IFER Ongoing Management and Resolutions

Question 1

What occurs during the Ongoing Management phase of an IFER?

Answer 1

1. The full resources of the reconfigured ATS system are targeted toward provision of assistance until the IFE is resolved.
2. Problem specific checklists are available to provide technical advice and guidance for common types of in-flight emergency.
3. The IFER Manager is now in control of the IFER and leading the decision making and evaluation process.

Question 2

What are the seven categories of IFER checklist?

Answer 2

1. Unlawful Interference
2. General Aircraft Emergencies
3. Aircraft Equipment Failures
4. Landings
5. Medical/Military Emergencies
6. VFR Emergencies
7. Unauthorised RPAS within Controlled Airspace

Question 3

Which IFER checklists fall under Unlawful Interference?

Answer 3

1. Bomb Warning
2. Hijack

Question 4

Which IFER checklists fall under General Aircraft Emergencies?

Answer 4

1. Distress Beacon Detected
2. Emergency Declarations by Data Link Within Your FIR
3. Emergency Declarations by Data Link Outside Your FIR
4. Smoke or Fumes
5. Fuel Dumping
6. Aircraft Delving Info

Question 5

Which IFER checklists fall under Aircraft Equipment Failures?

Answer 5

1. Instrument Failure
2. Directional Guidance Phraseologies
3. Aircraft Malfunction (Able to Continue (With Restrictions), Aircraft Proceeds to Destination)
4. Aircraft Malfunction (Not Able to Continue)
5. Aircraft Communications Failure
6. Speechless Radar Approach Procedures (ERSA)

Question 6

Which IFER checklists fall under Landings?

Answer 6

1. Aerodrome Emergency Landing
2. Forced Landing or Ditching and Landing - Not Forced

Question 7

Which IFER checklists fall under Medical/Military Emergencies?

Answer 7

1. Hypoxia
2. Hung Ordinance/Unsafe Weapons
3. Hydrazine - F16
4. Ejection
5. Pilot Incapacitation - Emergency Autoland System (EAL) Activation

Question 8

Which IFER checklists fall under VFR Emergencies?

Answer 8

1. Uncertain of Position
2. VFR in IMC
3. VFR on Top of Cloud
4. DAY VFR at Night

Question 9

Which IFER checklists fall under Unauthorised RPAS within Controlled Airspace?

Answer 9

1. Unauthorised RPAS within Controlled Airspace

Question 10

What are the steps in the VFR in IMC checklist?

Answer 10

1. Advise:
   a) Keep wings level
   b) Keep speed constant
   c) Trust instruments
   d) LSALT
   e) Turn on pitot heat (and anti-icing) if available
2. Obtain
   a) Time in IMC
   b) Type of conditions encountered
   c) Pilot instrument flight experience
   d) Availability of autopilot and pilot competence in its use
   e) POB
   f) Last observed/known position, altitude, track and speed
   g) Total remaining endurance
3. Instruct Pilot
   a) No abrupt manoeuvres
   b) Shallow climbs/descents/turns
   c) Turn first, establish straight and level then climb/descent
   d) Suggest use of autopilot if equipped and competent
4. Consider Options
   a) Reciprocal track (return to last VMC area)
   b) Climb above tops and proceed to known breaks in cloud
   c) Descent below base (consider LSALT)
   d) Other track to VMC areas or clear landing ground
5. Consider
   a) Retaining experienced pilot for assistance if available
   b) Clearing frequency
   c) Pilot preferences
   d) Obtaining reports of areas of known VMC from:
   i. other aircraft
   ii. BoM
   iii. ground observers.
   iv. Match VMC reports with low terrain or sea.
6. Established in VMC:
   a) Provide further assistance as required for:
   i Navigation to destination or alternate
   ii. Weather guidance
   b) Advise next ATS unit handling the aircraft
7. May require IFER
   a) Uncertain of position on page 37
   b) VFR on top of cloud on page 40
   c) Forced landing or ditching and Landing – not forced on page 31
8. Notify
   a) JRCC Australia/JPR if SAR is likely

Question 11

What decision making model should an IFER be using?

Answer 11

G.R.A.D.E

Question 12

Explain the G.R.A.D.E decision making model.

