Section 8, Chapter 1 - Control Room Administration Flashcards
Who is responsible for preparing the watchkeeping roster, and what are the requirements for its promulgation?
The senior controller at each ATSU is responsible for preparing the watchkeeping roster. The roster should be promulgated no later than the 20th day of each month and must show the hours of watchkeeping and duty hours required of individual controllers for the following month.
What are the responsibilities of controllers and unit managers regarding the regulation of controllers’ hours?
Controllers and unit managers must ensure compliance with the Scheme for the Regulation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Hours (SRATCOH) (CAP 670 Part D Section 2). Controllers who work at multiple units must track their duty periods to ensure they do not breach SRATCOH.
What are the minimum procedures controllers must follow before taking over watch?
Before taking over watch, controllers must:
- Ensure they are familiar with the latest orders, instructions, notices, and signals, especially regarding the aerodrome’s serviceability and any special flights.
- Obtain full information on the weather situation and tendencies, using forecasts and charts, supplemented by a briefing if necessary.
- Familiarize themselves with the serviceability of all equipment under their charge.
- Understand the prevailing air traffic situation, particularly regarding separation standards.
After completing these procedures, controllers must sign the ATC Watch Log, confirming they have assumed all responsibilities and the safe custody of equipment and confidential documents. At stations with multiple controllers, the supervisor or senior controller signs the ATC Watch Log, and other controllers record taking over their specific duties as per MATS Part 2.
What are the procedures for handing-over watch by controllers?
Controllers handing-over watch must:
- Provide their successor with the fullest possible information about the prevailing traffic situation, including any specific items of interest or urgency.
- Ensure pictorial displays accurately present the traffic situation.
- Remain on duty to complete any necessary actions, reports, and records if required for safety or continuity, even if the watch roster indicates the handover time.
The controller handing-over must remain on duty until all responsibilities are discharged. Once the controller taking-over is fully conversant with the situation and ready to assume responsibility, the controller handing-over must sign the ATC Watch Log.
What are the procedures for handing-over an operational position?
The responsibility for an accurate hand-over lies with the controller vacating the position. If traffic levels are high or complex, consider splitting the position before the hand-over. Information should be passed in the following order:
- General information, including any variations from routine operations.
- Supplementary information related to the position.
- The detailed traffic situation.
Controllers taking-over should:
- Be alert to possible errors and verify data through a thorough check of the situation display, flight progress strips, and other relevant information.
- Indicate readiness to accept responsibility only when completely satisfied with their awareness of the situation.
- Remain available adjacent to the position for a short period after hand-over to clarify any immediate points.
What should MATS Part 2 contain regarding combined operational positions?
MATS Part 2 should contain the circumstances in which more than one sector/position is combined into one operational position (bandboxed operations) and the procedures to be followed.
What are the regulations regarding visitors to an ATC operations room?
- No unauthorized person is allowed access to an ATC operations room.
- Authorized visitors must be checked with the senior controller to ensure the traffic situation allows for the visit.
- Visits must not interfere with the smooth running of the watch.
What time should clocks in control rooms indicate?
Clocks in control rooms shall indicate UTC.
What documents must be available for immediate reference at operational control positions?
Documents required for immediate reference at operational control positions:
- CAP 493 Manual of Air Traffic Services Part 1, including current Supplementary Instructions.
- CAP 774 UK Flight Information Services.
- Manual of Air Traffic Services Part 2.
- Aerodrome Manual (where applicable).
- Aerodrome Emergency Orders (where applicable).
Optional documents:
- ICAO Doc. 7910 Location Indicators.
- ICAO Doc. 8643 Aircraft Type Designators.
- ICAO Doc. 8585 Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities, and Services.
Documents required in the operational environment/control room:
- CAA Information Notices (applicable to ATS).
- CAA Safety Notices (applicable to ATS).
- CAA Safety Directives (applicable to ATS).
- UK AIP (including Supplements and NOTAMs) and AICs.
- Air Navigation Order, Air Navigation (General), and Rules of the Air (RoA) Regulations.
- Standard European Rules of the Air (UK Reg (EU) No. 923/2012 as amended).
- CAP 168 Licensing of Aerodromes (where applicable).
- CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual.
- CAP 772 Birdstrike Risk Management for Aerodromes (where applicable).
Documents must be correctly amended, and unless approved by the CAA, be in printed form. Requirements for electronic formats are in CAP 670.
What are the requirements for maintaining an ATC Watch Log?
- An ATC Watch Log must detail significant events and operational information for controllers and unit management.
- It must include the name of the ATC unit, the period for which entries are made, and provide a documentary record.
- The log should allow descriptive text with a date and time (UTC) and identify the author. Entries must be chronological and detailed for subsequent investigations.
Items logged include:
1. Changes to radio and surveillance system serviceability.
2. Essential aerodrome information and runway changes (at aerodrome-based units).
3. Results of routine equipment checks.
4. Reportable events (e.g., accidents, incidents, AIRPROXs).
5. Unusual occurrences.
6. Handover of ATC responsibility and times of opening/closing watch.
- The log is typically maintained in each control room or operational position. A single log may be approved for multiple positions if suitable.
- Measures must ensure entries cannot be altered or tampered with.
- Log management and entry methods are detailed in MATS Part 2.
What are the requirements for maintaining an Aircraft Movement Log at certain aerodromes?
Special arrangements are made at certain aerodromes for the ATSU to maintain an Aircraft Movement Log. Details of these arrangements are provided in MATS Part 2.
What are the procedures for the impounding of ATC Watch Logs?
- ATC Watch Logs may be impounded by the CAA or AAIB. Upon notification, the log must be withdrawn and forwarded to the CAA or AAIB as agreed.
- If an in-use log is impounded, a replacement log must be opened immediately.
- At ATSUs not using handwritten logbooks, MATS Part 2 must include procedures to ensure impounded entries are extracted and inaccessible to unauthorized readers.
- Procedures for attesting the authenticity and integrity of log entries, if required, must be documented.
What are the minimum retention periods for various ATS records and ATC Watch Logs?
- ATC Watch Log: 12 months (after the date of the last entry)
- Paper flight progress strips: 30 days
- Electronic flight progress and coordination data: 30 days
- AIRPROX reports (station copies): 6 months
- RVR log (records of observations by human observer): 12 months
- Meteorological information records: 30 days
- AFTN messages: 30 days
Aircraft movements logs:
1. Former CAA units (as of March 2001): as agreed by the CAA Records Management Team
2. Other units: disposal at the discretion of the Aerodrome Operator
These records may be destroyed or deleted locally if not required for investigations or official complaints.
