Section 3 Chapter 1 Approach Control

Question 1

Provision of Services

Answer 1

Approach Control Services within the UK FIRs comprise surveillance
and non- surveillance based ATS. The type of ATS to be provided
depends on the classification of airspace within which the aircraft is
flying as tabulated below:

Question 2

Airspace:
Class A–E
(Controlled
Airspace)

Answer 2

Services Provided
Air Traffic Control Service
with or without surveillance;
Alerting Service.
Aircraft are required to
comply with air traffic
control instructions.

Question 3

Airspace:

Class F/G

Answer 3

Procedural Service; or,
Deconfliction Service; or,
Traffic Service; or,
Basic Service.
Alerting Service.

Instructions issued by
controllers to pilots
operating outside controlled
airspace are not mandatory;
however, the services rely
upon pilot compliance with
the specified terms and
conditions so as to promote
a safer operating
environment for all airspace
users.

Question 4

Within Controlled Airspace
1.3 An Approach Control unit at an aerodrome within controlled airspace
shall provide ATC Services to aircraft, according to the classification of
the airspace within which the aerodrome is located, from the time and
place at which:

Answer 4

1. arriving aircraft are released by Area Control until control is
   transferred to Aerodrome Control;
2. aircraft approaching from outside controlled airspace place
   themselves under the control of Approach Control until control is
   transferred to Aerodrome Control;
3. departing aircraft are taken over from Aerodrome Control until:
   a) they are transferred to Area Control; or
   b) they are clear of controlled airspace.
4. overflying aircraft are within the relevant controlled airspace.
   1.4 Approach Control shall provide standard separation between Special
   VFR and IFR flights and between Special VFR flights unless the CAA
   has approved a reduced separation.

Question 5

Outside Controlled Airspace
1.5 An Approach Control unit at an aerodrome outside controlled airspace
shall provide ATS to aircraft, as determined by the Aerodrome Operator
and approved by the CAA, from the time and place at which:

Answer 5

1. arriving aircraft place themselves under the control of Approach
   Control until control is transferred to Aerodrome Control;
2. departing aircraft are taken over from Aerodrome Control until they
   no longer wish to receive a service or are 10 minutes flying time
   away from the aerodrome, whichever is the sooner;
3. overflying aircraft place themselves under the control of Approach
   Control until they are clear of the approach pattern and either no
   longer wish to receive a service or are 10 minutes flying time away
   from the aerodrome, whichever is the sooner.

Question 6

Traffic Information and Avoidance

Answer 6

Traffic information shall be passed and traffic avoidance advice given to aircraft on any occasion that a controller considers it necessary in the interests of safety.

Question 7

Aerodrome Located in Airspace C

Traffic Information to be Passed

Answer 7

to VFR flights on other VFR flights

*Traffic avoidance advice must be given if requested

Question 8

Aerodrome Located in Airspace D

Traffic Information to be Passed

Answer 8

a) to IFR flights on VFR flights*;
b) to VFR flights on IFR flights;
c) to VFR flights on other VFR flights;
d) to VFR flights on Special VFR flights;
e) to Special VFR flights on VFR flights.

Question 9

Aerodrome Located in Airspace E

Traffic Information to be Passed

Answer 9

As far as practicable:

a) to IFR flights on VFR flights;
b) to VFR flights on IFR flights;
c) to VFR flights on other VFR flights;

Question 10

Flight Information

Answer 10

Approach Control shall provide flight information to aircraft under its
control; in particular any failure or irregular functioning of the aerodrome
lighting system or approach aid.

Question 11

Approach Control shall supply the following information to Aerodrome
Control:

Answer 11

1. Pertinent data on all relevant flights including the type of flight, i.e.
   IFR or VFR, level of arriving aircraft and ETA;
2. The anticipated order in which control of aircraft is to be transferred;
3. The anticipated delay to departing IFR flights together with the
   reason for the delay.

Question 12

The approach controller shall supply to the approach radar controller,
as required…

Answer 12

the current weather report (including RVR) and any other
significant information, e.g. aerodrome and lighting unserviceabilities,
runway changes etc.

