APPROACH CONTROL
Approach control can be situated at the aerodrome or at some other site.
Normally, if there are two aerodromes in a vicinity, there will be one approach
control unit to cover them both. Generally speaking, the approach controller's
main task is to provide separation to departing and arriving aircraft operating
under instrument flight rules. The approach
controller generally takes over the control of an arriving aircraft from the
airways controller and eventually hands over that aircraft to the control tower.
For departing aircraft the procedure is reversed. A considerable degree of (1) co-ordination
is therefore required between the various units in air traffic services.
The approach control unit has radio equipment similar to that in the control tower. This enables the controller to communicate with aircraft on several different radio frequencies. Most of the frequencies are in the (2) VHF range with some in the (3) UHF.
Aircraft operate under two different types of rules: IFR and VFR. If (4) Visual Meteorological Conditions prevail, flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Coordination between unit in ATS is permissible. In (5) Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) apply.
When airports are very busy the approach controller may have (6) to stack the aircraft at different levels so that each may descend in turn towards the airport. In such cases the approach controller usually gives aircraft their (7) expected approach time. Because of their high fuel consumption at low levels, jet aircraft and, particularly (8) supersonic aircraft, prefer to remain at higher altitudes before starting their descent.
VOCABULARY
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To co-ordinate: |
To pass all information from one controller to another. |
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VHF: |
Very High Frequency. |
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UHF: |
Ultra High Frequency. |
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Visual Meteorological Conditions: |
Known as VMC. Clear weather conditions equal to or better than, specified minima which permit a flight to be conducted in accordance with Visual Flight Rules (VFR). |
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Instrument Meteorological Conditions: |
Known as IMC. Poor weather conditions, less than the minima specified for VMC. |
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To stack: |
To place one on top of the other. |
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Expected Approach Time (EAT): |
The time at which expects that an arriving aircraft following a delay, will leave the holding point to complete its approach for landing. |
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Supersonic aircraft: |
Aircraft flying over Mach 1 (faster than the speed of sound). |
CONVERSATION
When many people are working at similar tasks, they must co-ordinate (1) their work. Do military
pilots flying in formation coordinate with
each other? Is it necessary for an
architect to coordinate with an engineer? Approach controller with aerodrome controller? Area controller with aerodrome controller? Who does an area controller
co-ordinate with? Approach controller? Military pilots flying in formation? Tell me what you think, would happen if military pilots did not co-ordinate
with each other.
Is VHF (2) very high frequency? Can we transmit messages on VHF? To whom does the controller speak on VHF? What does VHF mean?
Is UHF (3) another radio frequency? Is UHF ultra high frequency? Can we tune-in to UHF? Can we tune-in to UHF on an ordinary radio? On what type of radio can we tune-in to UHF?
Is the weather clear under Visual Meteorological Conditions? Do pilots like to fly under Visual Meteorological Conditions? (4) Can he see the airport under Visual Meteorological Conditions? Can the airport be closed-in under Visual Meteorological Conditions? What sort of weather is Visual Meteorological Conditions? What is the abbreviation of Visual Meteorological Conditions? What rules do pilots follow under VMC?
Is the weathwer cloudy under Instrument Meteorological Conditions? (5) Is it overcast? Is visibility good under Instrument Meteorological Conditions? What sort of weather is it under Instrument Meteorological Conditions? What is the visibility under IMC? What conditions do we have today, IMC or VMC?
Do controllers stack (6) flights at busy airports? Do they stack flights at quiet airports? At what airports do controllers stack flights? Why do they stack flights? Who stacks flights? How do they stack flights? Where do they stack flights?
Does a pilot receive his expected approach time (7) from the controller? Does he receive his expected approach when he is at the holding position? On base leg? On the downwind leg? Where is the pilot when he receives his expected approach timer? Who gives the pilot his expected approach time? What is the pilot doing when he receives his expected approach time? What is the abbreviation of expected approach time?
The Concord is a supersonic aircraft. (8) Does a supersonic fly faster than the speed of sound? Does the supersonic fly very high? Does the supersonic consume a lot of fuel? Is the Boeing 747 supersonic? What plane is supersonic? What other supersonic aircraft do you know? Is there any special radiotelephony phraseology for supersonic aircraft?
WRITTEN EXERCISE
Instructions to students What is the difference between the job of an aerodrome controller and an approach controller? Describe in your own words.
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