SWATC Unit 9

A method whereby radio waves are transmitted into the air and are then received back at the antenna when they have been reflected by an object (aircraft) in the the path of the beam.

Radar

What does RADAR stand for?

Radio Detection and Ranging

A system in which a minute portion of a radio pulse transmitted for a site is reflected by an object and then displayed on the radar scope at an ATC facility.

Primary Radar

What principle does the surveillance radar system operate on?

Radar Echo Principle

What is the range of the primary radar system?

60 NM

How often should radar performance checks be accomplished?

At least once each shift

What may USAF ATC radar systems be used for?

• Surveillance of aircraft

• Vectoring aircraft to provide separation and radar navigation

• Vectoring aircraft to final approach

• Vectoring aircraft to the airport of intended landing

• Monitoring instrument approaches

• Providing assistance to pilots of aircraft in distress

• Conducting precision (PAR) or surveillance (ASR) approaches

• Air Base Defense

A radar system in which the object to be detected is fitted with a radio receiver/transmitter called a transponder and works on the transmit/reply principle.

Secondary Radar/Radar Beacon

An airborne radar beacon receiver/transmitter which automatically receives signals from interrogators on the ground and selectively replies with a specific pulse or pulse group.

Transponder

Ground-based surveillance radar beacon transmitter-receiver which transmit discrete radio signals that request a reply from all air-borne transponders.

Interrogators

Derived from a transponder return presented on a radar scope; also called a Beacon Target.

Secondary Radar Target

Computer generated and shown on an analog radar display resulting from a primary radar return or a radar beacon reply.

Digitized Target

What does STARS stand for?

Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System

Used for identifying aircraft assigned a discrete beacon code, maintaining indent of targets and performing handoffs of these targets between ATC controllers.

STARS

What may terminal automation be used for?

• Track

• Tag

• Handoff

• Obtain Altitude Information

• Complete Coordination

• Obtain Groundspeed

• Aircraft Identification of Secondary Targets

What secondary radar system is used by all CONUS USAF locations?

STARS

The lowest MSL altitude at which an IFR aircraft will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise authorized for radar approaches, departures, missed approaches.

Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA)

An area in which ATC may provide random radar vectors during an uninterrupted climb from the departure runway until above the Minimum Vectoring Altitude/Minimum IFR Altitude.

Diverse Vector Area (DVA)

__________ must specifically establish a DVA.

CCTLRs

When may a controller vector an aircraft below the MVA

• Authorized for Radar Approaches

• Departures

• Missed Approaches

List the references in which Minimum IFR Altitudes are prescribed or published

• 14 CFR Part 91 - IFR Operations

• 14 CFR Part 95 - Airways and Routes

• 14 CFR Part 97 - Standard Instrument Approach Procedures

Minimum vertical separation above the highest obstacle in a mountainous area:

2,000 feet

Minimum vertical separation above an obstacle in a other than mountainous area:

1,000 feet

The lateral separation requirement from an obstacle in either a mountainous or other than mountainous area.

4 NM

Provides at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance within a 25-mile radius of a(n) navigation facility, waypoint, or airport.

Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA)

Where can a controller readily find the MSA?

Approach Chart

Airspace outside a controller’s area of operation/jurisdiction

Adjacent Airspace

Ensure that the ____________________ has been accomplished before you allow an aircraft under your control to enter another controller’s area of jurisdiction.

necessary coordination

How much separation is necessary from another controllers boundary when coordination has not been effected and the aircraft is less than 40 miles from the antenna.

1.5 miles

How much separation is necessary from another controllers boundary when coordination has not been effected and the aircraft is more than 40 miles from the antenna.

2.5 miles

VFR aircraft approaching Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace which is under the control jurisdiction of another air traffic control facility should be:

• Provided with a radar handoff

• Advised that radar service is terminated, given their position in relation to the airspace and the ATC frequency, if known, for the airspace entered

ATC operations conducted without the use of radar for separation of aircraft using time or altitude. Very slow and significantly reduces the number of aircraft a controller would control using normal radar procedures.

Non-Radar Operations

Methods of separation used in non-radar?

• Lateral

• Longitudinal

• Vertical

A geographical location in relation to which the position of an aircraft is reported.

Reporting Point

Reporting points which must be reported to ATC until radar service is restored.

Compulsory Reporting Point

Pilots should discontinue position reporting over compulsory reporting points when “____________________” is reestablished by ATC.

Radar Contact

Used to handoff, transfer control of an aircraft, or coordinate flight progress data in a non-radar environment.

Coordination Fix

1st IFR Clearance Item

Aircraft Identification

2nd IFR Clearance Item

Clearance Limit

3rd IFR Clearance Item

Department Procedure (DP)/Standard Instrument Departure (SID)

4th IFR Clearance Item

Route of Flight

5th IFR Clearance Item

Altituude

6th IFR Clearance Item

Frequency

7th IFR Clearance Item

Beacon Information

When USAF Controllers are issuing a clearance to an airborne aircraft containing an altitude assignment, they must not include more than one of the following in the same transmission:

• Frequency Change

• Transponder Change

• Heading

• Altimeter Setting

• Traffic Information Containing an Altitude