Runway Ownership
True or False:
A runway belongs to the tower position and to the ground position.
False - A runway belongs to the tower position and to the ground position, but never to both at the same time.
Decode and Define:
RPA
Runway Protected Area
The area around an active runway established to protect aircraft taking off and landing from taxiing aircraft and ground traffic.
Complete the MATS reference:
Use standard phraseology contained in...
Use standard phraseology contained in MATS whenever possible. Use standard phraseology in preference to plain language. If phraseology contained in MATS is not understood, use clear and concise plain language.
Clarify a request from a vehicle operator as follows:
- "(vehicle id) (unit id) STATE YOUR REQUEST."
- "(vehicle id) (unit id) WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS?"
The advantages of performing a runway inspection in the same direction as the aircraft traffic flow are:
1. The vehicle is operating in the same direction as the aircraft traffic and;
2. We can start an inspection behind a departure, rather than waiting for the entire runway to clear.
Finish this MATS reference:
Coordinating Runway Use for Ground Traffic Operations
Before authorizing taxiing aircraft or ground traffic to operate on a runway being...
Before authorizing taxiing aircraft or ground traffic to operate on a runway being used for landing and takeoff, coordinate with the airport controller. The status and ownership of runways must be indicated at the operating position(s).
The four types of FDEs used in IWP:
- Departure FDEs (blue)
- Arrival FDEs (beige / buff)
- Overflight FDEs (white)
- Circuit FDEs (pink)
Complete the MATS reference:
Identify and correct any errors made during delivery or...
Identify and correct any errors made during delivery or readback of a clearance or instruction, even if a readback is not required. If there is any possibility of misunderstanding, cancel and restate the clearance or instruction in full.
In authorizations or instructions for aircraft to taxi, do not...
In authorizations or instructions for aircraft to taxi, do not use the word CLEARED.
When communicating with ground traffic, do not use the words GO AHEAD, CLEAR or CLEARED.
If the destination of the aircraft or the vehicle is a runway, avoid the word TO in the route.
Complete the MATS reference:
Insert the aircraft call sign or the identification of the...
Complete the MATS reference:
Insert the aircraft call sign or the identification of the receiving unit at the beginning or every transmission and, as required, your unit identification as the second item.
If the source of the transmission may be misunderstood, use the words THIS IS before identifying you unit.
Coordinate with all operating positions concerned if any of the following apply:
- An active runway is changed.
- A landing or takeoff will occur on a runway other than the active.
- A greater approach interval is required to assist in expediting the movement of airport traffic.
IWP User Manual:
Decode and define ROODS.
Runway Ownership and Obstruction Display System
ROODS provides a way to manage runway ownership and indicates whether a runway or a taxiway is obstructed or closed.
The background colour on the RWY controls indicate the ownership of the runway or taxiway. (Grey = ground; Black = Tower).
Complete the MATS reference:
When you refuse, delay, or modify a request from a taxiing pilot or a vehicle operator...
When you refuse, delay, or modify a request from a taxiing pilot or a vehicle operator, say NEGATIVE followed by further instructions and, if necessary, the reason.
When a pilot or a vehicle operator requests a specific route that involves crossing a runway and a hold short instruction will be issued, the use of NEGATIVE is mandatory.
Once communication is established with a pilot, you may adjust the unit identification:
- If your position has only one function and there is no likelihood of misunderstanding, you may omit the unit name and function.
- If your position has more than one function, you may omit the unit name, but must state the function in each transmission.
For sectors with multiple frequencies or combined sectors with multiple frequencies, you do not need to restate the unit name when a pilot is changed to another frequency under your jurisdiction.
Complete the phraseology for the Position functions:
Airport control =
Ground control =
Clearance Delivery =
Terminal control =
Arrival control =
Departure control =
Area Control (all sectors) =
FSS and FIC =
Complete the phraseology for the Position functions:
Airport control = "(unit name) TOWER"
Ground control = "(unit name) GROUND"
Clearance Delivery = "(unit name) CLEARANCE DELIVERY"
Terminal control = "(unit name) TERMINAL"
Arrival control = "(unit name) ARRIVAL"
Departure control = "(unit name) DEPARTURE"
Area Control (all sectors) = "(unit name) CENTRE"
FSS and FIC = "(unit name) RADIO"
IWP User Manual: (The status colours in IWP are detailed below).
- Flashing Red =
- Red =
- Orange =
- Yellow =
- Green =
- White =
- Flashing Red = Elevated Alert - Ongoing conflict; immediate action required.
- Red = Alert - Do not proceed; Conflict imminent; Action Required.
- Orange = Warning - Consideration; Action needed to avoid escalating to an alert.
- Yellow = Action required - Requires action as per duties of the position.
- Green = Positive Reinforcement - Clearance issued.
- White = EXT Coord; RWY approval (VDE) - Waiting for external response; VDE permitted on RWY or Taxiway.
Complete the MATS reference:
Coordination Between a Ground Controller and an Airport Controller
Positive coordination and control...
Coordination Between a Ground Controller and an Airport Controller
Positive coordination and control must always be used.
Verbal coordination for active runway operations is required when runway ownership is not exchanged.
Units with an electronic runway coordination request system must use the system in conjunction with verbal coordination.
