SECTION 1: CHAPTER 1 AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES Flashcards
Air Traffic Services within the UK are provided in accordance with the Air Navigation Order and Rules of the Air Regulations. Generally these are in line with the Standards and Recommended Practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
The Manual of Air Traffic Services contains instructions and guidance for controllers providing Air Traffic Services to cater for both routine and many emergency situations. However, nothing in this manual prevents controllers from using their own discretion and initiative in response to unusual circumstances, which may not be covered by the procedures herein.
Language Requirement
2.1 In accordance with ICAO requirements the English language shall be used for all operational communications at ATSUs within the UK.
Operational communication between UK and non-UK ATSUs shall, on the part of the UK ANSP, be conducted in the English language.
2.3 ANSPs may designate, within their unit, operational areas in which all communications (operational and non-operational) shall be in the English language.
An Air Traffic Service is a generic term meaning variously:
(1) Air Traffic Control Service;
(2) Air Traffic Advisory Service;
(3) Flight Information Service;
(4) Alerting Service.
The objectives of the air traffic services shall be to:
(1) prevent collisions between aircraft;
(2) prevent collisions between aircraft on the manoeuvring area and obstructions on that area;
(3) expedite and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic;
(4) provide advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights;
(5) notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and assist such organisations as required.
Air Traffic Control Service
5.1 An ATC service is provided according to the particular circumstances and class of airspace.
5.2 An Air Traffic Control Service shall include the provision of pertinent flight information.
CAP 493
2 April 2015 Section 1: Chapter 1: Air Traffic Services - Page 3
5.3 Air traffic control service shall be provided:
(1) to all IFR flights in airspace Classes A, B, C, D and E;
(2) to all VFR flights in airspace Classes B, C and D;
(3) to all special VFR flights;
(4) to all aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes
Air Traffic Advisory Service
An Air Traffic Advisory Service is a service provided within Class F airspace to ensure separation, in so far as practical, between participating IFR flights. Class F airspace is not currently established in the UK FIRs.
Flight Information Service
7.1 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:
(1) weather;
(2) changes to serviceability of facilities;
(3) conditions at aerodromes;
(4) any other information likely to affect safety
In Class G airspace, the ICAO requirements for Flight Information Service are met through a suite of services, known as the ‘UK Flight Information Services’ as detailed in Section 1 Chapter 12. The UK Flight Information Services consist of:
(1) Basic Service;
(2) Traffic Service;
(3) Deconfliction Service;
(4) Procedural Service.
Alerting Service
An Alerting Service is provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of SAR aid and assist such organisations as required.
Air Traffic Control Units
The term ‘ATC unit’ will be used in this document when the unit provides an ATC service, or any of the following from the suite of UK Flight Information Services: Procedural Services; Deconfliction Service; or, Traffic Service.
All ATC units shall provide an Alerting Service to aircraft under their jurisdiction.
Note: The term ‘ATSU’ will be used when it is significant that the instruction applies to an AFIS unit in addition to an ATC unit.
The provision of an air traffic service should be based upon expedition consistent with safety. In complex environments any deviation from basic procedures in order to expedite traffic should be carefully considered against the extent of co-ordination required and the attendant risk of error.
The controller should only deviate from the basic procedures when he is quite sure that the resultant co-ordination can be carried out without excessive workload and without detriment to the safety of traffic under his control.
10.2 Where controllers are working together they should, whenever possible, pay attention to each other’s actions in order to provide an additional safeguard against errors or omissions.
