6. Approach Controller

Question 1

Approach controller roles

Answer 1

Approach controllers take over from area controllers as the aircraft is approaching the airport

Tasks
- Give initial clearance for the aircraft to approach airport
- put all approaching aircraft into a sequence to create the most efficient order for landing

In some cases also responsible for the initial phase of a flight after Aerodrome departure before being transferred to area control

Question 2

Approach controller using radar

Answer 2

I’d the approach controller is using radar they will issue
Heading
Altitudes
Speeds
And any other relevant information to guide it towards the final approach path for the runway in use

Question 3

Spacing between aircraft factors

Answer 3

Spacing between aircraft depends on several factors

Prevailing weather conditions

Size of the aircraft involved

Number of aircraft waiting to depart

Larger aircraft will produce more wake turbulence than smaller ones so approach controllers must provide the correct wake turbulence separation between aircraft in the final approach track

Question 4

Airport holds

Answer 4

At major airfields there are “holds”
- which aircraft may be required to enter if a delay is expected

There are inner and outer holds

Example: Heathrow has 4 inner holds where as Gatwick and SS only have 2 inner holds

Question 5

Transfer of control

Answer 5

Inbound aircraft are transferred from an approach controllers to an Aerodrome controller when they are between 6-12 miles away from the runway