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Comms > How Do ATC Communicate? > Flashcards

How Do ATC Communicate? Flashcards

1
Q

What lines of communication do ATC use?

A
  • VHF
  • HF
  • Datalink
  • VCA
  • AIDC
  • AFTN
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2
Q

Aircraft must be equipped with radio communications systems capable of _______________ according to the __________________ and __________________.

A
  1. continuous communication
  2. flight classification
  3. airspace category
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3
Q

How is report defined in AIP?

A

‘Report’ means a mandatory radio report from an aircraft to the appropriate ATS unit.

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4
Q

How is broadcast defined in AIP?

A

A ‘Broadcast’ means a radio broadcast from an aircraft on the appropriate frequency to provide advisory traffic information to other aircraft.

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5
Q

If the pilot is unable to make contact with the air traffic service from the ground, under what circumstances may the flight taxi and take-off?

A

Provided contact is established as soon as possible after take-off and the following conditions are complied with:

(RPT, CHTR, AWK)
1. where the operator of the flight is an AOC holder, aerial work certificate holder or Part 141 certificate holder — the pilot is assured of radio contact with their operator, or a representative of their operator who has immediate access to a serviceable telephone, until contact is made with the air traffic service; or

(Other than RPT)
2. except for Part 121 operations conducted using aircraft with a MOPSC greater than 19 seats - a SARTIME for departure, that is a maximum of 30 minutes after commencing to taxi has been established with air traffic services.

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6
Q

When are HF communications required?

A

When VHF coverage does not exist (RPT, CHTR and IFR) and two-way communications with ATS are mandated.

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7
Q

Planning Chart Australia (PCA) shows areas where continuous VHF communications are expected at which altitudes?

A
  • 5000FT
  • 10000FT
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8
Q

How many HF networks is Australia divided into?

A

Six

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9
Q

How many frequencies does each domestic HF network have?

A

Three

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10
Q

How many frequencies does each international HF network have?

A

Five

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11
Q

Name the three domestic HF Networks

A
  1. NW
  2. NE
  3. Southern
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12
Q

Name the three international HF networks

A
  1. SEA - 3
  2. INO - 1
  3. SP - 6
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13
Q

Explain the monitor function of a VCS

A

Listen to a frequency, but does not allow you to transmit.

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14
Q

Explain the traffic function of a VCS

A

Allows you to send and receive on that VHF frequency. This setting is required to talk to your pilots.

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15
Q

Explain the retransmit function of a VCS

A

Will establish a retransmission network when you have control of multiple VHF frequencies. Pilots on one frequency will be able to hear pilots broadcasting on other frequencies on the network.

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16
Q

Explain hotlines

A

Coordination lines that, once selected, will open immediately and the sender or receiver is able to start talking straight away.

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17
Q

Explain coldlines

A

Coordination lines that require an answer from the receiver before voice communications can begin.

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18
Q

Explain indirect access

A

In the event of failure of the communications network the Indirect Access function allows the controller to access the regular public telephone system.

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19
Q

What is SELCAL?

A

Selective Calling System

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20
Q

Explain SELCAL

A
  • SELCAL is used for ground to air paging to reduce fatigue on flight crew.
  • The system alerts the crew to an incoming HF or VHF radio call with a chime and flashing light.
  • Each standard tone is given an letter
  • Aircraft’s SELCAL code is a group of four letters.
  • Tones are generated in the FS coder and are transmitted as a series of audio tones (tone code).
  • Receipt of the assigned tone code (SELCAL Code) activates a cockpit call system in the form of light and/or chime signal.
  • SELCAL is used for ground to air calling.
  • Air to ground calls use standard voice calling.
  • The pilot of aircraft equipped with SELCAL can also maintain a listening watch.
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21
Q

What is a key advantage of SELCAL?

A

SELCAL silences the receiver until a relevant signal is received, reducing listening fatigue.

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22
Q

What are the limitations of SELCAL?

A
  • A SELCAL signal does not identify its source
  • Upon receipt of a call indication, the pilot must ascertain the ground station calling
  • No ‘hash reduction’ advantage to the ground operator
  • Aircraft must be suitably equipped
  • Pilots have no situational awareness of close proximity traffic.
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23
Q

What is CPDLC?

A

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications

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24
Q

Explain CPDLC

A

CPDLC is a method by which air traffic controllers can communicate with pilots over a datalink system.

Some features are:
- on-board printing
- auto-load of certain uplink messages into the FMS reducing transcribing error
- downlink of complex route requests which can be returned with approval, and
- downlink messages and some responses to uplink messages that automatically update the Flight Data Record of the ATS system.

