Revision

Question 1

What are the operating hours of St Athan?

Answer 1

0900-1700 7 days a week, closed on Christmas day, New Year’s Day and any other day as decided by AM/HAO (Airfield manager/Head of Airfield Operations-Cardiff). However currently in the AIP it states that we are open on the weekends for single manning hours.

Question 2

What is Classification & Size of the ATZ?

Answer 2

St Athan ATZ is Class D and has a 2nm radius, it’s located within Cardiff’s CTR (Which is SFC-FL105). The Cardiff CTR is surrounded by Cardiff CTA’s, CTA 1-CTA 8, ranging from 2000ft-FL 105. To the west of EGSY is Class G airspace

Question 3

Conditions for Multiple Line Up Clearances?

Answer 3

(1) it is during daylight hours;
(2) all aircraft are continuously visible to the aerodrome controller;
(3) all aircraft are on the same RTF frequency;
(4) pilots are advised of the number of aircraft ahead in the departure sequence, and the position/runway from which these aircraft will depart;
(5) the physical characteristics of the runway do not render preceding aircraft in the departure sequence invisible to succeeding aircraft on the same runway

Question 4

Conditions for Land After Clearance?

Answer 4

(1) the runway is long enough to allow safe separation between the two aircraft and there is no evidence to indicate that braking may be adversely affected;
(2) it is during daylight hours;
(3) the preceding landing aircraft is not required to backtrack in order to vacate the runway;
(4) the controller is satisfied that the landing aircraft will be able to see the preceding aircraft which has landed, clearly and continuously, until it has vacated the runway; and
(5) the pilot of the following aircraft is warned. Responsibility for ensuring adequate separation rests with the pilot of the following aircraft.

Question 5

Phraseology for cancelling take off clearance? Including before and after take-off roll commenced. (Plus 80Kts/300m/V1 discussion)

Answer 5

ATC: G-CD(callsign), hold position, cancel take-off I say again cancel take-off, acknowledge
PILOT: Holding, G-CD
ATC: BIGJET 347(callsign), stop immediately I say again, BIGJET 347(callsign), stop immediately, acknowledge
PILOT: Stopping, BIGJET 347 N

Question 6

Phraseology for cancelling landing clearance?

Answer 6

ATC: BIGJET 347, go around I say again go around, acknowledge
Pilot: Going around, BIGJET 347
or
ATC: ‘Callsign’ continue approach, cancel landing clearance, ‘reason e.g vehicle crossing’

Question 7

Circuit Heights?

Answer 7

Light aircraft and helicopters: 800ft
All other aircraft types: 1300ft
Glide and PFL: 1500ft
Low level: 500ft
No RT/ Total electrics Fail: 600ft

Question 8

B737 lands with port engine fire. Describe actions taken

Answer 8

If on fire whilst airborne call a full emergency and be prepared to upgrade to aircraft accident upon landing if required, if ignites after landing call an aircraft ground incident. In either scenario follow the emergency grab cards and ensure the ATSA carries out their tasks. Details to be taken down and passed on are:
Runway in use:
A/C Type:
POB:
CALLSIGN:
ETA (Local time):
Nature of Emergency:
Dangerous substances (if required):
Pass emergency details on to:
RFFS Line and Ground-ground.
Dial 999 ask for Police-They notify other emergency services.
D&D and state MAYDAY or PAN.
If emergency is upgraded to A/C accident, then inform ATE and Management list.

Question 9

Helimed warned in as transit. How do you know it’s on an operational flight? Describe actions to allow it direct transit. (Interaction with circuit traffic etc)

Answer 9

Helimed callsign will have an E or A suffix if it’s operational, E if it’s a repositioning flight and A if it’s on route to an Emergency or to the hospital with passengers on board.
If A suffix then take action to give it direct transit, hold other aircraft etc. If E suffix, then still give it priority over other traffic but not take such drastic actions. Alternatively give them altitude restrictions, as they will be on Cardiff QNH put them on not below altitude 1200ft and not above altitude 1500ft, that way they are clear of our circuit height but remaining within the LFZ.

Question 10

Tutor behind A330 – Wake Turbulence

Answer 10

Tutor behind A330(H) inbound: 7 miles
Tutor behind A330(H) same position outbound: 2 minutes
Tutor behind A330(H) intermediate position outbound: 3 minutes

Question 11

Describe UKP32 operating procedures. ATC Open and Closed

Answer 11

NPAS (National Police Air Service) operate from St Athan 24h 365 days a year. UKP are afforded Cat B priority but can declare Cat A when on an emergency.

After a start clearance has been issued and information regarding their flight attained from the pilot a 60 seconds to departure check will be requested, immediately after a departure warning will be passed to Cardiff, informing them that UKP32 is on start for a ** departure and that you will CBR. Upon receiving the 60 second check a release will be requested from Cardiff.

When St Athan ATC is closed UKP will go through the same process with Cardiff ATC.

Question 12

What do you understand by the term ‘Minimum Fuel’?

Answer 12

Minimum fuel should be reported by a pilot who has enough fuel left to safely land at their destination aerodrome without significant delay, it is not a declaration of an Emergency unless stated by the pilot. If the aircraft is to experience significant delays to their landing they should be informed and be advised of a suitable alternative aerodrome.

