Mental Model
From the Notes:
A controller's mental model is both a _____ and a _______. Their picture is is based on ______ and _______ information.
A controller's mental model is both a concept and a process. Their picture is is based on static and dynamic information.
What is a Mental Model?
A controller's mental picture and ongoing process of plan, execute, and monitor.
Define Air Traffic.
All aircraft in flight or operating on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome.
You may have a situation where traffic is identified, but if you have not validated their altitude you will state:
"ALTITUDE UNVERIFIED."
Define Conflict Resolution.
The resolution of potential conflicts between IFR/VFR and VFR/VFR aircraft that are identified and in communication with ATC.
Complete the MATS reference:
Use standard phraseology contained in MATS whenever...
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.
The 4 cyclic steps of an air traffic controller's mental modelling process.
- Recognize the need for a solution
- Formulate and applies a solution
- Monitors for compliance
- Re-evaluates the changing situation and repeats the process
Define Traffic Information.
Information issued by ATS pilots regarding other known or observed traffic that may be is such proximity to their position or intended route to warrant their attention.
Traffic information may be based on:
Traffic information may be based on:
- Visual observation
- Observation of identified or unidentified targets
- Reports from pilots or other ATS facilities
When one or more aircraft being separated is VFR, do either of the following:
- You may assign an altitude to separate VFR aircraft from a specific airspace or traffic flow or another aircraft.
- Take whatever action you consider necessary to separate VFR aircraft from ATS surveillance controlled aircraft at the same altitude and in the same general area.
Name the 6 factors to consider when forming a plan.
- Aircraft Performance
- Pilot Intentions at the Runway
- Level of Traffic
- Controller Proficiency / Pilot Proficiency
- Personal Experience
- Operational Limitations (Runway Capacity and Equipment)
The 3 main components of applying a solution (Execute)
- Issue a clearance or instruction that the pilot can comply with
- Use standard phraseology
- Issue the clearance or instruction in a timely manner
The word 'TRAFFIC' is used to mean different things:
- To communicate conflict
- To communicate potential conflict
- To share information that may be helpful
When issuing traffic information to aircraft, as appropriate, include:
1. Position of aircraft
2. Direction of flight
3. Type of aircraft
4. Altitude of aircraft
5. Reporting point and time
6. Other information
Provide conflict resolution as follows:
- Between these aircraft:
o
o
- In this airspace
o
o
Provide conflict resolution as follows:
- Between these aircraft:
o IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft
o Multiple VFR aircraft, on pilot request
- In this airspace
o Class C
o Class D, unless workload, equipment limitations, or higher priority duties prevent you from doing so.
Name 8 operational limitations to consider that can negatively affect your ability to formulate a solution.
- Frequency congestion
- ATS surveillance availability
- Weather
- Terrain
- Manoeuvring area (closed portions, RSC, taxiway exits, etc.)
- Environmental considerations
- Company operating characteristics (airline company SOPs)
- Airspace configuration
Name the 8 basic problems involving aircraft in the circuit
- Problems involving aircraft of similar speed and performance characteristics (4)
- Problems involving aircraft of different speed and performance characteristics (4)
Problems involving aircraft of similar speed and performance characteristics
- Base leg vs. final leg
- Downwind leg vs. base leg
- Crosswind leg vs. downwind leg
- Opposite side base legs
Problems involving aircraft of different speed and performance characteristics
- Faster overtaking slower on final approach
- Faster overtaking slower on base leg
- Faster overtaking slower on downwind leg
- Faster overtaking slower on departure
March UOM - Appendices - Ops Directive - Passing Traffic (Excerpt) - Complete the reference:
To address these complaints, March Tower controllers must pass traffic, at a minimum, if:
1) ________
2) ________
Where appropriate, _______________ is an acceptable method for passing traffic information.
To address these complaints, March Tower controllers must pass traffic, at a minimum, if:
1) Two aircraft will pass within 1 mile and/or 500' vertically unless the targets will clearly not conflict - such as a diverging track or appropriate position in the circuit pattern or;
2) A pilot may observe traffic they deem relevant enough to ask.
Where appropriate, sequencing an arriving aircraft is an acceptable method for passing traffic information.
- Position
o For identified aircraft: "
o For unidentified aircraft: "
- Direction: "
- Type: "
- Altitude: "
- Reporting: "
- Other: "
- Position:
o For identified aircraft: "...(number) O'CLOCK [(number) MILES]..."
o For unidentified aircraft: "...(number) MILES [location]..."
