GEN Chapter 1 & 2 - Unit Org & Operating Procedures Flashcards
1
Q
For London FIR inbounds, the first LAC sector will clear aircraft to one of the following (3 things)
A
- A specified holding facility
- Appropriate STAR if not reported (or incorrect STAR reported)
- To leave CAS at an appropriate point
2
Q
For aircraft joining CAS or overflying London FIR, describe the routing you would give as the first LAC sector (x3)
A
- A fix to fix route clearance to confirm that the aircraft is on the expected route
- Cleared to a reasonable distance in UK airspace (at least until end of next sector)
- To ensure that aircraft is following a standard route known to the subsequent sector
3
Q
Who needs to agree to tactical reroutes?
A
The Airspace Capacity Manager (via the GS of the initiating sector)
4
Q
Within Swanwick (AC-AC and AC-TC), satisfactory 2-way speech communication to provide silent radar handover exists when one or more of what 5 things is available?
A
- Direct access telephone lines
- Short code dial via telephone number pad
- ATOTN dial via telephone number pad
- SIS auto-dial
- Face to face
5
Q
What is a standing agreement?
A
A procedure specifying the conditions and any restrictions under which an aircraft may enter the airspace of another sector without individual coordination
6
Q
What are the terms and conditions associated with standing agreements? (2x2)
A
Transfer of control of standing agreement aircraft is coincident with transfer of comms provided that…
- The receiving sector continues the flight in the same general direction and does not climb a descending aircraft, descend a climbing aircraft, or stop aircraft at an intermediate level within the offering sector
- The offering sector resolves any potential confliction within their airspace before transferring
An aircraft may enter another sector without individual coordination when it:
- is following a standard route on own nav or heading
- has been cleared to or is at an agreed level before transfer of comms
7
Q
What is the RFC/RFD procedure for standing agreement aircraft?
A
Aircraft are RFC/RFD provided that climb/descent will not penetrate a third sector (unless conditions say otherwise)
8
Q
What is the RFT procedure?
A
Traffic transferred between LAC sectors on its own nav is RFT within the confines of offering sector
9
Q
What is the transfer of control point for non-standing agreement traffic?
A
The sector boundary
10
Q
For aircraft coordinated above or below standing agreement level, the transfer of control point from AC to TC is coincident with transfer of comms provided… (x2)
A
- Aircraft in on a standard route or specified heading
- Each flight is coordinated with TC
11
Q
What must pilot report on first call to a sector and be checked before executive instruction given?
A
Cleared flight level
12
Q
What must be effected if silent handovers are not in use?
A
Radar handover
13
Q
What are the conditions of a silent handover (AC, PC, TC)? (x3)
A
- The aircraft is displaying a discrete SSR identity
- The aircraft is in the anticipated radar coverage of receiving sector
- There is satisfactory 2-way speech communication available between sectors/units
14
Q
What are the 2 conspicuity codes?
A
A7000 - VFR
A2000 - IFR
15
Q
What are minimum rates of climb/descent?
A
Pilots must report if they anticipate ROC/ROD to be less than 500ft/min
16
Q
What is the max ROC/ROD?
A
8000ft/min
17
Q
When does an adjacent ACC need to approve a change of Mode A code?
A
If before the transfer of control point
18
Q
What 2x transmissions need to be made when requesting an aircraft to change Mode A?
A
- Change squawk
- Squawk ident (in order reduce likelihood of unwanted CCDS pairings
19
Q
What code is used for parachute dropping and how long should it be displayed?
A
0033
Displayed from 5 mins before drop until parachutists estimated to be on the ground
20
Q
What is the SSR code for aircraft lost?
A
0030
21
Q
What is the transition altitude in the London TMA?
A
6,000ft
22
Q
When is an aircraft deemed to have infringed the base of CAS with regards to Mode C?
A
When it indicates 100ft or more above the base of CAS
(Aircraft may be considered to be at an assigned level if within 200ft BUT in this case the aircraft has not been assigned a level)
23
Q
Where vertical CAS base exists, the airspace at the base takes on what rules?
