Taxi clearance VFR departures
As directed in CARs, altitude 3000 feet AGL and below can be assigned to VFR aircraft. If necessary for separation, you may assign or suggest an altitude to a VFR aircraft to apply separation from:
- A specific airspace
- A specific IFR or VFR traffic flow
- Other aircraft
Complete the MATS reference (including push-pin):
In communications with pilots, identify a...
In communications with pilots, identify a VFR waypoint by its full name, not by its identifier.
> Published VFR waypoints allow greater ease in locating reporting points with GNSS and other Area Navigation receivers. Waypoints are depicted in longitude and latitude, and use unique five-letter identifiers beginning with the letters "VC".
Complete the MATS refence (and phraseology):
Identify a runway by saying the word...
Identify a runway by saying the word RUNWAY followed by the number using separate digits and, in the case of parallel runways, the word LEFT or RIGHT.
"RUNWAY (digits) [LEFT / RIGHT]"
Complete the phraseology in the MATS reference:
When no delay is anticipated, instruct an aircraft to line up as follows:
__________________
If an aircraft is authorized to enter the runway, state the entry point as indicated in the following table:
- Departure from a taxiway intersection: ________
- Departure from a runway intersection: ________
- Entry at the threshold when another entry point for the same runway is in use: __________
When no delay is anticipated, instruct an aircraft to line up as follows:
"LINE UP (runway id)."
If an aircraft is authorized to enter the runway, state the entry point as indicated in the following table:
- Departure from a taxiway intersection: "AT (taxiway id) [INTERSECTION] LINE UP (runway id)."
- Departure from a runway intersection: "AT (runway id) [INTERSECTION] LINE UP (runway id)."
- Entry at the threshold when another entry point for the same runway is in use: "AT [THE] THRESHOLD, LINE UP (runway id)."
Complete the MATS reference (including phraseology):
Restricting Altitudes
Do not apply altitude restrictions that....
Restricting Altitudes
Do not apply altitude restrictions that contravene terrain clearance requirements.
Apply VFR altitude restrictions using either of the following forms:
"...NOT ABOVE (altitude)..."
"...NOT BELOW (altitude)..."
Complete the MATS reference:
Record only aircraft events that are...
Record only aircraft events that are controller by the tower or are not already recorded in another category.
If not already captured by automated traffic counting software, record the following event data for all aircraft as indicated in table below.
- Event type
- Aircraft identification
- Aircraft type
- Origin / destination
- Time
- Flight Rules
- Runway code
Comments
You may assign a non-discrete code to either of the following:
- An aircraft that has canceled or closed its IFR flight plan and is not requesting further ATS surveillance services.
- A VFR aircraft for which ATS surveillance service is being terminated.
- The pilot requests it.
- You inform the pilot of the runway length remaining and suggest a departure from an intersection, and the pilot accepts it.
(From the Notes)
Prior to issuing a takeoff clearance - or even answering the pilot in many cases - the airport controller must:
1) Scan IWP and ensure that the FDE is consistent with the visually observed position of the aircraft.
2) Scan final approach, the full length of the runway including RPA, and the departure path.
3) Scan both the aircraft's intended route, and the entire control zone on SiT.
If the runway has been shortened due to construction and either end of the runway is closed, include SHORTENED in the line-up clearances.
______________________
The use of...
If the runway has been shortened due to construction and either end of the runway is closed, include SHORTENED in the line-up clearances.
"LINE UP (runway id) SHORTENED."
The use of SHORTENED is not required when a pilot has accepted an intersection departure and the part of the runway that has been shortened is behind the intersection being used for the departure.
The use of SHORTENED does not transfer pilot responsibility to the controller.
CARs 602.34 - Cruising Altitudes and Cruising Flight Levels (Excerpt) - Complete the reference.
(1) The appropriate cruising altitude or cruising flight level for an aircraft in...
CARs 602.34 - Cruising Altitudes and Cruising Flight Levels (Excerpt) - Complete the reference.
(1) The appropriate cruising altitude or cruising flight level for an aircraft in level flight is determined in accordance with:
(a) the magnetic track, in the Southern Domestic Airspace; and
(b) the true track, in the Northern Domestic Airspace.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall ensure that the aircraft is operated at a cruising altitude or cruising flight level appropriate to the track, as set out in the table to this section, unless the pilot-in-command is assigned another altitude or flight level by an air traffic control unit and the aircraft is operated in level cruising flight
(a) at more than 3,000 feet AGL, in VFR flight; or
(b) in IFR flight.
Release the aircraft from tower frequency without specifying another frequency in any of the following situations:
- A VFR aircraft is leaving the control zone.
- An IFR aircraft has an assigned SID that contains communications transfer instructions.
- An IFR aircraft is leaving the control zone and direct communications cannot be established on an IFR frequency.
- The first aircraft has departed and has reached a point on the departure path where it will not conflict with the second aircraft.
Complete the MATS reference (including phraseology):
If an aircraft is authorized to enter the departure runway from an intersection or taxiway, state the entry point.
___________________
___________________
If an aircraft must backtrack the departure...
___________________
If an aircraft is authorized to enter the departure runway from an intersection or taxiway, state the entry point.
"AT (taxiway id / intersection) BACKTRACK (runway id)."
"AT (taxiway id / intersection) LINE UP (runway id) BACKTRACK APPROVED."
If an aircraft must backtrack the departure runway from an intersection or taxiway for a departure from a different intersection or taxiway, provide instructions as follows:
"AT (taxiway id / intersection) BACKTRACK (runway id) AND LINE UP AT (taxiway id / intersection). ADVISE WHEN READY."
