Section 1, Chapter 21 - Operational Airspace For Military & PSNI Aircraft & Common Procedures

Question 1

What are the procedures for lights-out operations for military and PSNI aircraft?

Answer 1

Declaring Lights-Out Operations:

• Aircraft will add the codeword ‘MIKE’ to the end of their callsign in flight before turning off anti-collision and navigation lights.
• The aircraft Captain must ensure ATC is aware of the changing callsign both inside and outside controlled airspace.

Priority and Compliance:

• Aircraft conducting lights-out operations will be given CAT B priority and must comply with all ATC instructions.

Resuming Normal Operations:

• Upon resuming lights-on operations, the aircraft will no longer append “MIKE” to their callsign and will revert to their normal callsign.

Operations Outside Controlled Airspace:

• Aircraft will request a Traffic Service, provided subject to MATS Part 1 limitations.

Operations Above FL85:

• Details are to be passed to PC West Coast Sector as per MATS Part 2, Section 4, paragraph 4.1.5, specifying that the aircraft is operating lights-out.

Question 2

What are the restrictions and separation requirements for lights-out operations for military and PSNI aircraft?

Answer 2

Traffic Information: Do not draw attention to the fact that the conflicting traffic is operating lights out when passing traffic information.

Separation Requirements: If the lights-out aircraft is in contact with another ATSU, the separation between the lights-out aircraft and known IFR/SVFR aircraft in contact with Aldergrove shall be 5nm or 1000ft.

Vertical Limits:
* Lights-out operations are to take place above 2000ft AGL.
* Operations must be above 4000ft over the lateral limits of Belfast City airspace when it is open.

Dates and Times: The activity may take place H24 (24 hours a day).

Transponder: The aircraft must be carrying a serviceable transponder.

Location:
* The activity will take place within all areas of NI, including both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
* Belfast City ATC shall be advised of aircraft operating lights out above the horizontal and vertical limits of their airspace.
* Belfast City ATC shall advise Aldergrove Radar of aircraft under their control which are operating lights out.

Separation: ATC shall apply separation between the FS Aldergrove aircraft operating lights out and known flights as follows.

Question 3

What is an example communication and action sequence for lights-out operations for military and PSNI aircraft?

Answer 3

Example Communication / Action Sequence:

Initiating Lights-Out Operations:

• Captain: “Aldergrove Radar, UKP441 Mike, request a Traffic Service and CAT B priority.”
• ATC: “UKP441 Mike roger, Traffic Service.”
• Captain Actions:
• Turn off anti-collision lights and navigation lights.
• Comply with any ATC instructions and continue with tasking.

On Completion of Tasking:

• Captain Actions:
• Turn on anti-collision and navigation lights.
• Captain: “Aldergrove Radar, UKP441 Mike now assuming callsign UKP441.”
• ATC: “UKP441, roger.”

Question 4

What are the procedures for R/T failure for all aircraft, specifically for military and PSNI aircraft?

Answer 4

General Procedures for All Aircraft:

• If there is a loss of two-way R/T with ATC within airspace requiring an ATC clearance, the Special Flight Clearance will normally be terminated.
• The pilot will select SSR transponder code A7600 and:
• Option A: Remain clear of Controlled airspace.
• Option B: Maintain the last assigned altitude in Controlled Airspace and after three minutes, proceed to leave such airspace by the shortest practicable route.
• Option C: If on a Category A flight with an ATC clearance to destination, continue on that clearance.
• Option D: Comply with the previously agreed loss of R/T routing and operating procedures.

Specific Procedures for Military and PSNI Aircraft:

• If any military or PSNI aircraft is observed squawking 7600, or if a controller believes it may have experienced an R/T failure, attempts should be made to relay instructions via military/PSNI Ops or another PSNI or military aircraft using UHF frequencies.
• For helicopters, if this method is not successful, follow the procedure in Section 1, Chapter 21.2.2.
• For fixed-wing aircraft, if this method is not successful, follow the procedure in Section 1, Chapter 21.2.4 or 21.2.5.
• If a military or PSNI aircraft is making an instrument approach and suffers a total R/T failure, controllers should expect the aircraft to continue the approach and land.

Question 5

What is the procedure for total R/T failure for rotary aircraft (helicopters)?

