GEN Chapter 2 - Operating Procedures Flashcards
For London FIR inbounds, the first LAC sector will clear aircraft to one of the following (3 things)
- A specified holding facility
- Appropriate STAR if not reported (or incorrect STAR reported)
- To leave CAS at an appropriate point
For aircraft joining CAS or overflying London FIR, the first LAC sector will issue routing containing sufficient position to… (x3)
- Confirm that the aircraft is being cleared via expected route
- Ensure that aircraft is given routing instructions to a reasonable distance in UK airspace (at least until end of next sector)
- Ensure that aircraft is following a standard route known to subsequent sectors
Who needs to agree to tactical reroutes?
The Airspace Capacity Manager (via the GS of the initiating sector)
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?
- Direct access telephone lines
- Short code dial via telephone number pad
- ATOTN dial via telephone number pad
- SIS auto-dial
- Face to face
What is a standing agreement?
A procedure specifying the conditions and any restrictions under which an aircraft may enter the airspace of another sector without individual coordination
Transfer of control of standing agreement aircraft is coincident with transfer of comms provided that… (x2)
- 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
What is the RFC/RFD procedure for standing agreement aircraft?
Aircraft are RFC/RFD provided that climb/descent will not penetrate a third sector (unless conditions say otherwise)
What is the RFT procedure?
Traffic transferred between LAC sectors on its own nav is RFT within the confines of offering sector
What is the transfer of control point for non-standing agreement traffic?
The sector boundary
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)
- Aircraft in on a standard route or specified heading
- Each flight is coordinated with TC
What must pilot report on first call to a sector and be checked before executive instruction given?
Cleared flight level
What must be effected if silent handovers are not in use?
Radar handover
What are the conditions of a silent handover (AC, PC, TC)? (x3)
- 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
What are the 2 conspicuity codes?
A7000 - VFR
A2000 - IFR
What are minimum rates of climb/descent?
Pilots must report if they anticipate ROC/ROD to be less than 500ft/min
What is the max ROC/ROD?
8000ft/min
When does an adjacent ACC need to approve a change of Mode A code?
If before the transfer of control point
What 2x transmissions need to be made when requesting an aircraft to change Mode A?
- Change squawk
- Squawk ident (in order reduce likelihood of unwanted CCDS pairings
What code is used for parachute dropping and how long should it be displayed?
0033
Displayed from 5 mins before drop until parachutists estimated to be on the ground
What is the SSR code for aircraft lost?
0030
What is the transition altitude in the London TMA?
6,000ft
When is an aircraft deemed to have infringed the base of CAS with regards to Mode C?
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)
Where vertical CAS base exists, the airspace at the base takes on what rules?
The rules of the lower airspace classification
What phraseology should be used when an SFL discrepancy is observed?
Callsign, check selected level. Cleared level is xxx
What are the possible reasons for an aircraft squawking 0000? (x3)
- 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
- Mode S radar detects an issue with Mode S information downlinked from an aircraft within area of coverage, even if Mode A/C are working correctly
What actions should a controller carry out in the event of persistent data loss? (x3)
- Request aircrew to recycle transponder
- Request aircrew to select alternative transponder equipment
- Notify adjacent sectors/units
What separation needs to be provided against aircraft with non- reliable Mode C?
2000ft if in RVSM airspace
What is RVSM separation?
1000ft between FL290 and FL410
2000ft or greater above FL410
What are eastbound/westbound levels above FL410?
FL410 - east
FL430 - west
FL450 - east
FL470 - west
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+
Does the looksee/what-if functionality consider RVSM status?
No
What rules does the STCA apply with regards to RVSM?
RVA/RVU - 1000ft in RVSM airspace
RVX/RVN - 2000ft in RVSM airspace
The adjacent ACC handling RVX aircraft shall provide what details at least 10 mins before the transfer of control point?
- Callsign
- RVSM status
- Boundary fix
- ETA for boundary fix
- Flight level
What responsibility does a sector have regarding non-RVSM aircraft operating directly above or below a division flight level within RVSM airspace?
Notifying the sector above/below to ensure lateral or 2,000ft vertical separation
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
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
What are LAC required to do with eastbound non-RVSM aircraft operating above FL410 if requiring descent through RVSM airspace?
Ensure that they are established at FL270 or below prior to transfer to Maastricht, Brest and Copenhagen
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
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
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
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
What is emergency vertical separation between two aircraft where one of the aircraft is non-RVSM approved aircraft within RVSM airspace?
1000ft
What is the RTF phraseology used to ascertain the RVSM status of a flight?
Confirm RVSM approved
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 ……
What is the squawk code for loss of RTF?
7600
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
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
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
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
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
What is the procedure for handling 8.33 state exempt (UHF equipped) aircraft?
- 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
What options are available to the GS for handling 83X or 83N aircraft? (x6)
- Obtain a suitable 25khz frequency to cross-couple with the sector frequency being used
- Obtain a suitable UHF/VHF frequency from LATCC (Mil)
- Identify a tactical re-route around the 8.33khz sector
- Arrange with Mil supervisor for transfer to Military control as GAT/OAT
- Arrange for arrival of aircraft into LAC airspace to be delayed until it can be accommodated
- Refuse entry
What is RNAV-1?
RNAV-1 equipment enables aircraft to maintain track accuracy of+-1nm for 95% of flight time
What is RNAV-5?
RNAV-5 equipment enables aircraft to maintain track accuracy of+-5nm for 95% of flight time
How is RNAV status shown in FFP?
R1 = RNAV-1
R5 = RNAV-5
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
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
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
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
