Section 4, Chapter 1- Approach Control / Approach Radar Control Flashcards
What are the main responsibilities of the Approach Control Unit and the available ATCO positions?
Responsibilities:
- Provision of Air Traffic Control
- Flight Information Services
- Alerting Services to aircraft within the jurisdiction of Aldergrove Approach/Approach Radar and other delegated traffic.
ATCO Positions:
- Approach Radar Controller (INT): Becomes Approach Control (APC) during Non radar Procedures.
- Director (FIN): Functions may be combined with INT at INT’s discretion.
- Radar Services: The Approach Radar controller can provide services as required in MATS Part 1 Section 3.
What are the responsibilities of INT (Aldergrove Radar) within their airspace?
- Separation of aircraft as per MATS 2 Section 2.
- Provision of information to arriving aircraft as per MATS 1, including ILS z/y for Rwy 25.
- Identification, validation, and verification except where delegated to ADC.
- Issuing outbound releases on IFR traffic from Aldergrove.
- Co-ordination with PC for IFR TMA traffic as per Interface Agreement.
- Co-ordination with PC for traffic outside CAS as per Interface Agreement.
- Co-ordination with Belfast City for IFR traffic as per Interface Agreement.
- Informing Belfast City of flow control restrictions from PC or locally imposed.
- Issuing clearances into controlled airspace.
- Managing conflicts with FIN’s traffic for departing aircraft:
- Separating these aircraft or
- Instigating required co-ordination for separation.
- Co-ordination with ADC for S/VFR traffic.
- Co-ordination of aircraft emergencies with ADC and adjacent ATSUs/outside agencies.
- Informing DEO and WM/DWM of radio/navigational aids malfunctions and declaring runway in use.
Additional responsibilities during bandboxed operations:
- INT assumes responsibilities of FIN.
Ensuring availability of information to adjacent positions and ATSUs:
- Runway in use and agreed spacing at EGAA.
- Serviceability state and runway in use at EGAC.
- Status of Eglinton airport.
- Serviceability of radio and navigational aids.
- Essential Aerodrome Information.
- Weather warnings including safeguarding and LVPs.
- Activity states of relevant Danger Areas.
- Airspace Restrictions.
- Flow control restrictions from PC or locally imposed.
What are the responsibilities of FIN (Aldergrove Director)?
- Co-ordination with ADC for arriving aircraft, including agreeing required spacing between successive IFR arrivals.
- Vectoring inbound aircraft to the appropriate final approach fix and providing agreed spacing between successive IFR arrivals.
- Co-ordination with ADC for arriving IFR aircraft.
- Provision of Surveillance Radar approaches.
- Handling any other aircraft/task as delegated by INT.
Additional notes:
Responsibilities remain the same if operating as FIN during RiT.
FIN may provide a discrete frequency as needed by circumstances.
What are the responsibilities of APC (Aldergrove Approach) during Non-Radar Procedures?
- Assumes responsibilities detailed in Para 1.1.1 pertinent to the provision of Approach Control.
- Follows actions detailed within Non-Radar Procedures (Section 4 Chapter 2).
- May assist INT:
- Can make co-ordinations on behalf of INT.
- Must ensure any interaction with EFPS is approved by the INT controller.
What is the division of responsibilities when positions within the Approach suite are split?
INT’s Responsibilities:
* Ensure FIN is aware of any delegated responsibilities beyond those previously mentioned.
* Provide a timely handover to FIN appropriate to the circumstances.
* Examples include:
* Provision of a Surveillance Radar Approach.
* Assisting in the final sequencing of a series of inbounds.
What are the key considerations and guidelines for the division of airspace between INT and FIN?
General Considerations:
- Exercise particular care when establishing respective areas of responsibility and separation.
- Guidelines due to lack of SIDs and STARs; not mandated.
- Agreements must be fully understood and recorded via Relief Brief.
INT Responsibilities:
- Retain control of all TMA outbound/overflying traffic.
- Retain control of Belfast City inbound traffic until a release/handover is effected.
- Route Aldergrove inbound aircraft towards the BEL VOR unless coordinated with FIN.
- Specify any restrictions to the continued climb/descent of traffic to be transferred.
- Transfer aircraft at a point requiring minimal additional coordination.
FIN Considerations:
- Position aircraft in a right-hand pattern for Rwy 25, left-hand for all other runways.
- Coordinate descent with INT, potentially as a recurring coordination for aircraft on similar routes.
What are the responsibilities and requirements for spacing in co-ordination with FIN and ADC?
ADC Responsibilities:
- Determine arrival spacing requirements in terms of miles.
- Use speed control where necessary.
Spacing Definition:
- Range from touchdown of the second aircraft when the first aircraft touches down.
- INT should not present traffic to ADC doing more than 180kts when fully established.
Spacing Requirements:
- Annotated on the information panel on EFPS.
- Does not apply to VFR aircraft or IFR aircraft making a visual approach after coordination.
- ADC may request increased spacing when operationally necessary.
What information must be displayed on the APR EFPS Display according to operational position guidelines?
- All relevant movements.
- An Info strip with details of all relevant operational information, including periods of validity, updated regularly.
- Serviceability of radio and radar facilities.
- Relevant airspace restrictions and delegations.
- Minimum Stack Level.
- Circuit Active strip, when applicable.
- ADIs/MDIs.
- LVPs, including generator status.
- Runways in use at EGAA and EGAC.
- “Runway Closed” strip, when applicable.
What format should be used for handing over the operational position in Approach and Radar Handovers?
- P - Pressure: The pressure/minimum stack level.
- R - Runways: Runways in use at Aldergrove and Belfast City.
- A - Airspace: Any airspace restrictions, delegations, active danger areas, etc.
- W - Weather: Any significant weather affecting flights or forecast.
- N - Non-Standard: Non-standard flights, photo/aerial surveys, non-standard procedures.
- S - Strips: Traffic situation using the strips and radar display.
