General / Misc Law stuff (Law) Flashcards
Who are ECAC, when were they founded, how many member states are there, and what is their objective?
The European Civil Aviation Conference, founded in 1955, made up of 44 member states, whose objective is to promote the continued development of a safe, efficient and sustainable European air transport system.
Who are Eurocontrol, when were they founded, and what are their two principle objectives/responsibilities?
Founded in 1960, they are a civil/military organisation representing the European arm of ICAO, and their goals are to create and maintain a Single European Sky (SES), and to bring about the implementation of the SERA (Standard European Rules of the Air).
Why is the Network Manager, and what is their main responsibility?
The Network Manager is based in Brussels, and their main responsibility is to carry out Air Traffic Flow Management, which is the practice of spacing aircraft out on approach to their destinations to make their landings easier.
Who are EASA, and what are their responsibilities?
EASA stands for the European Aviation Safety Agency, and their responsibilities are to advise Eurocontrol on drawing up SERAs, to perform safety analysis and research, authorise non-EU operators, certify aircraft and components, and approve the licenses of various air traffic services providers, including ATCOs.
What is an ANSP, and what four categories of service must they offer?
An ANSP is an Air Navigation Service Provider, and the four categories of services are: Flight Information Services, Air Traffic Advisory Services, Alerting Services, Air Traffic Control Services, which can further be subdivided into: Area Control Centers (ACC) Approach Control Units (APP) Aerodrome Control Towers (TWR)
What services do ACC, APP, FIC and TWR provide? (6 answers)
Air traffic services, communication services, surveillance services, meteorological services, aeronautical information services and navigation services.
What are the two principle types of document regarding aviation issued by the UK regulatory system?
Civil Aviation Publications (CAPs) and Aviation Information Publications (AIPs).
How are AIPs structured?
Always three parts, starting with GEN (general), followed by ERN (en-route services), and ending with AD (aerodrome services).
What are the key sections of the AIPs we, as ATCOs, should be most aware of?
GEN 1: National regulations and requirements.
ERN 5: Navigation warnings (prohibited, restricted and danger areas).
AD all of it, but particularly AD 2: Aerodromes.
What are the objectives of Air Traffic Services? 5 things.
ATS are there to:
Prevent collisions between aircraft.
Prevent collisions between aircraft and other things which aren’t aircraft.
Expidite and maintain an orderly flow of traffic.
Provide advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights.
Notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and assist such organisations as required.
In what circumstances, according to ICAO, shall a flight plan be submitted? 6 answers.
1: When operating any flight, or portion thereof, which will receive ATC services.
2: When operating any IFR flight through advisory airspace.
3: When operating a flight into or along such routes as the local competent authority deems to be advisory only airspace.
4: When operating any flight into or within an area or route requiring the co-operation of either the military or ATC units from other countries.
5: When operating a flight which will cross international borders, unless an overriding agreement exists.
6: When operating any flight which will leave the vicinity of an aerodrome at night.
At what time shall a flight plan be submitted?
No more than 120 hours before off-blocks time, at least 60 minutes before departure, and, if created or altered en-route, at least 10 minutes before the flight will enter a control area or cross an international border.
How large do discrepancies from the flight plan need to get before they must be reported?
Speeds more than 5% different from the plan must be reported, as well as timing errors of greater than 2 minutes.
What are the 5 messages which can be sent in relation to flight plans, what are their codes, and what do they mean?
DEP is the departure message, which tells the system the aircraft has departed its origin aerodrome successfully.
DLA is the delay message, which indicates that something still hasn’t moved by the point of 30 minutes after off-block time (15 minutes in Europe).
ARR is the arrival message, which is sent after the aircraft arrives at ANY aerodrome, including a diversionary aerodrome. This means the original intended aerodrome doesn’t have to keep looking out for them.
CHG is the alteration message, in which any intended changes to the flight plan must be communicated as soon as possible.
CNL is the cancellation message, if the flight is cancelled after the flight plan has been submitted.
When is an aircraft considered to be “in the vicinity” of an aerodrome?
An aircraft is in the vicinity of an aerodrome when it is in, entering or leaving an aerodrome traffic circuit. Aircraft in the vicinity of an aerodrome will observe other aerodrome traffic for the purpose of avoiding a collision.
How should clearances be formatted?
Call sign of aircraft Limit of clearance Route of flight Levels or level changes Anything else needed
When must clearances be obtained by aircraft?
Before operating any controlled flight, or portion thereof.
What is the definition of a clearance?
Clearances are defined as authorisations for aircraft to proceed under the conditions specified by an ATC unit.
What elements make up an ATS route?
A route designator, the track to or from significant points (waypoints), the distance between the significant points, the reporting requirements, and the lowest safe altitude (for IFR flights).
What elements does an ATS route designator contain, and what do they mean?
An optional prefix, such as U for Upper, K for Kopter, S for Supersonic
A basic designator, which is a letter followed by a number from 1 to 999
ATS routes all start with A, B, G, R, H, I J, V and W
RNAV routes all start with L, M, N P, Q, T, Y and Z
An additional letter, either F for advisory, or G for FIS only.
How are the designations of significant route points, waypoints, and approach/departure waypoints presented?
Significant points have 6 letter names, which should be pronounceable.
Waypoints should have 5 letter names, which should have at least 2 vowels and 2 consonants.
Approach/departure waypoints should have 2 letter, 3 number names, where the letters are constant for the whole route.
What are the definitions of a SID and a STAR?
A SID is defined as an IFR departure route linking an aerodrome or specified runway wih a specified significant point on an established ATS route, at which the en-route phase of the flight commences.
A STAR is defined as an IFR arrival route linking a significant point, normally on an ATS route, to a point called an initial approach fix from which a published instrument approach procedure can be commenced.
How are SID and STAR designators formatted? How do they differ for VFR routes?
SID and STAR designators shall consist of a basic indicator - a significant point, where either the SID ends or the STAR starts, and a validity indicator - a number from 1 to 9 to identify the route currently in use. Sometimes, a route indicator may also be required, which can be any letter except I and O. Arrival or departure shall go on the end, in plain language.
VFR routes have the same format for SIDs and STARs, but include the word “visual” at the end.
Under what circumstances shall an aircraft hold?
When reaching the limit of their clearance and having no further instructions.
When required to following a missed approach.
When traffic amount increases unexpectedly.
During marginal weather conditions (changing from one to another) at destination.
When destination is blocked/closed.
At the request of the pilot.