Question 13

Approach Control shall supply to Area Control the following data on IFR
flights:

Answer 13

1. Lowest level at the holding facility available for use by Area Control;
2. The average time interval between successive approaches;
3. Revision of expected approach times issued by Area Control when
   Approach Control calculations show a variation of 5 minutes or
   more;
4. Arrival times over the holding point if these vary from the estimate
   by 3 minutes or more;
5. Missed approaches when re-routeing is entailed, in order that the
   subsequent action may be co-ordinated;
6. Departure times of aircraft;7.
   All available information relating to overdue aircraft.
   1.13
   Any of these items can be deleted from routine practice by agreement with Area Control.

Question 14

Approach Control shall co-ordinate with Aerodrome Control:

Answer 14

1.
Aircraft approaching to land, if necessary requesting clearance to land;
2.
Arriving aircraft which are to be cleared to visual holding points;
3.
Aircraft routeing through the traffic circuit.

Question 15

Aerodrome Control shall co-ordinate with Approach Control:

Answer 15

1.
Departing IFR flights;
2.
Arriving aircraft which make their first call on the tower frequency (unless they are transferred to Approach Control).

Question 16

Area Control shall co-ordinate with Approach Control

Answer 16

an arriving aircraft which is to be cleared to an aerodrome holding facility or a visual holding point, instead of the normal holding facility.

Question 17

IFR flights operating with visual reference to the surface may be transferred by
1.18
Approach Control to Aerodrome Control in the following circumstances:

Answer 17

1.
When an aircraft carrying out an instrument approach has become ‘number 1 to land’, and for following aircraft when they are established on final approach and have been provided with the appropriate separation from preceding aircraft;
2.
Aircraft operating in the traffic circuit;
3.
Aircraft approaching visually below all cloud when the reported aerodrome visibility is 10 km or more. When the reported visibility consists of two values, the lower of the two values shall be used when determining whether an aircraft may be transferred to Aerodrome Control.
1.19
In the case of 2. and 3. the volume of traffic and Aerodrome Control workload must be such as to allow the use of one of the reduced separations permitted in the vicinity of aerodromes. In order to clear other aircraft to descend through the cloud formation it will be necessary for the aircraft approaching underneath to be kept more than 1000 feet below all cloud, or for horizontal separation to be provided.

Question 18

Approach Control may delegate to Approach Radar Control its functions for any aircraft according to circumstances. Before an aircraft is controlled or monitored by Approach Radar Control the following information must be supplied:

Answer 18

ƒ
Callsign, type, level, route, ETA (or position) and frequency;
ƒƒ
Expected approach time, if appropriate;
ƒƒ
Service required;
ƒƒ
Release and contact instructions issued by Area Control;
ƒƒ
Information on conflicting traffic;
ƒƒ
Actual time of departure of outbound aircraft.
1.21
Approach Control may delegate the responsibility for co-ordination to Approach Radar Control.

Question 19

Approach Control may instruct IFR flights to establish communication with Aerodrome Control (for the purpose of obtaining landing clearance and essential aerodrome information)….

Answer 19

when the aircraft has become number one to approach and, for following aircraft, when they are established on final approach and 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. Aerodrome Control shall not issue any instructions or advice that would reduce the separation established by Approach Control.

Question 20

Approach Control shall retain all arriving VFR flights under its jurisdiction until…

Answer 20

appropriate traffic information on IFR flights and other VFR flights has been issued and co-ordination effected with Aerodrome Control.

Question 21

A particular watch should be kept for situations where a VFR flight may approach the aerodrome in a sector in which

Answer 21

other aircraft are letting down on an instrument approach aid, or where sequencing is in operation. D/F indications, where available, will assist in this respect. In these circumstances the pilot of the VFR flight should not be given clearance for a straight-in approach and should be advised to avoid the initial and final approach areas.

Question 22

Approach Control must ensure that VFR flights are transferred in sufficient time

Answer 22

for Aerodrome Control to pass additional information in respect of local traffic.

Question 23

Where Visual Reference Points (VRPs) are established outside controlled airspace

Answer 23

controllers should not instruct aircraft to hold over such VRPs. This does not apply to VRPs established within controlled airspace where a known traffic environment exists. VRPs are established to assist ATC in routeing VFR traffic and, at the same time, integrate it with IFR flights. Controllers should not direct VFR traffic over VRPs unless the IFR traffic situation specifically demands this.

