UK ATM for Oral board Flashcards
What is an ATS?
Air traffic service
A generic term meaning variously;
- Air Traffic Control Service
- Air Traffic Advisory Service
- Flight Information Service
- Alerting Service
What is an Approach Control Service?
Where an ATC service is provided for controlled flights associated with arrival or departure
To whom do we provide an ATC service?
- To all IFR in Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace
- To all VFR flights in Class B, C and D airspace
- All SVFR flights
- All aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes.
What is a Flight Information Service?
A service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful to the safe and efficient conduct of flights.
To whom do we provide a FIS?
to all aircraft which are likely to be affected by the information and which are:
– Provided with an ATC service, or
– Otherwise known to relevant Air Traffic Services units.
FIS does not relieve the pilot-in-command of an aircraft of any responsibilities and the pilot-incommand has to make the final decision regarding any suggested alteration of flight plan
What is an Air Traffic Advisory Service?
-A service provided within advisory airspace to ensure separation, in so far as practicable, between aircraft operating on IFR flight plans.
What is advisory airspace?
An airspace of defined dimensions, or designated route, within which air traffic advisory service is available.
What is an advisory route?
A designated route along which air traffic advisory service is available.
Do controllers providing an ATAS have to coordinate?
Yes, excatly like controllers providing an ATC service.
What do IFR aircraft need before entering advisory airspace?
A FPL
What must an IFR flight do if crossing an advisory route?
Must cross at an angle that is 90° to the direction of the route.
What pertinent information is included in the provision of a FIS?
- SIGMET and AIRMET information
- Information concerning Pre-eruption volcanic activity, volcanic eruption and ash clouds
- Information concerning the release into the atmosphere of radioactive materials or toxic chemicals
- Information on changes in serviceability of Nav Aids
- Information on changes in condition of aerodromes and associated facilities, including information on the state of the aerodrome movements areas when they are affected by snow, ice or significant deth of water
- Information on unmanned free balloons
- Any other information likely to affect safety
It shall also include
- Weather conditions reported or forecast at dep. aerodrome, destination aerodrome and alternate aerodrome
- Collision hazards to a/c operating in airspace classes C-G.
Where is Class C airspace found in the UK?
Everywhere above FL195
Describe class A airspace
IFR only
Clearance required
ATC must be complied with
Everyone separated from everyone
Gliders may enter in VMC
Describe Class C airspace
VFR & IFR
Clearance required to enter
Instructions must be followed
IFR sep from IFR & VFR
VFR sep from IFR, given Tx info on other VFR
VMC
Describe Class D airspace
VFR and IFR
Clearance required to enter
Instructions must be followed
IFR sep from IFR and SVFR, given tx info on VFR
VFR given tx info on everyone
SVFR treated as IFR for all intents and purposes
VMC
Describe Class E airspace
VFR and IFR
IFR require clearance to enter, VFR does not
IFR sep from IFR, tx info on VFR- avoidance advice given if requested
Participating VFR given Tx info on IFR and other VFR
IFR must comply with instructions
VFR pilots strongly encouraged to contact ATC and comply
VMC
What are Class E+ routes?
Same rules as for Class E airspace with the additional caveat that all aircraft must be equipped with transponders.
Describe Class G airspace
ATCU’s provide FIS, deconfliction advice may be provided
Pilots responsible for all collision avoidance
Pilots still expected to comply with advice
What class of airspace takes precedence when two different types join vertically
The lower class
This is to allow them to fly at that level without entering the CAS and comprising the safety of aircraft inside the CAS.
(a class G aircraft could fly as close to base of Class D as he wants so to ensure safety of those in Class D the boundary is treated as Class G and the A/C in class D would be kept away from it.)
Describe the vertical profile of the FIRS in the UK
FIR- from the surface to FL245
UIR- FL245 to FL660
What is an ATZ and describe its dimensions?
A volume of airspace established around an aerodrome for the proctection of aerodrome traffic.
From surface to 2000ft Above aerodrome level (height), centred on the midpoint of the longest runway.
If longest runway is 1850m or less than radius is 2nm otherwise its 2.5nm
Do civil ATZ’s still exist outside the notified hours of operation?
No
What class of Airspace are ATZ’s?
They adopt the same class as the airspace in which they sit.
What is a MATZ?
A military aerodrome traffic zone
What is the speed limit in the UK?
250kt IAS below FL100, except;
- Flights in Class A & B airspace
- IFR in Class C
- VFR in Class C airspace if authorised by ATCU and MATS 2
- Exempted flights in Class D airspace if authorised by ATCU and MATS 2
- Test flights (specified conditions)
- Flying displays when authorised by the CAA
- A/C with CAA written permission
- State A/C (military)
Is the ATZ inside a MATZ active 24hrs a day?
Yes
What is TRA(G)?
Temporary Reserved Area Gliders
What is RA(T)?
Temporary Restricted Airspace
What is a TDA?
Temporary Danger Area
What services compromise the UK’s suite of Flight Information Services?
- Basic Service
- Traffic Service
- Deconfliction Service
- Procedural Service
In addition to whatever service the ATCU is providing what other services are automatically provided?
An alerting service and a basic service
What is a basic service?