A
The rules of the lower airspace classification
24
Q
What phraseology should be used when an SFL discrepancy is observed?
A
Callsign, check selected level. Cleared level is xxx
25
What are the possible reasons for an aircraft squawking 0000? (x2
What happens to iFACTS pairing when this is displayed?
- Mode S or Mode A/C aircraft has a transponder fault resulting in no Mode A code being received
- Pilot has selected it as a discrete code to indicate a problem
If aircraft previously paired, this will continue. If it has not been paired, it will not be possible to pair and ifacts will use FP info, timings and BADA to produce trajectories (in this case considered primary only)
26
What actions should a controller carry out in the event of persistent aircraft data loss? (x3)
- Request aircrew to recycle transponder
- Request aircrew to select alternative transponder equipment
- Notify adjacent sectors/units
27
What separation needs to be provided against aircraft with non- reliable Mode C?
2000ft if in RVSM airspace
28
What is RVSM separation?
1000ft between FL290 and FL410
2000ft or greater above FL410
29
What are eastbound/westbound levels above FL410?
FL410 - east
FL430 - west
FL450 - east
FL470 - west
30
When does the hamburger symbol appear for RVSM non-compliant flights?
If AFL is FL245+ and the requested or filed level is FL285+ OR if the AFL is FL265+
31
Does the looksee/what-if functionality consider RVSM status?
No
32
What rules does the STCA apply with regards to RVSM?
RVA/RVU - 1000ft in RVSM airspace
RVX/RVN - 2000ft in RVSM airspace
33
The adjacent ACC handling RVX aircraft shall provide what details at least 10 mins before the transfer of control point? (x5)
- Callsign
- RVSM status
- Boundary fix
- ETA for boundary fix
- Flight level
34
What responsibility does a sector have regarding non-RVSM aircraft operating directly above or below a division flight level within RVSM airspace?
If possible prevent aircraft flying immediately above or below DFL. If not, notify the sector above/below to ensure lateral or 2,000ft vertical separation
35
What will Swanwick Mil do if requesting a CFP for a non-RVSM aircraft immediately above/below a sector DFL?
They will make the request with both sectors affected
36
What separation is required against formation flights within RVSM airspace and what should their RVSM status be shown as?
2,000ft
RVSM status should be changed to RVN in order to produce the correct indications in the tools. A field 11 message should be input stating the correct RVSM status
37
What are LAC required to do with eastbound non-RVSM aircraft operating above FL410 if requiring descent through RVSM airspace with regards to transfer to onward units?
Ensure that they are established at FL270 or below prior to transfer to Maastricht, Brest and Copenhagen
38
When turbulence is reported that may result in aircraft declaring "Unable RVSM due turbulence" what actions should ATC take?
Either:
- Provide lateral or 2,000ft separation OR
- Clear the aircraft out of RVSM airspace
And:
- Modify flight plan within NAS to ensure appropriate attention getters are displayed
- Communicate between sectors/ACCs
39
What may an OS decide to do if there are continued reports of severe turbulence within RVSM airspace that are rendering aircraft unable to comply with RVSM ops?
Suspend RVSM ops entirely or within a specific level band and/or area
40
What actions should be taken if an aircraft reports wake turbulence in RVSM airspace?
Endeavour to provide some lateral separation or increase vertical separation between aircraft concerned
41
What is emergency vertical separation between two RVSM approved aircraft within RVSM airspace and when is it used?
500ft
When the prescribed vertical separation cannot be maintained for whatever reason eg. level bust, unforeseen LOS, emergencies etc
42
What is emergency vertical separation between two aircraft where one of the aircraft is non-RVSM approved aircraft within RVSM airspace?
1000ft
43
What is the RTF phraseology used to ascertain the RVSM status of a flight?
Confirm RVSM approved
44
What is the RTF phraseology used to deny clearance into RVSM airspace?
(Callsign) Unable Clearance into RVSM
Airspace, Maintain (or Descend to, or
Climb to) Flight Level ……
45
What is the squawk code for loss of RTF?
