Section 1 Air Traffic Services Flashcards
ICAO defines an Air Traffic Service as a generic term meaning variously:
a) Air Traffic Control Service;
b) Air Traffic Advisory Service;
c) Flight Information Service;
d) Alerting Service.
An ATC service is provided according to the particular circumstances and class of airspace, for the purpose of:
a) preventing collisions between aircraft in the air;
b) assisting in preventing collisions between aircraft moving on the apron and the
manoeuvring area;
c) assisting in preventing collisions between aircraft and obstructions on the
manoeuvring area;
d) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic.
FIS is a service provided for the purposes of supplying advice and information useful
for the safe and efficient conduct of flight, together with pertinent information about:
a) weather;
b) changes to serviceability of facilities;
c) conditions at aerodromes;
d) any other information likely to affect safety
Alerting Service
An Alerting Service is provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in
need of SAR aid and assist such organisations as required.
Division of Airspace
UK airspace is divided into two Flight Information Regions. Within each region the
airspace below FL245 is known as the lower FIR and that at and above as the Upper
Flight Information Region (UIR).
A
IFR only ATC clearance before entry.
Comply with ATC instructions.
Separate all aircraft from each
other.
B
IFR and VFR ATC clearance before entry.
Comply with ATC instructions.
Separate all aircraft from each
other.
C
IFR and VFR ATC clearance before entry. Comply with ATC instructions. (a) Separate IFR flights from other IFR and VFR flights; (b) Separate VFR flights from IFR flights; (c) Pass traffic information to VFR flights on other VFR flights and give traffic avoidance advice if requested.
D
IFR and VFR ATC clearance before entry. Comply with ATC instructions. (a) Separate IFR flights from other IFR flights; (b) Pass traffic information to IFR flights on VFR flights and give traffic avoidance advice if requested; (c) Pass traffic information to VFR flights on IFR flights and other VFR flights.
E
IFR and VFR IFR flights to obtain ATC clearance before entry and comply with ATC instructions. VFR flights do not require clearance. (a) Separate IFR flights from other IFR flights; (b) Pass traffic information, as far as practicable, to IFR flights on VFR flights; (c) VFR flights in contact are to be given traffic information as far as practicable.
F
IFR and VFR Participating IFR flights are expected to comply with ATC instructions. Separation provided, as far as possible, between aircraft that have flight planned to operate IFR on ADRs.
G
IFR and VFR None. None.
The RoA require aircraft flying below FL100 to observe, with exceptions, a speed limit
of 250 kt IAS. Such a limit is an essential component of the ‘see and avoid’ principle
when separation is not established by ATC. This is in addition to other speed limits,
see below, which may be notified for a specific airspace.
The 250 kt speed limit does not apply to:
a) flights in Class A and B airspace;
b) IFR flights in Class C airspace;
c) flights in Class C and D airspace when authorised by an ATC unit;
d) test flights in accordance with specified conditions;
e) aircraft taking part in flying displays when authorised by the CAA;
f) aircraft subject to a written permission granted by the CAA;
g) aircraft not subject to the ANO (e.g. military aircraft).
Who is responsible for determining whether or not the
meteorological conditions permit flight in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules.
The pilot of an aircraft is responsible for determining whether or not the
meteorological conditions permit flight in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules.
By day and Night At and Above FL100
Class C, D, E, F and G airspace 1500 m 1000 ft 8 km
By day and Night At and below FL100
Class C, D, E, F and G airspace 1500 m 1000ft 5 km
At or below 3000 ft amsl
Class F and G airspace
By Day
Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. 5 km
At or below 3000 ft amsl
For aircraft, other than helicopters,
flying at 140 kt IAS or less
By day
Class C, D and E airspace Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. 5 km
Class F and G airspace Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. 1500 m
At or below 3000 ft amsl
For helicopters
By Day
Class C, D and E airspace Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. 1500 m
Class F and G airspace Clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and
at a speed which, having regard to the
visibility, is reasonable.
1500 m
Alternatively
At or below 3000 ft amsl
Class F and G airspace
By Night
For aircraft, other than helicopters, Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. 5 km
For helicopters Clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and
at a speed which, having regard to the
visibility, is reasonable.
3 km
A pilot must fly according to the IFR:
- If the airspace has been notified as Class A,
* If the meteorological conditions preclude VFR flight,
IFR Within Controlled Airspace (Classes A to E)
a) File a flight plan and obtain a clearance before proceeding with the flight;
b) Conduct the flight in accordance with clearances and instructions from ATC;
c) Maintain a listening watch on the appropriate radio frequencies;
d) Report the position of the aircraft according to published procedures.
IFR Outside Controlled Airspace (Classes F and G)
Comply with the quadrantal rule when in level flight above 3000 feet amsl. The
altimeter is set to 1013.2 hPa and the cruising level is selected according to the
magnetic track unless the aircraft is holding according to published procedures or is
otherwise instructed by ATC.
Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ)
Rules,
With ATC Unit
With AFIS or AGCS
aircraft flying within the ATZ are subject to the R of A, the specific conditions of the
airspace, and the level of ATS provided at the particular aerodrome as follows:
a) At aerodromes with an ATC unit, all movements within the ATZ are subject to the
permission of that unit. Aircraft will comply with instructions given by RTF and
maintain a listening watch. Non-radio aircraft, which have been given prior
permission to fly within the ATZ, will comply with visual signals.
b) At aerodromes where an AFIS or AGCS is provided, pilots shall obtain information
from the unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the zone and
maintain a listening watch. Non-radio aircraft must comply with any conditions
prescribed by the unit prior to the commencement of the flight.
6.2 Controllers who need to ascertain whether a pilot will either route around or transit
through an ATZ in Class G airspace should advise the pilot of the ATZ status and
confirm the pilot’s intentions. Controllers may advise pilots to change to the published
aerodrome RT frequency to either obtain ATZ crossing clearance from an ATC unit, or
to obtain information from an AFIS or AGCS unit.
Cancellation of IFR Flight
Change from IFR flight to VFR flight shall only be acceptable when the pilot uses the
expression “cancelling my IFR flight”. Pilots must not be invited to cancel, but if there
is any doubt about a pilot’s intentions he may be asked if he wishes to cancel his IFR
flight plan.
7.2 Controllers are to acknowledge a cancellation using the phrase “IFR plan cancelled at
(time)”.
Special VFR Flight
8.1 Conditions
A Special VFR clearance is issued when requested by a pilot or when it is notified in
the UK AIP for a particular type of operation. Before issuing such a clearance a
controller must consider the prevailing traffic conditions, the extent of the proposed
flight and the availability of air-ground communications. Special VFR flights are not to
hinder normal IFR flights.
svfr Weather MINIMA
Controllers shall not issue a Special VFR clearance to any aircraft, other than
helicopters, for departure from an aerodrome within a control zone when the official
meteorological report indicates that the visibility is 1800 m or less or the cloud ceiling
is less than 600 feet.
SVFR Separation
Standard separation is to be applied between:
a) IFR flights and Special VFR flights;
b) Aircraft cleared for Special VFR flights (except where a reduction is authorised by
the CAA).
8.3.2 No separation can be provided between Special VFR flights which are flying in notified
areas or routes where an individual clearance is not required, or between flights using
such areas or routes and other flights on Special VFR clearances.
SVFR HEIGHT TO FLY
Aircraft are not normally given a specified height to fly but vertical separation from
aircraft flying above can be achieved by requiring the Special VFR flight to fly not
above a specified level.
SVFR PILOTS RESPONSIBILITIES
The pilot of an aircraft on a Special VFR flight:
a) must comply with ATC instructions;
b) is responsible for ensuring that his flight conditions enable him to remain clear of
cloud, determine his flight path with reference to the surface and keep clear of
obstructions;
c) is responsible for ensuring that he flies within the limitations of his licence;
d) is responsible for complying with the relevant RoA low flying restrictions (other
than the 1000 feet rule);
e) is responsible for avoiding Aerodrome Traffic Zones unless prior permission for
penetration has been obtained from the relevant ATC unit.
Class C Airspace
The airspace classification between FL195 and FL660 within the UK FIRs / UIRs is
Class C. However, the FIR / UIR boundary is FL245.
