General: Control of Traffic Flashcards
How many ATSUs can control a flight at one time?
1
What does an ATC clearance authorise an aircraft to do?
Proceed under conditions specified by the ATCU.
Clearances are based solely on known traffic conditions & are required for any flihgt provided with an ATCS.
What shall ATC clearances include?
- Aircraft identification
- Clearance limit
- Route
- Levels of flight
- Any necessary instructions / info on other matters such as approach/departure manoeuvres, comms at time of expiry of clearance
When shall an aircraft be cleared for the entire route to the aerodrome of first intended landing?
- If it has planned to remain within CAS throughout the flight and;
- There is reasonable assurance that prior co-ordination will be effected ahead of the passage of the aircraft.
The clearance limit for all other flights shall be the coundary of CAS.
What is a Clearance Limit?
The point to which an aircraft is granted an ATC clearance & shall be specified by naming;
* An aerodrome
* A reporting point
* A controlled airspace boundary
What must the ATCO do if they offer a direct routing / a pilot requests a direct routing?
If the direct route will take the aircraft outside the lateral / vertical boundaries of CAS, the pilot must be informed so they can decide whether to accept/decline.
What RTF must be used when a pilot’s requested route change cannot be permitted due to traffic?
The ATCO shall use the word “unable”.
What cruising level shall be allocated to flights & what should an ATCO do if this is not available?
- The cruising level in the flight plan is to be allocated.
- If not available, the nearest appropriate vacant level is to be allocated.
What cruising levels shall be assigned to IFR aircraft outside CAS?
- Levels shall be assigned in accordance with table of cruising levels. EAST = ODD etc
- Not required at or below 3,000ft
- Not required above 3,000ft when a/c are operated in conformity with levels allocated by an appropriate ATSU or in accordance with instrument approach procedures
When an amendment is made to a clearance, what must the ATCO do?
- When an amendment is made the new clearance shall be read in full & shall automatically cancel any previous clearance.
What should an ATCO do when instructed to withold a take-off clearance?
- Take reasonable steps to establish the authenticity & powers of the person giving the instruction.
What does it mean when a pilot declares “MINIMUM FUEL”.
- Indicates that no further fuel diversion options are available where the aircraft is committed to land at the pilot’s nominated aerodrome of landing with not less than “final reserve fuel”.
Final reserve fuel typically 30 mins of flight.
Are ATCOs required to provide priority to pilots of aircraft that have declared “MINIMUM FUEL”?
- No, ATCOs should respond by confirming the estimated delay, track miles from touchdown, and asking the pilot if they wish to declare an emergency.
What should the ATCOs actions be with pilots who allude to medical emergencies on board?
Ask them to confirm that they are declaring an emergency. ATCOs not required to give priority to the flight.
What are the flight priority categories?
- A: Emergency, Police Emergency, HEMS
- B: SAR, Normal Police Flights
- C: Royal Flights, Visiting Heads of State
- D: PM, Cabinet etc
- E: HEMS Positioning flights, calibration flights
- Notmal: Normal
- Z: Training & non-standard flights.
When is Transfer of Control normally achieved?
When a flight operating in accordance with the co-ordination, has reached the position / level agreed between the transferring & accepting units.
Where does Transfer of Control normally take place?
- At an agreed reporting point
- On an estimate for an FIR boundary
- At / passing an agreed level
- While the aircraft is climbing / descending to a previously agreed level, provided that the transferring ATCO has ensured that standard separation will exist between the transferred aircraft & all others for the remainder of the climb / descent.
What is Transfer of Communication?
- Transfer of control must not be confused with transfer of communication.
- Transfer of
communication may be permitted so that instructions, which become effective later,
can be issued. It is emphasised that an accepting ATC unit which is in
communication with an aircraft not having yet reached the stage of transfer of
control shall not alter the clearance without the approval of the transferring unit.
What are Expected Approach Times? (EATs)
- The time at which ATC expects that an arriving aircraft, following a delay, will leave the holding fix to complete its approach for a landing.
- EATs are based on the landing rate & are calculated according to the traffic situation. Expressed as actual times, not intervals.
When should aircraft be advised, “Delay Not Determined”?
- If, for reasons other than weather, e.g. an obstruction on the runway, the extent of
the delay is not known, aircraft are to be advised “delay not determined”. - As soon as
it is possible for aircraft to re-commence approach procedures, EATs are to be
issued. - The expression “delay not determined” is not to be used when changing runways.
How do Calculated Take Off Times impact operations?
When flow management is in force and an ATC clearance contains a CTOT the
controller at the aerodrome is to arrange the traffic so that the aircraft departs within
the tolerance specified in MATS Part 2.
How are aircraft formations considered for separation purposed?
Formations are to be considered as a single unit for separation/deconfliction
purposes provided that the formation remains within the parameters shown in the
following table;
-
Class D:
Military: 1nm & 100ft of leader.
Civilian: 0.5nm & 100ft of leader.
Both: or as agreed following prior tactical negotiation between civilian & military supervisors. -
Class G:
Military: 1nm & 100ft of leader.
Civilian: 0.5nm & 100ft of leader.
Both: or subject to tactical ATC approval, 3nm & 1,000ft.
How should squawks be allocated to formation flights?
- ATCOs should allocate a discrete code to the lead aircraft, all others should squawk “standby”.
- If the stream extends for 3NM or more, the last aircraft should be allocated the same code.
How should ATC instructions be delivered to formation flights?
- All ATC instructions & clearances shall be addressed to the formation leader.
- The leader is responsible for ensuring safe separation between aircraft comprising the formation.
For military aircraft this is known as MARSA
What are the rules of Civilian VFR formation flights in CAS?
- They may take place without NSF approval, subject to the normal airspace entry requirements.
- SVFR subject to NSF approval.
How shall ATCOs refer to formations during all co-ordination, traffic information, and handover messages?
- Clearly state the number of aircraft in a formation
- Identify the full extent of any formation of more than 1NM in length.
What should an ATCO do when a formation has been cleared to climb / descend in CAS?
ATCOs shall obtain confirmation that all elements of the formation have vacated the level in question before ATC re-allocate the previously assigned level.
What should ATCOs do when IFR formations are unable to maintain within the required parameters?
- (First the formation leader remains responsible for separation between aircraft comprising formation until standard separation has been achieved between individual aircraft & each aircraft has been identified & placed under a service)
Additionally, ATCOs shall;
* Provide other IFR traffic with essential traffic info & instructions
* If practicable, establish standard separation minima between all aircraft in the formation asap
What is a Terrain Awareness Warning System?
Terrain Awareness & Warning System (TAWS) is a generic term that captures all equipment that assists a pilot to avoid a CFIT event eg;
* Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS)
* Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)
* Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS)
When are aircraft required to carry a TAWS?
- All turbine aircraft with MCTOM of more than 5,700kg / more than 9 passenger seats.
When is a TAWS warning triggered?
A TAWS that requires the pilot to climb immediately is normally triggered when the aircraft is at / below 2,500ft AGL & typically gives a 20 second warning of a CFIT event.
What shouldn’t an ATCO do in the event of a TAWS warning?
- ATCOs should NOT dissuade a pilot from climbing their aircraft upon receipt of a TAWS warning.
- The message should be asknowledged & the appropriate pressure setting passed for confirmation.
What should ATCOs be aware of during a TAWS warning?
- TCAS RAs are temporarily suppressed.
- Only for the aircraft receiving the TAWS warning.
What is Non-Deviating Status (NDS)?
- Aircraft which have been allocated this status have operational requirement to maintain a specific track / levels or a particular route.
- It is imperative that an NDS aircraft is not moved from its pre-planned flight path because this could render it operationally ineffective.
What is Unusual Aerial Activity?
Unusual Aerial Activity (UAA) includes;
* A concentration of aircraft that is significantly greater than normal.
* Activites that may requir the issue of a Permission or an Ecemption from the ANO / RoA Regulations.
* Air Shows/Displays/Races/Competitions.
* Activities which require the establishment of a temporary ATSU.
What should ATCOs be aware of for Balloon Flights in CAS?
- Some CAS is notified for this purpose, written permission from CAA required.
- Pilots of controller balloon flights are required to comply with the same rules that apply to other aircraft & subject to normal clearances.
- In practice balloons are only able to comply with instructions from an ATC unit for changes in level.
What are Sailplane Operations?
Sailplane/Glider can refer to conventional / powered sailplanes, hang gliders, paragliders, and other craft.
Sailplanes are supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces & do not depend on an engine for free flight;
3 main types of lift used by sailplanes;
* Thermal lift caused by a column of rising air.
* Ridge (orographic) lift caused by rising air on the windward side of a slope / ridge.
* Wave lift caused by oscillations to the lee side of high ground resulting from the disturbance in the horizontal air flow caused by the high ground.
What are Police Filghts?
A flight operating under a Police Air Operator’s Certificate to facilitate police operations where immediate & rapid transportation is essential.
What flight categories are relevant to Police flying operations?
- CAT A: Police Emergency
- CAT B: Normal Ops
- CAT Z: Training
What is Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)?
A flight by a helicopter operating under a HEMS approval, the purpose of which is to facilitate emergency medical assistance, where immediate & rapid transportation is essential, by carrying medical personnel, medical supplies or ill / injured persons.
Which flight categories are relevant to HEMS operations?
- CAT A: HEMS on emergency operational tasks.
- CAT E: For aircraft positioning for purpose of HEMS duties e.g. RTB after delivering casualty to hospital. It is afforded priority over normal flights.
- Normal: when SAR aircraft do not require additional priority.
- CAT Z: Training.
What are Search & Rescue (SAR) flights?
SAR flights operate to & from incidents where a response is required for the safety of life, which might be time critical & may also involve the transportation of casualties to hospital.
What callsigns do SAR flights use?
- COASTGUARD when operated by the coastguard.
- BRITISH RESCUE when re-tasked by JRCC (can be abbreviated to RESCUE after first contact).
Which flight categories are relevant to SAR flights?
- CAT A: applies to SAR/HEMS flights when safety of life is involved.
- CAT B: applies to SAR HEMS or humanitarian flights when priority is required.
- CAT E: SAR aircraft carrying out a positioning flight following a task e.g. RTB.
- Normal: Used when SAR aircraft do not require additional priority.
- CAT Z: used for training.
