MATS RAC 5

Question 1

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on time, between aircraft at the same cruising level on the same track.

Answer 1

T10 if NAVAIDS provide frequent determination of position and speed, or
T5 20kt, or
T3 40kt
Provided (T5/T3):
- Aircraft have departed same aerodrome
- Aircraft reported over same significant point
- Between departing and en route aircraft, where en route aircraft reports over co-located significant point to where departure aircraft will join air route

Question 2

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on time, between aircraft at the same cruising level on crossing tracks.

Answer 2

T10 at the intersection of tracks where vertical separation does not exist (provided NAVAIDS permit frequent determination of position and speed)

Question 3

Up to what level are D10 separations valid and why?

Answer 3

D10 up to and incl. FL 150 where aircraft are on opposite sides of DME
D10 up to and incl. FL 290 where aircraft are on same side of DME

*Due to slant range and cone of silence

Question 4

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on time, between aircraft climbing and descending on the same track.

Answer 4

T10 while vertical does not exist provided NAVAIDS permit the frequent determination of position and speed

T5 while vertical does not exist provided that the level change is commenced within T10 of the second aircraft crossing the common waypoint (ground aid or GNSS)

Question 5

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on distance, between aircraft climbing or descending on reciprocal tracks.

Answer 5

D10 (aircraft passed each other by). Confirmed by:

• Same “on track” DME station (both using DME)
• “on track” DME and co-located GNSS waypoint (one of each)
• Same waypoint (both using GNSS)

Question 6

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on time, between aircraft climbing or descending on reciprocal tracks.

Answer 6

T10 prior to and after the ETP

Question 7

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on distance, between aircraft climbing and descending on the same track.

Answer 7

D20
D10 – where the leading aircraft is 20kt or more faster or one aircraft is maintaining level flight
D10 – where the following aircraft is instructed to reach separation level D10 prior to the last DME/GNSS report of preceding aircraft

Question 8

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on distance, between aircraft at the same cruising level on the same track.

Answer 8

D20

D10 – where the leading aircraft is 20kt or more faster than the following aircraft

Question 9

Describe the longitudinal separation minima based on distance, between aircraft at the same cruising level on crossing tracks.

Answer 9

In this case the same waypoint/DME station shall be located at the intersection and the relative angle between the tracks less than 90 degrees
D20
D10 – where the leading aircraft is 20kt or more faster than the following aircraft.

Question 10

What symbol in the equipment field of a flight plan indicates that an aircraft is RVSM approved?

Answer 10

W

Question 11

What actions shall a controller take, when they become aware or have reason to suspect that a loss of separation has occurred?

Answer 11

Every means available used to restore separation ASAP and essential traffic information passed. Incident reported.

Question 12

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from Restricted, Danger, or Military Operating areas, established for aircraft only in IMC?

Answer 12

5nm laterally.

1000ft vertically or 2000ft (above FL 290)

Question 13

Give three examples of occasions where increased separation should be applied.

Answer 13

• Requested by pilot or considered necessary by controller.
• A pilot reports severe turbulence or mountain wave activity or aircraft is known to be entering area of severe turbulence/mountain wave activity.
• Where navigational accuracy of aircraft may be impaired.
• Failure of a NAVAID reduces capacity for frequent determination of position/speed.
• Where aircraft subjected to unlawful interference.
• Aircraft is experiencing communication failure.
• Aircraft’s performance is abnormal.

Question 14

When applying MILSEP, who is responsible for collision avoidance?

Answer 14

The pilots.

Question 15

When may separation minima be reduced?

Answer 15

• Where visual (incl. composite visual) separation is being applied.
• Where military separation is being applied (MILSEP)
• Between aircraft in formation, providing prior notice has been given to ATC, or formation consists of aircraft in distress and it’s escort.

Question 16

What items shall be passed when giving essential traffic?

Answer 16

The words “Essential Traffic”

• Direction of flight
• Type of aircraft
• Level information
• Position information

Question 17

What are the provisos for the use of visual separation beyond the vicinity of an aerodrome in class C or D airspace?

Answer 17

Area surveillance or approach controller only, during hours of daylight.

• Pilot request
• Each aircraft under control of same operation position (or physically adjacent positions provided both controllers agree)
• No possibility of incorrect identification.