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25
Q

True or False. Pilots can inform ATC of emergencies using CPDLC

A

True

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26
Q

How will a controller respond to a CPDLC MAYDAY or PAN PAN?

A

With free text uplink message, “ROGER MAYDAY [or PAN PAN]”

27
Q

List seven types of AIDC messaging.

A
  1. ABI (Advance Boundary Information)
  2. PAC (Preliminary Activation Message)
  3. EST (Estimate)
  4. ACP (Acceptance)
  5. TOC (Transfer Of Control)
  6. AOC (Acceptance Of Control)
  7. CPL (Current Plan)
28
Q

What is AIDC?

A

ATS Inter-facility Data Communication

29
Q

Explain AIDC

A
  • AIDC messaging passes information from controller console to console across Flight Data Region boundaries.
  • will provide snapshot updates to the ATC system receiving a flight.
  • This form of messaging ensures that controllers have up to date flight data available and in some cases acquits the requirement for coordination between controllers in different control centres.
  • At pre-determined intervals the sending centre will send a message which the receiving centre will then use to update flight data.
30
Q

What is AFTN?

A

Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network

31
Q

Explain the key aspects of AFTN

A
  • International data exchange between aeronautical authorities is performed by the ICAO administered Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network, (AFTN) an international data network that pre-dates the internet.
  • Several hundred nodes located virtually in every country of the world exchange messages containing Flight Plans, NOTAM, and Meteorological Data.
  • Users include ANSPs, Airlines, Airports and Meteorological authorities.
  • ICAO has more recently introduced the AMHS (ATS Message Handling System) which uses Internet Protocols to transfer messages faster, however the AFTN still remains the primary media for sharing aeronautical data.
  • Messages must adhere to ICAO messaging conventions in order to be processed by AFTN terminals.
  • Controllers must enter information in the Flight Data Record in line with ICAO syntax and semantics to allow for successful messaging.
  • Controllers cannot send these messages. Messages are handled by terminals at the Flight Data Coordinator (FDC) position in the centres and the NCC.
32
Q

What is the format of an AFTN message?

A
  • Header: ZCZC & Transmission ID/time
  • Address Line: Priority/Receiving terminal
  • Orginator Line:Time stamp and sending terminal
  • Text/Message Detail: Type & content
  • End of message: NNNN
33
Q

List the AFTN message priorities

A
  • SS - Emergency
  • DD - Urgency
  • FF - Movement and control messages
  • GG - Flight Information messages
  • KK - Administrative
34
Q

What are the AFTN message types?

A
  1. FPL - Flight Plan
  2. CHG - Change
  3. DEP - Departure
  4. ARR - Arrival
  5. DLA - Delay
  6. CNL - Cancellation
35
Q

What are the advantages of VHF?

A
  1. Principal VHF advantage is the signal quality. Static and other interference are almost non-existent.
  2. Waves are ‘direct’, and not refracted or reflected, so fading and garbling are also minimal.
  3. Requires small antenna systems, saving in space and weight in airborne equipment.
  4. Low transmitter power suits aircraft systems.
36
Q

What are the limitations of VHF?

A
  1. Limited in coverage to ‘line-of-sight’ (i.e. clear of solid obstacles).
  2. Mountain-top sites for ground equipment are necessary to achieve optimum range, adding to access and maintenance costs.
  3. Coverage of large enroute areas requires frequent repeaters.
37
Q

What are the advantages of HF?

A

Allows communication with aircraft in remote areas by allowing beyond the horizon two-way communication.

38
Q

What are the limitations of HF?

A
  1. Very susceptible to interference, degrading the quality of reception.
  2. Fading due to interaction between ground and sky waves, particularly at night.
  3. Coverage is not reliable - different frequencies are affected to different extents by the Ionosphere, requiring experimentation before communications can be established. It is difficult to silence receivers during ‘no signal’ periods.
  4. Continuous annoying ‘hash’ when strong interference is present.
  5. HF antenna arrays are very large.
39
Q

Where is SELCAL available?

A

On the international HF networks.

40
Q

What is the callsign for domestic HF?

A

Flightwatch

41
Q

What is the callsign for international HF?

A

Brisbane

42
Q

What phrase will ATS use when directing a pilot to turn CPDLC off?

A

SELECT ATC COMM OFF

43
Q

Can a pilot terminate a single CPDLC connection while maintaining others?

A

No.

If the pilot manually terminates the CPDLC connection, the associated error message will be displayed to all connected ATS units as ‘CPDLC Disconnection: Error Pilot initiated disconnection’

44
Q

What is CA/GRS?

A

Certified Air/Ground Radio Service

CA/GRS is provided by or for an aerodrome operator. It is not a separation service, but inbound and taxiing aircraft are acknowledged and provided with traffic information, weather (from approved measuring equipment) and any information relating to the safety of operations at the aerodrome.

A CA/GRS can with a formal arrangement provide SARWATCH for an air operator. A CA/GRS will also provide a recorded broadcast, an Automatic Aerodrome Information Service (AAIS), which is similar to an Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) (More on ATIS in Session 4).

45
Q

What is TIBA?

A

Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft (TIBA) is an ICAO procedure when limited or no ATS services are available for a defined airspace

TIBA involves a listening requirement and the continuation of mandatory broadcasts such as a position report.

TIBA includes addition broadcast requirements which are usually made 10 minutes prior to mandatory broadcasts.

46
Q

What are the standard TIBA frequencies?

A

In class A and E airspace at or above FL200, 128.95 MHz, and below FL200, 126.35 MHz applies.

In class G airspace the normal frequency applies.

47
Q

What is PAL?

A

Pilot Activated Lighting (PAL) is a system whereby a pilot can activate lighting at aerodromes listed in ERSA using a discrete VHF frequency. A 3, 1, 3, 1, 3 sequence of transmissions and pauses is required.

The aerodrome runway, taxiway, apron, VASIS and wind indicator lighting are activated for a nominated 30 to 60 minutes. The wind indicator light will flash with 10 minutes to go.

48
Q

When the AFRU has not been used for five minutes or more how will it respond?

A

when the frequency has not been used for five minutes a transmission over two seconds will cause an identification of the aerodrome CTAF

49
Q

When the AFRU has been used within the previous five minutes, how will it respond?

A

when the frequency has been used in the last five minutes a 300 millisecond tone is generated after each transmission over two seconds (Colloquially known as the ‘beep back’.).

50
Q

What is the VCS?

A

The VCS is a touchscreen interface providing control and monitoring of air-ground radio frequencies, intercoms and telephone lines.

Like a telephone exchange, the VCS connects incoming and outgoing Air-Ground and Ground-Ground calls, a process which the engineers call “Switching”.

51
Q

When do VFR operations require VHF?

A

Above 5000FT or when flying into an aerodrome where carriage is required.

52
Q

Do Night VFR operations require VHF?

A

Yes, regardless of airspace.

53
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: ABI

A

Advance Boundary Information

Sent at a pre-set time prior to the aircraft’s estimate for the boundary. This will provide a snapshot update of the Flight Data Record.

54
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: PAC

A

Preliminary Activation Message

Sent at a time prior to departure in place of the ABI for departures close to the boundary.

55
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: EST

A

Estimate

Provides an update of the Cleared Flight Level and estimate for the boundary. This may replace coordination.

56
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: ACP

A

Acceptance

Sent by the receiving centre to indicate the system has received and processed an EST message. An “A” indicates to the sending controller that the message has been accepted.

57
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: TOC

A

Transfer Of Control

Offers control authority to the receiving centre. This is initiated by the sending controller prior to transferring to the receiving centres frequency.

58
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: AOC

A

Acceptance Of Control

The controller in the receiving centre is ready to assume control authority. This finishes the Flight Data Record in the sending centre.

59
Q

Define the following AIDC message type: CPL

A

Current Plan

Can be considered as a flight plan combined with boundary estimate information.

60
Q

When should a DLA AFTN message be originated?

A

If an aircraft is delayed for 30 minutes or more from EOBT (estimated off block time) .

61
Q

When should a CHG AFTN message be originated?

A

When a flight plan requires amending.

i.e. To modify an FPL

62
Q

Why would a CNL AFTN message be originated?

A

Cancellation Message

To cancel an FPL

63
Q

For which aircraft are departure messages originated?

A
  • All IFR aircraft,
  • All military and coastal surveillance aircraft
  • Aircraft undertaking JRCC SAR activity or subject to a SAR phase
64
Q

How should ARR AFTN messages be originated?

A

a) Address as requested by the pilot when the aircraft carries the Governor-General or royalty;

b) Transmit arrival reports to units responsible for the airspace containing the place of arrival and the unit nominated to receive the report; and

c) Despatch to the RCC when an aircraft engaged in a SAR operation, or the subject of a SAR phase, has landed.

Comms (12 decks)

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