38. Traffic Information

Question 1

Define Traffic Information.

Answer 1

Information issued by an air traffic services unit controller to alert a pilot or controller to other known or observed air traffic which may be in proximity to the position or intended route of flight and to help the pilot avoid a collision.

Question 2

According to MATS 1, when passed to an aircraft, what shall Traffic Information include?

Answer 2

Traffic information to aircraft shall include the following:

1) Bearing from the aircraft in terms of the 12 hour clock (when the aircraft is turning, direction of the unknown aircraft by compass points);
2) Distance from the aircraft in miles;
3) Direction in which the unknown aircraft is proceeding, e.g. “traffic is opposite direction/crossing left to right”, etc;
4) Height information when available, this may include the unverified Mode C of unknown aircraft.

Question 3

According to CAP413, when passed to an aircraft, what shall Traffic Information include?

Answer 3

Whenever practicable, traffic information should be given in the following form:

1) relative bearing of the conflicting traffic in terms of the 12 hour clock with the optional prefix “left or right” as appropriate; or, if the aircraft under service is established in a turn, the relative position of the conflicting traffic in relation to cardinal points, i.e. northwest, south etc.;
2) distance from the conflicting traffic;
3) relative movement of the conflicting traffic; or, if the aircraft under service is established in a turn, the direction of flight of the conflicting traffic in relation to cardinal points;
4) level of aircraft, if known;
5) speed of the conflicting traffic, if considered relevant; and
6) type of aircraft, if considered relevant.