Procedures for Aerodrome Control Service
Air Regulations · Chapter 7 · DGCA CPL and ATPL
What the tower does for you between the gate and the sky: the order it tells you things, who it lets go first, and what to do if you get lost on the ground.
Remember
- Final is within 4 NM of the threshold; long final is 4 to 8 NM.
- Runway holding points are 50 m from runways of 900 m or more, and 30 m from shorter runways.
- Lost on a taxiway: stop at once. Lost on a runway: tell ATS, vacate onto a taxiway, then stop.
- Priority starts with an aircraft in emergency (a), then military fighters (b), a live scramble (c) and a medical flight (d); VVIP is fifth (e).
- Friction 0.40 or more is Good (code 5); 0.25 or less is Poor (code 1); it is reported for each third of the runway.
What does the tower look after?
The tower's job
A safe, orderly, quick flow on and around the aerodrome. Tap a + box to open it.
- Aerodrome control safe, orderly, expeditious flow The tower gives information and clearances so traffic at and around the aerodrome moves safely, smoothly and quickly, without collisions.
- Prevents collisions Tower clearances aim to prevent collisions in the circuit, on the manoeuvring area, during landing and take-off, and with vehicles and obstructions.
- Between aircraft in the circuit Aircraft flying within the tower's designated area of responsibility, including the aerodrome traffic circuits.
- On the manoeuvring area Aircraft moving on the manoeuvring area are kept apart by the tower.
- Aircraft landing and taking off Aircraft that are landing and taking off are kept apart by the tower.
- With vehicles and objects Aircraft are protected from vehicles on the manoeuvring area and from obstructions on that area.
- Three working positions The tower's functions may be split between control positions: aerodrome controller, ground controller and clearance delivery.
- Aerodrome (tower) controller Usually looks after everything happening on the runway and the aircraft flying in the tower's own area.
- Ground controller Usually looks after traffic on the taxiways and other ground areas, but not the runways.
- Clearance delivery Normally delivers start-up and ATC clearances to departing IFR flights.
- One controller per parallel runway If two parallel (or nearly parallel) runways are in use together, each one should have its own tower controller.
- Start-up and departure Before start-up the pilot makes the aircraft ready and reports persons on board and the security check; departures then follow the taxiing sequence.
- Aerobridge removed, doors closed before asking for start-up Before asking for start-up or push-back, the pilot makes sure the step ladder or aerobridge is removed and the doors are closed.
- Persons on board reported The total, including crew.
- Security check completed, reported When requesting start-up clearance the pilot tells the tower that the security check is completed.
- Not allowed in India Two flight profiles are banned: cruise climb in Indian FIRs, and transonic or supersonic flight over Indian airspace.
- Cruise climb Not permitted in Indian FIRs.
- Transonic or supersonic flight Not permitted over Indian airspace.
- Alerting the fire service RFFS The tower alerts the rescue and fire fighting services after an accident, when an aircraft's safety is impaired, when the crew asks, or whenever otherwise desirable.
- An accident has happened There has been an aircraft accident at the aerodrome or close to it.
- Safety of an aircraft is impaired Information shows that the safety of an aircraft under, or coming under, the tower's jurisdiction may have been or has been impaired.
- The crew asks for it The flight crew requests the rescue and fire fighting services.
- The controller thinks it desirable The tower may also alert the fire service at any other time it considers necessary or desirable.
- Prevents collisions Tower clearances aim to prevent collisions in the circuit, on the manoeuvring area, during landing and take-off, and with vehicles and obstructions.
Takeaway: The tower prevents collisions, splits the work between three positions, controls start-up, and calls the fire service when needed.
How does the tower keep watch and give clearances?
Watch and clear
Watching, alerting, clearing and starting up. Tap + to open each.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
Where are the circuit legs, and where is final?
The circuit
The circuit seen from above. Follow the arrows from take-off round to landing.
Memory hook: 4 NM is the line: inside it is final, from 4 to 8 NM is long final.
Takeaway: Upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, final. Final is within 4 NM of the threshold; long final is 4 to 8 NM.
What does ATC tell you before taxi, in order?
Before taxi
Six items, always in this order.
This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans
What may happen on the runway, and when?
Runway rules
One runway, five aircraft. Tap each number.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
Can the tower clear you now?
Clear now?
Pick the clearance and answer in order.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
Who goes first when everyone wants the runway?
Priority
The book's order, a to j. Each rung outranks every rung below it.
This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans
Runway incursion or obstruction: what does the tower do?
Runway blocked
After a clearance, something appears on the runway.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
Lost or warned on the ground: what now?
Lost on ground
Read each case and press the stamp that applies.
This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans
What can be wrong with the movement area?
What's wrong?
Things the tower must tell you about. Tap a card.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
Who can suspend VFR operations, and what happens?
Suspend VFR
Safety needs VFR stopped at the aerodrome. Answer in order.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
When are the aerodrome lights on?
Lights on
Minutes around an arrival or a take-off. Tap each marker.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
A pilot reports wind shear: then what?
Wind shear report
Low-level wind shear: surface to about 1,500 ft.
This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans
Which numbers matter around the runway?
Runway numbers
Three dials and a board: braking, final, holding points and the pre-taxi list.
This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans
Numbers to know
Numbers
The figures examiners like, in one list.
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Pairs that catch students out
Don't mix up
Look-alike rules side by side, and how to tell them apart.
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Test yourself
Ten questions from this chapter.
This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans