Handoffs/Point-outs

Question 1

Define Handoff

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define Radar Contact

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Define Point Out

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Define Point Out Approved

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define Traffic

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Define Traffic Observed

Answer 6

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

Question 7

In what situation would a point out be more beneficial that a hand off?

Answer 7

When the aircraft will only go into the other controller’s airspace from a short time or distance

Question 8

In what type of situation would a receiving controller want to have communication with an aircraft when a point out is attempted?

Answer 8

When traffic is present and it presents a conflict (separation or busy traffic is involved)

Question 9

In what order do you relay information to the receiving controller when making a hand off or point out or issuing a traffic restriction?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

When doubt exists as to target identification what should be done?

Answer 10

Use more than one method

Question 11

If identification is questionable for any reason, take immediate action to:

Answer 11

Re-identify the aircraft or terminate radar service

Question 12

How is an aircraft identified during an inter facility handoff?

Answer 12

Call sign and beacon code

Question 13

When must the handoff be completed by?

Answer 13

Before the aircraft enters the receiving controller’s airspace

Question 14

After initiating a handoff, you must obtain the receiving controllers approval before making changes to the aircrafts…

Answer 14

Flight path, altitude, or data block information unless otherwise
specified by an LOA or FD

Question 15

What must be done prior to transferring communication?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

___with restrictions issued by the receiving controller.

Answer 16

Comply

Question 17

Transfer communication when?

Answer 17

The handoff has been accepted and before the aircraft enters the receiving controllers airspace unless otherwise coordinated

Question 18

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?

Answer 18

Assigned heading, speed restrictions, altitude information

issued, observed track or deviation from the last route clearance, revised beacon code, any other pertinent information.

Question 19

Ensure that data block is associated with this appropriate ____.

Answer 19

Target

Question 20

What must be done when you use the automated hand off function on primary or non discrete beacon codes?

Answer 20

Verbally coordinate to verify the position except from intra facility handoffs and between ERAM sectors

Question 21

What must be done when CST, FAIL, or NONE is displayed in the data block?

Answer 21

Initiate verbal coordination before transferring control of a track

Question 22

What must the transferring controller advise the receiving controller if the aircraft is on a direct route initiated by ATC that exceeds NAVAID distances?

Answer 22

That radar monitoring is required

Question 23

When would you issue restrictions to the receiving controller?

Answer 23

When it is necessary to maintain separation from other aircraft with in your area before releasing control

Question 24

When is a hand off complete?

Answer 24

When the receiving controller acknowledges receipt verbally or accepts an automated hand off

Question 25

Radar hand off completed is signified by?

Answer 25

R circled

Question 26

What must you do before accepting a hand off?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Comply with the restrictions issued by the transferring controller unless…?

Answer 27

Otherwise coordinated

Question 28

Obtain approval from the transferring controller and or any intervening controller through whose area the aircraft will pass before changing the aircrafts…?

Answer 28

Heading or route, altitude, speed, or beacon code

Question 29

After accepting a hand off, confirm the identity of_____?

Answer 29

• A primary target by advising the aircraft of its position

* Beacon target by observing a code change, an ident reply, or a standby squawk

Question 30

Consider a beacon targets identity to be confirmed when?

Answer 30

• 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

Question 31

When must you initiate verbal coordination prior to accepting control of a track?

Answer 31

When the data block displays CST, NONE, OLD, DATA, or MISM (MISM notify sup)

Question 32

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?

Answer 32

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)

Question 33

When must the radar associate controller coordinate with the radar controller after accepting a handoff or point out?

Answer 33

Immediately

Question 34

Must you always transfer communications on an aircraft before it enters the receiving controllers airspace?

Answer 34

No, not if it is coordinated

Question 35

What are specific responsibilities assigned to each position?

Answer 35

To ensure all necessary tasks and duties are performed

Question 36

Hand off Phraseology.

Answer 36

HANDOFF (position, A/C ID, altitude, restrictions and other

appropriate information if applicable)

Question 37

How does the transferring controller “force” a data block on the receiving controllers display and how does the receiving controller accept it?

Answer 37

Computer entry

Question 38

What is done if the receiving controller cannot accept an automated handoff?

Answer 38

Receiving controller makes interphone connection and advises the transferring controller necessary restrictions or states unable

Question 39

In a handoff or what can be done instead of stating the aircrafts position?

Answer 39

The transferring controller may physically point to the target on the receiving controller display and makes the hand off

Question 40

Obtain verbal approval before allowing an aircraft to enter the receiving controllers_____?

Answer 40

Delegated airspace or protected airspace (2.5 miles)

Question 41

Between ERAM facilities ______ the data block on the receiving controller display for a ____.

Answer 41

Force/point out

Question 42

After the point out has been approved, obtain the receiving controllers approval before what?

Answer 42

Making any changes to the aircrafts flight path, altitude, or data block information

Question 43

After a point out it is your responsibility to….?

Answer 43

Make subsequent hand offs and communications transfer as well as data revisions and coordination unless otherwise agreed to by the receiving controller

Question 44

What must be ensured before approving a point out?

Answer 44

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

Question 45

After approving a point out, what is the receiving controller’s responsibility?

Answer 45

The receiving controller is responsible for separation between point out aircraft and other aircraft for which he/she has separation responsibility

Question 46

What must be stated by the receiving controller to the controller initiating the point out if communications transfer is needed for control purposes?

Answer 46

RADAR CONTACT

Question 47

Point out Phraseology

Answer 47

POINT OUT (position, A/C ID, Altitude, restrictions, and other appropriate information if applicable)

Question 48

What is a physical point out?

Answer 48

Transferring controller physically points to the target on the
receiving controllers display and makes a point out

Question 49

What should be done when issuing traffic on a point out?

Answer 49

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

Question 50

After the traffic is accepted, who is responsible for separation?

Answer 50

The controller accepting restriction shall be responsible to

ensure approved separation is maintained

Question 51

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?

Answer 51

Radar Contact

Question 52

What are the four ways to transfer radar identification for hand offs?

Answer 52

Physically point, interphone (manual), automated (controller

generated), automatic (computer generated)

Question 53

In general when can you transfer radar identification, altitude control, and/or en route fourth line control information without verbal coordination?

Answer 53

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

Question 54

During inter facility transfer of radar identification, transfer radar identification without verbal coordination when?

Answer 54

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

Question 55

What information can be forwarded in the fourth line of the data block?

Answer 55

Only specified control information listed in the .65, any additional control information shall be forwarded via other communication methods

Question 56

What is the rule for fourth line data between sector teams?

Answer 56

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)

Question 57

The acceptance of a handoff by the receiving controller shall constitute approval of_____?

Answer 57

• 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