- Direction: "...(direction of flight) (more information)..."
- Type: "...(aircraft or vehicle type / relative speed)..."
- Altitude: "...(altitude) [UNVERIFIED / CLIMBING / DESCENDING]..."
- Reporting: "...(reporting point and time)..."
- Other: "...(other information)..."
Complete the MATS reference:
NARDS is an operationally certified ATS surveillance display system that can be used to apply the...
NARDS is an operationally certified ATS surveillance display system that can be used to apply the appropriate separation minima provided in this section.
Ensure both aircraft are identified, and that you are in direct communication using VHF/UHF voice with at least one of them. Do not permit PPSs to touch.
Unless applying target resolution, apply ATS surveillance separation between the centres of PPSs as indicated in ATS Surveillance Separation Conditions. When providing ATS surveillance control service, a wake turbulence separation standard is required.
Name 6 things that pilots expect from ATC.
- To be sequenced early, as this allows the pilots to find their traffic and start preparations for landing.
- To be issued their landing clearance early, so that the pilot can concentrate on other duties and not have to worry about whether the runway is free of traffic or obstructions.
- Due to pilot workload, do not transmit to the pilot unless safety is compromised or until they have climber through 500 feet AGL on departure.
- Do not transmit to helicopter pilots on final as they may be busy controlling the aircraft with both hands and feet and are unable to respond to transmissions until they have landed.
- Pilots generally defer responding to ATC communications until after they have landed, and the aircraft is under control.
- If a frequency change is required shortly after takeoff, issue the frequency change with the takeoff clearance.
Name the 6 things ATC expect from pilots.
- The pilot should retract the gear shortly after liftoff.
- Aircraft will takeoff and fly low level for a short distance before climbing on departure.
- Pilots should pull-up and go around if they have not received a landing clearance or they will ask on final to confirm if a landing clearance has been issued.
- Pilots may require a short delay to complete the takeoff checklist as they line up on the runway. If the controller does not want the pilot to delay, they must confirm they are ready for departure.
- When necessary, controllers may instruct a pilot to keep the circuit in close (tighter than normal).
- Pilots in the circuit should call downwind and expect to be sequenced, to look for traffic, or to listen for a landing clearance.
Complete the MATS reference:
Keep aircraft informed of pertinent airport traffic. Provide position ...____________.
Provide traffic information to all concerned aircraft if any of the following apply:
-
-
-
Provide traffic information to pilots...
Keep aircraft informed of pertinent airport traffic. Provide position information and traffic information to all concerned aircraft to assist them in establishing visual separation.
Provide traffic information to all concerned aircraft if any of the following apply:
- A pilot requests it.
- A pilot acknowledges an avoidance instruction.
- You consider it necessary.
Provide traffic information to pilots of aircraft in Class C and Class D airspace.
Provide traffic information to pilots of aircraft in Class E airspace, unless workload, equipment limitations, or higher priority duties prevent you from doing so.
If you are not providing ATS surveillance separation, and the pilot of an identified aircraft states that they do not see the traffic that was issued, inform the pilot when they are clear of traffic.
"CLEAR OF PREVIOUS TRAFFIC [traffic position]."
CARs 801.02 - Services to Be Provided in Class A, B, C, D and E Airspace (Excerpt) - Complete the reference:
(2) Where air traffic control services are provided to aircraft operating in Class C airspace, the services shall include
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(3) Where air traffic control services are provided to aircraft operating in Class D airspace, the services shall include
(a)
(b)
(2) Where air traffic control services are provided to aircraft operating in Class C airspace, the services shall include
(a) conflict resolution between IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft;
(b) conflict resolution between VFR aircraft on request;
(c) traffic information; and
(d) separation between IFR aircraft and between all aircraft during runway operations.
(3) Where air traffic control services are provided to aircraft operating in Class D airspace, the services shall include
(a) traffic information; and
(b) separation between IFR aircraft, and between all aircraft during runway operations.
Resolve conflicts involving VFR aircraft by applying one of the following forms of separation:
Resolve conflicts involving VFR aircraft by applying one of the following forms of separation:
- Visual separation
- A minimum of 500 feet vertical separation, or more if additional separation is required for wake turbulence
- Target resolution as detailed in ATS Surveillance Separation Conditions
- Another minimum described in ATS surveillance Separation Conditions.
You may limit service in the parts of Class C airspace where your ability to provide conflict resolution is restricted by ATS surveillance limitations or degradations.