The terms “strategic ” and “tactical” are becoming widely used by almost all elements of the aviation community. They are being used in widely varying circumstances according to the context to which they refer. These terms are increasingly becoming part of the jargonese of the specific sector of aviation which is employing them at the time of use. Because of the possibility of misunderstanding which might come from the above, it is thought to be desirable to define both terms as they affect the Air Traffic Control function worldwide.

It is generally agreed that strategy is a longer term activity than tactics. The formulation of strategy is the devising of a plan to run for an extended period of time. The activity therefore will probably comprise some intelligence gathering exercise , some considerations of the wider implications of the proposal and a great deal of planning and scenario-building (the so called “what if…). It will also arrive at an objective.

The above can be translated in the ATC world in the following way. The setting up of an ATC service comes about because of an identified need for aviation safety. Government then instructs suitable personnel to devise procedures to allow such an operation to function with the desired level of protection. These personnel then consider a great number of factors and then formulate the procedures necessary for that safe service. After much time consuming work the procedures become the plan for the ATC service. Note the objective – a safe ATC service.

It is generally accepted that tactics arrive after the plan. They are in effect a reaction to the plan. Of necessity they react to circumstances that were unforeseen when the strategic plan was finalised. The timescale for tactics therefore is much shorter, the reaction is focused on a particular event, the number of factors to be considered is much less. But despite these differences the objective remains the same for both activities.

Tactics can be illustrated by ATC issuing instructions to maintain separation or by radar vectoring etc. The strategic plan remains generally intact but circumstances have required ATC intervention in a specific area at a specific time using known techniques.

To Conclude

Strategy is a calculated action comprising broad horizons and long timescales. The result of such activity is a plan.

Tactics are a more spontaneous activity resulting from variations from the plan. Tactics are focused and take place over a short timescale. They are designed to move the process forward in the light of changing circumstances to achieve the original desired aims.

It is thought appropriate that all events referring to a particular flight up to initiation of the ATC clearance by a member of its crew shall be considered strategic. these events should be covered by the overall plan e.g. flight planning, initial slot allocation derived from repetitive flight plans.

All else which occurs after that initiation of an ATC clearance requires some intervention from ATC usually to modify the initial plan and therefore can reasonably be called tactical.

It is recommended that:

Strategic:

All events referring to a particular flight leading up to the initiation of an ATC clearance by the crew of a particular flight shall be considered strategic.

Tactical:

All the events that occur after the initiation of an ATC clearance by the crew of a particular flight shall be considered tactical.