Similar to normal FIS however Traffic info is only provided if a definite risk of collision exists
What is a traffic service?
Traffic identified using surveillance systems and traffic information given wherever possible.
What is a deconfliction service?
As per traffic service but IFR only however advice and information given to enable pilots to avoid other traffic. Based on ATCO workload and other limitations.
What is a procedural service?
A non surveillance based service to IFR only advice and info given to enable pilots to avoid other participating IFR traffic, and traffic information on known BS traffic where a confliction exists.
Do you as the controller offer the best service?
No, only provide the service requested by the pilot.
What is a Regional Pressure Setting?
The lowest forecast QNH in an ASR made available hourly for H+1 and H+2
How many Altimeter Setting Regions are there in the UK?
20
When should an ATCO pass the RPS?
- When requested
- At the discretion of the controller
Define the Transition Altitude
The altitude at or below which the vertical position of an aircraft is controlled by reference to altitudes. The transition altitude is located at a fixed level and published in aeronautical information publications.
Unless otherwise notified the TA is 3,000ft in the UK
Define the Transition Layer
The airspace between the transition altitude and the transition level. (from 2017 at least 1000 feet courtesy of SI 2016/01)
What level is the Transition Altitude normally in the UK?
Unless otherwise notified its 3,000ft
However normally 5,000 or 6,000ft in CAS
When is vertical position controlled with reference to FL?
When at or above the Transition Level or climbing through it.
When do we control vertical position with reference to altitude?
When at or below the transistion altitude or descending below it.
Define an alerting service
A service provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding an a/c in need of SAR aid and assist such organisations as required.
To whom do we provide an Alerting service?
Alerting service shall be provided to all aircraft known by ATCU’s to be operating within UK FIR’s
Who acts as the focal point for collating info re an A/C in need of SAR aid?
FIC or ACC shall serve as the central point for collecting all information relevant to a state of emergency of an aircraft operating within the FIR or control area concerned and for forwarding such information to the appropriate aeronautical rescue coordination centre (ARCC).
If a state of emergency arises to an aircraft while under ADI or APS control what happens?
The ATC unit will notify the ACC/FIC who will in turn notify the ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre). They do not need to do this though if the nature of the emergency is such that the notification is unnecessary.
Even if the ARCC is not notified the unit shall alert and take other necessary steps to set in motion all appropriate local rescue and emergency organisations which can give the immediate assistance required.
Who is responsible initiating action?
Normally rests with the unit last in communication with the a/c or that which receives outside information from an outside source.
What are the phases of emergency?
Emergency Phase- A generic term meaning as the case may be;
1. Uncertainity Phase- Situation wherein doubt exists as to the safety of an a/c or a marine vessel and of the persons on board.
2. Alert Phase- Situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of an a/c or marine vessel and of the persons on board.
3. Distress Phase- Situation wherein there is a reasonable certainity that a vessel or other craft, including an a/c or a person on board, is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
What is the distress phase of an emergency?
A situation wherein there is reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger or require immediate assistance.
What is the uncertainity phase of an emergency?
–When no communication has been received from an aircraft within a period of 30 minutes after the time a communication should have been received, or…
– from the time an unsuccessful attempt to establish communication with such aircraft was first made, whichever is earlier, or…
– when an aircraft fails to arrive within 30 minutes of the ETA last notified to or estimated by ATSUs, whichever is later, except…
– when no doubt exists as to the safety of the aircraft an its occupants.
What is the alert phase of an emergency?
– When following the uncertainty phase, subsequent attempts to establish communication with the aircraft or inquiries to other relevant sources have failed to reveal any news of the aircraft, or…
– When an aircraft has been cleared to land and fails to land within 5 minutes of the estimated time of landing and communication has not been re-established with the aircraft, or…
- When information has been received which indicates that the operating efficiency of the aircraft has been impaired, but not to the extent that a forced landing is likely, except…
- When evidence exists that would allay apprehension as to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, or…
- When an aircraft is known or believed to be the subject of unlawful interference.
What is the distress phase of an emergency?
When following the alert phase, further unsuccessful attempts to establish communication with the aircraft and more widespread unsuccessful inquiries point to the probability that the aircraft is in distress, or…
- When the fuel on board is considered to be exhausted, or to be insufficient to enable the aircraft to reach safety, or…
- When information is received which indicates that the operating efficiency of the aircraft has been impaired to the extent that a forced landing is likely, or…
- When information is received or it is reasonably certain that the aircraft is about to make or has made a forced landing, except…
- When there is reasonable certainty that the aircraft and its occupants are not threatened by grave and imminent danger and do not require immediate assistance.
What is the distress condition?
Distress A condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and of requiring immediate assistance.
What is the urgency condition?
A condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight, but which does not require immediate assistance.
Name three types of SAR units and who coordinates them?
- Coastguard
- Mountain Rescue Teams
- Civilian Police
Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC)
Describe the organisation of SAR services in the UK
What are the distress frequencies in the UK?
121.5 MHz- most of UK above 3,000ft, based at Swanwick (D&D)
243MHz for Military
What does squawk 7700 mean?
Emergency
What does squwak 7500 mean?
Hijack/unlawful interference
What does squwak 7600 mean?
Comms failure.