Handoffs/Point-outs Flashcards
Define Handoff
An action taken to transfer radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another controller if the aircraft will enter the receiving controller’s airspaces and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred
Define Radar Contact
The phrase used to inform the controller initiating the handoff that the aircraft is identified and approval is granted for the aircraft to enter the receiving controller’s airspace
Define Point Out
A physical or automated action taken by a controller to transfer radar identification of an aircraft to another controller if the aircraft will or may enter the airspace of protected airspace of another controller and radio communications will not be
transferred
Define Point Out Approved
The phrase used to inform the controller initiating a point out that the aircraft is identified and that approval is granted for the aircraft to enter the receiving controller’s airspace, as coordinated, without a communications transfer or the
appropriate automated system response
Define Traffic
- The term used to transfer radar identification of an aircraft to another controller for the purpose of coordinating separation action
- Traffic is normally issued in: response to a handoff or point out, anticipation of a hand off or point out, conjunction with a request for control of an aircraft
Define Traffic Observed
The phrase used to inform the controller issuing the traffic
restrictions that the traffic is identified and the restrictions issued are understood and will be complied with
In what situation would a point out be more beneficial that a hand off?
When the aircraft will only go into the other controller’s airspace from a short time or distance
In what type of situation would a receiving controller want to have communication with an aircraft when a point out is attempted?
When traffic is present and it presents a conflict (separation or busy traffic is involved)
In what order do you relay information to the receiving controller when making a hand off or point out or issuing a traffic restriction?
- The target position relative to a fix, map symbol or radar target which is displayed by both the receiving and transferring controller (mileage from the reference point may be omitted when relaying the position of a target if a FDB associated with the target has been forced on the receiving controller display)
- Aircraft ID (call sign and or discrete beacon code during interfacility point outs…both are required)
- Altitude information, except when inter/intra facility directives ensure that the altitude information will be known by the receiving controller (assigned altitude, appropriate restrictions, or information that aircraft is climbing or descending) during inter facility point outs include mode C information
When doubt exists as to target identification what should be done?
Use more than one method
If identification is questionable for any reason, take immediate action to:
Re-identify the aircraft or terminate radar service
How is an aircraft identified during an inter facility handoff?
Call sign and beacon code
When must the handoff be completed by?
Before the aircraft enters the receiving controller’s airspace
After initiating a handoff, you must obtain the receiving controllers approval before making changes to the aircrafts…
Flight path, altitude, or data block information unless otherwise
specified by an LOA or FD
What must be done prior to transferring communication?
• Resolve potential airspace violations and aircraft conflicts
• Coordinate with all controllers through whose airspace the aircraft will pass before entering the receiving controller’s airspace
• Relay any restrictions issued to ensure separation to the
receiving controller
___with restrictions issued by the receiving controller.
Comply
Transfer communication when?
The handoff has been accepted and before the aircraft enters the receiving controllers airspace unless otherwise coordinated
Advise the receiving controller of what pertinent information not contained in the data block for flight progress strip unless covered in an LOA or FD?
Assigned heading, speed restrictions, altitude information
issued, observed track or deviation from the last route clearance, revised beacon code, any other pertinent information.
Ensure that data block is associated with this appropriate ____.
Target
What must be done when you use the automated hand off function on primary or non discrete beacon codes?
Verbally coordinate to verify the position except from intra facility handoffs and between ERAM sectors
What must be done when CST, FAIL, or NONE is displayed in the data block?
Initiate verbal coordination before transferring control of a track
What must the transferring controller advise the receiving controller if the aircraft is on a direct route initiated by ATC that exceeds NAVAID distances?
That radar monitoring is required
When would you issue restrictions to the receiving controller?
When it is necessary to maintain separation from other aircraft with in your area before releasing control
When is a hand off complete?
When the receiving controller acknowledges receipt verbally or accepts an automated hand off
Radar hand off completed is signified by?
R circled
What must you do before accepting a hand off?
Ensure the target position corresponds with the position given by the transferring controller or that there is an appropriate association between an automated data block and the target being transferred and issue necessary restrictions before accepting the hand off
Comply with the restrictions issued by the transferring controller unless…?
Otherwise coordinated
Obtain approval from the transferring controller and or any intervening controller through whose area the aircraft will pass before changing the aircrafts…?
Heading or route, altitude, speed, or beacon code
After accepting a hand off, confirm the identity of_____?
