United Kingdom Division
Air Traffic Control in the UK plays a major role worldwide; with the third largest aviation network in the world, and more than 80% of transatlantic flights crossing our airspace, it is paramount that all ATC systems and procedures are well-equipped to deliver excellent and efficient service.
There are multiple organisations that contribute to the procedures and systems that the UK has in-place. It is noteworthy to know some of these, as you may come across them within the community, and while controlling on the network.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is a UN specialised agency based in Canada, directly funded and directed by 193 countries, including the UK.
It's main role is to ensure standardisation of ATC systems, as well as guidance on procedures and policies. All member countries are able to have a say in the standards that ICAO proposes and sets, with the main aim of most countries adopting the policies in their own airspace to ensure a continued standard approach to Air Traffic Services.
ICAO is not a regulator, however, and any of the standards and/or policies created by ICAO are not a replacement for local, national laws. In fact, some of UK's own regulations are not fully ICAO-compliant.
The Civil Aviation Authority is the sole, and independent, aviation regulator in the United Kingdom, which was setup in 1972 to ensure a consistent level of safety.
It's primary functions are to ensure;
- the aviation industry meets the highest safety standards,
- efficient use of airspace,
- the environmental impact of aviation on local communities is effectively managed and CO2 emissions are reduced,
- the aviation industry manages security risks effectively.
The authority does not regulate any military activities, and focuses solely on civil aviation.
The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) company is owned by a consortium of airlines, Heathrow, and the UK government. Subject to safety regulation by the CAA, it is responsible for the provision of en-route Air Traffic Services (ATS), as well as providing control in many of the major and most popular airports, including Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick and Stansted.
It operates two en-route control centres; Swanwick, which is located in the South of England, and Prestwick, located on the Scottish coast of Ayrshire.
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Swanwick Centre;
- London Area Control Centre (LACC)
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London Terminal Control Centre (LTCC)
- London Military Air Traffic Control
- Handles on Average 5,500 Flights per Day
- Prestwick
With the Scottish and London FIRs combined, NATS is responsible for more than 11% of Europe's airspace.
AIP
In addition to providing ATC Services, the company is also responsible for providing the UK's Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), as directed by the CAA. As such, it provides details of all UK airports, as well as Information Circulars (AICs) and AIP Supplements.
The CAA publishes CAPs to ensure the UK airspace is as safe and efficient as possible, while standardising all activities in the UK aviation sector. These are usually long documents, however there are a few to be aware of, and may be helpful on your journey in POSCON UK.
While we do not expect members to read CAPs cover-to-cover, all ATC procedures within POSCON UK are derived from these publications, and as such they will always contain the most up-to-date information.
CAP 493 - Manual of Air Traffic Services (Part 1)
The Manual of Air Traffic Services (Part 1) is sometimes referred to as the 'bible' of ATC in the United Kingdom. Often abbreviated to MATS, or just CAP 493, it is a 400+ page document offering guidance, standards, and regulation of Air Traffic Services provision.
All ATS providers are required to follow the MATS Part 1 at all times, to ensure safety within the airspace. Basic controller tasks such as aircraft validation and even clearances, are set-out in this publication. POSCON UK policies and SOPs are also derived from this document where possible.
MATS Part 2 is a seperate publication, specific to the ATC position/region it is produced for. These are not publicly available, and can only be read by the relevant controllers. Part 2 allows a much more position-oriented view of the procedures set-out in Part 1, and will contain information such as preferrable routings, altitudes, and even airport-specific phraseology.
CAP 493 - Manual of Air Traffic Services (Part 1) can be accessed via the CAA documentation system.
CAP 413 - Radiotelephony Manual
The radiotelephony manual, otherwise referred to as the R/T manual, sets-out the standard phraseology that should be used in the UK, by both pilots and controllers. The 350+ page document also contains information on standard words/phrases, as well as some military phraseology.
It is particularly helpful as it gives examples of conversations between pilots and controllers, and situation-specific guidance. If you are ever struggling for the correct phraseology, this publication may be able to help.
Phraseology within the POSCON UK division is derived from this document.
CAP 413 - Radiotelephony Manual can be accessed via the CAA documentation system.
CAP 774 - UK Flight Information Services
While MATS Part 1 provides general information on Air Traffic Services provision inside controlled airspace, CAP 774 provides information on UK Flight Information Services.
ATSOCAS (Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace), are provided to aircraft in Class G airspace (uncontrolled; OCAS). When inside controlled airspace, a service under MATS Part 1 will be provided. For most radar equipped, Class D airspace (most frequent airport airspace classification), this is a Radar Control Service.
This document sets out the four types of services available OCAS;
- Basic Service
- Traffic Service
- Deconfliction Service
- Procedural Service
When operating an information/radio, approach, or enroute position this document may come in handy, though the services are described later in the Training Centre.
CAP 774 - UK Flight Information Services can be accessed via the CAA documentation system.
Did You Know?
ATSOCAS replaced the Flight Information Service that used to be provided in the UK in 2009. The CAP name, however, along with the general term for these service, never changed.