Question 24

When the reported meteorological conditions at aerodromes in Class D airspace reduce below the following minima, ATC shall advise pilots of aircraft intending to operate under VFR to or from such aerodromes, and request the pilot to specify the type of clearance required:
By day:

Answer 24

ƒ
Aircraft other than helicopters: visibility 5 km and/or cloud ceiling 1500 feet
ƒƒ
Helicopters: visibility 1500 m and/or cloud ceiling 1500 feet

Question 25

When the reported meteorological conditions at aerodromes in Class D airspace reduce below the following minima, ATC shall advise pilots of aircraft intending to operate under VFR to or from such aerodromes, and request the pilot to specify the type of clearance required: bY nIGHT

Answer 25

ƒ | Aircraft including helicopters: visibility 5 km and/or cloud ceiling 1500 feet

Question 26

ATC shall not issue any further VFR clearances to aircraft wishing to operate under VFR to or from an aerodrome in Class D airspace when the reported visibility at the aerodrome is below: By day:

Answer 26

ƒ Aircraft other than helicopters: visibility 5 km ƒƒ Helicopters: visibility 1500 m

Question 27

ATC shall not issue any further VFR clearances to aircraft wishing to operate under VFR to or from an aerodrome in Class D airspace when the reported visibility at the aerodrome is below: By night:

Answer 27

By night: ƒƒ Aircraft including helicopters: visibility 5 km.

Question 28

The assigned level in initial clearances to arriving aircraft should normally not be below...

Answer 28

...the appropriate minimum sector altitude or, if this is not known, the highest minimum sector altitude. If a pilot is flying at, or has requested, a lower level or has confirmed that he is in a position to accept an ATC clearance at a lower level; a reminder of the highest sector altitude should be issued.

Question 29

If a clearance is to be relayed to an arriving aircraft by personnel providing a FIS at an ACC

Answer 29

the approach controller shall include the minimum sector altitude in the clearance message passed to them.

Question 30

Area Control shall pass estimates on and release inbound aircraft

Answer 30

to Approach Control

Question 31

Inbound estimates shall be passed at least...

Answer 31

15 minutes prior to the arrival of the aircraft at the designated approach fix.

Question 32

Release messages shall be passed to Approach Control in a timely manner as specified in MATS Part 2 and shall contain the following:

Answer 32

``` ƒ Aircraft identity, type and SSR code (if applicable); ƒƒ Point of departure; ƒƒ Release point; ƒƒ Estimated time and level at the holding facility, or arrival time and level at the holding facility if the release is given after arrival; ƒƒ Expected Approach Time; ƒƒ Contact point. ```

Question 33

Area Control shall clear arriving aircraft to the holding facility if...

Answer 33

the flight is remaining within airspace Classes A to F, give instructions to hold if necessary and include an EAT in the clearance.

Question 34

Approach Control may issue any instructions to an aircraft released to it by Area Control. However, that aircraft must not be instructed to climb above, or stop its descent to, the level at the holding point agreed with Area Control and passed in the release message, without...

Answer 34

prior co-ordination with Area Control.

Question 35

Unless approved by the CAA, Area Control shall not release arriving aircraft to Approach Control at...

Answer 35

FL195 or above. When such procedures are approved by the CAA, MATS Part 2 shall include details of the area in which aircraft may be released and the full details of the conditions under which the procedures may be used.

Question 36

After co-ordination with Approach Control, Area Control may clear an arriving aircraft to...

Answer 36

an aerodrome facility, or to a visual holding point, instead of the normal holding facility.

Question 37

It should be noted that when an aircraft is the subject of a ‘radar release’ the approach controller shall not control it...

Answer 37

until the approach radar controller reports that it is clear of the conflicting traffic.

Question 38

DEFINE A/D OPERATING MINIMA

Answer 38

Aerodrome Operating Minima are criteria used by pilots to determine whether they may land or take off from any runway at night or in IMC. Aerodrome Operating Minima in relation to take offs are the RVR and/or visibility, and if necessary, cloud conditions. For approach and landings, the Aerodrome Operating Minima consist of the decision height or minimum descent height, RVR and or visibility, and, if necessary, cloud conditions, as applicable for the type of approach.

Question 39

Aerodrome Operating Minima vary depending on:

Answer 39

1. the type of aircraft and its navigation equipment; 2. flight crew composition, competence, experience, and flight techniques used; 3. runway dimensions and characteristics; 4. availability and performance of visual and non visual ground aids 5. obstacles in the approach, missed approach, and climb out areas; 6. the obstacle clearance height for the instrument procedures; 7. the means to determine and report meteorological conditions; 8. special provisions pertinent to low visibility procedures. 1.45 Controllers are not responsible for determining, passing or enforcing a pilot’s Aerodrome Operating Minima. However, in accordance with Section 6 Chapter 3, controllers should report any occurrence which they consider has endangered, or if not corrected would have endangered an aircraft, its occupants, or any other person.

Question 40

After an arriving aircraft has placed itself under the control of Approach Control, the following information shall be passed as soon as practicable:

Answer 40

1. Runway in use; 2. Current meteorological information together with the time of observation: a) Surface wind direction (in degrees magnetic) and speed. The maximum wind speed should be included if it is 10 knots or more greater than the mean speed and the extremes in direction when the variation is 60 degrees or more and the mean speed exceeds 3 knots. Controllers should note that anemometers indicate magnetic direction but meteorological reports give wind direction in degrees true; b) Visibility; c) Present weather; d) Significant cloud amount and height of base; e) The appropriate barometric pressure setting as described in Section 1; f) Relevant information reported by pilots of other aircraft, e.g. vertical wind shear, severe icing, severe turbulence; g) Significant meteorological information, e.g. thunderstorms, hail; h) Warnings of marked temperature inversion; i) Any other relevant information; j) RVR according to the procedures in Chapter 3. This information may be reduced to items a), e) and f) when aircraft are below cloud flying in VMC and able to continue VMC to the landing; 3. Current runway surface conditions when appropriate; 4. Any changes in the operational status of visual and non-visual aids essential for approach and landing; 5. LVP in operation.

Question 41

Aircraft which have received the information above must be kept informed of the following until they have landed:

Answer 41

