Radar Separation

Question 1

What does an Approach Control Service provide?

Answer 1

SRA and PAR approaches

Vectoring of arrivals onto final approach aids

Vectoring of arrivals to a point from which a visual approach, PAR or SRA can be made.

Monitoring of parallel ILS approaches and instructions in the event of a NTZ infringement

Monitoring of other pilot-interpreted approaches

Separation between departing and arriving aircraft

Question 2

What is the separation minima based on Radar, ADS-B or MLAT?

Answer 2

5nm

3nm when the Radar, ADS-B or MLAT capabilities permit.

2.5nm on final approach when conditions permit.

Question 3

On final approach, when can the separation minima be reduced to 2.5nm?

Answer 3

1) Aircraft are on the same final approach track and within 10 NM of the threshold

2) Average landing runway occupancy does not exceed 50 seconds

3) Braking action is reported as good and runway is not contaminated

4) ATS surveillance system has appropriate azimuth and range resolution, suitable displays and an update rate of 5 seconds or less

5) Aerodrome controller is able to observe, visually or by means of ground radar, the runway-in-use and associated exit and entry taxiways

6) Wake turbulence separation minima do not apply

7) Aircraft approach speeds are closely monitored by the controller and adjusted if necessary

8) Pilots are fully aware of the need to exit the runway in an expeditious manner

9) Proceduresare published in AIP

Question 4

What are the main forms of ground-based safety nets to assist ATCOs?

Answer 4

Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA)
Medium Term Conflict Detection (MTCD)
Runway Incursion Tools such as RIMCAS and A-SMGCS.

Question 5

Describe STCA

Answer 5

Short Term Conflict Alert

A warning to alert the ATCO that the minimum separation will be, or is predicted to be violated within a short period (usually 2 minutes)

Question 6

Describe MTCD

Answer 6

Medium Term Conflict Detection

A flight data processing system designed to warn the ATCO of potential conflicts up to 20 minutes ahead.

Question 7

What does MTCD Comprise?

Answer 7

Trajectory Prediction
Conflict Detection
Trajectory Update
Trajectory Edition

Question 8

What is RIMCAS?

Answer 8

Runway Incursion Monitoring and Collision Avoidance System

Question 9

What is A-SMGCS?

Answer 9

Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System

Question 10

What is TCT?

Answer 10

Tactical Controller Tool