Lecture Notes: Air Traffic Services in Civil Aviation

Introduction

• Air Traffic Services (ATS) in civil aviation are crucial for safety and efficiency.
• Provides information, navigation services, and facilities to aircraft over India and other areas.
• Main focus areas include preventing collisions and maintaining orderly air traffic.

Objectives of Air Traffic Services

• Prevent collision between flights on the ground and airborne.
• Prevent collision with land obstructions.
• Maintain orderly flow of air traffic.
• Provide advisory and information services to aircraft.
• Notify organizations during emergencies, searches, or rescue operations.

Divisions of Air Traffic Services

• Aerodrome Control Service: Operates within the aerodrome vicinity.
• Approach Control Service: Manages landing and takeoff.
• Area Control Service: Covers areas outside immediate aerodrome vicinity, including water bodies.

Radio Communication Requirements

• Prior to taxiing for departure, communication with approach and aerodrome control units is required.
• VHF apparatus and radio compass are essential for entering the ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone).
• Clearance requests from aerodrome or approach control units are necessary for IFR or VFR flights.

Flight Information and Alerting Services

• Flight Information Services (FIS): Provides weather and other essential information.
• Alerting Services: Alerts aircraft in emergencies or for search and rescue operations.

Control Areas and Zones

• Control Area: Where air traffic control services are provided to IFR flights.
• Control Zone: Includes multiple aerodromes; extends vertically.

Airspace Classification

• Class A to G Airspaces: Range from most to least restricted.
• Class A: Only IFR flights permitted.
• Class B to D: Both IFR and VFR flights permitted with specific separation and information protocols.
• Class E to G: Beyond controlled airspace but within ATS routes.

Flight Information Region (FIR)

• Extends laterally and vertically to provide flight information and alerting services.

Location Indicators

• Assigned by ICAO with a four-letter code; denotes geographical and operational specifics.

Military Exercise and Training Areas

• Temporary Segregated Areas (TSA) and Temporary Reserved Areas (TRA) identified by specific codes.

Emergency Protocols

• Uncertainty Phase: No communication for 30 minutes; aircraft fails to land on time.
• Alert Phase: No communication; operations impaired.
• Distress Phase: Needs immediate assistance due to potential forced landing.

Air Traffic Control Services

• Provided to all IFR flights in specified airspace classes and specialized VFR flights.
• Operations include separation between flights and providing clearance and safety-related information.

Air Traffic Flow Management

• Optimum utilization of airspace and airport resources.
• Central Flow Management established with centers in major Indian cities.

Advisory and Alerting Services

• Flight information and advisory services provided outside controlled zones.
• Alerting services for emergencies, unlawful interferences.

Summary

• Key services include air traffic control, advisory, flight information, alerting, and surveillance services.
• No distinction between upper and lower controlled airspaces.

Closing Remarks

• Emphasis on importance of following designated routes and complying with air traffic services for safety and efficiency.