GM2 ATS.TR.305(a);(b);(c) Scope of flight information service

INFORMATION TO AIRCRAFT BY AFIS UNITS — INFORMATION FOR ARRIVING AIRCRAFT

(a)     Prior to entering the traffic circuit or commencing its approach to land, the AFIS unit should provide aircraft with the following elements of information, in the order listed, with the exception of such elements which are known to have been already received by the aircraft:

(1)     the runway-in-use;

(2)     the surface wind direction and speed, including significant variations therefrom; and

(3)     the QNH altimeter setting and, either on a regular basis in accordance with local arrangements or if so requested by the aircraft, the QFE altimeter setting.

(b)     For arriving IFR traffic that intends to conduct an instrument approach, the AFIS unit should, as early as practicable after an aircraft has established communication with the unit, transmit to the aircraft the following elements of information, in the order listed, with the exception of such elements which are known to have been already received by the aircraft :

(1)     Runway-in-use; and

(2)     Meteorological information, as follows:

(i)      surface wind direction and speed, including significant variations therein;

(ii)     visibility and, when applicable, RVR;

(iii)     present weather;

(iv)     cloud below 1 500 m (5 000 ft) or below the highest minimum sector altitude, whichever is greater; cumulonimbus; if the sky is obscured, vertical visibility when available;

(v)      air temperature;

(vi)     dew point temperature, inclusion determined on the basis of a regional air navigation agreement;

(vii)    altimeter setting(s);

(viii)   any available information on significant meteorological phenomena in the approach area; and

(ix)     trend-type landing forecast, when available.

(c)      For arriving IFR traffic conducting an instrument approach, at the commencement of final approach the AFIS unit should transmit the following information to the aircraft:

(1)     significant variations in the mean surface wind direction and speed. ‘Significant variations’ are specified in point (a)(3) of MET.TR.205. However, if the AFIS unit transmits wind information in the form of components, the significant changes are:

(i)      mean headwind component: 19 km/h (10 kt);

(ii)     mean tailwind component: 4 km/h (2 kt); and

(iii)     mean crosswind component: 9 km/h (5 kt);

(2)     the latest information, if any, on wind shear and/or turbulence in the final approach area; and

(3)     the current visibility representative of the direction of approach and landing or, when provided, the current RVR value(s) and the trend.

(d)     For arriving IFR traffic conducting an instrument approach, during the final approach the AFIS unit should transmit without delay the following information to the aircraft:

(1)     the sudden occurrence of hazards (e.g. unauthorised traffic on the runway);

(2)     significant variations in the current surface wind, expressed in terms of minimum and maximum values;

(3)     significant changes in runway surface conditions;

(4)     changes in the operational status of required visual or non-visual aids;

(5)     changes in observed RVR value(s), in accordance with the reported scale in use, or changes in the visibility representative of the direction of approach and landing.