ATS Familiarization: Aerodrome Control Service

Aerodrome

A defined area on land or water intended to be used either wholly or in part of the arrival, departure and surface movement of aircraft

Aerodrome Control Service

Air traffic control service for aerodrome traffic

Aerodrome traffic

All traffic on the maneuvering area of an aerodrome and all aircraft flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome

Aerodrome control tower

A unit established to provide air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic

1 aerodrome control towers shall issue information and clearances to aircraft under their control to achieve a safe, orderly and efficient flow of air traffic on and in the vicinity of an aerodrome with the object of preventing collision(s)

2 aerodrome controllers shall maintain a continuous watch on all flight operations on and in the vicinity of an aerodrome as well as vehicles and personnel on the maneuvering area

3 alerting service

4 immediate reporting of failure or irregularity of aids and equipment

Functions of an aerodrome control tower

a. Aircraft flying within the designated area of responsibility of the control tower

b. Aircraft operating on the maneuvering area

c. Aircraft landing and taking off

d. Aircraft and vehicles operating on the maneuvering area

e. Aircraft on the maneuvering area and obstructions on that area

Function of an aerodrome control tower is to prevent collisions between (5)

a. Aircraft accident has occurred on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome

b. Information is received that the safety of an aircraft which is or will come under the jurisdiction of the aerodrome control tower may have or has been impaired, or

c. Requested by the flight crew

d. When otherwise deemed necessary or desirable

Alerting service (4)

Aerodrome Controller

Ground controller

Clearance delivery/Coordinator

Control positions in a Control Tower (3)

Aerodrome controller

Normally responsible for operations on the runway and aircraft flying within the area of responsibility of the aerodrome control tower

Ground controller

Normally responsible for traffic on the maneuvering area with the exception of runways

Clearance delivery/coordinator

Normally responsible for delivery of startup and ATC clearances to departing IFR flights

Runway lights

Taxiway lights

Terminal radar data display

Precision approach path indicator (PAPI)

Instrument landing system

VHF omnidirectional range

Automatic Terminal Information System

Light Gun

Navigational Aids

Maneuvering area

that part of an aerodrome to be used for take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft, excluding aprons