ATS 3.10 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT IN CIVIL AVIATION

IFATCA takes the view that SI (Système International d’Unités) is not necessarily providing a single solution for Civil Aviation, and that, in order to obtain a common global standard which is necessary for safety reasons, then specific non SI elements should be retained for the measurement of Vertical Distance, Speed and Distance.

IFATCA Policy is:

For the measurement of vertical distance, speed and distance the following units of measurements should be used:

for vertical distance: FEET; (Vertical distance is altitude, elevation and height)
for vertical speed: FEET PER MINUTE;
for horizontal speed: KNOTS;
for long distances*: NAUTICAL MILES.

* long distance used in navigation generally in excess of 4000 metres.

Any change in use of current units of measurement should only be implemented after appropriate training of controllers.

See: WP 100 – Marrakech 2000

Last Update: July 20, 2022

November 4, 2019 738 Jean-Francois Lepage ATS TOC , ATS , TPM , ATM Operations

ATS 3.10 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT IN CIVIL AVIATION

IFATCA Policy is:

Related Knowledge Base Posts -