The operational safety net must be used even when operating combined.
Coordination between the ground controller and the airport controller must be based on current traffic.
When issuing aircraft taxi or ground traffic movement instructions:
- Issue instructions as necessary, in plain, concise language.
- Instruct the pilot or driver to either CROSS or HOLD SHORT of a runway on their route.
- Instruct the pilot or driver to CROSS or HOLD SHORT of a taxiway on their route, as necessary.
- Obtain a readback of a HOLD or HOLD SHORT instructions.
- In initial movement instructions, include only that portion of the intended route to the first 'hold' area or intermediate point.
- If alternate route are available, include the specific route.
- Amend aircraft or ground traffic movement instructions when necessary. Remember that the last clearance takes precedence over and cancels any related item of a previous clearance. When you amend a route re-issue HOLD SHORT instructions.
Complete the MATS reference:
Respond to requests for radio checks or readability by using either plain language or the readability scale indicated below.
Phraseology: "___________________."
'Readability' is a digit from 1 to 5 with the following meaning:
- 1:
- 2:
- 3:
- 4:
- 5:
Respond to requests for radio checks or readability by using either plain language or the readability scale indicated below.
Phraseology: "(aircraft id) [unit id] READ YOU (readability)."
'Readability' is a digit from 1 to 5 with the following meaning:
- 1: Unreadable
- 2: Readable now and then
- 3: Readable but with difficulty
- 4: Readable
- 5: Perfectly readable
Name 7 examples of types of ground traffic and/or their purposes for operating on manoeuvring areas of an aerodrome:
- Runway Inspection
- Inspection of Airport Lighting and NAVAIDs
- Wildlife Control
- Vehicle Groups (e.g. escorting construction vehicles to a site, etc.)
- Aircraft in Tow
- Airside Vehicle Operator's Permit (AVOP)
- Firefighters
Complete the MATS Reference:
Operational Safety Net:
Runway Ownership:
Runway Status:
Operational Safety Net
At operating positions, display the ownership and status of all runways.
Runway Ownership
The runway is owned by the ground controller or the airport controller.
Runway Status
The runway status indicates its operational availability and whether it is obstructed. A runway can be obstructed by a vehicle, by an aircraft other than for landing or takeoff, or by personnel operating on the runway or within the runway protected area. Obstructions can include taxiing aircraft, disabled aircraft or vehicles, or maintenance, or any similar operation that has been approved and will affect the runway availablility.
Hold taxiing aircraft and ground traffic at one of the following locations until arriving or departing aircraft has passed:
- A published holding position.
- At least 200 feet from the runway edge.
- A location or distance from the runway edge, designated by the airport operator, that ensures that no hazard is created to aircraft.
Complete the MATS reference:
Ground Controller:
Before authorizing an aircraft or a vehicle to cross...
Airport Controller:
When the airport controller authorizes the ground controller's...
Ground Controller:
Before authorizing an aircraft or a vehicle to cross or use any portion of an active runway, the ground controller must obtain approval from the airport controller. The verbal coordination must include the runway number and the portion, point, or intersection where the operation will occur. If necessary, advise the airport controller of the type of ground traffic (i.e. aircraft, vehicle, tow).
The request phraseology used by a ground controller is unit-specific and must be detailed in a unit directive.
When the coordinated runway operation is complete, the ground controller must advise the airport controller:
- Verbally at units without an electronic runway coordination request system
- Electronically at units with an electronic runway coordination request system
Airport Controller:
When the airport controller authorizes the ground controller's request to cross or enter the active runway, the airport controller must verbally specify the runway to be crossed and the point or intersection at the runway where the operation will occur preceded by the word CROSS or PROCEED.
Before using a runway owned by the ground controller, the airport controller must coordinate with the ground controller.
Before issuing clearance or instructions to airport traffic, and, to the extent possible, at other frequent intervals, visually scan the manoeuvring area thoroughly, as follows:
- Be systematic.
- Scan at least twice to overcome "object hypnosis" (seeing only things that move).
- Move you eyes from one point to another (rather than in one continuous sweep).
- Scan from left to right.
- Be aware that you can only focus on a small area at a time (approximately the area that would be covered by your fist when your arm is extended in front of you).
(a) comply with and acknowledge , to the appropriate air traffic control unit, all of the air traffic control instructions directed to and received by the pilot-in-command.
(b) comply with all of the air traffic control clearances received and accepted by the pilot-in-command.
(i) subject to subsection (2), in the case of an IFR flight, readback to the appropriate air traffic control unit the text of any air traffic control clearance received, and
(ii) in the case of a VFR flight, read back to the appropriate air traffic control unit the text of any air traffic control clearance received, when so requested by the air traffic control unit.
TC AIM RAC 4.2.5 - Taxi Information (Excerpt) - Complete the following reference:
To emphasize the protection of active runways and to enhance the prevention of runway incursions, ATS is required to...
To emphasize the protection of active runways and to enhance the prevention of runway incursions, ATS is required to obtain a readback of runway "hold" instructions. As a good operating practice, taxi authorizations that contain the instructions "hold" or "hold short" should be acknowledged by the pilot by providing a readback or repeating the hold point.