Approach: Approach Control Flashcards
1
Q
What type of approach control exists in the UK?
A
- Surveillance & non-suveillance based ATS, depending on airspace;
- A, C, D: ATC Service (w/ / w/out surveillance. Alerting service. Aircraft reuiqred to comply with ATC instruction.
- E: ATC Service (w/ / w/out surveillance to IFR flights. Alerting service. TS/BS & Alerting Service to participating VFR).
- G: Procedural Service, DS, TS, BS & Alerting Service. Cap 774.
2
Q
To whom shall an Approach Control unit at an aerodrome within CAS provide ATC services to?
A
- Arriving aircraft from time released by Area Control until control is transferred to Aerodrome Control.
- Aircraft approaching from outside CAS until transferred to Aerodrome Control.
- Departing aircraft when transferred from Aerodrome Control until transferred to Area / Clear of CAS
- Overflights within the relevant CAS
3
Q
What separation shall Approach Control provide between SVFR & IFR flights?
A
Standard Separation
4
Q
What info shall Approach provide to aircraft under its control?
A
- Flight info, particularly any failure / irregular functioning of the aerodreom lighting system / approach aid.
5
Q
What info shall Approach provide to Aerodrome Control?
A
- Pertinent data on all relevant flights including the type of flight e.g. IFR/VFR, level of arriving aircraft, ETA
- The anticipated order in which control of aircraft is to be transferred
- The anticipated delay to departing IFR flights w/ reason for delay
6
Q
What info shall Approach supply to Approach Surveillance Control
A
- The approach ATCO shall supply to the approach surveillance ATCO;
- Current weather (including RVR)
- Any other significant info e.g. aerodrome & lighting unservicabilities, runway changes etc
7
Q
What info shall Approach supply to Aera Control?
A
- Lowest level at the holding facility available
- Average time interval between sucessive approaches
- Revision of expected approach times issued by Area Control when calculation show variation of 5 mins or more
- Arrival times over the holding point if these vary from the estimate by 3 mins or more
- Missed approaches when re-routeing is entailed, in order that the subsequent action may be coordinated.
- Departure times of aircraft
- All available info relating to overdue aircraft
Any of these items can be deleted from routine practice by agreement with Area Control
8
Q
What shall Approach Co-ordinate with Aerodrome Control?
A
- Aircraft approaching to land, if necessary requesting clearance to land
- Arriving aircraft which are to be cleared to visual holding points
- Aircraft routeing through the traffic circuit
9
Q
What shall Aerodrome Control co-ordinate with Approach?
A
- Departing IFR flights
- Arriving aircraft which make their first call on the tower frequency
10
Q
What shall Area Control co-ordinate with Approach Control?
A
- An arriving aircraft which is to be cleared to an aerodrome holding facility / visual holding point instead of the normal holding facility.
11
Q
When may Transfer of Control take place between Approach & Aerodrome Control?
A
- IFR flights operating with visual reference to the surface may be transferred by Approach to Aerodrome when;
1. An aircraft carrying out an instrument approach has become “number 1 to land”, and for following aircraft when they are established on final approach & have been provided with the appropriate separation from preceding aircraft
2. Aircraft operating in the traffic curcuit
3. Aircraft approaching visually below all cloud when the reported aerodrome visibility is 10km or more.
12
Q
Before an aircraft is transferred from Approach to Approach Surveillance Control, what information must be supplied?
A
- Callsign, type, level, route, ETA, freq
- EAT
- Service
- Release & contact instructions issued by Area Control
- Info on conflicting traffic
- Actual time of departure
13
Q
When may Transfer of Communication take place between Approach & Aerodrome Control?
A
- Approach may instruct IFR flights to establish comms with Aerodrome Control (for landing clearance & EAI) when the aircraft has become number 1 to approach.
- For following aircraft, when they are established on final approach & have been provided with appropriate separation.
Until such aircraft are flying with visual reference to the surface the responsibility for separation between them shall remain with Approach Control
14
Q
How long should Approach retain arriving VFR flights for?
A
- Until appropriate traffic info on IFR flights & other VFR glihgts has been issues & co-ordination effected with Aerodrome Control
15
Q
What must Approach ensure when transferring VFR flights to Aerodrome Control?
A
- VFR flights must be transferred in sufficient time for Aerodrome Control to pass additional information in respect of local traffic.
16
Q
What should Approach do with regards to aircraft holding over Visual Reference Points (VRPs)?
