ATC Contingencies

Actions During

ATC Contingencies

Arvind Kumar Singh

9/3/2016 1

Emergencies and Contingencies

• Unlawful Interference and Aircraft Bomb Threat .

• Fuel Dumping.

• Air-Ground Communications Failure.

• Emergency Descent

• Weather Deviation Procedures.

• Strayed VFR flights and VFR flights encountering adverse

meteorological conditions.

9/3/2016 2

Emergency Separation

Fuel Emergency & Minimum Fuel

Procedures in regard to aircraft equipped with

airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS).

Call Sign Confusion

Emergencies and Contingencies

9/3/2016 3

General Monitor progress of an aircraft in emergency the aircraft passes out

from the coverage of the ATS surveillance system

Inform position to all ATS units which may be able to give assistance to

the aircraft

Transfer to adjacent sectors, when appropriate

ADS-B emergency alert is observed & no other indication for nature of

the emergency

Attempt to establish communication with the aircraft to verify the

nature of the emergency

No response is received from the aircraft, ascertain if the aircraft is

able to receive transmissions by requesting to execute a specified

manoeuvre which can be observed on the situation display

9/3/2016 4

General When an emergency is declared by an aircraft, ascertain-

Aircraft identification and type

Type of emergency

Intentions of the flight crew

Position and level of the aircraft

Decide the most appropriate type of assistance

Enlist the aid of any other ATS unit

Provide any other information such as details of suitableaerodromes, minimum safe altitudes, weather information;

Obtain POB, Fuel, any hazardous materials

Notify appropriate ATS units and authorities as per localinstructions

9/3/2016 5

Unlawful Interference & Aircraft Bomb Threat

Squawk 7500/7700

Promptly attend to requests.

Anticipated needs of the aircraft

Transmit, and continue to transmit, information pertinent to the safe conduct of

the flight, without expecting a reply from the aircraft;

Monitor and plot the progress of the flight with available means.

Coordinate transfer of control with adjacent ATS units without requiring

transmissions or responses from the aircraft.

Inform, and continue to keep informed, appropriate ATS units, including those in

adjacent FIRs, which may be concerned with the progress of the flight.

ATMC 9 of 2012 and Contingency Plan to deal with Unlawful Interference9/3/2016 6

If bomb or other explosive device has been placed on board-

Advise the flight crew without delay by most expeditious means.

Ascertain the intentions of the flight crew.

Report intentions to other concerned ATS units.

Handled in the most expeditious manner, the safety of otheraircraft, personnel & ground installations are not put at risk.

Aircraft in flight shall be given re-clearance to a requested newdestination.

Taxi route shall be selected with a view to minimizing anysecurity risks.

ATS units shall not provide any advice or suggestions concerning action to be taken by the flight crew in relation to an explosive device

Unlawful Interference & Aircraft Bomb Threat

9/3/2016 7

Action by Recipient of a Bomb Threat

Ask the Caller the Following Questions

WHERE is the bomb?

Asked first so that an evacuation can be planned.

WHEN will it go off ?

So that a time factor is known for the evacuation.

WHAT does it look like ?

To help in recognition of the device during a search.

WHO are you ?

To see if the caller is from a credible group.

WHY are you doing this ?

To build up a better picture of the incident and keep the caller on the

line to assist in tracing the call.

9/3/2016 8

Action When Aircraft on Grounda) Aircraft has taxied out for departure:

Aircraft to be directed to isolation bay

b) Aircraft on bay with PIC in cockpit:

Disembark pax/crew with their handbags immediately

c) For pushed back aircraft with attached tow tractor/engine started :

Bring back acft to same stand and disembark pax with their hand

bags

d) Coaches meant for pax should be kept at least 100 m away from

the isolation bay/remote bay.

e) At the same time, the rescue, fire fighting and security services

should be alerted in accordance with the S.V.P. International Airport

emergency plan.

