Separation and Traffic Services Flashcards
Below what altitude may pilots be assigned responsibility for separation? What is the pilot’s responsibility?
Below 10000ft, when the pilot of an aircraft reports sighting another aircraft and accepts responsibility to maintain own separation with the aircraft.
It is the pilots responsibility to maintain separation while complying with ATC instructions
When applying visual separation what must you do if there is doubt as to the pilot’s ability to keep the other aircraft in sight?
Issue an alternative instruction to provide separation.
List four possible limitations to a pilot’s ability to comply with instructions.
- The field of vision in the cockpit
- The contrast of aircraft with the background against which it will appear
- Glare of the sun
- Restrictions on atmospheric visibility which may not be currently apparent to the pilot. e.g. loss of forward visibility following descent into a haze layer.
What traffic information should be given to aircraft when passing Directed Traffic Information?
- Aircraft identifications
- Type and description if unfamiliar
- Position information
- Estimated time of passing or closest point of approach
- Direction of flight or route of aircraft
- Level
- Intentions of the pilot, such as:
——Initial departure track and intended cruising level
——inbound track or directions, level and next estimate - Advice that an aircraft is not yet on the appropriate frequency
What is the definition of a state aircraft?
An aircraft of any part of the Defence Force (including any aircraft that is commanded by a member of that force in the course of his/her duties as such a member) and aircraft used in the military, Customs or Police Services of a foreign country.
Which of the following levels should be assigned to an aircraft flying EAST?
FL120
A090
FL230
FL430
FL450
A090
FL230
FL450
Which Flight Levels are not available when the Area QNH is 993 hPa
FL 110
FL 115
At which altitude must an aircraft operating in the Australian FIR change to QNH 1013.2?
10,000ft
What circumstances would warrant the issue of a safety alert according to MATS?
Becoming aware that an aircraft is in a situation that places it in unsafe proximity to:
a) terrain
b) obstructions
c) active Prohibited/Restricted/Military Operating Areas
d) other aircraft
And the pilot has NOT advised that action is being taken to resolve the situation.
When may you discontinue a safety alert?
When the pilot advises that action is being taken to resolve the situation or has reported the other aircraft in sight.
In which classes of airspace may safety alerts be issued?
All
When is the prefix ‘SUGGEST’ used when issuing collision avoidance advice for aircraft in close proximity?
Avoiding actions for uncontrolled aircraft.
What is expected of the controller upon becoming aware of information such that it would be reasonable to conclude that an unsafe situation has occurred, or may occur?
Provide a safety alert.
To which organisation must messages from Customs Surveillance Flights be passed?
Australian Maritime Security Operations Centre
What type of message is sent by Customs Surveillance Flights?
SURVEREP
Give 5 examples of Suspicious Circumstances that ATC must report.
- Aircraft signalling to the ground
- Objects seen to be dropped from aircraft
- Aircraft operating at night without navigation aids
- Unusual activity at aerodromes e.g. operation of aircraft not normally seen in the area, and thefts of aviation fuel
- Recent activity at remote airstrips e.g. fire breaks, recent grading, grass cutting and positioning of fuel drums
What is a holding procedure?
A predetermined manoeuvre which keeps an aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance.
What is a holding fix?
A geographic location that serves as a reference for a holding procedure
Does a holding instruction impose a clearance limit on an aircraft?
Yes
When do you not have to describe a holding pattern at a clearance limit to a pilot?
When it is a published hold.
When a clearance limit is cancelled, this includes a cancellation of holding. What must be issued to the aircraft?
Onwards clearance
What are the five elements of assuring separation?
- Scanning and assessing traffic
- Identifying conflicts
- Planning to resolve conflicts and assure separation
- Executing a plan
- Monitoring the implemented solution to ensure separation is achieved
For the purposes of longitudinal separation how are same/opposite direction tracks defined?
Tracks that intercept at less than 45 degrees.
When applying lateral separation what should be used in preference to manual plotting methods?
a) lateral separation diagrams
b) tables
c) lateral conflict tools
What are the four principle separation standards?
Longitudinal separation
- for aircraft on same or reciprocal tracks (intercept at less than 45 degrees)
- either time (10 minutes) or distance from a common point
Lateral separation
- for tracks that intercept at greater than 45 degrees
- determining the Basic Lateral Separation Point
- Separate using the standard of 1NM between the possible positions of each aircraft.
Vertical separation
- In general, separation standard is 1000ft until RVSM band FL290
- From FL290-FL490 - separation 2000ft unless RVSM approved
Visual separation
- not used in en route
- mostly used by the tower
What is RVSM?
Reduced Vertical Separation Minima
What techniques are used to maintain separation assurance?
- Amended route, or vectoring
- Adjusting speed
- Holding
- Issuing restrictions to
—– reach a level by a time, place or distance
—– depart or set course at a specific time
How is separation assured?
