The use of safety nets within the ATM system has been established for many years. The scope of safety nets has extended to be not only airborne based but ground based as well. There is a move to extend their application into other areas such as an ATM tool, often with a view to a reduction of separation. Also, the concept of separation protection as opposed to collision avoidance has been introduced. This implies that the controller is alerted when the separation minima are about to be infringed and action will be taken to maintain the minima. In this case, the use of the safety net is being compromised by its use as conflict detection tool.
IFATCA Policy is:When implementing ground-based safety nets, common phraseology and procedures shall be used in their operation. ATCOs must be involved in the development of procedures and protocols for implementation, changes to, degradations of, and safety net failures. ATCOs, managers, or technical personnel must not have the ability to change, degrade or deactivate the safety net on an impromptu basis. Procedures for the use of safety nets must be clearly defined prior to the introduction of the functionality. To ensure the integrity of the safety net is maintained, all safety net system configurations, adaptations, and customisations must be set in such a manner to eliminate, avoid or minimise spurious and nuisance alerts from being presented. In addition, these settings must be reviewed on a regular basis, and amended as required. A Safety Net function shall not be considered when developing a safety case. |
| See: Resolution B2 – WP 86 – Accra 2018, Resolution B23 – WP 60 – Virtual 2022, WP 104 – Abu Dhabi 2025 |
