Darren Hill Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 (edited) Introduction A major part of GA flying in the UK is the provision of Flight Information Services, or UKFIS, outside of controlled airspace. The goal of providing these services is to provide pilots with real-time, relevant information relating to the safety of the flight. The provision of a service does increase the workload of the controller and hence is offered at the discretion of the controller. Dedicated stations known as Lower Airspace Radar Service units, or LARS units, exist to solely provide UKFIS to aircraft outside of controlled airspace, with a notable example being the Farnborough LARS region. Basic Service Definition ‘A Basic Service is an ATS provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights. This may include weather information, changes of serviceability of facilities, conditions at aerodromes, general airspace activity information, and any other information likely to affect safety.’ Provision A basic service can be provided by controllers with an ATS surveillance system and FISOs. In the case of FISOs, no surveillance-derived data will be used for traffic information. Flight rules and meteorological conditions A basic service can be provided to IFR traffic (in any conditions) and VFR traffic. Identification The controller may allocate a squawk code and identify the aircraft; however, this does not increase the level of service nor does it imply the provision of surveillance ATS. Traffic information As the controller is not required to monitor the progress of a flight on a basic service, the pilot should not expect to receive any traffic information. The controller may, however, advise the pilot of aerial activity in a specific region (For example: ‘Intense gliding activity over Old Sarum’). Regardless of receipt of traffic information, the pilot remains solely responsible for separation with other aircraft. Deconfliction No deconfliction advise passed. Pilot may request an upgrade to a deconfliction service should this be necessary. Terrain Clearance As a basic service is available at all levels, the pilot remains responsible for terrain clearance. Headings Unless used as a method of identification or if an agreement with the controller is created, the pilot does not have to report a change in heading. Levels Unless in an agreement with the controller, the pilot does not have to report a change in level. Traffic Service Definition ‘A Traffic Service is a surveillance based ATS, where in addition to the provisions of a Basic Service, the controller provides specific surveillance-derived traffic information to assist the pilot in avoiding other traffic.’ Provision A traffic service can only be provided by controllers with an ATS surveillance system. Flight rules and meteorological conditions A traffic service can be provided to IFR traffic (in any conditions) and VFR traffic. Should an instruction take a VFR flight into IMC and the pilot is not suitably qualified, the pilot should inform the controller and request alternative instructions. Identification The controller shall identify the aircraft and inform the pilot that they are identified. Traffic information The controller shall pass relevant traffic information to the pilot and continue to update the information should a conflict remain. Traffic information is deemed relevant when the conflict aircraft is estimated to pass within 3nm horizontally and 3000ft vertically of the aircraft on a traffic service and should be passed with approximately 5nm between the two aircraft. Deconfliction No deconfliction advise passed. Pilot may request an upgrade to a deconfliction service should this be necessary. Terrain Clearance If the ATS surveillance system allows, a traffic service may be provided below the minimum safe altitude for the area. However, the pilot remains responsible for terrain clearance. Headings The controller may provide headings for the purpose of positioning, sequencing or navigational assistance. The pilot should to report a change in heading from their own navigation, general maneuvering area, or ATC heading. Levels The controller may assign a level for the purpose of positioning, sequencing or navigational assistance. The pilot is responsible for terrain clearance and should request a deviation from the assigned level should a terrain conflict arise. Deconfliction Service Definition ‘A Deconfliction Service is a surveillance based ATS where, in addition to the provisions of a Basic Service, the controller provides specific surveillance-derived traffic information and issues headings and/or levels aimed at achieving planned deconfliction minima, or for positioning and/ or sequencing. However, the avoidance of other traffic is ultimately the pilot’s responsibility.’ Provision A deconfliction service can only be provided by controllers with an ATS surveillance system. Flight rules and meteorological conditions A deconfliction service can only be provided to IFR traffic irrespective of the meteorological conditions. Should the pilot no be qualified to fly in IMC, a basic or traffic service should be requested. Identification The controller shall identify the aircraft and inform the pilot that they are identified. Traffic information The controller may pass traffic information on deconflicted traffic, subject to workload. Deconfliction Deconfliction advise is passed, along with traffic information, in the form of a heading and/or level. Deconfliction advise may not be given to aircraft in adjacent controlled airspace. If a pilot decides not to follow deconfliction advise, they accept the responsibility for initiating collision avoidance and should advise ATC. Terrain Clearance Deconfliction service may only be provided above the minimum safe altitude for the area unless the aircraft is climbing to an altitude above the minimum safe altitude on departure or is descending on an instrument approach. Should the aircraft be below the minimum safe altitude, then a traffic service will be provided. Headings A pilot may operate under their own navigation or a controller may provide headings for the purpose of positioning, sequencing, navigational assistance, or maintaining deconfliction minima. The pilot may not change heading, unless safety in compromised, without the approval of the controller. Levels The controller normally assigns a level for the purpose of positioning, sequencing, navigational assistance, or maintaining deconfliction minima. The pilot may not change level, unless safety in compromised, without the approval of the controller. Procedural Service Definition ‘A Procedural Service is an ATS where, in addition to the provisions of a Basic Service, the controller provides restrictions, instructions, and approach clearances, which if complied with, shall achieve deconfliction minima against other aircraft participating in the Procedural Service. Neither traffic information nor deconfliction advice can be passed with respect to unknown traffic.’ An important note is that procedural units do not have primary or secondary surveillance radar. Provision A procedural service can only be provided by controllers at ATC units with regulatory approval to provide the ATS. Flight rules and meteorological conditions A procedural service can only be provided to IFR traffic irrespective of the meteorological conditions. Identification No identification is needed for a procedural service. Traffic information The controller shall pass traffic information on aircraft on a basic service or aircraft in contact with another ATS is a conflict may exist. Aircraft on the procedural service may be passed traffic information on other aircraft participating in the procedural service, depending on controller workload. Deconfliction A controller shall provide deconfliction instructions by allocating levels, radials, tracks, routes and time restrictions, or use pilot position reports, aimed at achieving a planned deconfliction minima from other aircraft to which the controller is providing a Procedural Service in Class G airspace. Terrain Clearance A procedural service is available at all levels and thus the pilot remains responsible for terrain clearance. Lateral, longitudinal and time restrictions A controller may provide radials, tracks, routes or time restrictions, for the purpose of positioning, sequencing, navigational assistance, or to achieve deconfliction minima. Levels The controller normally assigns a level for the purpose of positioning, sequencing, navigational assistance, or maintaining deconfliction minima. Edited November 28, 2020 by Darren Hill Lewis Hammett, Loui Ringer, Fraser Cooper and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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