SEPS

Question 1

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on TIME, between aircraft at the SAME CRUISING LEVEL on the SAME TRACK

Answer 1

T10 if navaids permit frequent determination of position and speed
T5 providing leading aircraft 20kts or more faster between:
aircraft departing the same aerodrome
enroute aircraft that have reported over the same significant point
Departing aircraft vs. enroute aircraft after the enroute aircraft has reported over a significant point that is located in relation to the departure point as to ensure 5 mins at the point the departing aircraft joins the route
T3 providing the leading aircraft is 40kts or more faster

Question 2

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on TIME, between aircraft at the SAME CRUISING LEVEL on CROSSING TRACKS

Answer 2

T10 at the intersections while vertical does not exist provided navaids permit the frequent determination of position and speed.

Question 3

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on TIME, between aircraft CLIMBING OR DESCENDING on the SAME TRACK

Answer 3

T10 while vertical does not exist provided navaids permit the frequent determination of position and speed
T5 while vertical does not exist provided that the level change is commenced within T10 of the second aircraft crossing the common waypoint (ground aid or GNSS)

Question 4

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on TIME, between aircraft CLIMBING OR DESCENDING on RECIPROCAL TRACKS

Answer 4

T10 prior to and after ETP
T10 need not apply when it is confirmed the aircraft have passed each other by:
Both aircraft having reported crossing a common ground based aid
T1 after the second aircraft has reported crossing a common significant point
Mutual sighting and passing
Another separation standard

Question 5

Up to what level are D10 separations valid and why?

Answer 5

Up to F290 for flights on the same side of the same DME station
Up F150 for flights on opposite sides of the same DME station
Separations using distance from DME stations to not make allowance for slant range

Question 6

The use of longitudinal separation based on DISTANCE is subject to what conditions?

Answer 6

Direct controller/pilot VHF voice communication is maintained; and
Aircraft is tracking directly inbound to/outbound from the same DME station and/or collated waypoint or the same waypoint; and
When applying separation minima between any aircraft with area navigation capability, controllers shall specifically request GNSS derived distances; and
The aircraft to which a GNSS distance is applied shall specify “G” in item 10 of the flight plan

Question 7

Describe the fundamental application of DISTANCE based separation

Answer 7

Each aircraft must be utilising:
The same DME station; or
An ‘on track’ DME station collocated with a GNSS waypoint; or
The same waypoint when utilising GNSS; and
Separation is checked by obtaining simultaneous DME/GNSS readings from aircraft a frequent intervals to ensure minimum is established and will be maintained.

Question 8

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on DISTANCE, between aircraft at the SAME CRUISING LEVEL on the SAME TRACK

Answer 8

D20

D10 – where the leading aircraft is 20kt or more faster than the following aircraft

Question 9

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on DISTANCE, between aircraft at the SAME CRUISING LEVEL on CROSSING TRACKS

Answer 9

In this case the same waypoint/DME station shall be located at the intersection and the relative angle between the tracks less than 90 degrees
D20
D10 – where the leading aircraft is 20kt or more faster than the following aircraft.

Question 10

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on DISTANCE, between aircraft CLIMBING OR DESCENDING on the SAME TRACK

Answer 10

D20
D10 – where the leading aircraft is 20kt or more faster or one aircraft is maintaining level flight
D10 – where the following aircraft is instructed to reach separation level D10 prior to the last DME/GNSS report from the following aircraft

Question 11

Describe longitudinal separation minima based on DISTANCE, between aircraft climbing or descending on RECIPROCAL TRACKS

Answer 11

D10 – vertical separation shall be applied until it is positively determined that aircraft have passed each other by not less than 10 nm as determined by:
The same “on track” DME station if both aircraft using DME
The same waypoint if both aircraft using GNSS
“On track” DME and collocated waypoint if one aircraft using DME and one aircraft using GNSS

Question 12

What actions shall a controller take when they become aware or have reason to suspect that a loss of separation has occurred?

Answer 12

Every means available shall be used to restore separation as soon as possible
Pass essential traffic
File an ASI report

Question 13

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from a Restricted, Danger or Military Operating Area established for aircraft activity in IMC?

Answer 13

5nm horizontally
1000ft vertically
2000ft vertically with the RVSM stratum

Question 14

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from a Restricted, Danger or Military Operating Area established for aircraft activity in VMC?

Answer 14

2nm horizontally

500ft vertically

Question 15

Give 3 examples where increased separation should be applied.

Answer 15

When an aircraft is experiencing severe turbulence or mountain wave activity or entering an area of known severe turbulence or mountain wave activity
When requested by the pilot or considered necessary by the controller
Communication Failure
Navigational accuracy of the aircraft is impaired
Failure of a navaid
Unlawful interference

Question 16

When may separation minima be reduced?