Through the process of assessing traffic, identifying conflicts, planning to ensure separation, executing the plan and monitoring the situation to ensure the standard is not infringed.
Who must receive a clearance from ATC?
Any aircraft wishing to operate in controlled airspace.
This includes aircraft operating on the manoeuvring area at a controlled aerodrome.
What is an airways clearance?
A clearance issued by ATC to operate in controlled airspace along a designated track or route at a specified level to a specified point or flight-planned destination
When must a PIC request an airways clearance?
- On the clearance delivery frequency, preferably immediately before starting engines, otherwise as soon as possible thereafter
- Where a clearance delivery frequency is not available, before entering the departure runway
- Before entering controlled airspace
What information should be included when issuing a clearance?
- Aircraft identification
- Destination, area of operations, position or clearance limit
- Route of flight
- Assigned level, except when this element is included in the SID description
You may include any additional instructions such as
- A level restriction
- Departure type for IFR flights (SID - Tower managed)
- SSR (Secondary Surveillance Radar) code
Frequency requirements (Tower managed)
When should the phrase ‘FLIGHT PLANNED ROUTE’ be used?
In an initial airways clearance to describe any route or portion of route that is identical to that filed in the flight notification after providing sufficient route details to definitely establish the aircraft on its route
What should route and/or level information be prefixed with when an airways clearance has been amended to indicate to the pilot that a change has been made to the previous clearance which supersedes the previous clearance or part thereof.
RECLEARED
When should the phrase ‘FLIGHT PLANNED ROUTE’ not be used?
When reclearing an aircraft.
To what extent does a clearance, and it’s amendments during the flight, apply?
- To the first point at which the aircraft leaves controlled airspace
- To the first landing point if the flight is wholly within controlled airspace
- To the clearance limit if issued
- Until the expiration of a clearance void time
- Until cancelled by a controller
Provide some examples of compulsory readback items.
- En route holding instructions
- Any route and holding point specified in a taxi clearance
- Any clearances or instructions to hold short of, enter, land on, lineup on , wait, take-off from, cross, taxi or backtrack on, any runway or HLS (Helicopter Landing Site)
- An assigned runway or HLS
- Any approach clearance
- Altimeter settings directed to specific aircraft, radio and radio navaid frequency instructions
- SSR codes and data link logon codes
- Level instructions, direction of turn, heading and speed instructions.
What are holding procedures used for?
To delay aircraft in order to assure separation or provide sequencing into controlled aerodromes.
What are the three types of hold entry?
- Parallel entry
- Offset entry
- Direct entry
When a state aircraft is operating ‘Due Regard’ must ATC provide an air traffic service or separation service to that aircraft?
No. ATC is not responsible for ATS to ‘Due Regard’ aircraft or separation between ‘Due Regard aircraft and other aircraft.
Where do Customs Surveillance Flights occur?
Over land and Australian territorial waters.
Provide some examples of ‘suspicious circumstances’ which must be reported to the Australian Maritime Security Operations Centre
- Aircraft signalling to the ground
- Objects seen to be dropped from aircraft;
- Aircraft operating at night without navigation lights;
- Unusual activity at aerodromes e.g. operation of aircraft not normally seen in the area, and thefts of aviation fuel;
- Recent activity at remote airstrips e.g. fire breaks, recent grading, grass cutting, and positioning of fuel drums;
- Movements of unidentified itinerant aircraft, especially if there is a suggestion that they are travelling from or to an overseas destination;
- Unexplained activity at remote airstrips;
- Aircraft operating from sites not recognised as aerodromes e.g. beaches, roads, etc; and
i) any other matters indicating the likelihood of illegal activity gained in the course of an ATS unit’s normal functions, for example:
i) unexplained elements in a flight plan;
ii) aircraft making unscheduled landings or diversions from route without adequate explanation; and
iii) marked discrepancies in flight times - Illegal fishing in the 200 NM Australian Fishing Zone;
- Smuggling of drugs and other prohibited goods;
- Unauthorised landings (by sea or air) that could introduce diseases or pests;
- Illegal immigrants entering Australia without authority;
- threats to the well-being of the Great Barrier Reef including pollution, illegal fishing and removal of species; and
- unusual activities in remote areas (including habitation, camp-sites, new coastal airstrips, wrecks, isolated vehicles, wheel tracks and changes to permanent features).
Who must directed traffic information be provided to?
IFR aircraft not subject to an ATC clearance.
What information should be included when providing Direct Traffic Information?
- Aircraft identifications
- Type and description if unfamiliar
- Position information
- Estimated time of passing or closest point of approach
- Direction of flight or route of aircraft
- Level
- Intentions of the pilot, such as:
i. Initial departure track and intended cruising level
ii. Inbound track or directions, level and next estimate
iii. Advice that an aircraft is not yet on the appropriate frequency
When should traffic information be passed to IFR aircraft?