A
- Outside CAS: ATCOs should not instruct aircraft to hold over VRPs
- Inside CAS: fine to hold over VRPs due to known traffic environment
17
Q
What should ATCOs do with VFR intending to operate to/from an aerodrome when the ground visibility reduces below 5km and/or CC below 1500ft?
A
- Inform the pilots & request they specify the type of clearance required.
- Shall not issue ANY FURTHER clearances
18
Q
Who is exempt from the VFR minima?
A
- Police, Helimed, Rescue, Electricity, Grid, Powerline, Pipeline, SAR traiging, Rail Track
19
Q
How should levels be assigned to arriving aircraft in terms of terrain clearance?
A
- The assigned level initial clearances to arriving aircraft should normally not be below the appropriate minimum sector altitude
- (If this is not know, the highest minimum sector altitude)
20
Q
How are Arriving Aircraft Released From Aera Control?
A
- AC shall pass estimates on & release inbound a/c/ to Approach
- Inbound estimates shall be passed at least 15 mins prior to the arrival of the aircraft at the designated approach fix.
- Release messages shall be passed to Approach Control in a timely manner as specified in MATS2 & shall contrain the following;
1. Aircraft id, type, SSR
2. Point of departure
3. Release point
4. Estimated time & level at the holding facility
5. Expected Approach Time
6. Contact point
21
Q
How do Aerodrome Operating Minima work?
A
- AOM are criteria used by pilots to determine whether they may land / take off from any runway at night or in IMC.
- (RVR &/or vis/cloud)
- Vary depending on; type, crew competency, runway dimensions, availability of aids, obstacles
- ATCOs are not responsible for determining or enforcing AOM.
22
Q
Except where an ATIS is employed, what info should be passed to arriving aircraft?
A
- Runway in use
- Current MET info together with time of observation
1. Wind
2. Vis
3. Present Weather
4. Significant cloud
5. Pressure
6. Sig met info e.g. thunderstorms, hail
7. Warnings of marked temperaure inversion
8. Any other relevant info
9. RVR - Runway Surface Conditions
- Any changes in the operational status of visual & non-visual aids
- LVPs?
23
Q
What info must pilots be kept up to date on until they land?
A
- Significant changes in the met & runway conditions
- Further reports from other pilots
- Further changes in operational status of approach & landing aids
- Implementaions / cancellation of LVPs
24
Q
How should ATCOs operate with regard to aircraft requesting self positioning to final approach?
A
- Execise caution
- Do not initiate reference to the “Centrefix” or other locally used term.
- If ATCOs are in any doubt about the location of the “Centrefix” or other position referred to by a pilot, they are to ask the pilot to define this position & take this definition into consideration when carrying out their controlling duties.
25
What are the rules on Transmission of Meteorological Info to arriving aircraft?
* Ensure the info supplied conforms to the request e.g. a report not given in place of a forecast
* ATCOs shall only transmit met info that has been supplied by the MET OFFICE. Except;
1. Indicated wind
2. RVR
3. Sudden/unexpected deteriorations
4. Info from an aircraft in flight to other aircraft when ATCO considers that it may be useful to them. **Aircraft reports of conditions that affect safety e.g. severing icing / sever turbulence shall always be passed to other aircraft likely to be affected.**
5. Cloud echoes on the situation display
6. Observations made at aerodromes by ATS staff who hold a met observer certificate
7. RVR when vis less than 1500m
26
How should ATIS messages be operated?
* ATIS intended to provide pilots with range of information to enable them to make a definite decision about their approach/landing/take-off.
* Should be broudcast on dedicated frequency and when practicable, not exceed 30 seconds
* Each message coded using the Phonetic Alphabet
* ATCOs must pass on changes to pilots on the RTF.
* Pilots of arriving aircraft are required to acknowledge receipt of the ATIS message on initial contact with Approach Control using the code letter. If a non-current code letter is used, or if receipt of ATIS is not acknowledged, Approach must pass the compliete info to the aircraft.
27
How do Visual Approaches work in CAS?
* To expedite traffic at any time, IFR flights in/out CAS may be authorised to execute visual approaches if;
1. The pilot reports that visual reference to the surface can be maintained &;
2. The reported cloud ceiling is at / above the level of the beginning of the initial approach segment **OR**
3. The pilot reports at any time after commencing the approach procedure that the vis will permit a visual approach & landing, and a reasonable assurance exists that this can be accomplished.
