerodromes.

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What is the purpose of a Control Area and where are they situated?

They afford protection over a large area to a specified upper limit. They are situated above Aerodrome Traffic Zones (ATZ).

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Where are Terminal Control Areas normally established?

At the junction of airways in the vicinity of 1 or more aerodromes.

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An example of a Terminal Control Area is the London Terminal Control Area. It deals with arriving and departing ACFT from a number of aerodromes. Name these aerodromes. (10)

Biggin Hill, Farnborough, Gatwick, Heathrow, London City, Luton, Northolt, Southend, Stansted and other minor airfields in the London area.

What are Airways and what are their typical dimensions?

) Corridors of airspace connecting Terminal Control Areas and also link with Airways in other countries.
) They are normally 10miles wide with a base between 5000ft and 7000ft, extending up to 24500ft.

Where are Upper Air Routes situated and what are their vertical limits? Civil and Military ACFT operating above _____ are subject to a full and mandatory __________________.

) UARs sit above airspace.
) Usually FL250-FL460.
) FL245.
) Air Traffic Control service.

Describe Class G airspace (3)

) ACFT may fly when and where they like subject to a simple set of rules.
) Although there is no legal requirement to do so, many ACFT notify ATC of their presence and intentions.
) Pilots take full responsibility for their own actions although they can ask for help.

Although avoidance of other ACFT remains the responsibility of the pilot, a number of services are available in uncontrolled airspace which offer various degrees of protection. How many of these services are there and what are their names?

There are 5:

) Deconfliction Service.
) Traffic Service.
) Basic Service.
) Alerting Service.
) Procedural Service.

What is an Alerting Service?

An Alerting Service is provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding ACFT in need of search and rescue aid and assist such organisations as required.

What is a Procedural Service?

A Procedural Service is a non-radar based service in which deconfliction advice is provided against other ACFT receiving procedural service from the same controller.

Where is Shanwick Oceanic Control based?

Prestwick.

Which other countries does Shanwick Area Control share ATC responsibility with over the North Atlantic? (4)

Portugal, the USA, Canada, and Iceland.

What area over the North Atlantic is NATS responsible for?

The Eastern portion of the North Atlantic which stretches between Azores (45 degrees north) to border with Iceland (61 degrees North) and Westward towards longitude 30 degrees West.

How is voice communication maintained over the North Atlantic?

Via HF (High Frequency) radio based at Shannon in the West of Eire.

How often are position reports usually made by the pilot when over the North Atlantic?

Every 10 degrees of longitude.

How often are the North Atlantic tracks reorganised by the relevant OACC and why is this done?

Every 12 hours to accommodate as many ACFT as possible on their most economic flight path.

Which OACC is responsible for the Westbound North Atlantic Track system?

Prestwick OACC in Scotland.

The Westbound North Atlantic Track System is usually through UK Airspace between which times?

1000 and 1600.

Why are prevailing winds/jet streams taken into account when organising the North Atlantic Tracks?

So airlines can take advantage of tailwinds which are more fuel economical and gets the ACFT and passengers to their destinations quicker.

What will clearance to cross the ocean include? (4)

1. ) Track. 2. ) Flight Level. 3. ) Speed. 4. ) Any time restrictions for entry to the track structure.

How is adequate capacity for the anticipated demand for use of the North Atlantic Track system achieved?

Planners on either side of the ocean will consult with each other and coordinate as necessary with adjacent OACCs as well as domestic ATC agencies.

__________ is installed at _____ which ensures that ATCO's are able to detect and resolve _____ on oceanic tracks and issue safe _____ to participating traffic.

1. ) Modern equipment. 2. ) Prestwick. 3. ) Conflictions. 4. ) Clearances.

There are _____ tracks on the North Atlantics Track system labelled __, __, __, __ and __.

1. ) 5. | 2. ) A, B, C, D and E.

How are ACFT separated on the North Atlantic Track System? (3)

1. ) 60 Nautical Miles between ACFT on the same level. 2. ) 10 minutes between ACFT on the same level and on the same track. 3. ) 1000ft vertical separation in RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minima) airspace.

In _____ airspace, each ACFT is separated from all other ACFT to _______________.

1. ) Controlled. | 2. ) Internationally agreed standards.

How is correct separation achieved?

By allocating ACFT different heights or by issuing headings (vectors). This is so ACFT can be at the same height but a minimum horizontal distance apart. Rules vary depending on where the ACFT is flying.

How are ACFT under radar control separated in the LTCA?

They must be separated by 3 nautical miles from other ACFT at the same level. If less than this then they must be separated vertically by a MNM of 1000ft.

How are ACFT separated outside of the LTCA in UK airspace?

They must be separated by 5 nautical miles from other ACFT at the same level. If less than this then they must be separated vertically by a MNM of 1000ft up to FL290. 1000ft separation may continue after FL290 up to FL410 if the ACFT is suitably equipped to comply with RVSM. Otherwise, 2000ft should be applied after FL290.

NATS were at the forefront of introducing Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM). What is RVSM?

ACFT that have had the altimeters checked to high degree of accuracy and which can comply with other strict criteria can fly across the North Atlantic Track structure with only 1000ft separation above FL290 and below FL410. This standard allowed many more ACFT to fly through airspace where RVSM is allowed.