Section 2, Chapter 3 - IFR Separation Standards

Question 1

What are the IFR separation standards for deconfliction of VFR and IFR traffic within Class D Airspace?

Answer 1

ATC Instructions: ATC must issue instructions to ensure that VFR and IFR traffic tracks or levels do not conflict; reliance on traffic information alone is insufficient.

Traffic Information: ATC is still required to pass traffic information even when issuing deconfliction instructions.

Coordination: For VFR arrivals/departures versus IFR arrivals/departures, ADC and RAD must coordinate to determine who provides the deconfliction solution. ADC may need to coordinate changes to clearances issued by RAD.

Caution Areas: Exercise caution when:
* Offset VOR approaches are in use.
* Issuing routings to VFR aircraft involving crossing bodies of water.

Deconfliction Minima: Recommended deconfliction minima are 3 NM and/or 1000 ft, which can be reduced under the MATS 1 procedure ‘Reduced Separation in the vicinity of an aerodrome.’

Question 2

What are the responsibilities and procedures for departure separations and coordination in IFR conditions?

Answer 2

• ADC Responsibility: ADC is responsible for separation between successive IFR departures unless INT specifies a departure interval via telephone.
• ATM Unserviceable: If ATM is unserviceable, INT must specify separation between aircraft following the same initial route or making the same initial direction of turn.
• Wake Turbulence: Follow MATS 1 for instructions on wake turbulence separation.
• Traffic Presentation: Refer to Section 3, 3.3.6, “Presentation of Traffic to Radar” for unit-specific instructions on required spacing between successive departures.

Question 3

Where can information on IFR non-radar separation be found?

Answer 3

Reference: See Section 4, paragraph 2.8 for details on IFR non-radar separation.

Question 4

What are the separation minima and actions required for CAS infringements?

Answer 4

General Rule: Increased separations apply unless radar or other information indicates a legitimate operation within EGAC controlled airspace. Belfast City must notify Aldergrove of EGAC CTR or CTA infringements.

Determining CAS Infringements using Mode C:

• If Mode C read-out is 100 ft inside controlled airspace (e.g., 2100 ft when the base is 2000 ft), treat as an infringement for reporting purposes.
• A Mode C read-out within a 200 ft tolerance of the vertical limit of controlled airspace is considered inside controlled airspace.

Separation Minima:

PSR and SSR available:

• Lateral Separation: 3 NM
• Vertical Separation: 3000 ft (provided targets do not merge)

PSR only:

• Lateral Separation: 3 NM

SSR only:

• Lateral Separation: 5 NM
• Vertical Separation: 3000 ft (provided targets do not merge)

Outside CAS (Deconfliction Service against unknown/ uncoordinated traffic):

• Recommended Minima: 5 NM / 3000 ft (as per MATS part 1, Chapter 12, Paragraph 4)