3.Methods of Crossing and Joining controlled airspace

Question 1

List the information to be provided by an aircraft making an in-flight request to join controlled airspace.

Answer 1

Flight data regarding aircraft requiring to cross or join airways (airspace class A-D or class E under IFR) may be obtained from flight plans or aircraft RTF in flight requests. The latter may be made direct on the appropriate sector frequency or via personnel providing a FIS at an ACC.

In-flight requests for joining will provide the following:

APLDERTD

Question 2

Apldertd

Answer 2

AIRCRAFT identification and type

Question 3

aPldertd

Answer 3

POSITION and heading

Question 4

apLdertd

Answer 4

LEVEL and flight conditions

Question 5

aplDertd

Answer 5

DEPARTURE aerodrome

Question 6

apldErtd

Answer 6

ESTIMATED time at entry point

Question 7

apldeRtd

Answer 7

ROUTE and point of first intended landing

Question 8

aplderTd

Answer 8

TRUE airspeed

Question 9

apldertD

Answer 9

DESIRED level on airway

Question 10

Under what circumstances does receipt of flight plan data constitute a clearance and what should controllers do upon receipt of a request to cross controlled airspace?

Answer 10

Receipt of flight plan data does not constitute a clearance, except that when ATC has acknowledged receipt of the information from an aircraft in flight and radio failure occurs before a clearance can be transmitted, the aircraft may be expected to proceed in accordance with the flight plan. Aircraft should be given a clearance in reply to an in-flight request, but if this is not possible the aircraft are to be advised to remain outside controlled airspace, when to expect clearance and given a time check.

In considering requests for crossing or joining clearances it should be remembered that an aircraft already cleared to operate at a level within controlled airspace has prior claim to that level.