C2 - Basic Service

Question 1

A Basic Service is an ATS provided for the purpose of…

Answer 1

…giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights.

This may include weather information, changes of serviceability of facilities, conditions at aerodromes, general airspace activity information, and any other information likely to affect safety.

Question 2

The avoidance of other traffic is…

Answer 2

…solely the pilot’s responsibility.

Question 3

Basic Service relies on the pilot avoiding…

Answer 3

…other traffic, unaided by controllers/ FISOs.

It is essential that a pilot receiving this ATS remains alert to the fact that, unlike a Traffic Service and a Deconfliction Service, the provider of a Basic Service is not required to monitor the flight.

Question 4

Controllers may utilise…

Answer 4

…ATS surveillance system derived information in the provision of a Basic Service.

Question 5

Basic Service is available under…

Answer 5

…IFR outside controlled airspace in any meteorological conditions, or under VFR.

Pilots should be aware that Basic Service might not be appropriate for flight in IMC or where lookout is constrained by other factors, when other ATS are available.

Question 6

A controller may identify an aircraft to facilitate…

Answer 6

…co-ordination or to assist in the provision of generic navigational assistance, but is not required to inform the pilot that identification has taken place.

Question 7

Identification of an aircraft in receipt of a Basic Service does not imply that…

Answer 7

…an increased level of ATS is being provided or that any subsequent monitoring will take place.

Question 8

Controllers may allocate SSR codes to aircraft in receipt of a Basic Service. The issuance of such a code…

Answer 8

…does not constitute the provision of a surveillance ATS.

Question 9

Given that the provider of a Basic Service is not required to monitor the flight, pilots should not expect…

Answer 9

…any form of traffic information from a controller.

A pilot who considers that he requires a regular flow of specific traffic information shall request a Traffic Service.

Question 10

However, where a controller has information that indicates that there is aerial activity in a particular location that may affect a flight, in so far as it is practical, they should…

Answer 10

…provide traffic information in general terms to assist with the pilot’s situational awareness.

This will not normally be updated by the controller unless the situation has changed markedly, or the pilot requests an update

Question 11

Traffic information in general terms could include warnings of aerial activity in a particular location:

Answer 11

• Intense gliding activity over Smallville
• multiple aircraft known to be operating 15 miles north of Smallville
• PA28 estimating CPT at 25, altitude 2000 feet
• fast jet reported routing from Smallville to Midtown below altitude 500 feet
• helicopter conducting power line inspection 5 miles north of Borton below altitude 500 feet

Question 12

A controller with access to surveillance-derived information shall avoid…

Answer 12

…the routine provision of traffic information on specific aircraft but may use that information to provide a more detailed warning to the pilot.

Question 13

If a controller considers that a definite risk of collision exists…

Answer 13

…a warning shall be issued to the pilot

Question 14

Whether traffic information has been provided or not…

Answer 14

…the pilot remains responsible for collision avoidance without assistance from the controller

Question 15

Deconfliction is not provided under a Basic Service.

If a pilot requires deconfliction advice outside controlled airspace…

Answer 15

…Deconfliction Service shall be requested. (IFR only)

A controller shall make all reasonable endeavours to accommodate this request as soon as practicable

Question 16

Basic Service is available at all levels…

Answer 16

…and the pilot remains responsible for terrain clearance at all times.

Agreements may be made with pilots to fly at any level, without the requirement for a reminder of terrain clearance responsibility to be passed to the pilot.

Question 17

Unless the pilot has entered into an agreement with a controller to maintain a specific course of action, a pilot may…

Answer 17

…change heading or routeing without advising the controller.

Question 18

Other than for the purposes of identification, a controller shall not…

Answer 18

…issue specific heading instructions; however, generic navigational assistance may be provided on request.

The controller is not obliged to provide such assistance and the pilot must not rely on its provision as part of a Basic Service.

Question 19

Generic navigational assistance may include…

Answer 19

…information relative to the position of significant navigational features and information on routeings as requested by the pilot.

If the controller has access to an ATS surveillance system and has the capacity, he may facilitate the provision of generic navigational assistance by identifying the aircraft and providing suggested track information.

Additionally, bearings utilising direction finding equipment, i.e. QDM/QTE, may be provided subject to ATC equipment capability.

Alternative routeings may be suggested to assist the pilot in remaining clear of notified airspace reservations, e.g. “Suggest re-route to the west to remain clear of active danger area”.

Question 20

Unless the pilot has entered into an agreement with a controller to maintain a specific level or level band…

Answer 20

…a pilot may change level without advising the controller