Four stages of IFER Management
Stabilisation - Critical Initial Actions - Time Critical Response Transition - System Reconfiguration Ongoing management - Full Response - Specific Problem Checklist - Decision Making Process Resolution - Normal Ops Resumed - SAR Handover - IFER Handover
What must an ATC know in an emergency in order to manage it?
What is the pilot’s responsibility in an in emergency?
ATS must obtain the operational implications of the malfunction.
Pilot’s responsibility: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
ATC assistance available to pilots
Make available to an aircraft in an emergency situation any of the following assistance:
- advice on alternate aerodromes
- position fixes for lost aircraft
- advice on known weather conditions
- interception of aircraft in distress or in need of navigation assistance
- airspace and air traffic priorities
- provision of alerting services
- ditching forecasts
- advice on terrain clearance (LSALT / MSI)
What is the VFR in IMC advice list?
Instil confidence and keep instructions simple and to a minimum, as the pilot may be emotionally distressed or inexperienced.
- keep wings level
- keep speed constant
- trust instruments
- LSALT
- turn on pitot heat (and anti-icing) if available
ATC responsibility in an IFER (primary and secondary)
Primary: to maintain a safe operation of airspace
Secondary: to be the air / ground communcations link between the IFER manager and the aircraft in distress
What are the IFER manager designation requirements?
The IFER manager should be:
- a supervisor from the branch
- a fully endorsed controller from the branch; or
- only when the above is not possible, as designated by the ORM / supervisor
Do not designate HF SMs as IFER managers
What is the IFER manager’s responsibilities / authority?
The IFER Manager has the authority to:
- request information, advice and assistance from any source as necessary
- manage resources
- review response effectiveness
- coordinate and liase with affected sectors or units, outside resources, the relevant supervisor, and the next IFER manager; and
perform administrative follow-up
What are the factors for selection of escort aircraft?
In selecting an escorting aircraft, consider the following factors:
- suitability of airborne aircraft
- assistance from military if suitable civil aircraft are not available
- aircraft and pilot have navigational capability to effect an interception either with or without the assistance of ground airborne surveillance systems
- speed of escort aircraft is capable of matching distressed aircraft; and
- aircraft has sufficient fuel endurance for the task
What are the phrases pilots use to inform of an emergency?
What is the ATC response?
When IFE aircraft are transferred to another frequency, what is the phrase used by the new ATC?
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY; or
PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN
ATC response is [callsign][station identity] ROGER MAYDAY / PAN PAN
ATC will use phrase “[callsign][station identity] ROGER MAYDAY / PAN PAN acknowledged” when IFE aircraft has been handed to them by another controller
The AEP must include organisational and procedural arrangements for responding to at least the following emergencies:
- aircraft crash
- local standby and full emergency
- bomb scare
- disabled aircraft
- hazardous material incident
- fire and natural disaster
- medical emergency
Aerodrome emergency classifications
LOCAL STANDBY
Declare a Local Standby when:
- only the involvement of airport-based agencies in the AEP is warranted
- an approaching aircraft is known or suspected to have a defect, but is not expected to experience any serious difficulty in effecting a safe landing
- a ‘PAN’ call is received, unless the pilot states otherwise
Aerodrome emergency classifications
FULL EMERGENCY
Declare a full emergency when:
- activation of more than just airport-based responding agencies is required
- an aircraft approaching is known or suspected to be in such trouble that there is danger of an incident
- there is a crash on the airport
- a pilot declares ‘MAYDAY’
Emergency Levels
Declare a full emergency at the appropriate level as follows:
Level 1: Up to 18 seats (ATC - Light)
Level 2: Up to 215 seats (ATC - Medium)
Level 3: Up to 560 seats (ATC - Super or Heavy)
(brackets are wake categories)
What is the ATC phrase used for absence of airport fire service?
At aerodromes where there is no on-airport fire service or when the airport fire service has been stood down, advise the pilot:
‘There is no on-airport fire service at your intended aerodrome. What services do you require?’
Confirm AEP required phrase
When doubt exists, confirm the pilot’s requirements:
‘Do you want the airport to be on local standby?’
What must you advise all aircraft of in the event of an obstruction that causes closure of the airfield to be necessary?
In the event of an obstruction causing unserviceability of the manoeuvring area to the extent that closure of the airfield is necessary, advise all aircraft of:
- nature of the unserviceability
- the estimated time of airfield closure
- details of facilities not available for any subsequent landing
What are an ATC’s responsibilities regarding volcanic ash avoidance?
When a clearance includes air routes affected by volcanic ash within Australian-administered airspace:
- determine the pilot’s awareness of the volcanic ash and intentions; and
- suggest amended routing if necessary
Note: a pilot may have more up-to-date information on volcanic activity and may plan or request route clearances and amendments contrary to information available to ATC.
What understanding should you base control upon in the event of an aircraft communications failure?
How would you issue instructions?
Base control on the understanding that aircraft will follow the ERSA emergency procedures unless:
- it is determined that the aircraft is following a different procedure
- the use of electric or other aids enables the position of each aircraft to be accurately determined, when control is based on this position data
- information is received that the aircraft has landed or has resumed normal operations
Where appropriate, you may issue instructions or information via one or both of:
- voice modulated navaids; and
- the ATIS
What is the TCAS TA and RA?
TA: Traffic Advisory
- when an ACAS TA occurs, continue to separate traffic.
- flight crew should not adhere to TA
RA: Resolution Advisory
When a flight crew advises they are responding to a TCAS RA:
- do not issue instructions that contradict those issued by the RA
- acknowledge the report by using the phrase ‘[callsign] ROGER’
What are the turbulence and wind shear reporting requirements?
Turbulence must be reported for ATC to take action.
Wind shear must be broadcast when it is greater than ‘light’ and has been reported by:
- aircraft on approach / take-off paths
- forecasted
A report of wind shear will remain valid at a non-controlled aerodrome for 1 hour.
A report of wind shear at a controlled aerodrome will remain valid until either the expiry of the forecast period of two successive aircraft have failed to report it, whichever is later.
What are the different icing intensities?
Light: conditions less than moderate icing
Moderate: conditions in which change of heading and/or altitude may be considered desirable
Sever: conditions in which immediate change of heading and/or altitude is considered essential
Describe the ERSA-EMERG Procedure for Communications Failure if VFR in Class G Airspace
- Remain in VMC.
- Broadcast intentions (assume transmitter is operating and prefix calls with “TRANSMITTING BLIND”).
- Remain VFR in Class G airspace and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.
- Report arrival to ATS if on SARTIME or reporting schedules.
What are the five parts of Critical Initial Actions?
- Acknowledge
- Assess
- Separate
- Coordinate
- Phase
Critical Initial Actions: Acknowledge
- Acknowledge the emergency
- Cancel any SSR or ADS alarm
- Confirm aircraft’s identity and location
- Record time
