Local Operations 1
The default setting for circuit FDEs.
The "default" for a circuit FDE is touch-and-go.
According to MATS:
You may clear an aircraft for the option, provided...
You may clear an aircraft for the option, provided the pilot requests it and traffic permits.
"CLEARED FOR THE OPTION (runway id)."
A controller's sequence of priority is:
1. Safe
2. Orderly
3. Expeditious
What is the phraseology for instructing an aircraft to extend downwind / crosswind?
- "(aircraft id) EXTEND (CROSSWIND / DOWNWIND) FOR [(distance) MILES] / [(number) MINUTES]."
- "(aircraft id) EXTEND (CROSSWIND / DOWNWIND), I'LL ADVISE YOUR (DOWNWIND / BASE) TURN."
Touch-and-go
A procedure in which an aircraft lands and then commences a takeoff without stopping.
What are multiple touch-and-gos?
Multiple touch-and-gos are when an aircraft lands on the runway multiple times (i.e. abeam C taxiway, RWY 14/32, and E taxiway).
Complete the following MATS reference:
Do not clear an IFR aircraft for a low approach...
Do not clear an IFR aircraft for a low approach if the ground vehicles on or near the runway are within a range to interfere with the functioning ILS transmitter used by the aircraft.
- You have assumed responsibility for control
- You have coordinated with the ACC.
What is the phraseology for instructing an aircraft to fly runway heading?
- "(aircraft id) CONTINUE / CLIMB / FLY RUNWAY HEADING [(number) MINUTES / (distance) MILES]."
- "(aircraft id) EXTEND DEPARTURE, I'LL ADVISE YOUR CROSSWIND TURN."
Stop-and-go
A procedure in which an aircraft lands, makes a complete stop on the runway, and then commences a takeoff from that point.
According to MATS:
You may clear an aircraft for multiple touch and gos provided...
You may clear an aircraft for multiple touch and gos provided the pilot requests it and traffic permits.
"CLEARED MULTIPLE TOUCH-AND-GOS (runway id)."
When a pilot has finished their flight training for the day, what will they typically request and when will the state their intentions?
Once the pilot has finished their flight training for the day, they will typically request a full-stop. Most flight schools will call downwind with their intentions.
Complete the MATS reference and give examples:
You may issue speed adjustment instructions to...
You may issue speed adjustment instructions to IFR and VFR aircraft as an aid to establish visual separation provided you do not assign an IAS.
- "REDUCE APPROACH SPEED"
- "(INCREASE / DECREASE) SPEED AS MUCH AS PRACTICABLE."
- "MAINTAIN PRESENT SPEED."
- "RESUME NORMAL SPEED."
Briefly describe a '270o to base' turn and provide the phraseology used for this turn.
A 270o to base turn is a powerful tool, but can present similar hazards as a 360. If an aircraft is on a left downwind, then the direction of the turn would be a "right 270 to base", and vice-versa for the right downwind.
"(aircraft id) MAKE A (LEFT / RIGHT) TWO-SEVENTY TO BASE."
An approach over an airport or runway following an instrument approach procedure or VFR approach, including the overshoot manoeuvre, where the pilot intentionally does not make contact with the runway.
- If you do not know the length of runway remaining, inform the pilot and ask whether a backtrack is required.
"(runway id) LENGTH REMAINING UNKNOWN. DO YOU REQUIRE A BACKTRACK?"
March UOM - Traffic Management - Site-specific Air Operations - Low Approaches
You may clear an aircraft for a low approach to a runway whose...
You may clear an aircraft for a low approach to a runway whose surface is occupied, provided that an altitude restriction of "NOT BELOW 1300 ASL" (500 AGL) is issued to the pilot, and relevant traffic information is passed to both the aircraft in the air and any aircraft/vehicles on the runway.
Briefly describe a 360o turn and provide the phraseology used for this turn.
A control instruction used by some controllers. For circuit traffic, this instruction is most common on the downwind. If an aircraft is on left downwind, the direction for the 360o turn would normally be to the right, and vice-versa for right downwind.
"(aircraft id) MAKE A (LEFT / RIGHT) THREE-SIXTY [reason]."
When would you use a "cross overhead to join opposite downwind" instruction, and what is the phraseology?
You would use this technique to manage an overloaded downwind or to buy time for other actions. For inbound aircraft joining the circuit, you could restrict them above the downwind (March, 2300ft) and have them fly overhead to the right downwind. For aircraft already in the circuit, you can instruct them to overfly the airport's mid-runway at circuit altitude before joining the opposite downwind.
- "(aircraft id) CLEARED (LEFT / RIGHT) DOWNWIND (runway id)."
- "(aircraft id) CLEARED (LEFT / RIGHT) DOWNWIND (runway id), NOT BELOW (altitude)."
When appropriate:
- "(aircraft id) ALTITUDE RESTRICTION CANCELLED."
CLEARED FOR THE OPTION
- For an arriving aircraft - ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing at the discretion of the pilot.
- For a departing aircraft - ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a simulated rejected takeoff procedure, reduced power takeoff and a simulated engine out failure on departure procedure at the discretion of the pilot.
You may clear an aircraft for a low approach to a runway whose surface is occupied, provided:
- Specific instructions or restrictions are issued when required
o Consideration should be given, but not be restricted, to turbulence and jet blast generated by heavy aircraft operating over unprotected personnel or small aircraft.
- Traffic information is passed to the aircraft conducting the low approach and to the aircraft or vehicle occupying the runway.
Table: Circuit Operation Classification
Touch-and-go:
- Consider aircraft as arriving:
- Consider Aircraft as departing:
Stop-and-go:
- Consider aircraft as arriving:
- Consider Aircraft as departing:
Low approach:
- Consider aircraft as arriving:
- Consider Aircraft as departing:
Touch-and-go:
- Consider aircraft as arriving: Until it lands
- Consider Aircraft as departing: After it lands
Stop-and-go:
- Consider aircraft as arriving: Until it stops
- Consider Aircraft as departing: After it stops
Low approach:
- Consider aircraft as arriving: Until it crosses the runway threshold or discontinues the approach.
- Consider Aircraft as departing: After it crosses the runway threshold or discontinues the approach.
What scenarios would warrant changing the circuit direction, and what phraseology is used?
Scenarios that would warrant changing the circuit direction may be:
- If an aircraft is joining the same downwind and it is an obvious conflict.
- If a helicopter is inbound from the north, you may want to change the rwy 09 circuit direction to the right.
- Noise abatement and flight over populated areas are factors to consider before approving a different circuit direction.
"(aircraft id) MAKE NEXT CIRCUIT RIGHT-HAND, CLEARED (operation) (runway id)."
The effect of wind on an aircraft in the circuit is as follows:
- Crosswind leg:
- Downwind leg:
- Base leg:
- Final leg:
- Crosswind leg: Pilots must adjust the turn to compensate for wind as the aircraft turns from runway heading. The groundspeed may be slightly reduced or increased, depending on the direction of the wind.
- Downwind leg: Speed is usually increased by speed of wind (tailwind).
- Base leg: Pilot must adjust the turn to compensate for wind as the aircraft turns from the downwind leg. Groundspeed may be slightly reduced or increased, depending on the direction of the wind.
- Final leg: Groundspeed will usually fall significantly as the aircraft turns into a headwind.
Complete the MATS reference:
If the wind speed is...
If the wind speed is 15 knots or more, issue the wind information when the aircraft is approximately 2 miles from the runway.