Crossers and Joiners

Question 1

List the information to be provided by an aircraft making an inflight request to join controlled airspace.

Answer 1

Flight data regarding aircraft requiring to cross or join airways (Airspace Class A-D or Class E under IFR) may be obtained from flight plans or aircraft RTF in-flight requests. The latter may be made direct on the appropriate sector frequency or via personnel providing a FIS at an ACC.

In-flight requests for joining will provide the following:

1) Position and heading
2) Aircraft identification and type
3) Departure aerodrome
4) Desired level on airway
5) Level and flight conditions
6) Estimated time at entry point
7) Route and point of first intended landing
8) True airspeed

Question 2

List the information to be provided by an aircraft making an inflight request to cross controlled airspace.

Answer 2

Flight data regarding aircraft requiring to cross or join airways (Airspace Class A-D or Class E under IFR) may be obtained from flight plans or aircraft RTF in-flight requests. The latter may be made direct on the appropriate sector frequency or via personnel providing a FIS at an ACC.

In-flight requests for crossing will provide the following:

1) Aircraft identification and type
2) Position and heading
3) Level and flight conditions
4) Crossing position
5) Requested crossing level and estimate for crossing position

APLCR - Apple Core

Question 3

b) Under what circumstances does receipt of flight plan data constitute a clearance and what should controllers do upon receipt of a request to cross controlled airspace?

Answer 3

Receipt of flight plan data does not constitute a clearance, except that when ATC has acknowledged receipt of the information from an aircraft in flight and radio failure occurs before a clearance can be transmitted, the aircraft may be expected to proceed in accordance with the flight plan. Aircraft should be given a clearance in reply to an in-flight request, but if this is not possible the aircraft are to be advised to remain outside controlled airspace, when to expect clearance and given a time check.

In considering requests for crossing or joining clearances it should be remembered that an aircraft already cleared to operate at a level within controlled airspace has prior claim to that level.