Emergencies: Overdue Aircraft Flashcards
Does Overdue Action only apply to aircraft that have filed flight plans?
Negative, if at any stage of a flight the pilot has made their intentions clear & subsequently does not arrive / report when expected, ATCOs should seriously consider taking overdue action.
What may help an ATCO when considering whether to take overdue action?
- Type of Aircraft: Strict adherence to the flight plan cannot always be expected of a non-radio light aircraft.
- Route: Need for prompt action if the route is over sparsely populated areas, mountainous country, long stretches of water etc
- Weather: The pilot of a non-radio aircraft might well be expected to extend their flight time by deviating from their planned route to avoid bad weather.
What is the Preliminary Action taken at Aerodromes for overdue non-radio aircraft?
The following shall be commenced not later than 30 minutes after ETA;
* Check flight plan for obvious errors in compilation / transmission
* Consult operating company / representative if available
* Confirm ATD with aerodrome of departure using the quickest means of communication
* Inform & in co-ordination with the ACC supervisor;
1. Check with alternate aerodromes
2. Send RQS message
3. Check with any likely aerodromes on & adjacent to the proposed route of the aircraft.
What is the Full Overdue Action taken at Aerodromes for non-radio aircraft?
The following shall be commenced not later than 1 hour after ETA;
* Notify the parent ACC that the aircraft is now fully overdue & state the action already taken
* In consultation with the ACC supervisor, continue endeavours to trace the aircraft e.g. notify local police or any other appropriate bodies to be on the lookout for the aircraft if it assumed that it has made a forced landing in a particular area.
What is the Preliminary Action taken at Aerodromes for radio equipped aircraft?
If an aircraft fails to make a position report when expected, the following shall be commenced not later than the estimated time + 30 mins;
* Advise ACC supervisor that the aircraft is overdue
* Confirm ATD from departure aerodrome by quickest possible means
* Ensure that an RQS message is sent
What is the Full Overdue Action taken at Aerodromes for radio equipped aircraft?
If, after the preliminary action no news is received, or 1 hour has elapsed since a position report should have been received, or the fuel carried by the aircraft is considered to be exhausted (whichever is sooner), the ATCO at the destination aerodrome shall inform the ACC supervisor that the aircraft is fully overdue.
What is the overdue action taken at aerodromes when an aircraft cleared for an approach does not appear?
If an aircraft which has been cleared to commence approach fails to land within 5 minutes of the estimated time of landing & communication cannot be established;
* Alert Approach Surveillance Control where available
* Request other aircraft flying in the vicinity of the aircraft’s last known position to be on the lookout
* Exercise caution when authorising the movement of aerodrome traffic
* Alert the emergency services in accordance with MATS2
* Check with other aerodromes in vicinity
* If necessary, send RQS message
* Advise ACC supervisor
