ATC

Question 1

TBFM (Time Based Flow Metering)

Answer 1

Automation to plan efficient flight trajectories from cruise to runway threshold; smart sequencing; wheels up time; call ATC Desk for >45 mins delay

Question 2

LAADR (Low Altitude Alternate Dept Routes)

Answer 2

Limited AOB FL230 (crews should not request higher); primarily for departure phase, but may be extended if beneficial; issued via ADVZY; higher fuel burn due to lower altitude; SERMN routes

Question 3

FEA (Flow Evaluation Area)

Answer 3

Line drawn across a portion of airspace to be evaluated for flow restrictions; may become an FCA

Question 4

FCA (Flow Constrained Area)

Answer 4

Line drawn across a portion of airspace; frequently used to define a re-route or AFP

Question 5

AFP (Airspace Flow Program)

Answer 5

Based on an FCA; assigns delays for crossing FCA instead of a re-route; provides option to “route out” to avoid AFP EDCT; MUST ADVISE ATC prior to routing out; GDP EDCT supersedes AFP

Question 6

Reroutes

Answer 6

Issued in ADVZY; found in Current Reroutes on ATCSCC page, Fusion ATFM; may be issued as a partial or modified string of route; must fly route between (>

Question 7

AZEZU (Offshore Radar Routes)

Answer 7

EWR to FL traffic in both directions offshore; Generally outside of published FCA/AFP; A/C must meet overwater requirements; Must file AOA FL310; PQUA in Unimatic to determine O/W capability

Question 8

ICR (Integrated Collaborative Routes)

Answer 8

ATC defines constrained airspace and determines flights that require routing around constraint (wx); Customers determine own routing in time frame provided or receive assigned re-route

Question 9

Preferred Routes (Pref)

Answer 9

Routes required between participating city pairs; Found in Route Management Tool on ATCSCC, Fusion Route Management

Question 10

National Route Program (NRP)

Answer 10

For flights operating AOA FL290 (RVSM), from a point 200nm from dept to a point 200nm from dest, utilizing a SID and STAR

Question 11

RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum)

Answer 11

FL290-410 inclusive; separation by 1,000’ vertically; non-compliant a/c may cross this airspace ONLY WITH ATC APPROVAL (must be appropriately coded on ICAO FPL)

Question 12

Playbook

Answer 12

Routes developed by ATCSCC in conjunction with ARTCCs to ensure manageable traffic flows during SWAP; issued via ADVZY; Found on ATCSCC site

Question 13

CDR (Coded Departure Route)

Answer 13

Escape routes designed to assist departing the terminal area; frequently used during times of convective weather; issued in coded form to reduce radio transmission; may only use portion to get around wx; advice on use may be provided in SWAP statement; found in ATCSCC Route Management Tool and Fusion Route Management

Question 14

UAL ADS-B Routes

Answer 14

GPS position/velocity “squitted” twice per second to track location outside radar environment; all UAL fleets are compliant; if MEL equipment issue, ATC approval required; SI/ADSB/REQUEST to send info to ATC desk for approval; PQUA in Unimatic for a/c equipment; ADS-B route in Sabre

Question 15

SWAP (Severe Weather Avoidance Plan)

Answer 15

Used to mitigate convective impacts; CDRs, Playbook routes, MIT, GS/GDP; tower changes clearance process and are obligated to ensure dept gate is open (red light/green light); dept backlogs on open gates due to MIT

Question 16

What is “file normal”?

Answer 16

Use NRP guidelines; pref routes (especially in the triangle from BOS-ORD-FL); Sabre plans are NRP compliant

Question 17

Does ATC allow any CDR?

Answer 17

ZNY typically allows any CDR during SWAP; ZAU/ZDC typically allow any NRP compliant route

Question 18

Can we file Playbook routes?

Answer 18

Yes, as long as ADVZY does not prohibit and is linked to a published SID

Question 19

UAL Route Plan

Answer 19

ATC Coords focus on departure routes to reduce DFix congestion and based on city pairs; Dispatched should fuel for longest LIKELY re-route scenario, try to avoid filing FPL until 45 mins prior, adhere to ATC Coord route guidance unless MEL/FAR issues prohibit

Question 20

Radio Numbers

Answer 20

Advise ATC Coord if radio number issued; use RPQ in Unimatic for available radio numbers

Question 21

VIP Movement

Answer 21

SI/VIP/TODAY; flights with ETA/ETD +/- 30 mins of movement must carry hold fuel; minimum of 60 mins hold fuel hub/high traffic (30 mins low traffic()

Question 22

MEDEVAC

Answer 22

Flight carrying patients/donors, organs/tissue; cargo must be time critical (blood, corneas not time critical); given ATC priority; ensure that Cpt is advised

Question 23

NORDO

Answer 23

When out of comms for >5 mins; use NOWB (or SI/OOO) in Unimatic for providing ATC frequency to flight; 2nd message sent if no contact within 5 mins of contact; contact ATC Desk/MDO is no contact in total of 10 mins

Question 24

ORD Snow Desk

Answer 24

Activated when ORD forecast to receive >= 2” of snow; staffed by UA, AA, and City; monitors field conditions/braking action; assist City in determining treatment plan; coordinate if flights have special circumstances

Question 25

Captain Retirement Flight

Answer 25

May be contacted by ALPA for retirement flight; remark in FP filing

Question 26

PAM (Planning Alert Message)

Answer 26

Alert of potential impacts to operations; MDO handles Hubs, Dispatcher handle non-hubs; PAM1 - reduction in AAR/ADR; PAM2 - diversions are probable; PAM3 - ops not conducted; PU in Unimatic to input PAM (local time); PM/xxx in Unimatic to edit (PU_(R for revise, C for cancel)xxx); PAM/ALL in Unimatic for current

Question 27

ATC Coordinator Messages

Answer 27

CDRs on/off; Coordinator workload; GDP times published; Ops plans and planning guidance; departure gate restrictions

Question 28

ICAO FPL Item 10

Answer 28

Always list standard equipment ‘S’ first (codes in DOM 8.30.6); certain items must be removed if MEL impacts (W for RVSM); use ICAO FPL QRG (DV, DBB, Dispatch Center Ref Links); ‘R’ if PBN equipped with addl details in Item 18

Question 29

ICAO FPL Item 18

Answer 29

STS/ special handling (MEDEVAC, NONRVSM, HUM); PBN/ performance based navigation (RNAV/RNP); SUR/ surveillance (ADS-B or Required Surveillance Performance); SEL/ SELCAL code (find with PQUA Unimatic); RMK/ (NRP, DVRSN, TMU APVD, ADSB RTE)