Traffic Separation Minima

For controlled traffic that shall be separated in the vicinity of an airport,

separation minima may be reduced:

If the commander of the involved aircraft so requests

At the discretion of the air traffic controller
When the commander in the following aircraft has the preceding aircraft
in sight and is able to maintain own separation
Only if the air traffic controller has the involved aircraft in sight

ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC is that controlled flight to which the provision of

separation by ATC is applicable, but which, in relation to a particular controlled
flight is not separated therefore by the appropriate separation minima.
Whenever separation minima is not applied. The following flights are
considered essential traffic one to each other.

Controlled VFR fights and VFR flights

All IFR flights in controlled airspaces and controlled VFR
All IFR flights
Only controlled IFR flights

Quote:
Essential traffic is that controlled traffic to which the provision of
separation by ATC is applicable, but which, in relation to a particular
controlled flight, is not separated therefrom by the prescribed minima.

What is the correct content of 'essential traffic' information messages to

aircraft?

Direction; type, level, ETA over the relevant reporting point

Type of aircraft; level, ETA over relevant reporting point
Direction; type of aircraft, level
Direction; type of aircraft, ETA over relevant reporting point

Following an AIRPROX incident, an ATIR should be made:

immediately after landing

within 7 days
to the air traffic service unit concerned
within 24 hours

Quote:
An AIRPROX is a situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or air
traffic services personnel, the distance between aircraft as well as their
relative positions and speed have been such that the safety of the
aircraft involved may have been compromised. (ICAO Doc 4444:
PANS-ATM). An AIRPROX should be reported as soon as possible to
facilitate investigation of the incident. If circumstances allow, the pilot
should report the incident immediately to ATC using RTF, the details
will then be reported by ATC to the appropriate body. If it is not
possible to report an AIRPROX in flight (e.g. because the frequency in
use is too busy) the pilot should report the incident as soon as possible
after landing. ATS units to whom AIRPROX incidents are reported
should also report the circumstances of which they are aware to the
appropriate body. In all cases, initial verbal reports should be followed
up by full written reports using any prescribed form which may be in
use for that purpose.

The separation method whereby the vertical and horizontal separation may
be reduced till a maximum of half the standard criteria is called:

Composite separation
Combined separation
Reduced separation
Essential separation

Composite separation is only applied on the basis of:

National agreements
Bilateral agreements
Regional air navigation agreements
ATC co-ordination

When will clearance to descend subject to maintaining own separation be

granted?
never
if pilots are in communication with each other and with their concurrence
only in airspace classes C, D or E
only when in VMC and cleared to do so

Quote:
Such a clearance applies only to Controlled Airspaces Class D and E,
in Visual Meteorological Conditions during hours of daylight

Aircraft transitioning from domestic airspace into oceanic airspace are

required to fly tracks separated by 15 degrees until

vertical separation is established

lateral separation of 15 NM is maintained at all times
passing the FIR boundary
the applicable lateral separation is established

Essential traffic information shall be given to:

All controlled flights at any time

All flights that are known to ATC
Controlled flights, whenever they constitute essential traffic to each other
All aircraft at the discretion of the air traffic controller

Where can an ACC issue a clearance to controlled flights operating in VMC

to maintain own clearance subject to maintaining VMC and own separation?

In airspace classes A, B and C

In airspace classes A, B, C and D
Only in airspace class D and E
Only during daylight hours in airspace class A, B and C

Quote:
ICAO PANS ATM 5.9 states that:

when so requested by an aircraft, and

 Provided it is agreed by the pilot of the other aircraft, and

So authorised by the appropriate ATS authority,

An ATC unit may clear a controlled flight, including departing and

arriving flights,

Operating in airspace Classes D and E,

In visual meteorological conditions during the hours of daylight,

To fly subject to maintaining own separation to one other aircraft and

remaining in visual meteorological conditions.

When a controlled flight is so cleared, the following shall apply (inter

alia):

a) the clearance shall be for a specified portion of the flight at or below

3,050 m (10,000 ft), during climb or descent and subject to further
restrictions as and when prescribed on the basis of regional air
navigation agreements.

The Clearance to fly maintaining own separation while in visual

meteorological conditions may be given by the appropriate ATS authority. This
has to be requested by the pilot of a controlled flight and has to be agreed by the
pilot of the other aircraft. The conditions are:

Airspace Class C, VMC, hours of daylight

Airspace Class D and E, VMC, hours of daylight
Airspace Class B, C, D and E, VMC
Airspace Class C, D, VMC

The VMC and own separation ATC clearance is used for a controlled flight
to cross the level of another controlled flight when:

This procedure is not allowed

Requested by the pilot during the day light and authorised by the state
overflown
Requested by the pilot and during the day light
Requested by the pilot and authorised by the state overflown

For separation purposes, which of the following defines the term

CROSSING TRACKS?

