Carolyn's Bank - GENERAL

Question 1

Describe the routeing you would give an aircraft overflying the London FIR if you were the first LAC sector.

Answer 1

A fix-to-fix clearance appropriate to the route:

1) Confirm that the aircraft is cleared on their expected route
2) Ensure the aircraft is cleared to a reasonable distance, at least to the end of the next sector
3) Ensure the aircraft is following a standard route that is known by the next sector

Question 2

What is a Standing Agreement?

Answer 2

A Standing Agreement is a procedure specifying the conditions and any restrictions under which an aircraft may enter the airspace of another sector/unit without individual coordination.

Question 3

What do you understand by the term “Silent Handover”?

Answer 3

Transfer of control without radar handover, known as silent handover.

Question 4

What are the minimum and maximum rates of climb/descent (without coordination with the controller) for aircraft operating within UK controlled airspace?

Answer 4

500ft per minute minimum and 8,000ft per minute maximum. This does not apply to aircraft in emergency or in avoiding action situations. Military have their own exemptions.

Question 5

What are the levels of RVSM airspace?

Answer 5

FL290 to FL410 inclusive

Question 6

What actions and considerations should be taken when a non-RVSM aircraft is planned to operate or cross RVSM airspace?

Answer 6

If possible prevent the aircraft from flying at a Flight Level which is close to or at a sector’s Divisional Flight Level (DFL). If this is not possible then the sector working the non-RVSM aircraft should point out the aircraft to the other sector, to ensure they can take appropriate measures to ensure separation against.

Question 7

What is RNAV5?

Answer 7

RNAV-5 equipped aircraft have the ability to maintain a lateral track accuracy of -/+ 5nm for 95% of the time.

Question 8

What is RNAV1?

Answer 8

RNAV-1 equipped aircraft have the ability to maintain a lateral track accuracy of -/+ 1nm for 95% of the time.

Question 9

Briefly describe the procedure for an electronic cleared flight path.

Answer 9

CFP’s generated and sent to the planner who will point out the crossing traffic to Tactical. After Tactical agrees coordination shall click the DoF box to “incomm” the aircraft, after which the planner will then accept the CFP’s and the flight is cleared to cross. If any aircraft has any special status (NDS/Non-RVSM) this shall be accompanied by a phonecall.

Question 10

What actions and considerations should be taken into account of a complete Mode C failure on an aircraft?

Answer 10

If aircraft is unable to maintain a level, treat as an emergency.

Aircraft will lose RVSM status, so within RVSM airspace provide 2,000ft vertical or lateral separation.

Amend NAS to ensure non-RVSM status is shown

Consider loss of STCA and ACAS - transponder will not work

iFACTS will retain last known level which may increase clutter

Potential increase in workload, consider splitting sector

Question 11

What is BURT? When is it used and what should controllers be aware of during it’s use?

Answer 11

Back-Up RTF used only in the event of total failure of the main RTF system, and only as a flight safety measure, not a business continuation measure.

Should be used to move aircraft to a working frequency, cannot be cross-coupled so care must be taken when selecting frequency.

Downsides are range is worse than main channel RTF and may get interference from other transmitters at the site. Emergency use only.

Question 12

What is D&D? Which frequencies do they operate on? What services and information do they provide?

Answer 12

Distress & Diversion cell. Operate on 121.5MHz (VHF) and 243.0MHz (UHF).

Can provide instantaneous position-fixing (loss finding) of aircraft by autotriangulation as well as up to date weather/serviceability/aerodrome info/runway length for all military airfields in the London FIR.

Question 13

What is FLAS?

Answer 13

Flight Level Allocation System. Assists centres during busier periods by restricting the range of levels aircraft for certain groups/airfields can be transferred at. Helps avoid excessive workload and bunching of traffic at adjacent sectors.

Question 14

What is staling of data?

Answer 14

When a sequence of sectors is broken by a non-iFACTS sector (e.g. S28 - PC29 - S03). Any previous iFACTS inputs will still be present after the intermediate non-iFACTS sector has controlled the aircraft so caution must be used to make sure all info is either re-input or up to date.

Question 15

What is the Planners actions when a red interaction appears in the SM?

Answer 15

Any interactions at 3 minutes or less shall be probed by the planner and the Tac questioned to ensure separation is being maintained.

Question 16

May the Planner enter tactical data into the iFACTS kit?

Answer 16

In extreme situations (workstation failure, emergency, overload) the Planner may enter tactical data following consultation and agreement with the Tactical. GS shall be made aware and consider splitting or primary/support controller.

Question 17

What must be displayed on the Tactical’s display?

Answer 17

Separation Monitor (on main display and at no time obscured)
Where speed control is primary use of a separation, groundspeeds must be shown
5nm markers/scale markers
Full flight plan

Mode S and Vector Lines windows optional but recommended

Question 18

What must be displayed on the Planner’s display?

Answer 18

Separation Monitor (on main display and at no time obscured)
Offered bay
Accepted bay
Full flight plan

Mode S, Vector Lines and Flight Messages windows optional but recommended

Unless sector specific procedures exist it is optional to remove background tracks and 7000 squawks. If tracks are removed planners may wish to retain targets. On DTY background tracks must be shown.

Question 19

What is PRS? What are the conditions for using it?

Answer 19

PRS is Planned Radar Separation, planners may use it to ensure separation and a good orderly flow of traffic into the sector. Aircraft must be identified, displayed on radar, correct squawk with serviceable and verified Mode C.

PRS minima is:

1) Aircraft from the same sector can be assumed to come over separated
2) 15nm or more from different sectors if aircraft converging or crossing tracks
3) If 15nm or less from different sectors then Planner to use point out facility to Tac and agree coordination (either happy to run with it or coordinate one in at a lower level). Planner retains responsibility for separation until both aircraft are Incomm.

Question 20

What indications are there that a fallback mode is in operation and what shall the Tac and Planner do?

Answer 20

Border of workstation will change from grey to brown.

Error message will appear in top left with info of failure and the number for fallback checklist.

Inform the GS

Follow the fallback procedure in the checklist handbook next to the station.

Question 21

What is the difference between an OCT and an EAT?

Answer 21

They’re the same but an EAT is given from a hold that has AMAN/XMAN. An OCT is an arbitrary time from a hold without AMAN/XMAN and must be updated before it expires.

Question 22

Can non-RVSM aircraft fly in RVSM airspace?

Answer 22

Short answer: no.

If they go non-RVSM whilst in RVSM airspace they need to be descended out of it, unless they are state/military/medivac or manufacturer aircraft being flown for certification.

Otherwise neg-RVSM aircraft are allowed to transit RVSM airspace, just not stop off (e.g climbing to FL430).

Question 23

What are the first available levels for flight outside of RVSM airspace?

Answer 23

FL430 westbound and FL450 eastbound.