(2) ATM - Radar Separation

Question 1

What types of position indications presented on a situation display can be used to provide an Approach Control Service? (8)

Answer 1

1. Vectoring of arriving traffic on to pilot interpreted final approach aids
2. Flight path monitoring of parallel ILS approaches and instruct aircraft to take appropriate action in the event of possible or actual penetrations of the no transgression zone (NTZ)
3. Vectoring of arriving traffic to a point from which a visual approach can be completed
4. Vectoring of arriving traffic to a point from which a precision radar approach or a surveillance radar approach can be made
5. Flight path monitoring of other pilot-interpreted approaches
6. Surveillance Radar Approaches (SRA)
7. Precision Radar Approaches (PAR)
8. Separation between Departing & Arriving aircraft (or both)

Question 2

What is the standard separation minimam based on ATS surveillance systems? (1)

Answer 2

Horizontal separation: 5nm

(Based on either Radar / MLAT / ADS-B)

Question 3

What distance may allow aircraft separation minimam based on ATS surveillance systems be reduced to? (2)

Answer 3

Down to 3nm - Independant / Parellel approaches

Down to 2.5nm - Various criteria

Question 4

What criteria is required to reduce aircraft separation minimam based on ATS surveillance systems be reduced to 2.5nm? (10)

Answer 4

1. Succeeding A/C be within 10nm of same App Track
2. A/C landed to vacate within 50 seconds
3. Breaking action is good (No contaminents)
4. ATS Surveillance system of:
   - Appropiate Range/ Azimouth
   - Refresh rate of 5< seconds
5. AD ATCO can monitor SMR/MLAT/SMGCS of:
   - Runway in use
   - Exits & taxiways
6. No wake turbulence involved
7. Speed control monitored / used
8. Inform A/C to expedite
9. Procedures are the AIP
10. CAA approval of systems

Question 5

What various ground-based safety nets are available to assist when using surveillance derived information? (4)

Answer 5

• STCA - Short Term Conflict Alert
• MTCD - Medium Term Conflict Detection
• RIMCAS - Runway Incursion Monitoring and Conflict Alert System
• A-SMGCS - Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System

Question 6

What is STCA? (4)

Answer 6

STCA - Short Term Conflict Alert

• Warns where the minimum separation distances between any pair of radar tracks is, or is predicted to be violated
• Short time period - 2 minutes
• Generates a visual /and aural alert on the radar display

Question 7

What is MTCD? (3)

Answer 7

MTCD - Medium Term Conflict Detection

• Flight data processing system
  designed to warn the controller of potential conflict between flights in an area of responsibility up to 20 minutes ahead
• Generates a visual /and aural alert on a separate display

Question 8

What functions are available within MTCD? (4)

Answer 8

1. Trajectory prediction
2. Conflict detection
3. Trajectory update
4. Trajectory edition

Question 9

What is TCT? (3)

Answer 9

TCT - Tactical Controller Tool

• Looks ahead up to 5-8 minutes
• Used as conflict resolution and clearance verification tool (informs if the current clearance results in a breach)

Question 10

MTCD “What if”” tool diagram

Answer 10