Answer 5

• The helicopter will squawk 7600 and avoid runways and their approaches.
• Proceed to the normal airfield entry point appropriate to the direction of approach.
• Upon reaching the airfield entry point, the aircraft will flash its landing light towards the control tower to indicate its position.
• The Aerodrome Controller will then assume control of the aircraft using standard Aldis Lamp signals.

Question 6

What is the procedure for total R/T failure for fixed-wing VFR military or PSNI aircraft?

Answer 6

• The aircraft may elect to return to land at Belfast International.
• Join Controlled Airspace if necessary and then their nearest circuit pattern for the runway in use at or below 2000ft QNH VFR (e.g., right-hand circuit if returning from the north for runway 25).
• The pilot will look for light signals from the ATC Tower and orbit at the end of the downwind leg.
• If no light signals are seen, the aircraft will perform 5 orbits before routing to final and landing.

Question 7

What is the procedure for total R/T failure for military or PSNI aircraft flying IFR?

Answer 7

The aircraft will normally elect to return to land at Belfast International.
If at or descending to platform altitude and established or on a closing heading to establish on an instrument approach:
* Continue the approach and look for light signals from the ATC Tower.

Otherwise:
* Climb to or maintain 4000ft or maintain the last cleared altitude or level if higher.
* Route to the BEL and proceed straight outbound for the procedure to the last known runway in use.
* On reaching the BEL, if higher than 4000ft, descend to 4000ft.
* Do not cross the BEL outbound on the procedure below 4000ft.

Question 8

What are the procedures for conducting a practice pan, including actions by ATC?

Answer 8

Practice Pan Procedures:

• When booking out or prior to departure, the trainer will inform ATC of the intention to use a practice pan.
• Practice pans will be permitted subject to ATC workload.
• The trainer will decide when to initiate a practice pan and inform the pilot.
• The pilot will declare a practice pan on the R/T and pass details to ATC (e.g., inadvertent IMC, aircraft fault, emergency).

Actions by ATC:

• Inform the RFFS on the CRASH line with the following information:
• “Practice pan, repeat, practice pan.”
• Call sign
• Type of aircraft
• ETA
• Direction and runway if being used
• Persons on board
• Operating Company
• Pass the same details to the BIA Operations Control Centre using the emergency line.
• Avoid unnecessary communication with the pilot during the manoeuvre.

Question 9

What are the procedures for non-radio helicopters requesting clearance to operate?

Answer 9

• Requesting Clearance: Pilots will contact ATC to request clearance to operate.
• Briefing: Pilots will be briefed according to local flying R/T failure procedures as per MATS 2, Section 1, Chapter 22, para 22.3.
• Approval: All such requests must be approved by the ATC Watch Managers.
• Alternative Communication: Approval may be given for clearances to be relayed to aircraft via military operations on their UHF/HF Network, at the discretion of the ATC Watch Manager.

Question 10

What is the level band procedure for military or PSNI aircraft?

Answer 10

• Pilots of military or PSNI aircraft may request to operate in 1000ft level bands.
• Such requests should be accommodated by ATC, subject to workload.

Question 11

What is the procedure for informing locally based Police and military flights about changes of service?

Answer 11

Locally based Police and military flights that frequently cross the boundary of controlled airspace shall be informed of the service provided both inside and outside controlled airspace.

Question 12

What are the procedures for instrument training requests and related IFR procedures for military and PSNI aircraft?

Answer 12

Instrument Training Requests:

• Training requests (instrument approaches, IFR holding, circuits, or airfield training) should be submitted to bfsatc@nats.co.uk or by calling the OSS on 07920 877721, ideally the day before.
• Late requests may be made on the day, at least 2 hours in advance.
• Last-minute changes may be declined by ATC, and all training may be declined if conditions dictate.
• Training requests must be annotated in the remarks field of the online flight plan.
• Requests should be granted subject to traffic and controller workload.

IFR Procedures:

• Standard IFR separations will apply to IFR clearances within controlled airspace.
• IFR helicopters requiring an instrument approach at Belfast International will follow a published instrument approach procedure.

Protection of Runway and Go-Around Paths for
IFR Movements:

• Runway and go-around paths for military/PSNI aircraft carrying out instrument approaches (SRA, ILS, VOR/DME, NDB) must be protected to ensure no loss of separation from other traffic using another runway.

Go-Around Patterns:

• A standard ICAO missed approach procedure will be followed unless otherwise directed by ATC.