ACC PROCEDURES PPT Flashcards
Advisory Airspace
An airspace of defined dimensions, or designated route, within which air traffic advisory service is available
Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS)
An aircraft system based on secondary surveillance radar SSR transponder signals which operate independently of ground-based equipment to provide advice to the pilot on potential conflicting aircraft that are equipped with SSR transponders.
Air Traffic Control service
service provided for the purpose of:
a) preventing collisions:
1) between aircraft, and
2) on the maneuvering area between aircraft and obstructions; and
b) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic.
Airway
A control area or portion thereof established in the form of a corridor
Altitude
The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point, measured from mean sea level (MSL).
Area Control Center (ACC)
A unit established to provide air traffic control service to controlled flights in control areas under its jurisdiction
Area Control Service
Air traffic control service for controlled flights in control areas
Clearance Limit
The point to which an aircraft is granted an air traffic control clearance
Controlled airspace
An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided in accordance with the airspace classification
Cruise climb
An aeroplane cruising technique resulting in a net increase in altitude as the aeroplane mass decreases
Cruising level
A level maintained during a significant portion of a flight
Flight Information Region (FIR)
An airspace of defined dimensions within which flight information service and alerting service are provided.
Reporting point
A specified geographical location in relation to which the position of an aircraft can be reported
Significant point
A specified geographical location used in defining an ATS route or the flight path of an aircraft and for other navigation and ATS purposes
Special VFR flight
A VFR flight cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions below VMC
Terminal control area (TMA)
A control area normally established at the confluence of ATS routes in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes.
Traffic information
Information issued by an air traffic services unit to alert a pilot to other known or observed air traffic which may be in proximity to the position or intended route of flight and to help the pilot avoid a collision.
Transfer of control point
A defined point located along the flight path of an aircraft, at which the responsibility for providing air traffic control service to the aircraft is transferred from one control unit or control position to the next.
Area control service shall be provided by:
a. by an area control center (ACC) or;
b. the unit providing approach control service in a control area of limited extent which is designated primarily for the provision of approach control service
Approach control service shall be provided by:
a. by an aerodrome control tower or an ACC.
b. by an approach control unit, when it is necessary or desirable to establish a separate unit
Aerodrome control service shall be provided by
an aerodrome control tower
Flight information service and alerting service shall be provided as follows:
a. within a FIR: by a flight information center,
b. within controlled airspace and at controlled aerodromes: by the relevant ATC units.
Approach control service shall be responsible for the control of
a. arriving aircraft that have been released to it by the ACC;
b. departing aircraft until such aircraft are released to the ACC
responsibility for the control of an aircraft shall be transferred from a unit providing area control service in a control area to the unit providing area control service in an adjacent control area
a. at the time of crossing the common control area boundary as estimated by the ACC having control of the aircraft;
b. or at such other point, level or time as has been agreed between the two units
responsibility for the control of an aircraft shall be transferred from one control sector/position to another control sector/position within the same ATC unit at
at a point, level or time, as specified in local instructions
When initial portion of a flight will be uncontrolled, and that the
subsequent portion will be subject to ATC
aircraft shall obtain its clearance from the ATC unit in whose area controlled flight will be commenced
When first portion of a flight will be subject to ATC, and that the subsequent will be uncontrolled
aircraft shall be cleared to the point at which the controlled flight terminates
When an aircraft files, at the departure aerodrome, flight plans for the various stages of flight through intermediate stops,
the initial clearance limit will be the first destination aerodrome and new clearances shall be issued for each subsequent portion of flight
Clearances shall contain the following in the order listed
a. aircraft identification;
b. clearance limit;
c. route of flight;
d. level(s) of flight for the entire route or part thereof and changes of levels if required;
e. any necessary instructions or information
A clearance limit shall be described by specifying the name of the
a. appropriate significant point, or;
b. aerodrome, or;
c. controlled airspace boundary
Route of Flight
a. The route of flight shall be detailed in each clearance when deemed necessary.
b. “cleared flight planned route” – maybe used if identical to that filed in the flight plan.
c. The phrase “cleared flight planned route” shall not be used when granting a re-clearance.
Read-back of Clearances
The following items shall always be read back
a. ATC route clearances;
b. clearances and instructions to enter, land on, take off from, hold short of, cross, taxi and backtrack on any runway; and
c. runway-in-use, altimeter settings, SSR codes, level instructions, heading and speed instructions and transition levels
clearances or instructions, including conditional clearances,
shall be read back or acknowledged
controller shall listen to the read-back to ascertain that the
clearance or instruction has been correctly acknowledged by the flight crew
shall take immediate action to correct any discrepancies revealed by the read-back
At levels at or above FL 250, speed adjustments should be
expressed in multiples of 0.01 Mach
At levels below FL 250, speed adjustments should be
in multiples of 10 kt based on indicated airspeed (IAS).
In order to establish a desired spacing between two or more successive aircraft, the controller should
first reduce the speed of the last aircraft, or increase the speed of the lead aircraft, then adjust the speed(s) of the other aircraft in order
Speed reductions to less than 250 kt IAS for turbojet aircraft during initial descent from cruising level should be applied only
with the concurrence of the flight crew
An arriving aircraft may be instructed to maintain its
maximum speed”, “minimum clean speed”, or a specified speed
Instructions for an aircraft to simultaneously maintain a high rate of descent and reduce its speed should be
avoided as such maneuvers are normally not compatible.
Arriving aircraft should be permitted to operate in a
clean configuration for as long as possible
Vertical speed control may be applied between
two climbing aircraft or two descending aircraft in order to establish or maintain a specific vertical separation minimum.
Vertical speed adjustments should be limited to
establish and/or maintain a desired separation minimum
Instructions involving frequent changes of climb/descent rates should be
avoided
Change from instrument flight rules (IFR) flight to visual flight rules (VFR) flight is only acceptable when a message initiated by the pilot-in-command containing the specific expression
CANCELLING MY IFR FLIGHT
wake turbulence separation minima shall be based on a grouping of aircraft types into four categories according to the maximum certificated take-off mass as follows
a. SUPER (J) — aircraft types specified as such in ICAO Doc 8643, Aircraft Type Designators;
b. HEAVY (H) — aircraft types of 136 000 kg or more, with the exception of aircraft types listed in ICAO Doc 8643 in the SUPER (J) category;
c. MEDIUM (M) — aircraft types less than 136000 kg but more than 7 000 kg; and
d. LIGHT (L) — aircraft types of 7 000 kg or less.
flights in the vicinity of aerodromes and within terminal control areas the vertical position of aircraft shall be expressed in terms of:
a. altitudes at or below the transition altitude
b. flight levels at or above the transition level
While passing through the transition layer, vertical position shall be expressed in terms of
a. flight levels when climbing
b. altitudes when descending
For flights en-route, the vertical position of aircraft shall be expressed in terms of:
a. flight levels at or above the lowest usable flight level;
b. altitudes below the lowest usable flight level
Contents of voice position reports
a. aircraft identification;
b. position;
c. time;
d. flight level or altitude, including passing level and cleared level if not maintaining the cleared level;
e. next position and time over;
f. ensuing significant point
Contents of special air-reports
a. moderate or severe turbulence; or
b. moderate or severe icing; or
c. severe mountain wave; or
d. thunderstorms, without hail that are obscured, embedded, widespread or in squall lines
e. thunderstorms, with hail that are obscured, embedded,
widespread or in squall lines; or
f. heavy dust storm or heavy sandstorm; or
g. volcanic ash cloud; or
h. pre-eruption volcanic activity or volcanic eruption, or;
i. as of 4 November 2021,runway braking action encountered is not as good as reported
Sufficient information and data shall be presented to enable the controller to have a complete representation of the current air traffic situation.
Data to be presented shall include;
a. relevant information from flight plans;
b. position reports;
c. clearance;
d. coordination data
required flight plan and control data may be presented through the use of
a. paper flight progress strips or;
b. electronic flight progress strips,
c. by other electronic presentation forms or; d. by a combination of presentation methods
No clearance shall be given to execute any maneuver that would
reduce the spacing between two aircraft to less than the separation minimum applicable in the circumstances
Larger separations than the specified minima should be applied whenever exceptional circumstances such as
unlawful interference or navigational difficulties call for extra precautions
Where the type of separation or minimum used to separate two aircraft cannot be maintained
another type of separation or another minimum shall be established
Vertical separation is obtained by
requiring aircraft using prescribed altimeter setting procedures to operate at different levels expressed in terms of flight levels or altitudes
An aircraft may be cleared to change cruising level at a specified
specified time, place or rate
cruising levels of aircraft flying to the same destination shall be assigned in a manner that
that will be correct for an approach sequence at destination
An aircraft may be cleared to a level previously occupied by another aircraft after the latter has reported vacating it, except when
a. severe turbulence is known to exist; or
b. the higher aircraft is effecting a cruise climb; or
c. the difference in aircraft performance is such that less than the applicable separation minimum may result;
Lateral separation of aircraft is obtained by requiring operation on different routes or in different geographical locations as determined by
a. visual observation,
b. the use of navigation aids or;
c. the use of area navigation (RNAV) equipment
Transitioning into airspace where a greater lateral separation minimum applies. Lateral separation will exist when aircraft are established on specified tracks which
a. are separated by an appropriate minimum; and
b. diverge by at least 15 degrees until the applicable lateral separation minimum is established;
Longitudinal separation may be established by requiring aircraft to
a. depart at a specified time,
b. to arrive over a geographical location at a specified time,
c. or to hold over a geographical location until a specified time
Same track
the angular difference of which is less than 45 degrees or more than 315 degrees, and whose protected airspaces overlap
Reciprocal tracks
opposite tracks and intersecting
tracks or portions thereof, the angular difference of which is more than 135 degrees but less than 225 degrees, and whose protected airspaces overlap
Essential traffic information shall be given to
controlled flights concerned whenever they constitute essential traffic to each other
Essential traffic information shall include
a. direction of flight of aircraft concerned;
b. type and wake turbulence category (if relevant) of aircraft concerned;
c. cruising level of aircraft concerned; and
1. estimated time over the reporting point 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
coordination and transfer of control of a flight comprise the following stages
a. notification of the flight.
b. coordination of conditions of transfer of control by the transferring ATC unit;
c. coordination, if necessary, and acceptance of conditions of transfer of control by the accepting ATC unit; and
d. the transfer of control to the accepting ATC unit or control sector
The responsibility for the control of an aircraft shall be transferred from the ATC unit to the next unit
a. at the time of crossing the common control area boundary
b. at such other point or time as has been agreed between he two units
Accepting ATC unit shall not alter the clearance of the aircraft prior to the agreed transfer of control time or point without
without the approval of the transferring unit
If transfer of communication is used to transfer an aircraft to a receiving ATC unit, responsibility for control shall not be assumed until
the time of crossing the control area boundary
Flights departing near the FIR boundary, the transferring ATC unit shall prior to departure
forward that information to the accepting ATC unit together with a request for approval
Hold flight near the FIR boundary requiring an initial clearance, until
flight plan and control information have been forwarded together with a request for approval, and coordination effected, with the adjacent ATC unit
When boundary estimate data are to be transmitted for approval by the accepting unit, the time in respect of an aircraft not yet departed shall be based
upon the estimated time of departure (Probational estimate)
ACC may, after coordination with approach control service, release aircraft directly to aerodrome control tower if
entire approach will be made under VMC
Time of take-off shall be specified by the ACC when it is necessary to:
a. coordinate the departure with traffic not released to the unit providing approach control service; and
b. provide en-route separation between departing
aircraft following the same track
A clearance expiry time shall be specified by the ACC if
if a delayed departure would conflict with traffic not released to the unit providing approach control service
Approach control service shall keep the ACC promptly advised of pertinent data on controlled traffic such as:
a. runway(s)-in-use and expected type of instrument approach procedure;
b. lowest vacant level at the holding fix available for use by the ACC;
c. average time interval or distance between successive arrivals;
d. revision of the expected approach time issued by the ACC when time varies by 5 minutes
e. arrival times over the holding fix when these vary by 3 minutes;
f. cancellations by aircraft of IFR flight;
g. aircraft departure times;
h. all available information relating to overdue or
unreported aircraft;
i. missed approaches which may affect the ACC
ACC shall keep Approach promptly advised of
a. identification, type and point of departure of arriving aircraft;
b. estimated time and proposed level of arriving aircraft over holding fix;
c. actual time and proposed level of arriving aircraft over holding fix;
d. requested type of IFR approach procedure if different to that specified by the approach;
e. expected approach time issued;
f. when required, statement that aircraft has been
instructed to contact approach;
g. statement that an aircraft has been released to the approach;
h. anticipated delay to departing traffic due to congestion
Information on arriving aircraft shall be forwarded not less than
15 minutes before estimated time of arrival and such information shall be revised as necessary
ATS units shall ensure that the aeronautical telecommunications stations are informed regarding transfers of communications contact by aircraft.
a. identification
b. the route or destination and;
c. the expected or actual time of communications transfer
When an emergency is declared, the ATS unit should take appropriate and relevant action as follows:
a. Ascertain aircraft identification and type, the type of emergency, the intentions of the flight crew as well as the position and level of the aircraft;
b. decide upon the most appropriate type of assistance which can be rendered;
c. enlist the aid of any other ATS unit or other services;
d. provide the flight crew with any information requested such as details on suitable aerodromes, minimum safe altitudes, weather information;
e. obtain from the operator or the flight crew: number of persons on board, amount of fuel remaining, possible presence of hazardous materials and the nature thereof; and
f. notify the appropriate ATS units and authorities.
Maneuvering instructions to an aircraft experiencing engine failure
should be limited to a minimum and advise other aircraft operating in the vicinity
An aircraft known or believed to be in a state of emergency, including being subjected to unlawful interference,
shall be given priority over other aircraft
Whenever unlawful interference is known or suspected, ATS units shall;
a. promptly attend to requests by, or
b. to anticipated needs of the aircraft including requests for information relating to air navigation facilities, procedures and services along the route of flight and at any aerodrome of intended landing
c. transmit, and continue to transmit, information
pertinent to the safe conduct of the flight, without expecting a reply from the aircraft;
d. monitor and plot the progress of the flight;
e. inform appropriate ATS units
d. notify:
1. the operator or its designated representative;
2. the appropriate rescue coordination center;
3. the appropriate authority
e. relay appropriate messages, between the aircraft
and designated authorities
The ATS unit receiving the threat information shall
a. if in direct communication with the aircraft, advise the flight crew without delay;
b. if not in direct communication with the aircraft, advise the flight crew by the most expeditious means
ATS units shall not provide any advice or suggestions concerning action to be taken by the flight crew in relation to
an explosive device
Appropriate actions during emergency descent
a. broadcasting an emergency message;
b. issuing traffic information and/or instructions to aircraft affected by the descent;
c. advising the minimum flight altitude and altimeter setting for the area of operation; and
d. informing any other ATS units
ACTION BY THE PILOT OF AIRCRAFT RECEIVING EMERGENCY DESCENT BROADCAST
The pilot shall take the following actions:
a. continue according to current clearance and maintain listening watch on the frequency in use for any further instructions from the ATS unit; and
b. watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to ACAS (if equipped)
If the aircraft fails to indicate that it is able to receive and acknowledge transmissions, separation shall be maintained between the aircraft having the communication failure and other aircraft, based on the assumption that the aircraft will:
if in visual meteorological conditions
- continue to fly in VMC
- land at the nearest suitable aerodrome; and
- report its arrival to the appropriate ATC unit
If the aircraft fails to indicate that it is able to receive and acknowledge transmissions, separation shall be maintained between the aircraft having the communication failure and other aircraft, based on the assumption that the aircraft will:
b. if in instrument meteorological conditions:
- maintain speed and level for 20 minutes, thereafter adjust level and speed in accordance with the filed flight plan; or
- in surveillance environment, maintain speed and level for 7 minutes and set transponder code to 7600 or ADS-B indicates loss of air- ground communication
- when being vectored or have deviated, proceed in the most direct manner possible, to rejoin the route.