Answer 16

When applying visual separation(including composite visual separation)
Between military aircraft with the application of MILSEP
Between aircraft in formation (providing prior notice of the formation is given) or the formation consists of an aircraft in distress and it’s escort

Question 17

When applying MILITARY SEPARATION who is responsible for collision avoidance

Answer 17

The responsibility for separation is transferred to the pilot
Phraseology: “MILSEP [callsign of other aircraft]”

Question 18

What are the provisos for the use of Visual Separation beyond the vicinity of an Aerodrome in Class C or D airspace?

Answer 18

During the hours of daylight
Specific request is made by the pilot
Each aircraft is under the control of the same operating position (or adjacent positions and the controllers agree)
Pilot of a following aircraft reports the preceding aircraft in sight and can maintain visual separation

Question 19

What items shall be passed when giving “Essential Traffic”?

Answer 19

The word ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC
DIRECTION of flight
TYPE of aircraft
LEVEL information
POSITION of conflicting traffic

Question 20

An aircraft my be cleared to a level previously occupied by another aircraft after the latter has reported vacating, with what exceptions?

Answer 20

Severe turbulence is known to exist
The latter aircraft is effecting a cruise climb/descent
The difference in performance is such that less than the applicable separation minima may result

Question 21

How is RVSM separation applied?

Answer 21

Within the RVSM stratum (F290 – F410)
1000ft between RVSM approved aircraft
2000ft between RVSM and non-RVSM aircraft
2000ft between non-RVSM aircraft
*standard separation applies where one aircraft is outside the RVSM stratum

Question 22

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from Restricted, Danger or Military Operating areas established for non- aircraft activity?

Answer 22

Kept clear

Question 23

How can Lat Seps depicted on charts as being valid up to A100, A140, FL150 or FL 250 be used up to FL450?

Answer 23

Separations may be used up to FL450 provided that, where the quoted distance is less than 31nm, a minimum distance of 31nm shall be used

Question 24

Consider an aircraft inbound from OCS opposite direction to a lower aircraft which has passed out of radar cover. Describe with provisos, the separation you could apply in order to descend the aircraft through the level of the outbound

Answer 24

Either aircraft can climb and descend when:
The aircraft which had been identified has since passed out of radar cover; and
An identified aircraft is at least 5nm past the point at which the previously identified aircraft passed out of radar cover

Question 25

Between which flights is separation provided?

Answer 25

All flights in class A airspace
IFR flights in class C &D (except in class D during the hours of daylight when flights have been cleared to climb and descend subject to maintaining own separation in VMC)
IFR and VFR flights in class C
IFR and SVFR
SVFR and SVFR when the visibility is reported to be less than 5km

Question 26

State the distance based wake turbulence separation minima to be used by radar controllers between:

Answer 26

A388 – HEAVY 6 minutes
A388 – MEDIUM 7 minutes
A388 - LIGHT 8 minutes

Question 27

Describe the application between identified and unidentified aircraft on reciprocal tracks

Answer 27

Applicable when:
The identified aircraft reaches separation level at least 20nm before the point at which the conflicting aircraft is expected to be established under radar control
*only used in airspace where PSR cover is available and/or above F245 where ADS-B is available provided both aircraft are displayed via ADS-B without an incorrect flight ID

Question 28

Describe the application of R50 separation between identified and unidentified aircraft on reciprocal tracks

Answer 28

Applicable with radar coverage is provided by SSR only between identified and unidentified aircraft not yet in radar cover when:
Unidentified aircraft has an operable transponder
Unidentified aircraft reaches separation level at least 50nm prior to the point at which the unidentified aircraft is expected to be established under radar control
The pilot of the unidentified aircraft reports a position or estimate that conforms the aircraft will not be in radar cover prior to the identified aircraft reaching separation level.

Question 29

Consider 2 jets inbound from OCS on the same track. The first aircraft, identified and higher, is ahead by 8mins. Describe with provisos, the separation you could apply in order to descend the first aircraft through the level of the second

Answer 29

R20
Identified aircraft is at least 20nm past the point at which the unidentified aircraft is expected to be established under radar control
*in SSR only cover, this shall not be used until a check of other relevant information such as position reports/estimates indicates that the unidentified aircraft is at least 20nm behind the identified aircraft.

Question 30

Consider a jet outbound to OCS on the same track as a preceding C130 which has since passed out of radar cover. Describe with provisos the separation you could apply in order to climb the jet through the level of the C130

Answer 30

R5 prior
The following aircraft is identified; and
The leading aircraft which had been identified has passed out of radar cover; and
The following aircraft can reach separation level at least 5nm before the point at which the leading aircraft passed out of radar cover

Question 31

What is the required radar separation from a displayed temporary map?

Answer 31

5nm or greater