AMC1 ATS.TR.155(a)   ATS surveillance services

FUNCTIONS OF THE ATS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS IN AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES PROVISION

(a)     Functions in the area control service and approach control service

         The information provided by ATS surveillance systems and presented on a situation display may be used to perform one or more of the following functions in the provision of area control service or approach control service:

(1)     provide ATS surveillance services as necessary in order to improve airspace utilisation, reduce delays, provide for direct routings and more optimum flight profiles, as well as to enhance safety;

(2)     provide vectoring to departing aircraft for the purpose of facilitating an expeditious and efficient departure flow and expediting climb to cruising level;

(3)     provide vectoring to aircraft for the purpose of resolving potential conflicts;

(4)     provide vectoring to arriving aircraft for the purpose of establishing an expeditious and efficient approach sequence;

(5)     provide vectoring to assist pilots in their navigation, e.g. to or from a radio navigation aid, away from or around areas of adverse weather;

(6)     provide separation and maintain normal traffic flow when an aircraft experiences communication failure within the area of coverage;

(7)     maintain flight path monitoring of air traffic;

(8)     when applicable, maintain a watch on the progress of air traffic, in order to provide a procedural air traffic controller with:

(i)      improved position information regarding aircraft under control;

(ii)     supplementary information regarding other traffic; and

(iii)     information regarding any significant deviations by aircraft from the terms of their respective ATC clearances, including their cleared routes as well as levels, when appropriate.

(b)     Additional functions in the approach control service

         In addition to the functions listed in point (a), the position indications presented on a situation display may be used to perform one or more of the following functions in the provision of approach control service:

(1)     provide vectoring of arriving traffic on to pilot-interpreted final approach aids;

(2)     provide flight path monitoring of parallel ILS approaches and instruct aircraft to take appropriate action in the event of possible or actual penetrations of the no transgression zone (NTZ);

(3)     provide vectoring of arriving traffic to a point from which a visual approach can be completed;

(4)     provide vectoring of arriving traffic to a point from which a surveillance radar approach can be made;

(5)     provide flight path monitoring of other pilot-interpreted instrument approach procedure;

(6)     in accordance with prescribed procedures, conduct surveillance radar approaches; and

(7)     provide separation between:

(i)      succeeding departing aircraft;

(ii)     succeeding arriving aircraft; and

(iii)     a departing aircraft and a succeeding arriving aircraft.

(c)      Functions in the aerodrome control service

(1)     When authorised and subject to procedures and conditions prescribed by the air traffic services provider, ATS surveillance systems may be used in the provision of aerodrome control service to perform the following functions:

(i)      flight path monitoring of aircraft on final approach;

(ii)     flight path monitoring of other aircraft in the vicinity of the aerodrome;

(iii)     establishing an appropriate longitudinal and/or distance-based separation based on ATS surveillance systems in between succeeding departing aircraft;

(iv)     maintaining separation between succeeding aircraft on the same final approach; and

(v)      providing navigation assistance to VFR flights

(2)     In prescribing conditions and procedures for the use of ATS surveillance systems in the provision of aerodrome control service, the air traffic services provider should ensure that the availability and use of an ATS surveillance system will not be detrimental to visual observation of aerodrome traffic.

(d)     Functions in the flight information service

The information presented on a situation display may be used to provide identified aircraft with information:

(1)      regarding any aircraft observed to be on a conflicting path with the identified aircraft and suggestions or advice regarding avoiding action;

(2)      on the position of significant weather and, as practicable, advice to the aircraft on how best to circumnavigate any such areas of adverse weather. When doing so, attention is to be paid to the fact that under certain circumstances the most active area of adverse weather may not be displayed; and

(3)      to assist the aircraft in its navigation.