Complete the MATS reference (including phraseology):
If a takeoff clearance has been issued and you cannot ensure that the runway and...
If a takeoff clearance has been issued and you cannot ensure that the runway and the RPA are free, or will be free, of all known obstacles including taxiing aircraft and ground traffic, cancel the clearance.
"(aircraft id) TAKEOFF CLEARANCE CANCELLED (AIRCRAFT / VEHICLE) INSIDE THE RUNWAY PROTECTED AREA AT (location). ADIVSE INTENTIONS."
Complete the MATS reference (including push-pin):
Assign an aircraft a discrete code in preference to a...
Assign an aircraft a discrete code in preference to a non-discrete code.
> This assignment preference also applies to VFR aircraft operating in the TRA.
> If a discrete code is not assigned by ATC:
- Gliders use the non-discrete code 1202
- VFR aircraft use the following non-discrete codes:
o 12500 ASL and below: 1200
o Above 12500 ASL: 1400
- IFR and CVFR aircraft use the following non-discrete codes:
o HLA: 2000
o LLA: 1000
Do not permit aircraft to use oblique angle intersections (including taxiways or intersecting runways) to access an active runway if the departure threshold and final approach are not visible to the flight crew, except when:
- There are no other routes to access the runway without having to taxi or backtrack onto an active runway.
- There is a non-routine situation that requires the use of oblique angle intersections because no practical alternate exists. This may include a MEDEVAC flight, a closed taxiway, or a disabled aircraft or vehicles.
Complete the MATS reference:
Scanning the Runway and RPA
Before a departing aircraft begins its takeoff roll or...
Scanning the Runway and RPA
Before a departing aircraft begins its takeoff roll or a landing aircraft crosses the runway threshold, ensure that the runway and the RPA are free, or will be free, of all known obstacles including taxiing aircraft and ground traffic.
If the runway or a portion of the runway is not visible, ensure that known taxiing aircraft and ground traffic are not on the runway.
For an aircraft departing from an intersection, you need not advise of obstructions on the runway that are behind the intersection take-off point.
(Include phraseology)
- All aircraft are visible to the airport controller. If an aircraft is not visible from the tower, A-SMGCS/SMGCS may be used to confirm the aircraft's position.
- You specify the name of the runway intersection, taxiway, or threshold, as appropriate.
- You issue a departure sequence number to all subsequeny aircraft.
- You provide traffic information to all subsequent aircraft in the departure sequence.
"(aircraft id) (line-up instructions) NUMBER (departure number) FOR DEPARTURE (traffic details)."
Complete the MATS reference (including phraseology):
If circumstances require, cancel a previously issued take-off...
_____________________
Aborting a Takeoff
If circumstances require, cancel a previously issued take-off clearance and, when appropriate, inform the pilot of the reason.
"(aircraft id) TAKEOFF CLEARANCE CANCELLED [reason]."
"(aircraft id) ABORT, ABORT [reason]."
Aborting a Takeoff
Aborting a takeoff is an emergency procedure used when continuing would present a grave hazard to the aircraft. A controller-initiated aborted takeoff is an extreme measure used only where no clear alternative exists.
March UOM - Traffic Management - Site-Specific Ground Operations - Transfer of Control and Coordination
Complete the reference:
Transfer of control for an aircraft from the ground controller to the airport controller, or vice versa, should happen at ____________________, and:
Departing Aircraft:
Transfer of control for an aircraft from the ground controller to the airport controller, or vice versa, should happen at the same time as the transfer of communications, and:
Departing Aircraft:
- The aircraft is on the taxiway that leads to the takeoff runway and has passed the final intersection.
- The FDE is in the IWP DEP SEQ panel.
1. Aircraft identification
2. Unit identification
3. Runway identification
4. Wind information
5. Altimeter information
6. Movement instructions
7. Supplementary information, may include traffic, an SSR code, airport conditions, or RVR data
8. Communication instructions
Complete the MATS reference:
If you are unable to ensure that the runway or RPA is or will be free of obstacles before a departure starts its takeoff roll:
If you are unable to ensure that the runway or RPA is or will be free of obstacles before a departure starts its takeoff roll:
- Inform the pilot that a clearance cannot be issued.
- Provide the reason.
- Request the pilot's intentions.
"(aircraft id) UNABLE TAKEOFF CLEARANCE (runway id), (AIRCRAFT / VEHICLE) INSIDE THE RUNWAY PROTECTED AREA AT (location). ADIVSE INTENTIONS."
If the pilot chooses to takeoff, and traffic permits:
- Acknowledge the pilot's intentions and provide takeoff information.
- Notify the airport operator.
- Complete an Aviation Occurrence Report.
"(aircraft id) ROGER [special and wind information]."
Issue a takeoff clearance in the following form:
1. Aircraft id
2. Unit id
3. Special information
4. Control instructions
5. Wind information
6. Intersection or Threshold
7. Operation
8. Runway id [SHORTENED]
Complete the MATS reference (including phraseology):
When issuing an immediate takeoff clearance:
When issuing an immediate takeoff clearance:
- Consider the aircraft operating characteristics and the effect that precipitation and surface conditions may have on the pilot's ability to comply.
- If able, determine if the pilot can comply.
"ARE YOU ABLE AN IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE?"
If pilot is able, then:
"CLEARED FOR IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF (runway id)."
or
"LINE UP [location, if not the threshold], BE READY FOR IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE."
- If you have not determined that the pilot can comply, include alternate instructions.
"CLEARED FOR IMMEDIATE TAKEOFF (runway id). IF UNABLE, HOLD SHORT (runway id)."