PROCEDURES FOR AERODROME CONTROL SERVICE

FUNCTIONS OF AERODROME CONTROL TOWERS

Aerodrome control towers shall issue information and clearances to aircraft under their control to achieve a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic on and in the vicinity of an aerodrome with the object of preventing collision(s) between:

a) aircraft flying within the designated area of responsibility of the control tower, including the aerodrome traffic circuits;

b) aircraft operating on the manoeuvring area;

c) aircraft landing and taking off;

d) aircraft and vehicles operating on the manoeuvring area;

e) aircraft on the manoeuvring area and obstructions on that area.

The functions of an aerodrome control tower may be performed by different control or working positions, such as:

a) aerodrome controller, normally responsible for operations On The Runway And Aircraft Flying Within The Area Of Responsibility Of The Aerodrome Control tower;

b) ground controller, normally responsible for traffic on the manoeuvring area with the exception of runways;

c) clearance delivery position, normally responsible for delivery of start-up and ATC clearances to departing IFR flights.

SELECTION OF RUNWAY-IN-USE

In selecting the runway-in-use, the unit providing aerodrome control service shall take into consideration;

a.Surface wind Speed And direction,

b.The Aerodrome traffic circuits,

c.The Length of runways, and

d.The approach And landing Aids available.

INFORMATION TO AIRCRAFT

BY AERODROME CONTROL TOWERS

A. START UP TIME PROCEDURES

When so requested by the pilot prior to engine start, an expected take-off time should be given, unless engine start time procedures are employed.

B. AERODROME AND METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

1. Prior to taxiing for take-off

a) the runway to be used;

b) the surface wind direction and speed, including significant variations;

c) the QNH altimeter setting

d) the air temperature for the runway to be used,

e) the visibility representative of the direction of take-off and initial climb,

f) the correct time.

2. Prior to take-off aircraft

a) any significant changes in the surface wind direction and speed, the air temperature, and the visibility or RVR value(s)

b) significant meteorological conditions in the take-off and climb-out area

3. Prior to entering the traffic circuit or commencing its approach to land

a) the runway to be used;

b) the surface wind direction and speed, including significant variations therefrom;

c)  the QNH altimeter setting

CONTROL OF AERODROME TRAFFIC

The controller shall ensure that instructions and information which require the flight crew to employ visual detection, recognition and observation are phrased in a clear, concise and complete manner.

A. Designated positions of aircraft in the aerodrome traffic and taxi circuits

B. Traffic on the manoeuvring area

1. CONTROL OF TAXIING AIRCRAFT

TAXI CLEARANCE

Prior to issuing a taxi clearance, the controller shall determine where the aircraft concerned is parked. Taxi clearances shall contain concise instructions and adequate information so as to assist the flight crew to follow the correct taxi routes, to avoid collision with other aircraft or objects and to minimize the potential for the aircraft inadvertently entering an active runway.

CONTROL OF DEPARTING AIRCRAFT

A. Departure sequence

Factors which should be considered in relation to the departure sequence include, inter alia:

a) types of aircraft and their relative performance;

b) routes to be followed after take-off;

c) any specified minimum departure interval between take-offs;

d) need to apply wake turbulence separation minima;

e) aircraft which should be afforded priority; and

f) aircraft subject to ATFM requirements.

B. Separation of departing aircraft

A departing aircraft will not normally be permitted to commence take-off until

a). the preceding departing aircraft has crossed the end of the runway-in-use or has started a turn, or

b). until all preceding landing aircraft are clear of the runway-in-use.

C. Take-off clearance

a)      Take-off clearance may be issued to an aircraft when there is reasonable assurance ,separation will exist when the aircraft commences take-off.

b)      The take-off clearance shall be issued when the aircraft is ready for take-off and at or approaching the departure runway, and the traffic situation permits

c)       In the interest of expediting traffic, a clearance for immediate take-off may be issued to an aircraft before it enters the runway

the take-off clearance shall include the designator of the departure runway.

CONTROL OF ARRIVING AIRCRAFT

A.Separation of landing aircraft and preceding landing and departing aircraft  using the same runway

A landing aircraft will not normally be permitted to cross the runway threshold on its final approach until

a) The preceding departing aircraft has crossed the end of the runway-in-use, or  has started a turn, or until

b) All preceding landing aircraft are clear of the runway-in-use.

B. Clearance to Land

a)      An aircraft may be cleared to land when there is reasonable assurance that the separation , will exist when the aircraft crosses the runway threshold

b)      A clearance to land shall not be issued until a preceding landing aircraft has crossed the runway threshold.

the landing clearance shall include the designator of the landing runway