Approach: Approach Surveillance Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Area of Responsibility of the Approach Surveillance ATCO?
A
- A number of factors…
- ATS Surveillance System coverage
- Approval by the CAA
2
Q
What services are provided by the Approach Surveillance ATCO?
A
- Inside CAS: Radar Control Service
- Outside CAS: Procedural Service, Deconfliction Service, Traffic Service, Basic Service
3
Q
What determines the extent of the ATS Surveillance Service provided by Approach Surveillance?
A
- The type of ATS Surveillance System & operational procedures that have been approved by the CAA e.g.;
1. SRAs
2. Vectoring/sequincing to a pilot interpreted final approach aid
3. Flightpath monitoring of approaches utilising a pilot interpreted final approach aid.
4. ATS surveillance services to departing aircraft
5. ATS surveillance services to transit aircraft
4
Q
What conditions apply before an Approach Surveillance ATCO can take control of an inbound aircraft?
A
- It has been transferred to the approach surveillance ATCO by the approach ATCO
- It is the subject of a “radar release” from Area Control
5
Q
How should the Approach Surveillance ATCO deal with the Provision of Weather Info to Inbound Aircraft?
A
- Transmit asap, except when this info has already been passed by another ATCO OR when pilot indicated latest ATIS has been received.
- Whilst the aircraft remains under the jurisdiction of the approach surveillance ATCO any revised / additional info must be passed to the pilot.
6
Q
When do Approach Surveillane ATCOs provide the Altimeter Setting?
A
- Aircraft are to be given the QNH before commencing final approach.
- Aerodrome & threshold elevations shall be available on request.
*At the pilot’s request / if local procedures require, the QFE may be given
7
Q
Where would you find Obstacle Clearance Criteria?
A
- For all types of radar approaches, applicable to each runway, detailed on aerodrome approach charts.
- Pilots using altitude will carry out their own conversion to obtain an obstacle clearance altitude.
8
Q
When should Position Information be passed to pilots?
A
- At least once on each leg of the circuit.
- Position info for an aircraft making a straight-in approach iis to be passed at least once before it commences the final descnet.
*Range marks on extended runway centrelines usually indicate distance from touchdown, but range rings almost always indicate distance from th eposition of the radar aerial head.
9
Q
When Vectoring to Final Approach, what info should be passed to aircraft?
A
- Type of final approach
- Runway in use
###
- Aircraft receicing an SRA shall be given;
1. The angle of the nominal descent path / recommended descent gradient
2. Termination range
3. Obstacle clearance altitude/height
4. The procedure to be followed in the event of a rdio comms failure (if this is not published)
*This may be achieved by using the published standard phraseology for SRA in CAP413.
10
Q
How should Approach ATCOs apply Terrain Clearance?
A
- Terrain clearance is to be applied in accordance with Section 1, Chapter 6
- ATC Surveillance Minimum Altitude Charts are published in the UK AIP. They indicate the minimum altitudes available to the ATCO when vectoring arriving aircraft.
- ATCOs shall not use altitudes below those notified on SMAC except when levels are allocated in accordance with specific procedures that are approved for use within the FAVA
11
Q
How should Approach Surveillance ATCOs operate with respect to Final Approaches
A
- Unless specifically requested by a pilot / MATS2 proscribes otherwise, aircraft shall be vectored so as to be established on the FAT of an instrument approach procedure o closer than;
1. 2NM before the FAF for an ILS, VOR, SRA
2. The Intermediate Fix IF for an RNP - If it is necessary to vector an aircraft through the final approach track before subsequently joining the approach from the opposite side, the ATCO shall advise the pilot prior to the aircraft passing through the FAT.
12
Q
How do Continuous Descent Approaches work?
A
- At uits where CDA procedures are used, details of the operational procedures & the periods of use shall be included in MATS2.
- Levels shall be allocated such that pilots may intercept the glide path / final approach descent path withouth a level flight segment.
- Distance from touchdown info shall be provided when issuing descent clearance.
13
Q
How should Approach Surveillance operate Precision ILS Approaches
A
- Aircraft shall be vectored onto the ILS localiser.
- Allocated closing headings should not be greater than 45 degrees.
- The ATCO shall continue to give heading instructions until the aircraft is established on the localiser where it is judged that it will aid situational awareness.
- ATCOs shall not instruct pilots to establish on the localiser at ranges outside the DOC.
14
Q
What techniques shall an ATCO use when issuing a clearance to the pilot to descent on the ILS Glidepath?
A
- Clear the Pilot for the ILS approach only if a descent instruction has been issued to the procedure altitude published on the instrument approach chart at the FAF (2,500ft) OR a lower level permitted by the ATSMAC (1,700ft)
- Issue a conditional clearance to the pilot to descent on the ILS Glidepath once established on the localiser (DOC 10NM, 3,000ft)
- When it is necessary to ensure that an aircraft joining the ILS does NOT commence descent until specifically cleared, solely instruct the pilot to report established on the localiser & to maintain the assigned level. Subsequently, the pilot shall be;
1. Cleared for the approach
2. Cleared to descend on the glidepath
3. Given alternative level instructions
*The use of “maintain” above is to ensure separation, where required, from traffic below the level of an aircraft below the level of an aircraft joining the ILS loc.
15
Q
How should Approach Surveillance operate Non-Precision Approaches?
A
- Non-precision approaches do not incorporate ground-based electronic descent guidance e.g.; LOC only, LOC/DME, VOR, VOR/DME, NDB, NDB/DME, SRA
- Non-precision approaches rely on the pilot being in a position to gross the FAF at the published procedure altitude in order to safely complete the approach.
- ATCOs shall vector aircraft onto the final approach track at an angle not greater than 45 degrees.
- For procedures not supported by DME, ATCOs shall pass a range check before clearing the aircraft for the approach. Additional distance checks may be passed as necessary/requested.
- For procedures that ARE supported by DME, the ATCO shall pass a range check & clear the aircraft for the approach when the aircraft is established on the FAT.
16
Q
How do Approach Surveillance operate RNP Approaches?
A
- RNP utilises GNSS to provide lateral / later & vertical guidance.
- Subject to prevailing traffic & the provision of standard separation / deconfliction minima, ATCOs should normally permit aircraft to route to the Initiall Approach Fix waypoint with a descent profile that enables the aircraft to cross the IAF not below the published procedure altitude at the IAF.
- Alternatively ATCOs may vector aircraft onto the FAT on a closing heading of not more than 45 degrees to enable the aircraft to establish on the FAT no later than the Intermediate Fix.
- ATCOs should not position aircraft onto the final approach of a RNP approach close to touchdown than the IF. The positioning of an aircraft inside the IF may result in the onboard RNP equipment preventing the approach from being flown.
17
Q
How should Approach Surveillance operate Visual Approaches?
A
- The conditions under which an aircraft may be cleared for a visual approach are detailed in Chapter 1.
- When an aircraft is cleared for a visual approach the clearance must include, where appropriate, a descent restriction that will ensure that the aircraft remains within CAS.
18
Q
How should Approach Surveillance deal with VFR & SVFR Flights?
A
- When sequencing IFR flights, ATCOs shall provide sufficient info to pilots of VFR/SCFR to enable them to integrate safely into the landing sequency.
- If it is necessary for a VFR flight to be given a vector, or specific routeing instructions, the pilot shall be instructed to advice the ATCO if the routeing / vector will prevent the pilot from remaining in VMC.
- If it is necessary for a SVFR flight to be given vectors to establish in the landing sequence, ATCOs shall ensure that vectors given do not precule the responsibility for the pilot ot remain clear of cloud, with the surface in sight & clear of obstacles by visual reference to the surface.
19
Q
How does Approach Surveillance deal with Clearance to Land?
A
- They shall notify Approach/Aerodrome Control when an aircraft making a radar approach is approx 8NM from touchdown.
- If landing clearance is not received a subsequent check shall be made at 4NM.
- Clearance to land / alternative instructions received from Approach/Aerodrome shall be passed to the aircraft before it reaches a range of 2NM from touchdown.
- Where a landing clearance indicator system is installed, it shall be used for giving clearance to land / MAP.
- The indicated surface wind, passed with the landing clearance by Aerodrome Control, may be transmitted to the aircraft at the discretion of the approach surveillance ATCO.
19
Q
How does Approach Surveillance handle SRAs?
A
- SRAs may be carried out only where the ATS surveillance system & the procedure have been approved by the CAA for use at an aerodrome.
- The situation display must clearly indicate the final approach track & ranges from touchdown. If either of these fail to be indicated, the approach shall be discontinued, & the aircraft instructed to carry out a MAP if unable to continue visually.
- Aircraft making a radar approach shall be reminded on final to check their gear.
- Range at which SRAs terminate will vary according to CAA approval. *See CAP413 for phraseology
20
Q
What conditions apply to an SRA terminating at 2NM from touchdown?
A
- Advisory heights through which the aircraft should be passing to maintain the nominal glidepath, together with ranges from touchdown, shall be passed at each nautical mile.
- The pilot shall be instructed to check their minimum descent height one mile before advisory heights are discontinued.
- Advisory heights shall be discontinued at the one above the highest OCH.
21
Q
When SHALL an aircraft be instructed to carry out a missed approach?
A
- In instruction from Approach/Aerodrome Control
- When no landing clearance is received before 2nm from touchdown (or such other range agreed with Aerodrome Control)
- When it appears to be dangerously positioned on final approach.
22
Q
When is an aircraft ADVISED to carry out a missed approach?
A
- If it reaches a position from which it appears that a successful approach cannot be completed.
- If it is not visible on the situation display for any significant interval during the last 2NM of the approach
- If the position / identification of the aircraft is in doubt during any portion of the final approach.
23
Q
What shall Missed Approach Instructions include?
A
- The level to which the aircraft is to climb & if necessary, heading instructions to keep the aircraft within the missed approach area.
24
Q
What to keep in mind for Missed Approaches due to Windshear Alert?
A
- ATCOs should be prepared for aircraft to exceed the missed approach altitude & should provide TI, instructions, and advice as deemed appropriate to ensure safety.
- During suh manoeuvres, max thrust is employed & rates of climb will significantly eceed those for missed approaches executed for other reasons.
- These high rates of climb, especially when associated with a MAP which has a relatively low level-off altitude, can result in pilots exceeding their cleared level.
*Aircraft generated windshear alerts also take precedence over the annunciation of TCAS alerts.
25
Q
When a Radar Approach is Discontinued, what must the ATCO do?
A
- e.g. clutter, failure of ATS surveillance system, or associated air-ground communications, the aircraft must be informed immediately.
- If the aircraft has not commenced final approach , it is to be cleared to an appropriate facility for an alternative approach, in which case procedural separation shall be provided.
- If the aircraft has commenced final approach, the approach may be continued either visually or by using an alternative aid. Otherwise it is to be cleared for an alternative approach as above.