``` 1. Significant changes in the meteorological and runway conditions; 2. Further reports from other pilots; 3. Further changes in the operational status of approach and landing aids; 4. Implementation or cancellation of LVP. ```

Question 42

As a general rule, controllers shall only transmit meteorological information that has been supplied, or agreed, by the Meteorological Office. The exceptions are:

Answer 42

1. Indicated wind direction (degrees magnetic) and speed when anemometer indicators are fitted in the control room; 2. RVR observations; 3. Sudden or unexpected deteriorations which, in the interests of safety, a controller considers it advisable to warn aircraft of immediately and consult with the Meteorological Office afterwards; 4. Information from an aircraft in flight may be passed to other aircraft when a controller considers that it may be useful to them. Whenever this is done the controller shall state that the information originated from an aircraft in flight and the time at which the observation was made. Aircraft reports of meteorological conditions that affect safety, e.g. severe icing or severe turbulence, shall always be passed to other aircraft likely to be affected. Information on severe icing and/or severe turbulence is to be communicated as soon as possible to the duty meteorological forecaster who will decide whether the conditions warrant the issue of a special report; 5. Cloud echoes observed on the situation display. The use of ATS surveillance systems for reporting and avoiding weather is described in Section 1, Chapter 6; 6. Observations made at aerodromes by ATS staff who hold a meteorological observers certificate; 7. Observations made at aerodromes without accredited observers (Meteorological Office staff or MET certificated ATS personnel) are not regarded as official reports. If transmitted to aircraft or disseminated beyond the aerodrome, the message must be prefixed by: “Unofficial observation from (name of aerodrome) at (time) UTC gives (observation)”

Question 43

Observations of visibility and RVR passed to aircraft making an approach to land when the visibility is less than 1500 m

Answer 43

shall be recorded. Records shall be made available to the CAA on request.

Question 44

To expedite traffic at any time, IFR flights, either within or outside controlled airspace, may be authorised to execute visual approaches if the pilot reports that he can maintain visual reference to the surface and:

Answer 44

1. the reported cloud ceiling is at or above the level of the beginning of the initial approach segment; or 2. the pilot reports at any time after commencing the approach procedure that the visibility will permit a visual approach and landing, and a reasonable assurance exists that this can be accomplished. 1.63 Controllers should not clear an aircraft for a visual approach when the RVR is less than 800 m. If a pilot requests a visual approach when the RVR is less than 800 m, controllers should inform the pilot that this type of approach is unavailable and request the pilot’s intentions.

