ATS |

ATS 3.33 RELAY OF FLIGHT INFORMATION FROM AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE TO AIRCRAFT

ICAO SARPS state that Air Traffic Services are required to provide flight information. Despite it not being the most accurate and efficient method, it is often the Air Traffic Controller that assumes responsibility for broadcasting this information. Although several new … Continued

ATS 3.2 CLEARANCES

One of the fundamental operational principles that have been incorporated in the draft ICAO Manual of ATS Data Link Applications, 1st Ed. (1999), 3.36 from the beginning is that any ATS data link system shall only allow one ATSU (ATS … Continued

ATS 3.18 SHORT TERM CONFLICT ALERT

STCA is a ground based system that relies on surveillance data processing to predict proximity between two or more targets. The program utilises radar information on both the vertical and horizontal planes and predicts the future position of those targets, … Continued

ATS 3.34 TERRAIN AND OBSTACLE CLEARANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

During the work on SID and STAR phraseology changes and cancellation of level restrictions, fundamental issues arose regarding ICAO standards and procedures for terrain and obstacle clearance. ICAO provisions presently have problems: Currently most responsibility lies with pilots. Implied responsibility. … Continued

ATS 3.3 HARMONISATION OF THE AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION

Pilots experience difficulties to be constantly aware of the type of airspaces crossed while preparing for an approach and looking outside in compliance with the “see and avoid” rule. One of the critical safety issues regarding class E airspace is … Continued

ATS 3.19 MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE WARNING SYSTEMS

There continues to be an unacceptable high level of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) accidents. Although there are enhancements in the cockpit to prevent such incidents: Ground Proximity Warnings (GPWS), IFATCA believes that devices such as Minimum Safe Altitude Warning … Continued

ATS 3.35 TERRAIN AND OBSTACLE CHARTING

Work on SID and STAR phraseology changes and cancellation of level restrictions identified fundamental issues regarding ICAO procedures for terrain and obstacle clearance, primarily whether a restriction is ATC or terrain based. IFATCA Policy is: All published altitude restrictions should … Continued

ATS 3.4 STANDARDISATION OF REGIONAL TRANSITION ALTITUDES

Problems can arise if transition altitudes vary between adjacent FIRs. IFATCA Policy is: Standardisation of transition altitudes on a region wide basis shall be implemented where applicable. See: WP 35 – Nairobi 1987, Resolution B17 – WP 60 – Virtual … Continued

ATS 3.20 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN ATM

There are several environmental issues in ATM. Aircraft noise and aircraft emissions are the issues that have the greatest impact on efficiency and safety. The normal order of priority in air traffic control is: safety, efficiency and “finally” environmental issues. … Continued

ATS 3.36 EMERGENCY DESCENT PROCEDURES

Existing ICAO recommended practices concerning emergency descent procedures provide guidance to pilots and ATS units in the event of an emergency descent. However, these provisions are outdated. Updates are needed to handle modern scenarios. Proposal was to switch TCAS to … Continued