MATS ACC > Service Fundamentals > ATS Surveillance Service
You may apply ATS surveillance control procedures, provided:
- The aircraft is identified
- The aircraft is in controlled airspace, except as described in Vectoring into Class G Airspace.
- You are in direct communication with the pilot, unless
◦ The aircraft has been cleared for an approach.
◦ You have transferred communication to the tower. - You are satisfied that the displayed ATS surveillance information is adequate.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Methods
You may use any of the following methods to identify an aircraft:
- Identification by Handoff or Point-Out
- Appropriate PPS Changes
- Flight Identification in ADS-B Data Tag
- Aircraft Position and Movements on Situational Display
- Data Tag ACID in Adjacent Airspace
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Methods
Identification by Handoff or Point-Out
You may consider the aircraft identified after a handoff or point-out.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Methods
Appropriate PPS Changes
You may consider the aircraft identified when you observe an appropriate change in the PPS in any of the following situations:
- After the pilot is instructed to operate the aircraft’s transponder Ident feature
- After the pilot is instructed to change to a transponder code that results in linkage, or that subsequently displays the data tag
- After the pilot is instructed to change the transponder to “standby” In this situation, the PPS disappears or changes to a PSR symbol. When the pilot is requested to return the transponder to normal operation, the PPS reappears or changes to an SSR symbol. Take enough time to
determine that the change is a result of the pilot’s action.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Methods
Flight Identification in ADS‑B Data Tag
You may consider the aircraft identified when the flight identification element in an ADS-B data tag is recognized and is consistent with the aircraft’s expected position.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Methods
Aircraft Position and Movements on Situational Display
You may consider the aircraft identified when you observe the aircraft on the situational display and one of the following conditions applies:
- The aircraft’s position is both:
◦ Within one mile of the departure end of the take‑off runway
◦ Consistent with the time of takeoff and the route of flight or assigned heading of the aircraft - The aircraft’s position over a fix or an OMNI and DME NAVAID is consistent with a position report received directly from the pilot, and the following apply:
◦ The aircraft’s track is consistent with the route of flight or reported heading of the aircraft.
◦ The position of the fix or the OMNI and DME NAVAID is accurately indicated on the situation display. - The aircraft’s position relative to a fix or an OMNI and DME NAVAID is consistent with a position report received directly from the pilot in the form of a DME or GPS report, and the following apply:
◦ The aircraft’s track is consistent with the route of flight or reported heading of the aircraft.
◦ The position of the fix or the OMNI and DME NAVAID is accurately indicated on the situation display. - The aircraft carries out a specified identifying turn of at least 30°, and the following apply:
◦ Except in the case of a lost aircraft, a position report received directly from the aircraft indicates that the aircraft is within ATS surveillance coverage of the area being displayed.
◦ Only one aircraft is observed to have carried out the specified turn.
◦ The track is observed to be consistent with the heading or track of the aircraft both before and after completion of the turn.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification
After aircraft identification is established using an identification method…
… inform the pilot.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Doubtful or Lost
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If identification becomes doubtful or is lost, immediately do either of the following:
- Identify or re-identify the aircraft using the same technique more than once or use more than one of the techniques provided in Identification Methods.
- Terminate ATS surveillance service and apply procedural separation.
When identification is lost, inform the pilot.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification
Doubtful or Lost
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Identification may be be doubtful due to:
- The position or movement of other aircraft
- The observation of more than 1 aircraft responding to an identification procedure
- Temporary loss of the PPS
- Coasting of PPS
- Merging of PPS
- Ambiguous PPS
- Display Clutter
- Other Circumstances
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Identification Doubtful or Lost
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Consider identification to be lost if a linked PPS ceases to be displayed after “CST” is displayed in its data tag, unless either of the following applies:
- You are able to maintain identification of an unlinked PPS being displayed for the aircraft.
- The PPS re-links within a sufficiently short period such that, considering the progress of the aircraft, you have no doubt about its identity.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Handoffs > Transferring Controller
If an aircraft will enter another sector or unit’s airspace, initiate a handoff if any of the following apply:
- You are applying ATS surveillance separation between the concerned aircraft and another aircraft that was, is, or will be transferred.
- ATS Surveillance separation is normally applied in the receiving controller’s airspace.
- Handoffs are specified as a standard procedure in an agreement, arrangement, or unit directive.
Is a handoff a transfer of control?
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NO!
A handoff is not a transfer of control, however, coordination of control transfer may be required, or carried out coincidentally with a handoff.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Handoffs > Transferring Controller
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Complete a handoff before the aircraft passes any of the following:
- The sector or unit boundary
- A designated control transfer point
- Any handoff point defined in an arrangement or agreement
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Handoffs > Transferring Controller
Do an automated handoff, unless either of the following applies:
- You are handing off an unlinked PPS.
