Navigate / EASA

GM1 to AMC5 ATS.TR.210(a)(3) Operation of air traffic control service

ED Decision 2020/008/R

APPROACH SEQUENCE — SEQUENCING AND SPACING OF INSTRUMENT APPROACHES

(a)     Timed approach procedures

(1)     The following procedure should be utilised as necessary to expedite the approaches of a number of arriving aircraft:

(i)      a suitable point on the approach path, which shall be capable of being accurately determined by the pilot, should be specified, to serve as a checkpoint in timing successive approaches;

(ii)     aircraft should be given a time at which to pass the specified point inbound, which time should be determined with the aim of achieving the desired interval between successive landings on the runway while respecting the applicable separation minima at all times, including the period of runway occupancy.

(2)     The time at which aircraft shall pass the specified point should be determined by the unit providing approach control service and notified to the aircraft sufficiently in advance to permit the pilot to arrange the flight path accordingly.

(3)     Each aircraft in the approach sequence should be cleared to pass the specified point inbound at the previously notified time, or any revision thereof, after the preceding aircraft has reported passing the point inbound.

(b)     Interval between successive approaches

         In determining the time interval or longitudinal distance to be applied between successive approaching aircraft, the relative speeds between succeeding aircraft, the distance from the specified point to the runway, the need to apply wake turbulence separation, runway occupancy times, the prevailing meteorological conditions as well as any condition which may affect runway occupancy times should be considered. When an ATS surveillance system is used to establish an approach sequence, the minimum distance to be established between succeeding aircraft should be specified in local instructions. Local instructions should additionally specify the circumstances under which any increased longitudinal distance between approaches may be required as well as the minima to be used under such circumstances.