20. Separation Standards

Question 1

Separation Standards

Answer 1

Question 2

What airspace shall Vertical and Horizontal Separation be applied? (6)

Answer 2

• All flights in Class A and B airspace,
• IFR flights in Class C, D and E airspace,
• IFR & VFR flights in Class C airspace,
• IFR & SVFR,
• SVFR (as prescribed by the appropriate authority)
• between aircraft that have flight planned to operate IFR in Class F airspace. (in so far as possible)

Class G no separation is provided
(separation is the responsibility of the pilot. See and be seen.)

Question 3

When shall separation be increased? (4)

Answer 3

• Requested by the pilot,
• ATCO considers it necessary.
• Directed by the appropriate authority.
• Wake Turbulence.

Separation Standards are a MINIMA

Question 4

Exception to separation standards?

Answer 4

VMC Climb/Descent
- In Classes D & E,
- In VMC, under 10000ft (FL100)
- During the day
- Both pilots agree & in sight of each other.

Essential traffic information is passed.

Grahams explaination

Question 5

What is essential traffic information?

Answer 5

• Direction of flight of aircraft concerned.
• Type (and Wake Category if req.) of other aircraft.
  Cruising level of aircraft concerned; and
  1) ETA over the reporting pt. nearest to where the level will be crossed; or
  2) relative bearing of the aircraft concerned in terms of the 12-hour clock as well as distance from the conflicting traffic; or
  3) actual or estimated position of the aircraft concerned.

Question 6

Loss of separation - ATCO-Induced Situation (5)

Answer 6

• When the flight clearance does not provide adequate separation from other traffic and:
• Controller is aware but makes a misjudgement.
• Controller is unaware.
• A trainee Controller is being mentored and the mentor fails to intervene appropriately when the trainee allows a potentially hazardous situation to develop.
• Failure in sector or unit co-ordination.

Question 7

Loss of separations - Pilot-Induced situations (11)

Answer 7

• When a flight in controlled airspace (CAS) deviates from cleared track or level without clearance due to flight crew:
• Inattention to equipment malfunction;
• Mis-setting of aircraft equipment;
• Mismanagement of FMS inputs;
• Failure to follow ATC clearance;
• Avoiding a perceived (visual) loss of separation with
  another aircraft;
• Avoiding Weather perceived as potentially hazardous
• Inadequate TCAS resolution, i.e. failure to promptly
  resume clearance when clear of conflict may cause
  ‘chain reaction’ where secondary TCAS triggered for
  other Aircraft;
• Ineffective visual “look out” when operating VFR;
• Not flying instructed or expected speeds/ROC/ROD
  which impact on flight sequence management;
• Allows their aircraft to enter CAS without ATC
  clearance.