Area

Area


Clearance		Ground		Tower		Approach Radar		Area		FIS

Description

Area control services comprise of air traffic services in airspace which is not under the jurisdiction of an approach or aerodrome control unit. The type of service to be provided depends on the class of airspace within which the aircraft is flying.

In the absence of any aerodrome and approach control, Area controllers will complete the tasks detailed in the Delivery, Tower and Approach Radar SOP's.

Area of responsibility

Area is responsible for the all the airspace within it's FIR which is not delegated to another unit. The lateral dimensions vary from sector to sector, see the information pages and the appropriate sector files. Area controllers take responsibility for every ATS unit within it's sector when the unit is not in operation. This means that if you are alone, you are ultimately responsible for every "active" position within your sector. Area controllers must therefore be familiar with the procedures of many different airports, which can be a rather big challenge.

What you need to know

In addition to the general guidelines, a Centre controller must:

Be familiar with the Clearance delivery SOP;
Be familiar with the Ground control SOP;
Be familiar with the Tower control SOP;
Be familiar with the Approach Radar SOP;
Be familiar with FSS procedures;
Know the local procedures for all the airports within the FIR;
Understand the different airspace divisions within the FIR;
Know the SIDs and STARs, for all the airports within the FIR, and when to use them;
Understand the principles of vectoring, and sequencing aircraft;
Understand noise abatement procedures when applicable;
Know all separation minima's for arriving, departing and en-route traffic

Procedures

Principles of Operation

An area control centre is divided into sectors which work in close liaison.

Each controller shall be responsible only for the efficient performance of those tasks which are specifically allocated in the task description.
Controllers are to monitor the actions of other members.

Co-ordination - Area Control Centres

Aircraft must not penetrate the airspace of another area control centre or sector unless prior co-ordination has taken place. The responsibility for initiating co-ordination rests with the controller of the sector transferring control.

Co-ordination - Approach control units

Approach control units are required to keep area control promptly advised of:

lowest level at the holding point available for use by area control

avergae time interval between successive approaches

revisions to expected approach times when calculations show a variation of 5 minutes or more

arrival times over the holding point if these vary from the estimate by 3 minutes or more

missed approaches when re-routeing is entailed

all information on overdue aircraft

Speed Adjustment

Controllers may request pilots to increase/decrease speed in order to maintain the appropriate separation. Speed adjustment may also be utilised as a method of streaming aircraft prior to sequencing in the intermediate phase. The pilot should be advised when speed control is no longer required.

Position Reports

In order to reduce RTF communication, a pilot will make a position report only

on first tranfer of communication from another centre or sector

on reaching the limit of an ATC clearance

when instructed by ATC

Aircraft holding

When an aircraft is instructed to hold en-route it must always be given an onward clearance time. Aircraft must never be told that such holding is indefinite, and if it is not possible to make an accurate calculation immediately, the aircraft shall be given an onward clearance time requiring 10 to 15 minutes holding which must be amended to an accurate time before the period has elapsed.

Aircraft which will be delayed by 20 minutes or more before commencing an intermediate approach for landing shall be given an expected approach time together with their clearance to the holding facility. If an aircraft is to be delayed less than 20 minutes, no expected approach time is to be passed.

IvAc settings

We recommend you use range rings set to 10nm, VORs, NDBs (no name), All airspace boundaries, runways. and relevant airways turned on. Toggle airport names, SIDs and STARs as needed.

Select altitude filter limits that include as a minimum: