Emergencies

Question 1

What actions should taken against malicious use of lasers against aircraft?

Answer 1

• Controllers should acknowledge the report from the pilot and seek as much information regarding the incident as possible from the pilot, including:
  (a) the time of the attack;
  (b) altitude and position at the time of the attack;
  (c) description of the laser light i.e. colour, whether continuous or pulsing etc;
  (d) any avoiding action taken;
  (e) any impact upon vision / concentration.
• Anticipate the need for the pilot to adopt manoeuvres/operational techniques to minimise the impact on the aircraft.
• Dial 999, and pass all relevant information to the local police.
• Warn pilots of other aircraft in the vicinity that laser activity has been reported for up to 30mins after the incident.
• Record the details in the ATC watch log and complete an ATC Occurrence Report.

Question 2

What actions should taken against malicious use of lasers against the VCR?

Answer 2

• Look away from the laser beam if possible. Do not attempt to find the light source by staring at the laser.
• Shield eyes and consider the feasibility of lowering/raising ‘sun blinds’ to reduce the effects of the laser.
• Advise aircraft under your control that a laser is illuminating you.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes to reduce the potential for corneal abrasion.
• Consider the feasibility of increasing ambient light levels to minimise any further illumination effects.
• Consider handing over the control position to a colleague in a position not exposed to the laser.
• Dial 999 and pass all relevant information to the local police.
• Ensure the event is recorded in the ATC watch log and reported for further investigation by completing an ATC Occurrence Report.
• Guidance to ATSU staff in making a decision on whether or not to see an eye specialist following exposure to a laser beam is provided at Appendix I ‘Aviation Laser Exposure Self-Assessment (ALESA)’.

Question 3

What is the definition of an aircraft accident/aircraft accident imminent?

Answer 3

• Aircraft accidents, which have occurred or are inevitable on, or in the vicinity of, the aerodrome.

Question 4

What is the definition of an aircraft ground incident?

Answer 4

• Where an aircraft on the ground is known to have an emergency situation other than an accident, requiring the attendance of emergency services.

Question 5

What is the definition of a full emergency?

Answer 5

• When it is known that an aircraft in the air is, or is suspected to be, in such difficulties that there is a danger of an accident.

Question 6

What is the definition of a local standby?

Answer 6

• When it is known that an aircraft has, or is suspected to have, developed some defect but the trouble would not normally involve any serious difficulty in effecting a safe landing.

Question 7

What is the definition of a weather standby?

Answer 7

• When weather conditions are such as to render a landing difficult or difficult to observe, e.g. strong crosswind, poor visibility, ice or snow on the runway.

Question 8

What action is taken in the event of a non-appearance of an aircraft?

Answer 8

If an aircraft fails to land five minutes after an approach has been commenced the following action shall be taken;
- Notify the ARCC that the Alert phase exists;
- Request other aircraft in the vicinity of the last known position of the missing aircraft to look out for it; and
- Ensure that an RQS message has been sent.
- If, after this action, the position of the aircraft is unknown or its fuel is considered to be exhausted, notify the ARCC that the Distress phase exists and subsequently give all possible assistance under their direction.

Question 9

What is the emergency frequency for VHF and UHF radio and what are the emergency squawk codes?

Answer 9

• VHF: 121.5 MHz
• UHF: 243 MHz
• 7500: hijack
• 7600: radio fail
• 7700: mayday/emergency

Question 10

What are the aldis lamp signals and meanings for aircraft and vehicles on the ground?

Answer 10

• Steady green: aircraft me take off
• Flashing green: may move on the apron and manoeuvering area
• Flashing white: return to starting point on aerodrome.
• Steady red: stop.
• Pyrotechnic red: stop.
• Flashing red: move clear of the landing area.

Question 11

What are the aldis lamp signals and meanings for aircraft in the air?

Answer 11

• Steady green: cleared to land.
• Flashing green: return aerodrome await landing Clarence.
• Flashing red: do you not land, Aerodrome closed.
• Steady red: do you not land, give way and continue circling.
• Flashing white: land at this aerodrome after receipt of a steady green and proceed to apron on receipt of a flashing green.
• Pyrotechnic red: do not land, wait for permission.