Pilot requirement:

• Pilots must be in continuous sight of other aircraft concerned and both pilots agree to application of separation, or
• Pilot of succeeding aircraft reports having preceding aircraft in sight, and can maintain visual separation

Question 18

An aircraft may be cleared to a level previously occupied by another aircraft after the latter has reported vacating, with what exceptions?

Answer 18

• Severe turbulence is known to exist
• The latter aircraft is effecting a cruise climb or cruise descent
• The different in aircraft performance is such that separation minima may be compromised.

Question 19

How is RVSM separation applied?

Answer 19

Within the RVSM stratum,

• 1000ft between RVSM approved flights.
• 2000ft if either or both aircraft is non-RVSM approved.

Question 20

What actions shall a controller take in the event that a pilot of an RVSM approved aircraft, operating within the RVSM stratum, advises “Unable RVSM due equipment”?

Answer 20

• Pass essential traffic information and obtain pilots intentions
• Restore non-RVSM separation
• Update flight’s RVSM status in FPL (from RVA to RVS) and coordinate verbally as per MATS

Question 21

The use of longitudinal separation based on distance is subject to what conditions?

Answer 21

• Direct controller/pilot VHF voice communication being maintained
• The aircraft are flying either directly inbound to or directly outbound from the same DME station and/or coolcated waypoint, or the same waypoint
• If aircraft have RNAV capability, controllers to ask for GNSS distance
• Aircraft GNSS capable have “G” in flight plan

Question 22

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from Restricted, Danger or Military Operation Areas, established for aircraft in VMC?

Answer 22

500ft vertical (1000ft above FL 290)
2nm horizontal

Question 23

What airspace around NZ is designated RVSM airspace?

Answer 23

FL 290 to FL 410 inclusive.

Question 24

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from Restricted, Danger or Military Operation Areas, established for non-aircraft activity?

Answer 24

Kept clear.

Question 25

What is the minimum vertical and horizontal separation from GAA?

Answer 25

500ft vertical

2nm horizontal

Question 26

How can lateral separations depicted on charts as being valid up to A100, A140, FL150 or FL250 be used up to FL450?

Answer 26

May be used up to FL 450, provided that where quoted distance is less than 31nm, a minimum of 31nm is used.

Question 27

Define a “crossing track”

Answer 27

Any track which intersects another at 45 degrees or more from a particular direction of flight and its reciprocal.

i.e. same track if same direction less than 45 degrees; reciprocal if opposite direction less than 45 degrees.

Question 28

State the distance based Wake Turbulence separation minima to be used by radar controllers between an A388 aircraft followed by, or crossing in front of:

• Heavy
• Medium
• Light

Answer 28

Heavy = 6nm
Medium = 7nm
Light = 8nm

Question 29

Between which flights is separation provided?

Answer 29

• All aircraft in Class A
• IFR and VFR in class C
• IFR in class C and D (except separation is not provided in Class D during Daylight where flights are subject to own separation in VMC)
• IFR and SVFR
• SVFR where flight visibility is less than 5km
• Flights at aerodromes to ensure RWY/Wake Turbulence Separation
• Between flights without an operable transponder and all other flights known or believed to be ACAS equipped. (No use of own sep. VMC)

Question 30

In an aircraft’s FPL, what doe the following RVSM status indicators mean?

• RVA
• RVP
• RVN
• RVS

Answer 30

RVA = RVSM Approved
RVP = Non-RVSM priority aircraft (eg. state) [X in datablock]
RVN = Non-RVSM aircraft [X in datablock]
RVS = RVSM suspended (eg. due equipment) [S in datablock]

Question 31

Aircraft may be cleared to cruise in the transition layer at 14,000ft within controlled airspace under what conditions?

Answer 31

• Permitted only when hazardous weather (eg. icing, ash cloud) is known or reported.
• Aircraft operation on zone Area QNH
• To ensure vertical separation:
  
  • If QNH above 1013 = A130, A140 and FL150 all available
  • If QNH 981-1013 = A130, A140, FL160 available (FL150 not available if A140 is in use)
  • If QNH 980 or less = A130, A140 and FL170 available. (FL160 not available if A140 is in use) [FL150 NOT available]