- A system malfunction or deficiency makes it unfeasible.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Handoffs > Transferring Controller
CST Displayed on the data tag:
Verbal Handoff
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Handoffs > Transferring Controller > Verbal Handoff
If unable to do an automated handoff, transfer identification using one of the following methods:
- Inform the receiving sector or unit of:
◦ The position of the PPS relative to a point common to both situation displays or to a previously transferred aircraft that is identified
◦ The aircraft identification or ADS-B Flight ID or, if unlinked, the SSR code
◦ Other control information, if required - Provide a secure sequence of arriving aircraft as specified in an arrangement.
◦ When transferring to an FSS, the predetermined sequence is in relation to a fix as specified in the arrangement.
◦ When transferring to a tower, the predetermined sequence is in relation to a control transfer point within the control zone. - Physically point to the PPS on the situation display of the receiving controller.
MATS ACC > Traffic Management > Enroute Operations > Altitude > Altitude Instructions > Wrong-Way Altitude Assignment
If a cruising altitude inappropriate to the direction of flight is assigned:
- Instruct the pilot to make position reports.
- Identify the altitude as WRONG WAY for any of these coordination tasks:
◦ Passing and receiving a control estimate
◦ Giving and receiving a handoff
◦ Coordinating with an adjacent sector/unit
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Handoffs >
Transferring Controller > Transfer of Identification without a Handoff
You may omit verbal handoffs between sectors or units, provided:
- The procedures are defined in an arrangement.
- The overlap area and FDBs are displayed at all times.
- Prior to communication transfer, you inform the receiving controller if the aircraft:
◦ Is unidentified
◦ Has been assigned a cruise climb
◦ Is operating at a wrong-way altitude
◦ Does not have a valid altitude readout
◦ Is operating at an altitude different from that specified in an arrangement
◦ Is a non-RVSM aircraft operating in RVSM airspace - Prior to communication transfer, you inform the receiving controller of other
pertinent information.
“CST” displayed on the data tag
Do you have to coordinate with with receiving sector or unit?
YES
Unless, you expect the coasting to cease before the aircraft reaches an area when a handoff would normally be accepted
MATS ACC > Separation > ATS Surveillance Separation > ATS Surveillance Separation From an ATS Surveillance Boundary
Unless you coordinate separation with the controller concerned,
separate an ATS surveillance-controlled aircraft from the boundary of adjoining ATS surveillance airspace.
If an adjacent sector applies a larger ATS surveillance minimum than your sector, apply additional separation from the sector boundary to ensure that aircraft are separated by at least the ATS surveillance separation minimum applied in that sector.
If both adjoining sectors apply the 3‑mile separation standard, maintain a 1.5‑mile separation minimum from the common sector boundary.
If either adjoining sector applies a 5‑mile separation standard, maintain a 2.5‑mile separation minimum from the common sector boundary.
If either adjoining sector applies a 10-mile separation standard, maintain a 5-mile separation minimum from the common sector boundary.
MATS ACC > ATS Surveillance > Identification > Point-Outs > Originating Controller
Use a point out to obtain approval from another controller before permitting an identified aircraft to enter or infringe on that controller’s airspace when control and radio communication will not be transferred and either of the following situations applies:
- An aircraft will or may enter airspace that is under the jurisdiction of another controller.
- An aircraft will operate in the protected buffer zone dividing sector/unit boundaries as described in ATS Surveillance Separation From an ATS Surveillance Boundary.
MATS ACC > Traffic Management > Communication and Coordination > Control Transfer > Responsibilities of Transferring Controller
Relay the following to the receiving controller:
- The appropriate flight data and control information, including amendments
- Any information received from the pilot or operator concerning the aircraft’s fuel state or fuel reserves
Obtain consent of the receiving controller.
MATS ACC > Traffic Management > Communication and Coordination > Control Transfer > Responsibilities of Transferring Controller
Transfer control of an IFR or CVFR aircraft to an adjacent sector or unit as follows:
- So that control transfer occurs at the time of crossing the control area boundary as estimated by the sector or unit relinquishing control
- At a specified time
- When the aircraft is at specified altitude, fix, or location.
MATS ACC > Traffic Management > Communication and Coordination > Control Transfer > Responsibilities of Receiving Controller
Unless specifically coordinated or as specified in a unit directive, an agreement, or an arrangement, assume control of an aircraft only after it is in your area of jurisdiction.
- Accept control as requested or subject to any necessary condition.
- Specify any information or instruction that the pilot must have at the point of transfer.
- Specify any other required information.