Question 13

SRATCOH- How many hours in a shift? shifts in a row allowed? Hours on console before break?

Answer 13

A maximum of 10 hours in a shift. 6 Consecutive shifts then a 60 hour minimum break before the next shift. 2 hours on console then a half an hour break.

Question 14

Describe the St Athan secure procedure

Answer 14

A critical interface point exists between Cardiff and St Athan, mitigation actions are taken as a resolution to this. These mitigation actions are know as St Athan secure. St Athan secure is defined as when there is no traffic operating in the LFZ North or East of the 07/25 midpoint. HTA South is deemed secure in all scenarios, HTA North is deemed secure for Cardiff 30 departures but traffic will be passed at the 15 Mile check on Cardiff 12 arrivals.

Question 15

Conditions for issue of the LFZ?

Answer 15

ATC is open.Visibility is 5000m or more and cloud ceiling is 1500 ft or more(VMC). St Athan ATCO must request/obtain the LFZ from Cardiff. The LFZ can also be issued for UKP, HEMS,Coastguard or Coastguard training flights-Including the HTA.

Question 16

AC inbound to RWY 25 whilst downwind reports that it is unable to turn, what are your immediate and subsequent actions?

Answer 16

Ring Cardiff and inform them without delay, coordinate with Cardiff as necessary which will ultimately result in transferring the a/c to Cardiff Tower.

Question 17

Describe the EFATO procedure and what it stands for

Answer 17

Engine failure after take off. Shortly before reducing the power the pilot will call ‘fan stop’, The ADC will reply ‘Callsign, surface wind xxx/xx, report climbing away’

Question 18

VFR-IFR-SVFR separation requirements in Class D

Answer 18

IFR v IFR, IFR v SVFR, SVFR v SVFR

Question 19

SAR PVA

Answer 19

Poor visibility approach (PVA)
There are two PVA’s, East gate and West gate.
E/W Gate 1,2 and 3. At W/gate 1 the pilot may consider landing at WGLMB(Llantwit major beach) or Cardiff heliport. There is also an abort/escape procedure of SGATE.

Question 20

SAR poor visibility departure procedures

Answer 20

HMG will ground taxi to AB intersection, the pilot may then elect to air taxi onto the runway or continue to ground taxi to A1 or F and enter the runway. Upon departure they will lift into a 30ft AGL hover, if the pilots acquire their visual reference (2 runway lights) they will continue to lift, up to 400ft they can auto land in the same spot if take-off is aborted.

Question 21

ATM USES

Answer 21

Determine the landing order, spacing and distance from the touchdown of arriving aircraft.
Assist in applying longitudinal separation for departing aircraft.
Enable the controller to confirm that the initial track of a departing aircraft conforms with the clearance issued.
Provide information to aircraft on the position of other aircraft in the circuit or carrying out an instrument approach.

Question 22

ATM additional uses as St Athan

Answer 22

Following identification validate SSR codes of departing aircraft.
Monitor the progress of overflying aircraft identified by Cardiff Radar to ensure that they do not conflict with the tracks of arriving or departing aircraft.
Pass traffic information.
Assist in taking initial corrective action when the separation between arriving aircraft becomes less than the prescribed minima.
When the ATM is serviceable, St Athan shall be responsible for validating discreet SSR codes allocated to departing aircraft. St Athan is not authorised to verify SSR codes. Cardiff ATC shall be responsible for the virification of SSR codes.

Question 23

PFL

Answer 23

Practice forced landing.
High key, 2500ft QFE, is situated outside the LFZ, therefore all requests for a PFL are subject to approval from Cardiff. The controller should request an extension of the LFZ to 3000ft Cardiff QNH.
Pilot: UAW22 inbound, request PFL
ADC: UAW22 St Athan tower, join runway xx right hand, QFE, Cicuit clear, report high key with intentions.
Pilot: U22 High key to land.
ADC: U22 Surface wind, Circuit clear.
Pilot: Low key
ADC: Roger
Pilot: U22 Final
ADC: U22 cleared to land.

Question 24

What is the airfield elevation at St Athan?

Answer 24

164ft

Question 25

What are the four surrounding obstacles at St Athan and their height?

Answer 25

Wenvoe: 1296ft
St Hilary: 1162ft
Power station: 529ft
Quarry: 378ft

Question 26

What are the runway dimensions?

Answer 26

1828x45M Surface: Grooved Asphalt

Question 27

What is the phraseology to impose radio silence when distress traffic is on frequency?

Answer 27

“All stations, St Athan Tower, stop transmitting, MAYDAY”

Question 28

What are the conditions for an aircraft to line up behind a landing aircraft?

Answer 28

The aircraft or vehicles concerned can be seen by both controller and pilot or driver. It is to relate to one movement only and, in the case of landing traffic, this must be the first aircraft on approach.

Question 29

A pilot requires an airspace brief flying from Gloucester

Answer 29

Need to speak to Cardiff first, Cardiff will issue you with a clearance into the LFZ, not above 1500ft on the QNH. The LFZ is a specified piece of airspace allocated to St Athan within Cardiff’s CTR, brief yourself on the AIP before your flight. You require a host from a based operator at St Athan and a PPR number obtained from the aerodrome operator-Cardiff Airport.