9/3/2016 9

Action When Aircraft in Air

Inform PIC complete details related to bomb threat, PIC of the acftwill take the call considering on the various merits

PIC decides to continue the flight:

Treat acft as suspect and apply appropriate separation to ensurethat other aircrafts are not endangered.

Keep contiguous air traffic service units informed.

PIC decides to land:

Acft should be diverted to nearest civil or military airfield atwhich it can land safely.

BTAC decision from departing station not received

Direct acft to isolation bay after landing

BTAC decision from departing station received as non specific

Direct the affected aircraft to remote/isolation bay.

9/3/2016 10

Fuel DumpingIn an emergency or other urgent situation to reduce tomaximum landing mass in order to effect a safe landing.

Route should be clear of cities and towns, preferably overwater.

Level should be not less than 6000 ft and duration of fueldumping.

Separation

At least 10 NM horizontally, but not behind the aircraftdumping fuel;

Vertical separation if behind the aircraft dumping fuelwithin 15 minutes flying time or at a distance of 50 NM by;

at least 1 000 ft if above the aircraft dumping fuel

at least 3 000 ft if below the aircraft dumping fuel.

9/3/2016 11

Fuel Dumping

• Radio silence during the fuel

dumping operation.

• Information to other ATS units and

non-controlled traffic

• Appropriate warning message for

other traffic.

• A320 , B737 aircrafts don’t have

fuel dumping system

9/3/2016 12

Air-Ground Communications Failure Squawk 7600

Ascertain whether the aircraft is able to receive transmissions by

requesting it to execute a specified manoeuvre.

Aircraft fails to indicate that it is able to receive and acknowledge

transmissions. Separation shall be maintained.

In visual meteorological conditions:

Continue to fly in visual meteorological conditions;

Land at the nearest suitable aerodrome;

Report its arrival by the most expeditious means to the

appropriate air traffic control unit.

9/3/2016 13

In instrument meteorological conditions

In procedural separation, maintain the last assigned speed and level, or MFA if

higher, for a period of 20 minutes following the aircraft’s failure to report its

position over a compulsory reporting point and thereafter adjust level and

speed in accordance with the filed flight plan.

In airspace where an ATS surveillance system

Maintain last assigned speed and level, or MFA if higher, for a period of 7

minutes following

Time the last assigned level or minimum flight altitude is reached

Time the transponder is set to Code7600.

Aircraft’s failure to report its position over a compulsory point.

Whichever is later and thereafter adjust level and speed in accordance with

the filed flight plan.

Air-Ground Communications Failure

9/3/2016 14

Arrival at destination aerodrome:

Proceed according to current FLP route as to designated

navigation aid/fix

Commence descent from the navigation aid or fix or EAT

last received and acknowledged.

If no EAT received and acknowledged than the estimated

time of arrival.

Complete a normal instrument approach procedure.

Land, if possible, within 30 minutes after the estimated time

of arrival or the last acknowledged EAT, whichever is later.

Air-Ground Communications Failure

9/3/2016 15

Emergency Descent

Immediately broadcast by means of the appropriate radio aids, or

request for such broadcast.

Aircraft receiving broadcast will clear the specified areas. Stand by

on the appropriate radio frequency for further clearances.

Immediately after emergency broadcast by ACC, APP, or TOWER

concerned shall forward further clearances to all aircraft involved

Inform any other ATS units and control sectors which may be

affected

Attention all aircraft in the vicinity of (or at) PRA emergencydescent in progress from FL360 (followed as necessary byspecific instructions, clearance, traffic information etc.).

9/3/2016 16

Weather Deviation

When appropriate separation can be applied, issue

clearance to deviate from track

If conflicting traffic and unable to establish appropriate

separation,

Advise the pilot of inability to issue clearance for the

requested deviation.

Advise the pilot of conflicting traffic.

Request the pilot’s intentions.

Unable, Traffic West bound A320 F320 estimated PRA at 1020call sign IGO 123 advise intentions.

