General 3 Separation Flashcards
Between which aircraft shall standard vertical or horizontal separation be applied?
(1) all flights in Class A airspace
(2) IFR flights in Class C, D and E airspace
(3) IFR flights and VFR flights in Class C airspace
(4) IFR flights and SVFR flights
(5) SVFR flights, except where a reduction is authorised by the CAA
Who is responsible for separation in Class G airspace?
The pilot, however, when providing a Deconfliction Service or a Procedural Service, controllers will provide information and advice aimed at achieving defined deconfliction minima.
When shall separation standards be increased?
Separation standards are minima and shall be increased when
(1) requested by the pilot
(2) a controller considers it necessary
(3) directed by the CAA
When may standard separation be reduced in the vicinity of the aerodrome?
In the vicinity of aerodromes, the standard separation minima may be reduced if:
(1) Adequate separation can be provided by the aerodrome controller when each aircraft is continuously visible to this controller, or
(2) Each aircraft is continuously visible to the pilots of other aircraft concerned and the pilots report that they can maintain their own separation, or
(3) when one aircraft is following another, the pilot of the succeeding aircraft reports the other aircraft is in sight and can maintain their own separation.
Are SAR aircraft allowed to operate with reduced separation?
Yes. Standard separation may be reduced when a SAR aircraft is escorting an aircraft in an emergency. A minimum is not laid down in UK FIRs.
What are the ATCO actions in the event of a Loss of Separation?
(1) Use every means at their disposal to obtain the required minimum separation with the least possible delay
(2) When considered practicable, pass traffic information if an ATS surveillance service is being provided, otherwise, pass essential traffic information.
Define Essential Traffic
Essential traffic is traffic which is separated for any period by less than the specified standard separation. It is normally passed in situations when ATS surveillance systems are not available.
What information should be passed when giving Essential Traffic Information?
(1) Direction of flight of conflicting aircraft
(2) Type of conflicting aircraft
(3) Cruising level of conflicting aircraft and ETA for the reporting point, or for aircraft passing through the level of another, the ETA for the reporting point nearest to where the aircraft will cross levels
(4) Any alternative clearance
What information should be passed when giving Traffic Information?
Traffic information to aircraft shall include the following:
(1) Bearing from the aircraft in terms of the 12-hour clock, compass point if turning
(2) Distance from the aircraft in nautical miles;
(3) Direction in which the unknown aircraft is proceeding, e.g. “traffic is opposite direction/crossing left to right”, etc; and
(4) Height information when available, this may include the unverified Mode C of unknown aircraft.
What is the vertical separation minima between subsonic aircraft?
1000ft up to FL290
2000ft above FL290
But 1000ft between FL290 and FL410 in RVSM airspace
What is the vertical separation minima between supersonic and other aircraft?
2000ft up to FL450
4000ft above FL450
How are controllers to assess the vertical distance between aircraft?
By observing the Mode C responses or by obtaining level reports from pilots.
When may aircraft be instructed to change a level?
Aircraft may be instructed to change level at a specified time, place or rate.
When may an aircraft be instructed to climb or descend to a previously occupied level?
(1) Vertical separation already exists, and
(2) The vacating aircraft is proceeding to a level that will maintain vertical separation; and
(3) either:
(a) the controller observes that the vacating aircraft has left the level; or
(b) the pilot has reported vacating the level.
When should caution be exercised when clearing aircraft to previously occupied or adjacent levels?
(1) Severe Turbulence Exists
(2) Aircraft are of different performance
(3) Higher aircraft is cruise climbing
When may controllers authorise a VMC climb or descent?
Controllers may authorise an aircraft to climb or descend in VMC provided:
(1) The manoeuvre is restricted to Class D, E, F and G airspace at or below FL100
(2) It is during the hours of daylight
(3) The aircraft is flying in VMC
(4) The pilot of the aircraft climbing or descending agrees to maintain their own separation from other aircraft and the manoeuvre is agreed by the pilot of the other aircraft
(5) Essential traffic information is given
(6) In Class D airspace when surveillance services are being provided, VMC climb and descent shall only be used where authorised and in accordance with MATS Part 2
What are the three types of horizontal separation?
(1) Lateral separation
(2) Longitudinal separation
(3) Separation based on ATS surveillance system information
What does ‘level change’ mean?
‘Level change’ means that portion of the climb and descent during which the vertical separation in relation to the level of another aircraft is less than the minima.
What can an ‘exact reporting point’ be?
(1) Overhead a VOR
(2) Overhead an NDB
(3) A position notified as a reporting point and which is established by the intersection of VOR radials, or established by a VOR radial and a bearing from an NDB
(4) a position established by a VOR radial combined with a range from a colocated or associated DME
When using separation based on VOR/DME/TACAN information, should the aircraft be using the same facility?
Yes. Each aircraft must be using the same ‘on track’ VOR/DME/TACAN facility i.e. the aircraft must be flying towards or away from the same facility.
Describe how VOR/DME/TACAN Track Separation is applied
Track separation shall be established by requiring aircraft to fly on specified tracks, which are separated by a minimum amount appropriate to the navigation aid employed. Aircraft must be within the designated operational coverage of a VOR or the protected range of an NDB.
What is the required separation between diverging aircraft using the same VOR and DME/TACAN?
Both aircraft must have reported established on radials at least 20° apart and one aircraft is 15 NM from the DME/TACAN station.
What is the required separation between converging aircraft using the same VOR and DME/TACAN?
Both aircraft must have reported established on radials at least 20° apart and one aircraft is 30 NM from the DME/TACAN station.
What is the required separation between one aircraft inbound and one outbound to the same VOR and DME/TACAN?
Both aircraft must have reported established on radials at least 20° apart and the outbound aircraft is at least 20 NM OR the inbound at least 30 NM from the station.
What is the required separation between diverging aircraft using just VOR Radials?
Both aircraft must have reported established on radials at least 20° apart and one aircraft is the time equivalent of 15 NM or 4 minutes (whichever is greater) from the VOR.
OR both aircraft have passed the VOR and reported established on radials diverging by 45° or more
What is the required separation between diverging aircraft using specified tracks from the same NDB?
Both aircraft must have reported established on radials at least 30° apart and one aircraft is the time equivalent of 15 NM or 4 minutes (whichever is greater) from the NDB.
What are the rules associated with using Geographic Separation?
Geographical separation must be:
(1) Indicated by position reports over different geographical locations that have been specified in MATS Part 2 as being separated; and
(2) Constant or increasing.
