ATCO Flashcards
(48 cards)
FIR
London FIR
- LACC
- LTCC
- Military air traffic control
Scottish FIR
- MACC
- ScACC
- OACC
London FIR
LACC - en route traffic in London FIR. Air space over most of England and Wales
LTCC - Handles traffic below 24,500 feet flying to or from londons airports. One of the busiest in Europe borders of France and Netherlands
Military air traffic control - Military controllers provide services to civil and military aircraft operating outside controlled airspace (work closely with civilian controllers to ensure safety)
Scottish FIR
MACC - controls aircraft over much of the north of England, the midlands and north wales. From 2,500 feet up to 28,500 feet
ScACC - controls aircraft over Scotland, NI, N England and N sea from 2,500 up to 66,000 feet
OACC - controls airspace over eastern half of the N Atlantic from the Azores to a boundary with Iceland
What are air-traffic controllers responsible for?
The safe orderly and efficient movement of aircraft from the moment it leaves the departure gate to the aircraft arriving at its gate at its destination
What responsibilities will the role incorporate?
- Preventing collisions between aircraft in the air
- Assisting in preventing collisions between aircraft moving on the apron on the manoeuvering area
- Assisting in preventing collisions between aircraft and obstructions on the manoeuvering area
- Expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic
What is generated on the ATC computers when a flight plan is filed?
Callsign, route, altitude and speed of the intended flight amongst other details.
Either electronically or paper flight progress strip
What do the controllers use to monitor aircraft progression?
Paper or electronic flight progress strips in conjunction with radar and other displays. Either on the surface of the airport or in the proximity of the airfield or through an en-route sector
What do you controllers and pilots used to communicate?
VHF radio + any information issued by controllers must be read back by pilots
Do ATCOs communicate with each other?
Yes via telephone and computer. ATCOs must pass details of flights as they move from one sector to another.
UK must coordinate with ATCCs in Dublin, Shannon, Brest, Paris, Brussels, Maastricht and Copenhagen. Vice versa
What is an Aerodrome controller?
- Responsible for safety and movement of the aircraft on the airfield from the time it pushes back from stand to departing.
- Will issue instructions for the aircraft to taxi to and from the runway as well as clearances to take off and land
- Tower controllers will also issue routings and clearances to the aircraft prior to departure and ensure the safe movement of all vehicles moving around the airfield
- Busier units may spilt runway specific tasks from movement between the stands and the runway vicinity
What is an Approach controller?
Take over from area controllers as the aircraft is approaching the airport. Give clearance for aircraft to approach and sequence all approaching aircraft for efficient landing
- If using radar will issue headings, altitudes, speeds and other info.
- Spacing of aircraft depends on weather conditions, size of aircraft. Larger aircraft create more wake turbulence than smaller ones so approach controllers must provide correct turbulence wake separation.
What are Approach controllers? x2
At major fields there are holding facilities called ‘Stacks’ which aircraft may be required to enter if delays are expected. Heathrow and Gatwick have four and two stacks respectively
Approach controllers are often based at the airfield which they provide a service for. Although NATS provide the approach function for London airports from swanwick
When the aircraft is established on the final approach between 6-12 miles from the runway, aerodrome controllers will take over
What is an Area controller?
Responsible for the aircraft in the climb, descent and en-route phase of the flight.
Will issue levels, headings and speeds to separate aircraft to provide the most safe and expeditious routing to the exit point.
Agreement with next sector/controller along the entire route of the aircraft is a major function of the role and each aircraft will be transferred along the line according to set conditions every time it leaves and enters a new sector.
Two main categories of airspace
Controlled airspace
Uncontrolled airspace
What does controlled airspace involve?
Classes A,C,D,E
Class A
A - only IFR (instrument flight rules) is permitted. Most strictly regulated airspace where pilots must comply with ATC instructions at all times. Mainly airlines and business jets
Class C
C - Flight level (FL) 195 to FL 660. Both IFR and visual flight rules (VFR) traffic operates and requires clearance to enter, compliance with ATC mandatory
Class D
D - IFR and VFR use, ATC clearance is needed and compliance is mandatory, Control areas around aerodromes are class D and in the class D airspace a speed limit of 250 knots applies if the aircraft is below FL 100
Class E
E - IFR AND VFR use. IFR traffic requires ATC clearance and compliance with ATC instruction is mandatory for separation purposes. VFR traffic does not require a clearance to enter class E airspace
What is controlled airspace also divided by?
Divided by type, depending on where it is and the function it provides.
Aerodrome control zones
Afford protection to aircraft within the immediate vicinity of Aerodrome
Control areas
Situated above Aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) and afford protection over a larger area to a specific upper limit
Terminal control areas
Normally established at the junctions of airways in the vicinity of one or more major Aerodromes
The London terminal control area
Example of terminal control area and deals with air traffic arriving and departing from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, London City, Northolt, Biggin Hill, Southend, Farnborough, and other minor airfields in the London area