- When requested by pilots
- When pilot notifies of intention to change level and/or track
- When pilot notifies either taxi or airborne or departure, whichever is first
- When you become aware of relevant traffic
When applicable, should advice be provided that no reports have been received from IFR traffic?
Yes
Should traffic information be provided reciprocally?
Yes. All aircraft involved should be advised of relevant traffic.
When does an ATCs obligation to provide traffic information cease?
When:
1. Pilot reports changing to a CTAF
2. Military pilots report ceasing guard on ATS frequencies
3. The pilot cancels SARWATCH and:
i. has reported in the circuit area
ii. the destination eta has been reached.
What procedures will military aircraft conducting Low Level Military Operations often operate using?
Non-Continuous Communications (NOCOM) procedures.
What should an ATC do when military aircraft are operating using NOCOM?
- Workload permitting, broadcast the intentions of military aircraft on the appropriate area frequencies, prior to the aircraft transiting the area serviced by the frequency concerned
- Broadcast the progress of MLJ (Military Low Jet) whenever practical
- Use actual planned levels in broadcasts e.g. ‘350 AGL’ or refer to the flight as ‘LOW LEVEL MILITARY OPERATIONS’
What is an SIS?
Surveillance Information Service
An on request service provided to assist pilots of VFR flights, within ATS surveillance system coverage in Class E and G airspace, to avoid other aircraft or to assist in navigation.
Simply put, what does SIS do?
Provides a ‘snapshot’ service to VFR pilots in surveillance coverage and is available subject to ATC workload
When may a SIS be terminated?
At any time, by either ATC due to workload considerations, or on pilot advice.
For what reason may SIS be requested as ‘flight following’?
Navigation issues.
What is TCAS?
Traffic Collision Avoidance System
This is an onboard collision avoidance system designed to warn pilots about the proximity of other aircraft or terrain.
What are the two levels of TCAS alert?
- TCAS RA (Resolution Advisory)
- TCAS Traffic Advisory
What must a pilot and controller respectively do in the event of a TCAS RA?
Pilot
- Must follow the TCAS RA instructions
Controller
- No longer responsible for providing separation between the aircraft responding to an RA and any other aircraft, airspace, terrain or obstruction.
- When advised of TCAS RA, controller should NOT issue contradictory instructions. Instead they should simply acknowledge the report with ‘[callsign] ROGER’
Is a pilot required to take any action in response to a TCAS Traffic Advisory?
No.
What is safety alerting?
The provision of advice to an aircraft when an ATS officer becomes aware that an aircraft is in a position which is considered to place it in unsafe proximity to terrain, obstructions or another aircraft.
What are the categories of warnings ATC will receive when surveillance systems are available?
- STCA - Short Term Conflict Alert
- MSAW - Minimum Safe Altitude Warning
- DAIW - Danger Area Infringement
- CLAM - Cleared Level Adherence Monitor
- RAM - Route Adherence Monitor
Who should ATC issue traffic avoidance advice to?
An aircraft that:
1. Is receiving an ATS surveillance service
2. in the ATC’s judgement, is in a situation that places it at risk of a collision with another aircraft under surveillance.
What phrase should traffic avoidance advice be prefixed by?
AVOIDING ACTION
How is phraseology standardised for safety and traffic alerts?
Using the TRUCT format
e.g. Compromised separation:
- Trigger: AVOIDING ACTION or SAFETY ALERT
- Resolve: level change or turn
- Urgency: IMMEDIATELY - change tone of voice
- Confirm: Obtain readback
- Traffic: TRAFFIC IS
When will an ATC resume responsibility after a TCAS RA?
After a separation standard has been reestablished and the responding aircraft has either returned to its assigned level and the pilot advises the ATC that TCAS manoeuvre is complete, or the aircraft has executed an alternate clearance.
What steps will flight crew take after a TCAS conflict is resolved?
- Promptly return to the terms of the ATC instruction or clearance when the conflict is resolved.
- Notify ATC after initiating a return to or resuming the current clearance.
How is the possible position of an aircraft determined?
- Plotting the track of the aircraft.
- Applying a navigation error (tolerance) to the track.
What affects the tolerances applied to an aircraft’s track when determining possible position?
- On board navigational equipment
- Availability of ground based navigational aids
- Availability of surveillance equipment
What is the BLSP?
Basic Lateral Separation Point
This is the point at which the navigation tolerances of both aircraft are no closer than 1 NM.
Before assigning visual separation, what must ATC confirm?
That the pilot has sighted the other aircraft and will accept responsibility for separation.
When should ATC pass traffic information to IFR pilots?
- When requested by pilots
- When pilots notify of intent to change level
- When pilots notify either taxi or airborne or departure, whichever is first
- When you become aware of relevant traffic
When should traffic information be passed to VFR aircraft receiving an SIS/SFIS?
- When requested by pilots
- When pilots notify of intent to change level
- When you become aware of relevant traffic