Angular difference between tracks of less than 45 degrees or more than 315
degrees
Angular difference between tracks of more than 135 degrees or less than 225
degrees
Angular difference between tracks of more than 45 degrees but not
exceeding 135 degrees
None of the answers are correct

Quote:
If two aircraft are not laterally separated, and are following tracks
within 45 degrees of each other (or the reciprocal), then they are said
to be following the same route and some form of longitudinal
separation must exist. Aircraft whose tracks bisect at more than 45
degrees are said to be crossing, in this case longitudinal separation
cannot be applied as it will not be very long before lateral separation
will exist again.

When can separation in the vicinity of an aerodrome be reduced?

at any time when the pilot requests
when the pilot has the aircraft ahead in visual contact
only at the controllers discretion
never

What are the controlled traffic separation methods applied by ATC?

Vertical, horizontal and angular separation

Time separation and track separation
Vertical and horizontal separation
Composite separation

Lateral Separation

Two aircraft are reporting over the same VOR, they should be separated by:

at least 15 and a distance of 15 nm

at least 20 and a distance of 15 nm
at least 30 and a distance of 15 nm
at least 45 and a distance of 15 nm

Track separation between aircraft using the same NDB shall be applied
requiring the aircraft to fly: At least 30 degrees separated at a distance of 15
NM or more from the facility
 Track separation between aircraft using the same FIX shall be applied
requiring the aircraft to fly:

At least 30 degrees separated at a distance of 15 NM or more from the FIX

At least 45 degrees separated at a distance of 15 miles or more from the FIX
At least 45 degrees separated at a distance of 15 NM or more from the FIX
At least 30 degrees separated at a distance of 15 miles or more from the FIX

Track separation between aircraft using the same navigation aid requires the
aircraft to fly a specific track separated by a minimum amount. When
using Dead Reckoning this minimum amount is:

15o and at a distance of 28 km or more from the facility

30o and at a distance of 228 km or more from the facility
45o and at a distance of 28 km or more from the facility
60o and at a distance of 28 km or more from the facility
 Independent parallel approaches may be conducted to parallel runwys
provided that:

the missed approach track for one approach diverges by at least 20 degrees from
the missed approach track of the adjacent approach
the missed approach track for one approach diverges by at least 30 degrees
from the missed approach track of the adjacent approach
the missed approach track for one approach diverges by at least 25 degrees from
the missed approach track of the adjacent approach
the missed approach track for one approach diverges by at least 45 degrees from
the missed approach track of the adjacent approach

Dependent parallel approaches may be conducted to parallel runways

provided that: the missed approach track for one approach diverges by: at least
30 degrees from the missed approach track of the adjacent approach

If an arriving aircraft is making a straight in approach a departing aircraft

may take off in any direction:

until two minutes before the arriving aircraft is estimated to be over the
instrument runway
until three minutes before the arriving aircraft is estimated to be over the
instrument runway
until five minutes before the arriving aircraft is estimated to be over the
instrument runway
until ten minutes before the arriving aircraft is estimated to be over the
instrument runway

Longitudinal Separation

The longitudinal separation minima based on distance using DME, and each
aircraft on track uses DME stations, is:

5 NM
10 NM
20 NM
20 NM when the leading aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 20 kt or more
faster than the succeeding aircraft
 Quote:
With aircraft on the same track, separation is 20 nm provided each
aircraft uses "on-track" DME stations and separation is checked by
obtaining simultaneous DME readings from the aircraft at frequent
intervals. This can be reduced to 10 nm provided the leading aircraft
maintains a TAS 20 kts or more faster than the succeeding aircraft.

The longitudinal separation minima based on DME, and each aircraft 'on
track' uses DME stations, is:

20 NM provided that the leading aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 10 kt or

more faster than the succeeding aircraft
10 NM provided that the leading aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 40 kt or
more faster than the succeeding aircraft
10 NM provided that the leading aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 20 kt
or more faster than the succeeding aircraft
10 NM provided that the leading aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 10 kt or
more faster than the succeeding aircraft

Quote:
Dont get confused with the 40 kt option in the question as that is
related with timed separation. With DME its 20 kts and 10nm

When applying longitudinal separation based on distance (DME), the

minimum separation between two aircraft on reciprocal tracks climbing or
descending through the same flight level shall be at least:

10 nm
15 nm
20 nm
5 nm

Aircraft flying along the same track may be separated by DME-distances

from the same DME and it is confirmed that the aircraft have passed each other.
Specify the shortest difference in DME-distance to make it possible for one
aircraft to climb or descent through the level of another?

12 NM
10 NM
15 NM
20 NM

Standard time difference between two aircraft on same track and

level is 15 min

Two aircraft are flying along the same route defined by navaids that
permit frequent update of position. What is the appropriate longitudinal
separation based on time?

15 mins
10 mins
5 mins
3 mins

The longitudinal separation minima based on time between aircraft at same

cruising level where navigation aids permit frequent determination of position
and speed and the preceding aircraft is maintaining a true airspeed of 20 kt or
more faster than the succeeding aircraft, is:

3 minutes
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes

What is the longitudinal separation between aircraft on the same route, the
preceding aircraft is 20 kts faster than the following?

