ATC Block 1
Airfield Operations Flight Commander (AOF/CC)
Officer that performs and leads Airfield Operations functions of air traffic control, airfield management, air traffic control and landing systems, and airspace management within the National Airspace System.
General Requirements
Pilots must be certified or rated to fly IFR File an IFR flight plan Receive an appropriate ATC clearance IFR aircraft will be under the control of ATC at all times
Proximity of Aircraft
Pilots must not fly and an aircraft so close to another aircraft that it create a collision hazard. Use 500 ft separation (well clear) as an approximate guide except for: Authorized formation flight, emergency situations requiring assistance from another aircraft
See and Aboid
Pilots operating in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), under IFR at VFR, wether or not under radar control, are always responsible to see and avoid other traffic, terrain, and obstacles.
Inflight Reporting Flight Safety Conditions
Pilots will immediately report hazardous weather conditions, wake turbulence, volcanic activity, or large concentrations of birds or wildlife
Comminication
Pilots will maintain two-way radio communications with proper ATC facility and acknowledge all Controller transmissions. Aircrews will also monitor at least one emergency frequency (121.5 or 243.0) at all times
FAAO 7220.1
Prescribed certification and rating procedures
Instrumental Flight Rules (IFR)
Regulations which a pilot operates under conditions in which flight by outside visual reference is not safe
Runway Designator
Runway numbers and letters are determined from the approach direction. The letters L, C, and R are used to designate parallel runways.
Senior Controller (SC)
The SC has the same responsibilities as the WS and is simultaneously responsible for duties at an operating position.
National Airspace System (NAS)
The common network of US airspace. The NAS is every person and thing required to succesfully get a plane from one locstion to another.
Mean Sea Level (MSL)
The distance above where sea level would be if there was no land.
Federal Aviation tion Administration (FAA)
The national aviation authority. Regulates and oversees the NAS and has sole responsibility of for developing and maintaining common civil-military system of air navigation and air traffic control.
Aircraft Lights
USAF and civil aircraft must illuminate position lights between official sunset and sunrise. Anti-Collision lights must be illuminated at all times.
Class G
Uncontrolled airspace
Communication
Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, pilots shall maintain radio communications
Adherence to Clerance
When ATC issues a clearance or instructions, pilots are expected to execute its provisions upon receipt. When and ATC clearance has been obtained, no pilot in command may deviate from that clearance unless an amended clearance is obtained, an emergency exists
Apprentice/Trainee
3- Skill Level. Train to obtain a facility rating.
Rated Controller
5- Skill Level. Controls and regulates enroute and terminal air traffic.
Watch Supervisor (WS)
7- Skill Level. Responsible for overall ATC facility operations and services during their shift. WS May also be a trainer.
Chief Controller (CCTLR)
9 or 7 skill Level. Manages the internal operation of the air traffic facility to include direct supervision of personnel assigned, ensuring ATC services are provided that meet mission needs and effectively implementing the Controller training program. CCTRL's report to the AOF.
Formation Flights
A formation is more than one aircraft which, by prior arrangement between the pilots, operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
A set of regulations that govern the procedures for conducting flight under visual conditions.
Approach Control Facility
A terminal ATC facility that provides approach control service in a terminal area.
Air Traffic Control Tower
A terminal ATC facility, USAF or FAA, that uses air/ground communications, visual signaling, and other devices to provide ATC services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport or on the movement area. The tower clears arriving aircraft to land, and departing aircraft to for takeoff.
Radar Approach Control
A terminal USAF ATC facility that uses radar and no radar capabilities to provide approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility. Approach, Arrival, Assist, Radar Final Controller and clearance delivery are all operating positions that it may include.
Ground Controller Approach (GCA)
A terminal radar approach system operated from the ground by air traffic control personnel transmitting instructions to the pilot by radio. Operating positions may include Arrival, Arrival Assist and Radar Final Controller.
FAA JO 7110.65
ATC procedures and phraseology
Restricted Area
Airspace within which the flight of aircraft is subject to restriction. Restricted Areas denote the existence of invisible hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, guided middle, etc. pilots must ask permission to enter
Flight Level (FL)
Altitudes based on the standard altimeter of 29.92(average air pressure at sea level). In the US flight levels begin at FL180.
Flight Service Station
And Air traffic facility that provides pilot briefings, flight plan processing, entities radio communications, search and rescue services, and assistance to lost aircraft. FSS provide information ONLY, do not control air traffic.
Automated Weather Systems
Any of the automated weather sensors platforms that collect weather data at airports and disseminate the weather information via radio and/or landline
Aircraft Speed
Below 10,000 MSL less than 250 knots Class C or D 2,500 ft above surface within 4 NM less than 200 knots Class B or VFR corridor less than 200 knots
FAA Publications
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) aka Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) encompass all aspects of aviation to include air traffic control and general, visual, and instrument flight rules for all aircraft operating in the United Sates and its territories.