Question 45

Outside controlled airspace, IFR flights in receipt of any of the UK FIS may be authorised to conduct a visual approach. Responsibility for the provision of deconfliction advice and traffic information continues to be dictated solely by the service being provided. Continued ATS provision is subject to the following:

Answer 45

1. Procedural Service. There is no requirement for controllers to change the level of service provided; 2. Deconfliction Service. When flights carrying out visual approaches descend below the unit’s terrain safe level, controllers shall not provide Deconfliction Service, and should instead provide a Traffic Service; 3. Traffic Service. Subject to maintenance of surveillance identity, there is no requirement to change the level of service provided; 4. Basic Service. There is no requirement to change the level of service required. 1.66 Where IFR flights are authorised to make a visual approach, pilots are to be informed of any recommended wake turbulence separation minima. 1.67 Controllers shall exercise caution in initiating a visual approach when there is reason to believe that the flight crew concerned is not familiar with the aerodrome and its surrounding terrain.

Question 46

Official instrument approach procedures are notified by the CAA. Pilots are normally expected to be conversant with these procedures, but in exceptional circumstances a pilot may request the information. When this request is made, or it is apparent that the pilot is not conversant with these procedures, the following information is to be transmitted.

Answer 46

1. On initial contact: a) “This is the approach procedure for (aid) for category A aircraft. Final approach track (degrees)”; b) Arrival level (if necessary); c) Type of reversal manoeuvre including outbound track, length in time or distance, level instructions and direction of procedure turn where applicable. 2. When aircraft commences final reversal: intermediate and final approach track, intermediate and final approach fixes together with level instructions, stepdown fixes and OCH; 3. Missed approach point and missed approach procedure (when required). 1.69 Items 1. b) and c) may be omitted for straight-in approaches. 1.70 If the pilot is copying down the information the whole procedure can be passed in one message. 1.71 Even if visual reference to the ground is established before completion of the approach procedure, the pilot will normally complete the whole procedure. At his request however, he may be cleared to break-off the instrument procedure and carry out a visual approach. Separation from other traffic is to be provided unless the pilot cancels his IFR plan.

Question 47

Levels at holding facilities shall be assigned so as to permit aircraft to

Answer 47

approach in their correct order. Normally the first aircraft to arrive over a holding facility should be at the lowest level with following aircraft at successively higher levels.

Question 48

Departure times of aircraft from the holding facility shall be based on the desired time interval between aircraft landing. If the weather conditions are such that the pilot may encounter difficulty in completing the landing,

Answer 48

the time interval may be increased to allow the first aircraft to land before the second aircraft commences descent of final approach.

Question 49

If a pilot advises that he is unable to comply with Approach Control holding or communication procedures,

Answer 49

alternative procedures requested by him should be approved if traffic conditions permit.

Question 50

The approach sequence shall be established in a manner which will...

Answer 50

facilitate arrival of the maximum number of aircraft with the least delay. However, priority in the approach sequence is to be given to certain aircraft as indicated in Section 1.

Question 51

When airborne holding is needed and the delay is expected to be less than that requiring the issue of EATs,....

Answer 51

controllers shall explicitly instruct pilots to hold (at the required exact reporting point) and provide the pilot with an estimate of the delay.

Question 52

When EATs are required, they shall be passed

Answer 52

sufficiently in advance to permit pilots to arrange their flight paths accordingly.

Question 53

The first aircraft will descend from the lowest level of the holding stack

Answer 53

and commence approach when instructed

Question 54

The second aircraft in the approach sequence may be instructed to descend to the level previously occupied by the first aircraft, after

Answer 54

the first aircraft has reported vacating it. If, however, severe turbulence is known to exist, the instruction shall be withheld until the first aircraft has reported at least 1000 feet below the vacated level.

Question 55

The second aircraft may be instructed to leave the holding facility and descend for approach when

Answer 55

the required separation has been established between it and the preceding aircraft and reasonable assurance exists that a normal landing can be accomplished.

Question 56

Approach Control shall calculate EATs for aircraft

Answer 56

likely to be delayed before commencing an intermediate approach.

Question 57

Unless otherwise instructed controllers shall pass EATs to aircraft

Answer 57

with whom they are in contact. EATs shall not normally be issued when the delay is expected to be less than 20 minutes. The statement “no delay expected” is only to be used if it genuinely reflects the situation. However, at the request of a pilot, controllers are to give a general indication of the likely delay based on the information available at that time.