EQPS 1

Question 1

What is VDF and UDF?

Answer 1

VHF Direction finding/ UHF Direction finding (mil)

-Determines a bearing of an aircraft from a ground station when pilot makes a transmission

Question 2

What systems are used in surveillance?

Answer 2

-PSR
-SSR
-Mode-S
-ADS-B (Auto dependent surv. (position data from satellites)
-Multi-lateration
-CPDLC

Question 3

What systems are used in a VCR?

Answer 3

-Crash phone
-ATM (Air traffic monitor)
-SMR
-ADIS (Automatic Terminal Information System)
-VCCS
-EVCS

Question 4

What is MLAT?

Answer 4

-Use of several receivers to triangulate location of aircraft by tracking return timings
-Useful in areas of spoofing
-Inaccurate and low altitudes

Question 5

What is QDR in relation to VDF?

Answer 5

Mag bearing FROM station

Question 6

What is QDM in relation to VDF?

Answer 6

Mag bearing TO station

Question 7

What is STO in relation to VDF?

Answer 7

Stores last transmission

Question 8

What is Tx in relation to VDF?

Answer 8

Stops transmitted bearing appearing on display

Question 9

What are the tolerances for the VDF classifications A, B, C & D?

Answer 9

A = +/- 2 degrees
B = +/- 5 degrees
C = +/-10 degrees
D = +/- less than C

Question 10

What are some limitations of VDF?

Answer 10

-Reflections from ground/objects
-Propagation at long range

Question 11

What are Sound waves?

Answer 11

-Mechanical waves that travel through a medium

-Travel at speed of sound

-Weaken at distance (Attenuate)

-Transmitted & received and then converted to mechanical vibrations to create sound waves

Question 12

What is the range of frequencies used?

Answer 12

3hz - 300GHz

Question 12

What are Radio waves?

Answer 12

-Electromagnetic waves that do not need a medium to travel

-Travel at speed of light

• Do not attenuate (weaken at distance)

Question 13

What are the minimum and maximum wavelength sizes?

Answer 13

1mm - 100,100km

Question 14

What is the frequency band for VHF?

Answer 14

30MHz - 300MHz

Question 15

What does a Transmitter contain?

Answer 15

-Power supply

-Oscillator (creates carrier wave)

-Modulator (adds info to wave)

-Amplifier (increases power)

-Antenna (converts signal to radio wave)

Question 16

What is AM/FM modulation?

Answer 16

Changing Amplitude or frequency to match band needed

Question 17

ADD Phenomena that affect the propagation of radio waves

Question 18

What is Refraction?

Answer 18

When radio waves bounce off of the Ionosphere

Question 19

What is Diffraction?

Answer 19

When radio waves bounce off the ground

Question 20

What is Reflection?

Answer 20

When radio waves bounce off buildings/objects

Question 21

What is Propagation

Answer 21

How radio waves travel, such as through:

-Line of sight/space waves
-Ground waves
-Sky waves

Question 22

What are Line of sight/space waves?

Answer 22

-Travel in free space, or away from other objects which influence the way in which they travel.

-It is only the distance from the source which affects the way in which the signal strength reduces.

-Uses satellites

-Typically, there is little influence from elements such as the atmosphere, weather etc.

-Typically VHF bands

Question 23

What are Sky waves?

Answer 23

Radio waves propagated via the Ionosphere.

-Can achieve great distances

-Can be less useful during day due to attenuation of frequencies in lower ionosphere

-Typically HF frequencies

Question 24

What are Ground waves?

Answer 24

-Radio waves that travel via the ground. -They can be modified by the ground or terrain over which they travel. They may also follow, or diffract, around the Earth's curvature. -Wave front angled towards ground to aid following of earths curvature -Most associated with LF and MF frequencies

Question 25

What are different methods of voice communication?

Answer 25

-VCCS/VCS -PSTN -ATOTN (between ATCUs) -VOIP -Intercom -Crash alarm -EVCS

Question 26

What is PSTN?

Answer 26

Public Switched Telephone Network -National landline structure used to have other control positions/agencies on speed dial

Question 27

What is ATOTN?

Answer 27

Air Traffic Operations Telephone Network -Separate telephone network controlled by NATS which provides an alternate contact method between ATC Units, both NATS and non-NATS/Military. -This separate system provides a contingency system in the event of PSTN failures and added security as it is a private network.

Question 28

What is CPDLC?

Answer 28

Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications -2 way datalink between ATC/pilots for non-urgent messages -Keeps frequency clear -Can store messages

Question 29

What is SELCAL?

Answer 29

Signal method to highlight ground wants to communicate with pilot -Lights up and creates audible noise to alert pilots to turn radio back up as a message is required to be passed to them -Allows pilots to not have to monitor HF radio for long periods

Question 30

What is ACARS?

Answer 30

Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System -Links to the FMS -Usually used for pilots to communicate with their airline operations -Messages sent over via datalink

Question 31

What is DP En-route?

Answer 31

Common system to be used across ATC disciplines (AC/AD/AP) allowing for easier transition for controllers

Question 32

What is Foursight?

Answer 32

Confliction detection (similar to iFACTS)

Question 33

What is iTEC?

Answer 33

Interoperability Through European Collaboration System that allows for easier access to data across nations in Europe

Question 34

What is IACM?

Answer 34

Indra Airspace Capacity Manager -Improved planning software to help supervisors plan staffing by entering "what if" scenarios -Works alongside iTEC

Question 35

What is MVS?

Answer 35

Main Voice System Improved, modern and secure data comms voice system with a back up of SVS

Question 36

What is Electronic Coordination?

Answer 36

Allows controllers to coordinate aircraft without calling

Question 37

What are some benefits of electronica coordination?

Answer 37

-Increased safety (reduced erroneous receipt of messages) -Less voice congestion -Less RT between Pilot/controller -Less stress/memory burden

Question 38

What are some limitations of electronic coordination?

Answer 38

-Could increase workload -Requires more training -May use system incorrectly -Risk of system failure -System requires global outreach, increasing risk of malicious interference

Question 39

What is AFTN?

Answer 39

Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network Fixed circuit exchange that allows exchange of messages and/or digital data between aeronautical fixed stations having the same, or compatible, communications characteristics

Question 40

What information is passed in AFTN messages?

Answer 40

-Distress messages from/about an aircraft -Urgency messages from/about an aircraft -Flight safety -MET (TAFs/METARs/SIGMETs/SPECIs)

Question 41

What is an ATIS?

Answer 41

Automated Terminal Information Service

Question 42

What is VOLMET?

Answer 42

Worldwide network that broadcasts TAFs, SIGMETS & METARs using automated info -Broadcast in HF, which is scheduled so a region has a 5 minute section every hour -or in VHF which broadcasts in a continuous loop, updated as needed

Question 43

What is AMAN?

Answer 43

Arrival Management Tool Shows hold stack information

Question 44

What does NODE show area controllers?

Answer 44

Indicates when aircraft have: -Infringed controlled airspace (Controlled Airspace Infringement Tool; CAIT) -Have left controlled airspace (Outside Controlled Airspace Tool; oCAT) -Have selected an incorrect pressure setting (Barometric pressure setting Advisory Tool; BAT) -Are predicted to be entering an active Danger Area (Position Indication Tool; PIT)