- A primary target by advising the aircraft of its position
* Beacon target by observing a code change, an ident reply, or a standby squawk
Consider a beacon targets identity to be confirmed when?
- The associated data block indicates the computer assigned code is being received
- You observer the deletion of a discrete code that was displayed in your data black
- You observe a numeric display of a discrete code that an aircraft has been instructed to squawk or report squawking
When must you initiate verbal coordination prior to accepting control of a track?
When the data block displays CST, NONE, OLD, DATA, or MISM (MISM notify sup)
What must you do if accepting a hand off that you will delay the climb or the descent of an aircraft through the vertical limits of their airspace?
Advise the transferring controller before accepting the hand off unless covered in an LOA or FD (you now also have coordination responsibility with any controller whose airspace is affected by the delay unless covered in an LOA or FD)
When must the radar associate controller coordinate with the radar controller after accepting a handoff or point out?
Immediately
Must you always transfer communications on an aircraft before it enters the receiving controllers airspace?
No, not if it is coordinated
What are specific responsibilities assigned to each position?
To ensure all necessary tasks and duties are performed
Hand off Phraseology.
HANDOFF (position, A/C ID, altitude, restrictions and other
appropriate information if applicable)
How does the transferring controller “force” a data block on the receiving controllers display and how does the receiving controller accept it?
Computer entry
What is done if the receiving controller cannot accept an automated handoff?
Receiving controller makes interphone connection and advises the transferring controller necessary restrictions or states unable
In a handoff or what can be done instead of stating the aircrafts position?
The transferring controller may physically point to the target on the receiving controller display and makes the hand off
Obtain verbal approval before allowing an aircraft to enter the receiving controllers_____?
Delegated airspace or protected airspace (2.5 miles)
Between ERAM facilities ______ the data block on the receiving controller display for a ____.
Force/point out
After the point out has been approved, obtain the receiving controllers approval before what?
Making any changes to the aircrafts flight path, altitude, or data block information
After a point out it is your responsibility to….?
Make subsequent hand offs and communications transfer as well as data revisions and coordination unless otherwise agreed to by the receiving controller
What must be ensured before approving a point out?
The targets position corresponds with the position given by the transferring controller or association exists between a computer data block and the target being transferred, issue restrictions necessary to provide separation from other aircraft within the receiving controllers area of jurisdiction
After approving a point out, what is the receiving controller’s responsibility?
The receiving controller is responsible for separation between point out aircraft and other aircraft for which he/she has separation responsibility
What must be stated by the receiving controller to the controller initiating the point out if communications transfer is needed for control purposes?
RADAR CONTACT
Point out Phraseology
POINT OUT (position, A/C ID, Altitude, restrictions, and other appropriate information if applicable)
What is a physical point out?
Transferring controller physically points to the target on the
receiving controllers display and makes a point out
What should be done when issuing traffic on a point out?
Controller issuing traffic shall provide appropriate restrictions and she force the data block of the traffic to the other controllers display when the point out is between ERAM facilities
After the traffic is accepted, who is responsible for separation?
The controller accepting restriction shall be responsible to
ensure approved separation is maintained
How would you advise a controller initiating a point out that you are assuming track control of the aircraft and that communication should be transferred?
Radar Contact
What are the four ways to transfer radar identification for hand offs?
Physically point, interphone (manual), automated (controller
generated), automatic (computer generated)
In general when can you transfer radar identification, altitude control, and/or en route fourth line control information without verbal coordination?
During radar handoff, via information displayed in full data
blocks, within the same facility (except as provided in the .65) inter facility automated information transfer, and when following procedures specified in your facility automated information transfer directive
During inter facility transfer of radar identification, transfer radar identification without verbal coordination when?
During radar hand off, via information displayed in full data
blocks, on aircraft at assigned altitude in level flight, only the first sector within the receiving facility shall utilize the procedure, when following procedures specified in your facility AIT directive and LOA
What information can be forwarded in the fourth line of the data block?
Only specified control information listed in the .65, any additional control information shall be forwarded via other communication methods
What is the rule for fourth line data between sector teams?
May be used for recording any additional information the team deem appropriate from managing the sector but shall be removed prior to initiation of identification transfer (headings, speeds or deviations)
The acceptance of a handoff by the receiving controller shall constitute approval of_____?
- The information contained within the en route fourth line data block
- It is the responsibility of the receiving controller to advise the transferring controller if any information is not understood or need to be revised
- All other information shall be coordinated via other methods