* ATCOs shall not clear an aircraft for a visual approach then the RVR is less than 800m.
* Standard separation still applies.
28
How do Holding Procedures work?
* Holding shall be accomplished in accordance with notified procedures.
* Levels at holding facilities shall be assigned so as to permit aircraft to approach in their correct order. (first aircraft to arrive at lowest level etc)
* Departure times of aircraft from the hold shall be based on the desired time interval between aircraft landing.
29
How should the approach sequence be organised?
* In a manner which will facilitate arrival of the maximum number of aircraft with the least delay.
* When airborne holding is needed & the delay is expected to be less than that requiring the issue of EATs, ATCOs shall explicityly instruct pilots to hold & provide the pilot with an estimate of the delay.
* When EATs are required, they shall be passed sufficiently in advance to permit pilots to arrange their flight paths accordingly.
* The first aircraft will descend from the lowest level of the holding stack & commence approach when instructed.
* The second aircraft in the approach sequence may be instructed to descend to the level prviously occupied by the first aircraft, after the first aircraft has reported vacating it. (Unless sever turbulence, then wait for first aircraft to report at least 1,000ft below vacated level).
* The second aircraft may be instructed to leave the holding facility & descend for approach when the required separation has been established between it & the preceding aircraft & reasonable assurance exists that a normal landing can be accomplished.
30
How do Expected Approach Times work?
* Approach shall calculate EATs for aircraft likely to be delayed before communcing an intermediate approach.
* Unless otherwise instructed, ATCOs shall pass EATs to aircraft with whom they are in contact.
* EATs shall not normally be issued when the delay is expected to be less than 20 mins.
* The statement "no delay expected" is only to be used if it genuinely reflects the situation.
* At the request of a pilot, ATCOs are to give a general indication of the likely delay based on the info available at the time.
31
How does Holding for Weather Improvement work?
* Pilots of arriving aircraft may elect to hold for the weather to improve. In addition to passing routine weather reports, ATCOs are to advise pilots of other relevant met info.
* The first aircraft to enter the holding pattern is to be advised, "no traffic delay expected". No instruction to leave the hold shall be given until the pilot indicates their intention to attempt a landing.
* Subsequent a/c entering the hold shall be advised "delay not determined (number) aircraft holding for weather improvement". ATCOs should establish the intention of any pilot if it has not already been stated.
* When a pilot wishes to make an approach, they are to be provided with routeing instructions to enable the pilot to descend clear of other traffic & return to the holding facility above the other aircraft which have elected to make an approach.
* If aircraft are making approaches in poor weather conditions, the possibility of missed approaches shall be considered. The lowest holding level shall normally be kept vacant for such eventualities.
32
How do Diversions work?
* Where marginal weather conditions exist / where the need for diversions islikely to arise due to the state of the aerodrome, traffic density, or for any other reason, ATCOs at aerodromes are to maintain the closest liaison with operating companies & the sup at the parent ACC. They shall pass the lastest pertinent info so that diversions may be anticipated & not interrupt the smooth flow of air traffic.
* When the need does arise, the ATCO is to take the following action;
1. Hold the aircraft in the vicinity of the aerodrome
2. Advise the ACC Watch Supervisor of the aerodrome selected for diversion.
3. Obtain clearance instructions together with any other instructions to be passed to aircraft.
4. Pass diversion messages to aircraft.
5. If required, pass alternate aerodrome weather report.
6. Advise the operating company / nominated addressee in accordance with the instructions in section 1.
33
What should ATCOs do when they find out an aircraft is diverting to them?
* Ensure that full details are passed to the Aerodrome Operator.
* After a diverted aircraft has landed an arrival signal shall be sent to;
1. The aerodrome of departure
2. The point of first intended landing
3. The ACCs serving the original planned route
4. LTCC Route charges sections
34
How shall Approach treat Departing Aircraft?
* ATC clearances issued by Approach Control shall specify any / all of the following;
1. Turn after take-off
2. Track to make good before turning on to desired heading
3. Initial level to fly
4. Time, point, rate at which changes of level are made.
*Pilots flying instrument departures are required on first contact to inform the ATCO of their callsign, current/passing level, and cleared level.
35
How are Joining & Overflying Aircraft handled?
* When an aircraft requests permission to enter CAS for the purposes of landing / transiting the airspace, it may not be possible, for traffic reasons, to issue that clearance immediately.
* In such situations ATCOs shall advise the pilot to remain outside CAS, when to expect clearance, and give a time check.