10 minutes
15 minutes
5 minutes providing both aircraft have departed from the same aerodrome
5 minutes

Quote:
 Separation can be further reduced to 5 minutes if the preceding aircraft
is 20kts or more faster than the following aircraft or 3 minutes if the
preceding aircraft is 40kts or more than the following aircraft
providing the aircraft have departed from the same aerodrome or
reported over the same reporting point

The longitudinal separation minima based on time between aircraft at same

cruising level where navigation aids permit frequent determination of position
and speed and the preceding aircraft is maintaining a true airspeed of 40 kt or
more faster than the succeeding aircraft, is:

3 minutes
5 minutes
6 minutes
10 minutes

What is the standard time difference between two aircraft on similar tracks
when one passes through the level of the other?

5 min
10 min
15 min
20 min

If you want to descend through the level of another aircraft,

the minimum separation is:

20 minutes
10 minutes
5 minutes
15 minutes

Quote:
When an aircraft will pass through the level of another aircraft on the same
track the following longitudinal separation shall be provided:

15 minutes while vertical separation does not exist; or

10 minutes while vertical separation does not exist when navigation aids
permit frequent determination of position; or

5 minutes while vertical separation does not exist provided that the level
change is commenced within 10 minutes of the time the second aircraft has
reported over an exact reporting point.

For Crossing tracks the minima is 15 nm or 10 nm if navigation aids permit

frequent determination of position and speed.

For Reciprocal, vertical separation is provided for at least 10 minutes prior

 to and after the time the aircraft are estimated to pass, unless it can be
determined that the aircraft have passed.

An RNAV distance based separation minimum may be used at the time the
level is crossed, provided that each aircraft reports its distance to or from the
same on track way point. This minimum is:

50 NM
60 NM
80 NM
20 NM

Two aircraft are flying the same route where the Mach Number technique is
applied. What is the RNAV distance based separation that may be applied in
lieu of the normal 10 minutes longitudinal separation in RNP 20 airspace?

150 NM
50 NM
80 NM
120 NM

Quote:
Longitudinal Separation based on RNAV where RNP is
Specified: For aircraft cruising, climbing, or descending on the same
track in an RNP RNAV environment, the separation standard may be
reduced from 80 nm to 50 nm in RNP 10 airspace providing direct
pilot/controller communications exist (not through a radio operator);
procedural position reports are received that permit distance
verification between aircraft every 30 minutes.
 When the Mach Number technique is applied, what is the longitudinal
separation that is applied between aircraft flying the same route at the same
altitude?

10 mins
6 mins
5 mins
3 mins

When the Mach number technique (MNT) is being applied, and the
preceding aircraft shall maintain a mach number equal to or greater than the
following aircraft, an RNAV distance based separation minimum may be used
on the same direction tracks in lieu of 10 minutes longitudinal separation
minimum. The distance is:

80 NM
100 NM
70 NM
50 NM

When using the Mach No technique to report speed, what is the minimum
longitudinal separation that can be applied between two aircraft flying the same
route at the same altitude, if the first is maintaining an Mach no that is 0.04
greater than the following aircraft.

9 mins
7 mins
6 mins
5 mins

Quote:
10 minutes if the Mach number of the preceding aircraft is equal to or
greater than that of the following aircraft.
9 minutes if the aircraft in front is M0.02 faster.
8 minutes if the aircraft in front is M0.03 faster.
7 minutes if the aircraft in front is M0.04 faster.
6 minutes if the aircraft in front is M0.05 faster.
 5 minutes if the aircraft in front is M0.06 faster.

Two minutes separation may be used between departing aircraft if they are
to fly on the same track, when:

The preceding aircraft is 40 kt or more faster than the following aircraft

The preceding aircraft is 30 kt or more faster than the following aircraft
The preceding aircraft is 20 kt or more faster than the following aircraft
The preceding aircraft is 10 kt or more faster than the following aircraft

One minute separation may be used between departing aircraft if they are
to fly on tracks diverging by at least:

15 immediately after take-off

30 immediately after take-off
45 immediately after take-off
25 immediately after take-off

Vertical Separation

The vertical IFR separation minimum being applied by ATC within a

controlled airspace above FL 290 is:

1000 feet (300m)

2000 feet (600m)
500 feet (150m)
4000 feet (1200m)

A minimum vertical separation shall be provided until aircraft are established

inbound on the ILS localiser course and/or MLS final approach track. This
minimum is, when independent parallel approaches are being conducted:

150m (500 ft)

200m (660 ft)
300m (1000 ft)
100m (330 ft)
 When may ATC assign a level previously occupied by another aircraft.

After the aircraft has reported vacating this level

After the aircraft has reported to be 1000 ft above this level
After the aircraft has reported to be 1000 ft above/below the level
After the aircraft has been cleared to climb/descend to a level separated by at
least 1000 ft from the level previously occupied

What is the vertical separation between 2 aircraft flying on the same airway
in the same direction above FL290 in an area where RVSM is not applied?

1000 ft
2000 ft
4000 ft
6000 ft