Answer 12

• Gather information about the problem
• Review the information
• Analyse the situation and consider alternative courses of action
• Decide on a solution and implement it
• Evaluate the solution for effectiveness and appropriateness

Question 13

What are the three ways an IFER can resolve?

Answer 13

1. Normal operations resumed.
2. IFER Handover to another ATC unit.
3. SAR Handover to JRCC or HQJOC

Question 14

When is the Normal Operations Resumed resolution applicable?

Answer 14

If the crew resolve their problem in flight and can continue or the aircraft is known to have landed safely.

Question 15

If ATC still maintain a level of apprehension the phase should be ____________

Answer 15

Continued until all ATS staff are satisfied that information received clearly indicates that the problem has been resolved.

Question 16

True or false. On resumption of normal operations an aircraft will once again be subject to normal traffic processing and must be provided with a clearance and/or traffic for the continuation of flight.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

When does SAR begin?

Answer 17

In the event that the aircraft subject to IFER crashes or is forced to conduct a forced landing.

Question 18

To whom is responsibility handed over in a SAR Handover?

Answer 18

JRCC Australia, HQJOC or an overseas RCC

Question 19

What will be conducted during a SAR handover

Answer 19

A comprehensive brief.

Question 20

How will written information be passed during a SAR handover?

Answer 20

Using either:

1. Urgent SAR Message Form
2. International ALR Message Form

Question 21

If an IFER resolves with an SAR Handover, what kind of role will ATC assume?

Answer 21

Support.

Question 22

When should an initial warning notification be provided to JRCC Australia or HQJOC regarding an IFER?

Answer 22

Notify JRCC Australia for civil aircraft or HQJOC for military aircraft if there is any likelihood that a SAR action is required.

Question 23

It is important that all actions and solutions are ________ for both ______________.

Answer 23

1. Continually evaluated
2. Appropriateness and Effectiveness.

Question 24

When should any ATSOs or IFER managers involved in an in-flight emergency be relieved from duty?

Answer 24

As soon as the situation permits.

Relief from duty should not in any way be regarded as a punitive action, but
rather as a necessary safeguard to allow the ATSO concerned to unwind and also to ensure the continued safe operation of the position.

Question 25

What kind of report is required following an IFER?

Answer 25

CIRRUS

Question 26

If there is the slightest doubt about the continuing safety of an aircraft, what should be done?

Answer 26

It is prudent to continue with the IFER even if only by keeping a watch on the aircraft, considering possible eventualities and not directly involving the pilot.

Question 27

Should an aircraft continue to be monitored closely after the pilot has resumed ‘normal ops’?

Answer 27

Yes

Question 28

When responsibility for SAR action is being transferred to JRCC Australia, make formal advice of the transfer how?

Answer 28

a) verbally by the ATSO carrying Operational Command Authority/Military Supervisor by stating: ‘REQUEST JRCC AUSTRALIA ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAR ACTION ON (callsign)’;

b) as necessary, in writing:
i) by completion of an Urgent SAR Message form (See Clause 13.1.1); or
ii) by other means such as email or fax; and

c) by JRCC Australia confirming acceptance of responsibility for SAR action by stating: ‘JRCC AUSTRALIA ACCEPTS SAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR (callsign)’.

Question 29

When responsibility for SAR action is being transferred to HQJOC Australia, make formal advice of the transfer how?

Answer 29

a) verbally using the phrase: ‘REQUEST HQJOC ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAR ACTION ON (callsign )’;

b) as necessary, in writing:
i) by completion of an Urgent SAR Message form (See Clause 13.1.1); or
ii) by other means such as email or fax; and

c) by HQJOC confirming acceptance of responsibility for SAR action by stating: ‘HQJOC ACCEPTS SAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR (callsign)’.

Question 30

What are the followup actions for a SAR or IFER handover?

Answer 30

− notify other affected units that the emergency has been transferred to
JRCC Australia / HQJOC
− relieve staff
− collect and secure records
− submit CIRRIS report

Question 31

Management of an IFER may need to be handed over to another ATS unit. How can this be done?

Answer 31

To ensure a comprehensive briefing to the agency accepting responsibility, you may use the ‘Urgent SAR Message’.