7600
46
What separation shall be provided against aircraft squawking 7600 within RVSM airspace?
1000ft except for flights between LAC and Maastricht where 2000ft shall be provided
47
What are the 2x CPDLC systems and which is the more resilient to system errors?
ATN - Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (more resilient)
FANS - Future Air Navigation Systems
48
What are the 4x attention getters in the FFP indicating CPDLC equipage?
DLN - Not equipped
DLA - Equipped and not logged on
DLA ATN - Equipped and ATN logged on
DLA FANS - Equipped and FANS logged on
49
What are the two ways aircraft can be logged on to LAC CPDLC?
Automatically - when they are outcomm from the previous sector, London (EGTT) will be established as the current data authority (CDA)
Manually - normally on the ground before departure or approaching LAC airspace from an adjacent centre that is not CPDLC equipped
50
What are the 4x attention getters (including "none") in the FFP indicating 8.33 equipage?
None - 8.33 equipped or will not enter 8.33 airspace
83N - Not 8.33 equipped (must not enter 8.33 airspace)
83U - Status unknown - status must be ascertained and aircraft equipped in order to enter 8.33 airspace
83X - Exempt from 8.33 equipment requirements
51
What is the procedure for handling 8.33 state exempt (UHF equipped) aircraft? (x5 steps)
- GS to determine most appropriate method
- Planner of offering sector to inform planner of receiving sector of the UHF frequency to be used
- Receiving planner will select frequency on VCS panel
- Offering tac will give a 'frequency handover'
- Receiving sector will select Tx and Rx and ensure two-way comms established
- Offering sector will then deselect UHF frequency
52
What options are available to the GS for handling 83X or 83N aircraft? (x6)
1. Obtain a suitable 25khz frequency to cross-couple with the sector frequency being used
2. Obtain a suitable UHF/VHF frequency from LATCC (Mil)
3. Identify a tactical re-route around the 8.33khz sector
4. Arrange with Mil supervisor for transfer to Military control as GAT/OAT
5. Arrange for arrival of aircraft into LAC airspace to be delayed until it can be accommodated
6. Refuse entry
53
What is RNAV-1?
RNAV-1 equipment enables aircraft to maintain track accuracy of+-1nm for 95% of flight time
54
What is RNAV-5?
RNAV-5 equipment enables aircraft to maintain track accuracy of+-5nm for 95% of flight time
55
How is RNAV status shown in FFP?
R1 = RNAV-1
R5 = RNAV-5
56
What is meant by the terms jamming and spoofing?
Jamming is intentional radio interference with GNSS signals - prevents receivers locking onto satellite signals and is likely to be detected by aircrew
Spoofing is broadcasting counterfeit satellite signals to deceive GNSS receivers causing them to compute incorrect position, nav and timing data
57
What is the impact of jamming and spoofing on ATC? (x6)
- Increased number of vectors
- Increased RT to confirm navigational issues
- Unavailability of RNP approach procedures
- Unexpected minor correction of aircraft ground tracks on departure
- Loss of accuracy of ground tracks when holding
- Loss of CPDLC
58
What is the impact of jamming and spoofing on aircrew? (x7)
- Inconsistent flight guidance
- Loss or misleading surveillance system
- Loss or misleading time dependent systems
- Inconsistent/misleading aircraft position, and ground/wind speed
- Inability to use GNSS for navigation
- Inability to conduct RNAV or RNP operations
- Loss of TCAS and CPDLC
59
What is FLAS?
Flight Level Allocation Systems - designed to assist sectors during busy periods by restricting range of transfer levels available to the transferring unit. It ensures excessive workload and bunching of aircraft can be avoided
60
What are planners to ensure whenever FLAS is in operation? (x2)
- Levels at which aircraft enter AC conform to FLAS (if not offering sector informed immediately and alternative agreed)
- XFLs conform to FLAS unless prior agreement otherwise
61
What are the sector numbers for LAKES?
3, 4, 7
62
What are the sector numbers for NORTH SEA?
