In Flight Contingencies

Question 1

What shall be done if the position of a strayed aircraft is not known?

Answer 1

If the aircraft’s position is not known, the air traffic services unit shall:
a) attempt to establish two way communication with the aircraft, unless such communication already exists;
b) use all available means to determine it’s position
c) inform other ATS units into whose area the aircraft may have strayed or may stray, taking into account all the factors which may have affected the navigation of the aircraft in the circumstances;
d) inform, in accordance with locally agreed procedures, appropriate military units and provide them with pertinent flight plan and other data concerning the strayed aircraft;
e) request from the units referred to in c) and d) and from other aircraft in flight every assistance in establishing communication with the aircraft and determining it’s position.

Question 2

What shall be done when a strayed aircrafts position is established?

Answer 2

When the aircraft’s position is established, the air traffic services unit shall:
a) advise the aircraft of it’s position and corrective action to be taken
b) provide, as necessary, other ATS units and appropriate military units with relevant information concerning the strayed aircraft and any advice given to that aircraft

Question 3

What shall an air traffic services unit do when it becomes aware of an unidentified aircraft?

Answer 3

As soon as an air traffic services unit becomes aware of an unidentified aircraft in its area it shall endeavor to establish the identity of the aircraft whenever this is necessary for the provision of air traffic services or required by the appropriate military authorities in accordance with locally agreed procedures. To this end, the air traffic services unit shall take such of the following steps as are appropriate in the circumstances:
a) attempt to establish two way communication with the aircraft
b) inquire of other aircraft traffic services units within the FIR about the flight and request their assistance in establishing two way communication with the aircraft
c) inquire of air traffic services units serving the adjacent FIRs about the flight and request their assistance in establishing two way communication with the aircraft;
d) attempt to obtain information from other aircraft in the area.

Question 4

What ATC do in the event of complete failure of ground radio equipment?

Answer 4

In the event of a complete failure of the ground radio equipment used for ATC, the controller shall:
a) where aircraft are required to keep a listening watch on the emergency frequency 121.5MHz, attempt to establish radio communication on the frequency;
b) without delay inform all adjacent control positions or ATC units, as applicable, of the failure
c) appraise such positions or units of the current traffic situation
d) if practicable, request their assistance, in respect of aircraft which may establish communications with those positions or units, in establishing separation between and maintaining control of such aircraft; and
e) instruct adjacent control positions or ATC units to hold or re-route all controlled flights outside the area of responsibility of the position or the ATC unit that has experienced the failure until such a time that the provision of normal services can be resumed

Question 5

What shall ATC do in event of blocked frequencies?

Answer 5

In the event that the control frequency is inadvertently blocked by an aircraft transmitter, the following additional steps should be taken:
a) attempt to identify the aircraft concerned;
b) if the aircraft blocking the frequency is identified, attempts should be made to establish communication with that aircraft
c) if communication is established with the aircraft concerned, the flight crew shall be instructed to take immediate action to stop inadvertent transmissions on the affected control frequency