ANACNA to Collect and Collate R/F Procedures

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ANACNA to Collect and Collate R/F Procedures

32ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Christchurch, NZ, 19-23 April 1993

WP No. 005

ANACNA to Collect and Collate R/F Procedures

 

During Bournemouth Conference SC 1 tasked ANACNA to collect and collate R/F procedures from all Ma’s and ICAO to further develop policy , particularly in reference to planned higher levels.

Basic Reference

Collection and comparison methods have been chosen in order to comply with the following aspects :

  • The existence of IFATCA policy concerning this subject or regarding with it :
    • R/F communication failure: Page 3244 IFATCA Manual;
    • Frequency blocking: Page 3247 IFATCA Manual;
    • Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft: Page 3248 IFATCA Manual.
  • The need to specify a simple and clear procedure of comparison with regard to a numberless amount of data, without compromising the aim of the research.

Survey Method

Phase 1 – It was necessary to specify prominent variable factors that may be the basis for any R/F procedure (for instance : flight rules, phase of flight, weather conditions, airspace classification and structure etc.)

Following variables have been considered prominent :

  • Variable ‘STATION’
    • Radio failure events can equally concern both ground stations and in flight stations.
  • Variable ‘ACTION’
    • Any regulation shall clearly establish pilot and control action during ground or board radio failure.

Variable 1 – TYPE OF RADIO FAILURE

There are three possibilities : complete, only receiver and only transmitter radio failure.


Variable 2 – AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

A radio failure may not be a real problem, if alternative means of communication are able to maintain a continuous two – way connection. No problems arise if AMSS , Mode S, VHF data link are available. Other alternative means of communication, such as visual signals, use of primary or secondary radar and navigational or approach aids, cannot grant a continuous two – way. In these cases flight operations should be modified with reference to the level of existing communication.


Variable 3 – METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Pilot obligations are different according to VMC or IMC conditions.


Variable 4 – FLIGHT RULES

IFR / Special VFR.


Variable 5 – ATS SERVICE PROVIDED TO THE AIRCRAFT

Uncontrolled flight or controlled flight.


Variable 6 – PHASE OF FLIGHT

Risks related to radio failure have a different impact according to phase of flights. The following phases have been identified (only to meet survey needs):

Ground movement: Taxing

In flight phases: Departure; En-route; Approach; Landing


Variable 7 – MINIMISE DELAYS

Among radio-failure procedures having the same safety level, the most efficient shall be chosen:

Phase 2 – the following results have been reached :

  • ICAO standards do not prescribe radio failure rules according to flight rules (IFR – VFR Special VFR);
  • A problem of interpretation may arise comparing Annex and Doc 4444. According to Annex 2 a separation shall be only applied if aircraft continues its IMC flight. According to Doc 4444 a separation shall be always applied;
  • As transmitter radio failure cannot actually grant a continuous two-way, controllers and pilot obligations are not clearly defined.

Phase 3 – MA’s have been asked to send all the rules concerning R/F and to file a very brief questionnaire.

Phase 4 – National rules of every MA’s will be compared with ICAO standards specifying the differences for each variable factor. A ‘score’ will be assigned to each difference. This ‘score’ will mean only the degree of difference from ICAO standards. A quality survey will also be done in order to point out the best solutions.

Phase 5 – Based on the documentation collected and collated we will be able to specify :

  • Percentage of MA’s that adhere to ICAO standards;
  • Percentage of MA’s that have a good deal of local R/F procedures;
  • Percentage of differences for a single variable factor;
  • Procedures that seem to better regulate R/F events.

Last Update: September 20, 2020  

December 19, 2019   684   Jean-Francois Lepage    1993    

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