Separation Procedures

Question 1

What is Separation?

Answer 1

Is the act or state of moving or being moved apart.

In the context of ATC, separation refers to the practice of ensuring the safe distance between aircraft in the airspace.

Question 2

What are the different separation procedures to ensure aircraft are properly spaced?

Answer 2

• Vertical Separation
• Lateral Separation
• Holding Patterns
• Longitudinal Separation
• Initial Separation of Aircraft
• Visual Separation

Question 3

What is Vertical Separation?

Answer 3

Refers to the minimun vertical distance maintained between two aircraft within controlled airspace.

To be separated vertically, two aicrafts altitudes should differ by at least 1,000 feet.

Question 4

What is Lateral Separation?

Answer 4

Lateral separation refers to the minimum lateral horizontal distance maintained between two aircraft within controlled airspace.

Lateral separation presumes that both aircraft are on different routes whose reserved airspaces do not overlap.

Two aircraft that are laterally separated may operate at the same altitude.