10, 11
63
What are the sector numbers for DOVER/LYDD?
15, 16, 17
64
What are the sector numbers for DOVER?
15, 16
65
What are the sector numbers for WORTHING?
18, 19, 20, 21, 22
66
What are the sector numbers for HURN?
19, 20, 21, 22
67
Which sectors do LAG LAKES include?
LAKES and DTY
68
Which sectors do LAG EAST include?
CLN, NORTH SEA
69
What is meant by the term “silent handover”? If on a heading or speed, how must this info be passed (x4)?
Transfer of control without a radar handover may be effected provided that:
- Aircraft is displaying discrete SSR identity
- Aircraft is in anticipated radar cover of receiving sector
Restrictions:
- When heading or speed restriction used, this info is to be passed to next sector by one of the following methods:
- Telephone before transfer
- Instructing pilot to report
- By electronic data transfer between LAC sectors
- By using CPDLC to outcomm to non-ifacts sector
70
What is staling of data and its impact?
May occur when coordination sequence of ifacts LAC sectors is broken by non-ifacts sector. When subsequent ifacts sector receives the flight it may have obsolete data if non ifacts sector has changed anything (except FL)
It may be necessary to update the ifacts clearance if true hdg, speed or nav clearance not accurate
71
Which military aircraft does the max ROC/ROD restriction not apply to? (x5)
- Aircraft in emergency
- Aircraft in receipt of avoiding action
- MOD aircraft responding to operation ADANA or an ADPF where high ROC/ROD is essential
- Research or test flight
- Exercise activity notified via ACN
72
When can max ROC/ROD restriction for military aircraft be lifted for normal ops? (x3)
- When MOD controllers determine there will be no likelihood of interaction between aircraft under their control with GAT inside CAS
- Above FL195 within allocated block of airspace where coordination has been affected with civil agency to provide at least 2000ft separation
- Aircraft in active TRA, MTA and MDA
73
What action should be taken if Mode C is observed to be unavailable or incorrect? (x4)
- Inform pilot and ask them to recycle Mode C or select alternate transponder
- If not resolved, confirm level verbally
- If relevant ask the pilot to confirm the correct pressure setting
- If not resolved, treat aircraft as non-RVSM and amend flight plan
74
What is meant by 8.33 equipped and which aircraft are required to be equipped?
- Ability to dial up 6-digit frequencies
- Mandatory for aircraft intending to fly in UK airspace
75
When is the RNAV-5 attention getter displayed at civil workstations?
Aircraft that are foreground, recognised, RSE or hooked
76
What are the main equippage symbols? (x4)
- Dot - more than one indicator
- Gear shaft - 8.33 (if N/U/X)
- 2 offset lines - RNAV 1 (when N/U)
- Hamburger - RVSM (when N/U/X)
77
What are TRAs and what are they used for? What levels?
Temporary reserved areas, used to accommodate various VFR airspace users eg. military, gliders etc
Fl195 - FL245
78
If an aircraft wished to divert to LTMA airfield, what action is to be taken? (x3)
- Establish who handling agent is, inform GS of handling agent and diversion request
- GS will coordinate with TC GS Airports
- DV message must not be input until approval received
79
What actions (x3) and considerations (x2) should be taken into account in the event of a Mode A failure?
- Allow flight to continue if safe to do so
- Notify Swanwick Mil supervisor
- Ensure coordination with adjacent ATSU
- Consider loss of STCA and TCAS
- If not already paired flight plan route used for detection (inaccurate)
80
What action should be taken in the event of a transponder failure notified before departure?
Operator should re-file as direct as possible to a suitable aerodrome where problem can be fixed
81
What considerations are there in the event of ACAS failure? ) (x2)
- Flight allowed to continue and operate for up to 10 days
- No functionality between u/s aircraft and other aircraft
82
What action should be taken if both SSR and ACAS fail during flight?
Treat as an emergency
83
What are LTMA airfields?
LL, KK, SS, GW, WU, SC, LC, MC, KB, LD
