ABES Flashcards
What are symptoms of an emergency situation or unlawful interference?
- Radio contact not established at the time it is expected to be established
- Radio contact lost
- Pilot reports a malfunction of aircraft or unusual behavior of person on board
- Erratic behaviour of an aircraft or position symbol
- Aircraft Overdue at aerodrome
- Pilot reports the aircraft is short of fuel
If a pilot indicates an emergency situation, what should a controller do?
Ask if the pilot wishes to declare an emergency, and if not specified, the class of emergency being declared
What is ‘Distress’?
The condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and requiring immediate assistance
What is ‘Urgency’?
A condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight, but does not require immediate assistance
What should a Distress message start with?
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
What should an urgency message start with?
Pan pan, Pan pan, Pan pan
What information should be contained with an emergency message?
- Class of emergency (Distress or Urgency)
- Identification of the aircraft
- Nature of the emergency
- Intentions - position, level, heading
- Qualifications of the pilot (Student, IMC, IR etc)
- As much information as time permits
If a pilot does not wish to declare an emergency, what may a controller do anyway?
Carry out the necessary actions as if a pilot had declared an emergency, if appropriate
What meaning does ‘Fuel emergency’ have?
None in the UK. No priority is required to be given unless an emergency is declared
What are the three main emergency transponder codes?
7700 - Aircraft emergency
7600 - Radio failure
7500 - Hijack or other act of violence
When should a controller retain control of an aircraft in an emergency?
If the controller can offer immediate assistance.
Other aircraft should be transferred to another frequency, or radio silence imposed, or the emergency aircraft may be transferred to another frequency
If a controller believes that another unit may be able to offer more assistance, what should they do?
- Consult the ACC supervisor and transfer according to their instructions
- Alert the nearest suitable unit and transfer the aircraft to a common frequency, giving assistance as required
What are the terms ‘Executive Control’ and ‘Operational Control’?
Terms used by D&D wrt aircraft in an emergency. D&D may delegate operational control, but will retain executive control
What limitations to D&D have?
- May have poor low level coverage, may require to initiate early/high handovers
- Little or no local knowledge, including of MSA
- Poor low level RTF coverage. Relays may be required
What should a controller do if they intercept a message from an aircraft that indicates that it is in an emergency?
- If possible, obtain a VDF bearing and pass it to the station being called.
- Continue to listen out until the aircraft is in 2-way comms with intended unit
- If it appears that the message isn’t being responded to, forward the message to the unit or the ACC supervisor, attempting to establish 2-way comms with the aircraft, give any assistance possible to the aircraft
In the event of a forced landing, who should a controller contact?
- ACC supervisor to notify local emergency services, even if the aircraft is within the radius of responsibility of Aerodrome Fire Service.
What are the actions a controller should take to assist a pilot in an emergency? (not exhaustive, nor in priority order)
- Inform emergency services
- Advise of nearest suitable aerodrome (ACC supervisor can assist). Notify that aerodrome and others on track.
- Plot position and subsequent track
- Ensure an uninterrupted approach
- Consider an emergency descent. Prompt to squawk 7700 if not doing so already. Aircraft may change heading without notice to enable. Controller should ensure separation where able and issue traffic information as appropriate. Emergency broadcast message: “ Attention all aircraft in the vicinity of (airfield), emergency descent in progress from FLXX to FL XX, standby for instructions”.
- Inform ACC supervisor
- Separate/ inform other aircraft
- Inform aircraft operator. The operator may request the aircraft divert to another aerodrome.
- Be aware of the boundaries of major towns and cities, associated handling difficulties and maneuvering limitations
- Be aware of possible dangerous goods. Inform ATSU of intended landing immediately, AFS and Aerodrome operator. If military, call D&D.
What are the rules regarding fuel jettisoning?
- Decision rests solely with pilot
- Recommended above 10,000ft AGL.
- If not possible above 10,000ft or over water, 7000ft in winter or 4000ft in summer.
- Maintain at least 1000ft vertical separation between aircraft
- Adjacent ATSUs informed.
What considerations should there be for an emergency overweight landing?
- May affect rate of descent on approach.
- Additional braking may be required (possible risk of hot brakes/wheel fire)
- Likely full length of rwy required
What phrase would be used by a pilot deplying a Ballistic recovery system?
“Ballistic recovery system deployed”
To be treated similar to engine failure/forced landing. If a recovery system has activated but failed to operate, RFFS/emergency services to be informed.
What is a strayed aircraft?
An aircraft which has deviated significantly from its intended track or which reports that it is lost
What is an unidentified aircraft?
An aircraft which has been observed or reported to be operating in a given area but whose identity has not bee established.
What actions should a controller take in the event of becoming aware of a strayed aircraft?
- Attempt to establish 2-way communications, and inform the pilot of his position
- Inform other ATS units into whose area the aircraft has strayed or may stray
- Request assistance from D&D, other ATS units or other aircraft in establishing communication
- Notify the ACC supervisor in the event of unlawful interference
What should a controller do if a pilot reports they are lost?
- Treat estimated position reports with caution
Use ATS surveillance equipment and VDF to attempt to locate the aircraft - Advise to climb if comms are poor or aircraft flying at low level and aircraft suspected below surveillance coverage. Take into account flight conditions, terrain, airspace. If unable to climb, warn of potential hazards in area
- request assistance from other ATS units in determining the aircraft position, inc VDF bearings
- Inform D&D
- Notify ACC supervisor