Position Reporting

Question 1

when wishing to enter controlled airspace what will you generally have to do?

Answer 1

call to ATC which will include a position report

Question 2

why are position reports needed?

Answer 2

• clearance requests, so ATC know your location and allow for your integration into the traffic within the airspace
• Traffic information/ avoidance, other pilots will be listening on, and this will allow them to assess their position in comparison to yours. Assists with plane sighting to avoid collision and ATS also uses it for traffic info to others.

Question 3

when must a position report be broadcast? (4)

Answer 3

• requesting clearance to enter class C or D (controlled)
• when requested by ATC when in class C or D airspace
• All entry and at specified locations and intervals while in MBZ
• Prior to entry into Restricted or Military areas if ATC is controlling authority.

Question 4

what is in a position report?

Answer 4

• your callsign (ID)
• your position
• time at position (if needed)
• FL / altitude
• intended route
• next landing point and ETA
• request clearance (if needed)

Question 5

in a position report, your position is defined as? (4)

Answer 5

• reporting when flying overhead a prominent geographical position
• reporting when relative to a prominent geographical position
• reporting when relative to a radical/bearing and distance from a navigation aid such as VOR (VHF Omnidirectional range) NDB (Non-directional beacon) & DME (Distance measuring equipment) stations.
• reports over small towns, and f possible use designated visual reporting points marked on VNC ( Visual Nav charts)

Question 6

what should you avoid regarding your position in a position report?

Answer 6

broad position reports (OVER AUCKLAND)

Question 7

in a position report, your time is defined as?

Answer 7

the time at which you passed the position.

Question 8

in a position report, your intended route is defined as?

Answer 8

your intended route to the next significant position

Question 9

why is your intended route important?

Answer 9

so that it can assist narrow down the search area if you failed to arrive at a destination.

Also lets ATC know of your requested route when you ask for clearance to transit through controlled airspace. Lastly helps with providing traffic info to other aircraft.

Question 10

in a position report, request clearance is defined as?

Answer 10

requesting clearance to enter controlled airspaces, not always required.

Question 11

in a position report, your ETA and Next landing point is defined as?

Answer 11

your estimated time arrival at a destination or next landing point. not needed at times such as when requesting clearance to go through a controlled airspace.

Question 12

is it required to broadcast position reports and make radio calls in an uncontrolled aerodrome?

Answer 12

no, but it’s good airmanship.

Question 13

if making a position report in an unattended aerodrome when should you do it?

Answer 13

5-10nm and below 3,000ft inbound to or in transit near unattended aerodrome.

Question 14

what should you do in an unattended aerodrome?

Answer 14

maintain listening watch and radio call when out of airspace

Question 15

what should be said at each transmission in an unattended aerodrome?

Answer 15

end with traffic e.g omaka traffic

Question 16

are you required to make a position report in an aerodrome that has an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS)?

Answer 16

yes

Question 17

are you required to make a listening watch in an aerodrome that has an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS)?

Answer 17

yes

Question 18

are you required to make a position report in a controlled aerodrome?

Answer 18

yes, since they typically have control zones meaning if planning to transit near one you need to contact ATC unit and request clearance to enter the CTR, unless the possibility of an aerodrome not having CTR arises then it’s required to report to ATC when in the vicinity.

Question 19

what should you do when making a position report in a controlled aerodrome? (4)

Answer 19

• ensure you have clearance before you enter
• rate of thumb request clearance 10NM prior
• required to request clearance to transit through controlled airspace whether or not a flight plan is filed. readback clearance.
• Required to maintain continuous listening watch of frequency until you have left CTR.