AFI 13-204v3
Directs the administration of facilities
Air Route Control Center
FAA facility established to provide air traffic control device to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace and principally during the entourage phase of flight up to FL600. The Center will handoff arriving aircraft to RAPCON. RAPCON will handoff departing aircraft to the Center.
Field Elevation
Field Elevation is the highest point of an airports usable runways measured in feet from mean sea level (MSL).
FAR 91
General Operating and Flight Rules, applies to all aircraft operating within the US and within 12 NM from the coast of the US regardless of their type of flight plan or the origin of the flight.
FAR 65 subpart B
General eligibility and restrictions
AFI 11-202v3
General flight rules
FAR 91
General flight rules
Right of way
General- when wether permits pilot that is not in right of way must stay clear Distress- has right of way over all other air traffic Converging- the aircraft to the others right has the right of way Approaching Head On- both shall alter course to the right Landing - an aircraft established on final approach has the right of way
Class Echo
Generally, controlled airspace not classified as A,B,C, or D. It is designed to serve a variety of terminal or enroute purposes. Unless designated at a lower airspace, begins at 14,500 MSL and extends up to but no to include 18,000 MSL. Also covers all airspace above FL600. Federal airways are included in Class Echo
VFR (Visual Flight Rules)
Govern the procedures for conducting flight under visual conditions. Pilots navigate visually under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and see and avoid other aircraft, terrain and obstruction
IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)
Govern the procedures for conducting instrumental flight. Pilots navigate using aircraft instruments and ATC clearances and control instructions under all weather conditions.
Above Ground Level (AGL)
Height above the ground over which you're flying
Weather Conditions
IFR aircraft may operate in VFR and IFR weather conditions
IFR Flight Operations
IFR flight/navigation is exclusively by instruments
Radio Failure
If VFR aircraft radio fails in flight under BFR, the pilot may operate and land
Radio Failure
If the failure occurs in VFR conditions, the pilot shall continue the flight under BFR and land as soon as practicable
Minimum Safe Airspeed
If the minimum air speed for any particular aircraft is greater than the maximum speed, it may operate at that
Weather Requirements
In order for aircraft to operate under visual rules the weather conditions at the airport of intended operations must be 1000' AGL ceiling and 3SM visibility
Statue Mile (SM)
Is 5,280 feet and is used to express visibillity
Nautical Mile (NM)
Is 6,076 feet and is used to express distance
Airfield Management Operations
Is NOT an ATC facility. They inspect airfields, provide aircrews information for the safe operation of aircraft.
Altimeter Setting (ALSTG)
Is a barometric pressure reading in inches of mercury and obtained from the weather report/station. The pilot will adjust the aircrafts pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or the standard altimeter setting of 29.92
Controlled Airspace
Is a generic term that covers the different classification of airspace.
Class Alpha
Is airspace form 18,000 MSL up to and including FL600 to include the airspace overlying the waters within the 12 NM of the coast of the 48 continental states and parts of Alaska. Unless authorized all pilots must operate IFR
Class Bravo
Is generally , that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nations busiest airports. Radar and tower control this zone.
Standard Formation
Is one in which a proximity of no more than 1 mike laterally or longitudinally and within 100 feet vertically from the flight leader is maintained by each wingman
Nonstandard Formation
Is one in which the flight leader has requested, and ATC has approved, other than standard formation dimensions.
Beacon Code
Is the 4 digit number transmitted by the transponder and my be used for aircraft identification.
AFAS
Is the USAF weather/information display and dissemination platform which allows facilities to share weather information, publications(local and USAF-wide), equipment status, aircraft movement (ground and airborne), range status
Transponder
Is the aircrafts' radar beacon receiver/transmitter portion of the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System which automatically receives radio signals from interrogators(radar antenna) on the ground and replies with a specific reply pulse (data/information)
Class Charlie
Is the airspace form surface to 4,000 ft above the airport elevation surrounding those airports that have a certain number of IFR operations or passenger operations. VFR aircraft are only separated from IFR.
Class Delta
Is the airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation surrounding those airports that have an operations control tower
Adjacent Airspace
Is the airspace outside a controllers area of operation.Aircraft approaching adjacent Airspace, which is under control of another ATC facility, should either be provided with a transfer of control or termination of radar services
Military Operations Area
MOAs are specifically set up to separate IFR Traffic from military training traffic.
AMOS
Monitoring by USAF Weather Reporting Starions, continually sense and measure the atmosphere at the station. Collect, encode, and disseminate official weather observations (METAR).
Air Force publications
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AIRFIELD OPERATIONS PERSONNEL
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