Recommendations for air traffic controllers

From the many lessons learned from incidents and accidents concerning all members of the aviation community, the following relate particularly to Air Traffic Controllers:

- Familiarise yourself with the pilot’s working environment, his problems and his workload.

- The controller can reduce the likelihood of error by paying close attention to the use of standard phraseology and by insisting on the correct read-back procedure.

- The risk of misunderstanding may be reduced by repeating the clearance

(i.e. descend to flight level one two zero, I say again flight level one two zero).

- Consider issuing a radar heading at a level clear of other traffic and monitor the aircraft’s flight path closely if you suspect that a pilot may be overloaded, or may have difficulty complying with instructions.

- Note that a “Standby” instruction issued to an aircraft requesting crossing or joining clearance should be followed as soon as possible by a call issuing clearance or refusal.

- Monitor the track of the aircraft when a “Standby” instruction is issued, to ensure that airspace infringement does not take place.

- Pay particular attention to the action of pilots, to ensure that any unexpected deviation from clearance is noted promptly.

Unit 4. Airport environment

 17 Exercise 1.

At the Airport

From the moment the passenger books a flight to the moment he finally boards the plane, a great deal of work is done to ensure that all goes smoothly. Just making certain that the right number of passengers board the right plane takes a lot of careful planning by the airlines.

Airport planners must provide enormous terminal buildings to cater for arriving and departing passengers. These terminals must be fitted with facilities such as shops, banks and restaurants. To get the passengers speedily to and from the terminals, there must be networks of roads and railways, as well as huge car parks where people can leave their cars while they are away on business or holiday.

At the check-in desks the passengers present their tickets to the clerks who check the booking with the airline computer. They next weigh the luggage, label it for its destination, and send it off on a conveyor belt for loading. They then issue the passenger with a card for boarding the plane.

While the passengers wait for their flight other people are busy at work making sure that the luggage they have just checked in is sorted and en route for the right plane. Out on the apron, the luggage is loaded on to the plane. The loaders use special belts which take the cases right into the plane’s hold.

While they are waiting for their flight to be called, passengers sit in a lounge where they can have a drink and a meal. An electronic board gives flight details and warns of delays.

All modern airports have banks and shops for last-minute purchases.

Before boarding every passenger must pass through a security check.

The flight is called and the passengers walk to the airliner. They can be taken out by bus, or board through an enclosed pier which links with the plane door.

 18 Exercise 2.