9.2 Controllers shall not allocate FL195 as a cruising level to any aircraft under their
control.
A pilot may file a flight plan
for any flight.
A pilot is required to file a flight plan:
a) for all flights within controlled airspace, which are conducted in accordance with
IFR;
b) for flights within Class C and D airspace conducted in accordance with VFR;
c) when he wishes to receive an ATAS (Class F airspace);
d) for all flights which will cross a UK international FIR boundary;
e) for any flight where the destination is more than 40 km from the aerodrome of
departure and the aircraft’s maximum total weight authorised exceeds 5700 kg.
A pilot is advised to file a flight plan:
a) if his flight involves flying over the sea more than 10 miles from the UK coast or
flying over sparsely populated areas where SAR operations would be difficult; or
b) if he intends to fly into an area in which SAR operations are in progress. The flight
plan should include the expected times of entering and leaving the area and the
details must also be passed to the parent ACC. The ACC is to notify the ARCC
concerned.
DEFINE AIRPROX
An AIRPROX is a situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or a controller, the
distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speeds have been
such that the safety of the aircraft involved was or may have been compromised.
The pilot’s report by RTF should commence with the term “AIRPROX Report”. If the
pilot omits the prefix the controller shall ask him if it is his intention to file an AIRPROX
report. The complete message will comprise:
a) The words “AIRPROX Report”;
b) Position at time of incident;
c) Time of incident;
d) Altitude/Flight Level (climbing, descending or level flight);
e) Heading;
f) Brief details of incident including first sighting and miss distance;
g) Weather conditions.
The pilot of an aircraft which has experienced a failure of one or more navigation lights
may, in accordance with the RoA, request permission to continue the flight to
destination. Controllers should take the following into consideration before
authorising the flight:
a) Normally permission should be granted if flight is to be continued wholly within UK
controlled airspace. Flight outside the UK under these conditions may not be
authorised unless permission to continue has been obtained from the adjacent
controlling authority;
b) If the pilot’s intention is to fly outside controlled airspace he should be instructed
to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome. Selection of this aerodrome is the
responsibility of the pilot although he may request information to assist him in
making his decision. Under certain circumstances the pilot may decide that the
nearest suitable aerodrome is his original destination.
When an ATSU receives information that a captive balloon has broken free the
appropriate ACC shall be telephoned without delay stating:
• The type of balloon and whether carrying any person;
• Position of balloon site;
• Direction and speed of drift;
• Length of cable attached to balloon;
• Balloon operator’s name and telephone number.
19.2 The action taken at the ACC, which includes warning aircraft in flight, is described in
MATS Part 2.
Standard vertical or horizontal separation shall be provided, unless otherwise
specified, between:
a) all flights in Class A airspace;
b) IFR flights in Class C, D and E airspace;
c) IFR flights and VFR flights in Class C airspace;
d) IFR flights and Special VFR flights;
e) Special VFR flights.
1.2 Standard separation shall be provided, in so far as possible, between aircraft that have
flight planned to operate IFR on Class F ADR.
1.3 In Class G airspace, separation between aircraft is ultimately the responsibility of the
pilot; however, in providing a Deconfliction Service or a Procedural Service, controllers
will provide information and advice aimed at achieving a defined deconfliction minima.
Separation standards are minima and shall be increased when:
a) requested by the pilot;
b) a controller considers it necessary;
c) directed by the CAA.
In the vicinity of aerodromes, the standard separation minima may be reduced if:
a) adequate separation can be provided by the aerodrome controller when each
aircraft is continuously visible to this controller; or
b) each aircraft is continuously visible to the pilots of other aircraft concerned and the
pilots report that they can maintain their own separation; or
c) when one aircraft is following another, the pilot of the succeeding aircraft reports
that he has the other aircraft in sight and can maintain own separation
If, for any reason, a controller is faced with a situation in which two or more aircraft
are separated by less than the prescribed minima, e.g. ATC errors or differences in
the pilot’s estimated and actual times over reporting points, he is to:
a) use every means at his disposal to obtain the required minimum with the least
possible delay; and
b) when considered practicable, pass traffic information if an ATS surveillance service
is being provided, otherwise, pass essential traffic information.
