LPO Phase 3 - Met & Low VIS

Question 1

What is the weather criteria for safeguarding?

Answer 1

Safeguarding should be requested when the T/D IRVR is 1000m and expected to fall below 600m or when the cloud ceiling is 300ft and expected to fall below 200ft.

Question 2

What is the weather criteria for Vis2 ops?

Answer 2

Vis2 ops will be effective when A5 to A11 can’t be seen on 27R/09L or from N4E to N7 can’t be seen on 27L/09R by the relevant AIR controller.

Question 3

What is the weather criteria for LVPs?

Answer 3

LVPs come into effect when the IRVR is less than 600m, safeguarding is complete, and the CATIII are in use.

Question 4

When are the CATIII holding points used?

Answer 4

CATIII holding points are used after ASD confirms all vehicles are clear during the implementation of safeguarding.

Question 5

What must an LPO be mindful of with clearance limits when CATII holding points are selected?

Answer 5

An LPO must ensure that if the GMC ATCO had cleared an aircraft to a CATI point, it is now cleared to a CATIII holding point and that the strip is updated.

Question 6

How many landing aircraft would you expect to have in an hour if in Vis2?

Answer 6

36

Question 7

How many landing aircraft would you expect to have in an hour if in LVPs?

Answer 7

24

Question 8

What happens when safeguarding is implemented in terms of ASD’s responsibility?

Answer 8

When safeguarding is implemented, work teams on the airfield and other vehicle activities are suspended.

Question 9

How long does safeguarding take to implement?

Answer 9

15 minutes

Question 10

What must GMC do for every 5 minutes whilst ASD confirms safeguarding is in force?

Answer 10

They must broadcast a message on their frequency regarding restricted free ranging being in force

Question 11

What is free ranging with regards to vehicles?

Answer 11

They are allowed to drive around on their own lookout, giving way to aircraft

Question 13

When is free ranging suspended?

Answer 13

When safeguarding is implemented

Question 14

How is VIS2 defined in the MATS 2?

Answer 14

“The visibility is sufficient for the pilot to taxi and avoid collision with other aircraft on taxiways and at intersections by visual reference, but insufficient for personnel of control units to exercise control over all traffic on the basis of visual surveillance”

Question 15

Define VIS2 in your own words

Answer 15

At ground level, the visibility is sufficient for pilots to taxi and avoid collision with other aircraft, but operational staff in the VCR cannot control them with visual reference alone, therefore extra precautions and additional tools are required to maintain a safe operation

Question 16

What is the primary objective of VIS2 procedures

Answer 16

To define the requirements for issuing landing clearances when aircraft vacating the runway is not visible from the VCR

Question 17

Is it possible that VIS2 procedures are required for only one runway

Answer 17

Yes

Question 18

What must you select on the ASMGCS in VIS2

Answer 18

VIS2 Trigger Line

Question 19

What is the VIS2 Trigger Line

Answer 19

An invisible line 77.5m from the runway centreline along each side of the runway, that once an aircraft has fully crossed after landing or crossing the runway, the wingtip clearance will be assured as further arriving or departing aircraft pass behind

Question 20

Is safeguarding required for us to be using VIS2 procedures

Answer 20

No

Question 21

During VIS2, when will the next landing aircraft be issued a landing clearance

Answer 21

When the preceding traffic’s ASMGCS return has cleared the trigger line

Question 22

What must GMC/the LPO ensure during VIS2 with regards to landing and/or crossing traffic

Answer 22

An unimpeded route off the runway onto ALPHA or SIERRA to ensure aircraft fully vacate the runway and the trigger line

Question 23

What is “Low Visibility Safeguarding”

Answer 23

The process carried out by the Aerodrome Authority (AOPS) at the request of ATC to ensure the I-LSA is protected for LVPs

Question 24

What are “Low Visibility Procedures”

Answer 24

The actions carried out by ATC in respect of aircraft operation. LVPs come into force when the touchdown IRVR is less than 600m, safeguarding is complete, and the CATIII holds have been selected.

Question 25

If the T/D IRVR is OOS, what reading is used to determine the visibility

Answer 25

The mid-point reading, and if that does not work, then the report vis on the METAR should be used

Question 26

What does I-LSA stand for

Answer 26

ILS (Instrument Landing System) Localiser Sensitive Area

Question 27

What is the I-LSA?

Answer 27

This is an area of defined dimensions around the localiser. If an aircraft or other vehicle were to enter this area, it could cause disturbances to the ILS signals. The dimensions vary depending on the size of the vehicle or aircraft, and the distance to the localiser aerial. For the purpose of obstacle clearance, the width of the I-LSA is 107.5m for the first 900m of the runway.

Question 28

What is the Full I-LSA?

Answer 28

It is an area of varying widths, either side of the runway centreline and behind the localiser aerial and the beginning of the runway in use. It is applied behind Super, Heavy and Upper aircraft.

Question 29

What is the Reduced I-LSA?

Answer 29

An area extending to 77.5m either side of the runway centreline and is to be applied behind medium, small and light aircraft and vehicles.

Question 30

What is the rule regarding pushback clearances during LVPs

Answer 30

Medium A/C - 3 intervening stands, all others - 4

Question 31

How many aircraft can push in a cul-de-sac in LVPs

Answer 31

One

Question 32

When an aircraft reaches its stand in LVPs and has guidance or a marshaller, what should the pilot announce

Answer 32

They should report parked on stand

Question 33

If traffic is holding on the taxiway and the IRVR is less than 400m, what must the ATCO do

Answer 33

Pass traffic information to following aircraft

Question 34

During LVPs, what must be selected from the landing runway onto taxiway A/S and why

Answer 34

A continuous green route to enable vacating vehicles and aircraft to clear the LSA without delay

Question 35

During LVPs, further restrictions on free ranging are imposed. What does this mean for GMC and the LPO?

Answer 35

Positive green routes are needed for all vehicles

Question 36

During LVPs, what assistance is given to AFRS on the taxiways?

Answer 36

If they need to access an incident, the most appropriate green route will be provided. If they see a red stop bar on and a green route beyond it, they know to cross that bar assuming it is faulty. If they see no green route beyond the bar, they will stop.

Question 37

During LVPs, if GMC is split, what must the LPO ensure at handover points

Answer 37

A red bar is brought up to protect the split ground spaces

Question 38

If there is a failure to one of the coded turnoffs on the landing runway, can that runway still be used in LVPs?

Answer 38

Yes, provided they are informed of what is not working, and that there are further turn offs available on the runway

Question 39

What happens if an RGB fails in LVPs?

Answer 39

The runway can still be used, but the exit must be barriered and pilots informed that the barriered exit is unavailable

Question 40

What happens if a portion of the green centreline lighting fails during LVPs?

Answer 40

It cannot be used unless there is an ASD vehicle available to escort aircraft and vehicles through the unlit portion

Question 41

What if a portion of the taxiway centreline is not lit due to planned works but has blue edge lights illuminated in LVPs

Answer 41

That section can still be used, but if the IRVR goes to 350m or below, ASD will assess and let ATC know of any restrictions.