9/3/2016 17

Strayed VFR flights and VFR Fights Encountering

Adverse Meteorological Conditions

A strayed aircraft-

Deviated significantly from its intended track or which reports that it islost

Uncertain of its position

Encountering adverse meteorological conditions, should beconsidered to be in a state of emergency.

Any of the following information considered pertinent so as to betterprovide assistance:

Aircraft flight conditions, Position (if known) and level, Airspeed andheading

Pilot experience, SSR, ADS-B capability

Departure and Destination aerodromes, POB, Endurance.

Assistance to a VFR flight using an ATS surveillance system upon the request or concurrence and agreed by the pilot..

9/3/2016 18

Emergency Separation

Half the applicable vertical separation minimum may be used.

500 ft where 1000 Ft. vertical separation minimum.

1 000 ft where 2000 ft vertical separation minimum.

Flight crews concerned shall be advised that emergency

separation is being applied

Informed of the actual minimum used

Essential traffic information shall be provided

9/3/2016 19

Fuel Emergency & Minimum Fuel

MINIMUM FUEL when, having committed to land at a specific

aerodrome, the pilot calculates that any change to the existing

clearance to that aerodrome, or other air traffic delays, may result in

landing with less than the planned final reserve fuel.

Pilot reports a state of minimum fuel, the controller shall inform the

pilot as soon as practicable of any anticipated delay or that no delay

are expected.

This is not an emergency situation but an indication that an

emergency situation is possible should any additional delay occur.

9/3/2016 20

Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) In ACAS/TCAS RA, the controller shall not attempt to

modify the aircraft flight path until the pilot reports “Clear

of Conflict”.

The controller shall resume responsibility for providing

separation for all the affected aircraft when:

Aircraft has resumed the current clearance.

Aircraft is resuming the current clearance and issues

an alternative clearance is acknowledged by the flight

crew.

9/3/2016 21

Procedure for reporting RA’s

Reports made by aircraft on RA shall be entered in the log

book and Inform WSO and ATS In-charge

Reports of RA shall be reported by signal to M(O) / ED

(ATM) / GM (SQMS)

In-charge of ATS units shall investigate the incident and

take further action in consultation with GM(SQMS)

Complete an Air Traffic Incident Report.

9/3/2016 22

Call Sign Confusion

Use of similar call signs by aircraft in the same area on the same RTF

frequency often gives rise to potential and actual flight safety

incidents.

Such call sign confusions often lead to incidents

Airprox, loss of separation, loss of communication, blockage of

transmissions

level bust, runway incursions, Controlled Flight Into terrain

(CFIT), increased workload for both pilots and controllers

9/3/2016 23

Consequence

Takes up a heading or routing intended for anotheraircraft

Climb or descent to a level to which is not cleared

Leaves RTF frequency

Blocks a transmission from theintended recipient

intended recipient does not receive the clearance, andfails to take clearances

Misunderstands the intentions of aircraft

Issues a clearance to the wrong aircraft, and/or fails toissue a clearance to the intended aircraft

Increased workload of controllers and pilots

Call Sign Confusion

9/3/2016 24

Measures Observe correct RTF discipline

Pronounce call signs at a lower speed and more clearly

Do not clip transmissions.

Do not use readback time to execute other tasks.

Ensure clearances are readback correctly. Correct any error in read-back.

Caution when language difficulties may exist.

Use headsets especially during periods of high workload

Actively monitor flight crew transmissions and compliance

In Blocked transmission ensure that both aircraft retransmit and receive correct clearance

Call Sign Confusion

9/3/2016 25

Email following information [email protected]

Date and Time

Sector or geographical location

Call signs of the aircraft concerned

Phase of the flight

Change Your Call Sign to (new call sign) [until furtheradvised]

Revert to Flight Plan Call Sign (call sign) [at (significantpoint)]

Call Sign Confusion

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