- proceed according to the current flight plan route to the appropriate designated navigation aid or fix serving the destination aerodrome and hold
- commence descent from the navigation aid or fix as close as possible to, the expected approach time last received and; acknowledged
- complete a normal instrument approach procedure as specified;
- land, if possible, within 30 minutes after the estimated time of arrival or the last acknowledged expected approach time, wholichever is later.
A VFR flight reporting that it is uncertain of its position or lost, or encountering adverse meteorological conditions
considered to be in a state of emergency and handled as such
Strayed aircraft
An aircraft which has deviated significantly from
its intended track or which reports that it is lost.
Unidentified aircraft
An aircraft which has been observed or reported to be operating in a given area but whose identity has not been established
If the strayed aircraft’s position is not known, the
air traffic services unit shall:
a. attempt to establish two-way communication
b. use all available means to determine its position;
c. inform other ATS units into whose area the aircraft may have strayed or may stray,
d. inform appropriate military units
e. request from the units and from other aircraft in flight every assistance in establishing communication with the aircraft and determining its position.
When the strayed aircraft’s position is established, the air traffic services unit shall
a. advise the aircraft of its position and corrective action to be taken; and
b. provide, as necessary, other ATS units and appropriate military units with relevant information concerning the strayed aircraft and any advice given to that aircraft.
When the strayed aircraft’s position is established, the air traffic services unit shall
a. advise the aircraft of its position and corrective action to be taken; and
b. provide, as necessary, other ATS units and appropriate military units with relevant information concerning the strayed aircraft and any advice given to that aircraft.
Unidentified aircraft. The air traffic services unit shall:
a. attempt to establish two-way communication; b. inquire of other air traffic services units within the FIR and request their assistance in establishing two-way communication.
c. inquire of air traffic services units serving the adjacent FIRs and request their assistance.
d. attempt to obtain information from other aircraft in
the area.
As soon as an air traffic services unit learns that an aircraft is being intercepted in its area of responsibility, it shall take such of the following steps
a. attempt to establish two-way communication including via121.5 MHz;
b. inform the pilot of the intercepted aircraft;
c. establish contact with the intercept control unit
maintaining two-way communication with the intercepting aircraft;
d. relay messages between the intercepting aircraft or the intercept control unit and the intercepted aircraft,
e. in close coordination with the intercept control unit take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the intercepted aircraft; and
f. inform ATS units serving adjacent FIRs if it appears that the aircraft has strayed from such adjacent FIRs
When an aircraft needs to dump fuel, the ATC unit should coordinate with the flight crew the following
a. the route to be flown, should be clear of cities and towns, preferably over water and away from areas where thunderstorms have been reported or are expected;
b. the level should be not less than 1 800 m (6 000 ft);
c. the duration of the fuel dumping
SEPARATION Fuel dumping
a. at least 19 km (10 NM) horizontally, but not behind the aircraft dumping fuel;
b. Vertical separation if behind the aircraft dumping fuel within 15minutes flying time or a distance of 93km (50NM) by:
1. at least 300 m (1 000 ft) if above the aircraft
dumping fuel; and
2. at least 900 m (3 000 ft) if below the aircraft
dumping fuel
When a pilot reports a state of minimum fuel
controller shall inform the pilot as soon as practicable of any anticipated delays or that no delays are expected
In the event of complete failure of the ground radio
equipment used for ATC, the controller shall
a. attempt to establish communication on121.5 freq.
b. inform all adjacent control positions or ATC units c. appraise such positions or units of the current traffic situation;
d. request assistance from other units,
e. instruct adjacent control positions or ATC units to hold or re-route all controlled flights
In the event that the control frequency is inadvertently blocked by an aircraft transmitter, the following additional steps should be taken:
a. attempt to identify the aircraft concerned; b. if the aircraft blocking the frequency is identified, attempts should be made to establish communication with that aircraft,
• on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz,
• by SELCAL
• through the aircraft operator’s company frequency if applicable,
• on any VHF frequency designated for air-to-air use by flight crews or
• any other communication means or, • if the aircraft is on the ground, by direct contact
When a pilot reports an ACAS resolution advisory (RA), the controller shall not attempt to modify the aircraft flight path until the pilot reports
CLEAR OF CONFLICT
