# ADS-B - 1090 ES required above FL180 - Enables TIS-B and FIS-B - Below FL180 - 978 UAT required # ARTCC - Air Route Traffic Control Center - Provide traffic control service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans - Central authority for issuing flight clearances - Separate controllers per sector and sometimes separated by altitudes as well - Flight plans ideally should be filed 30-45 mins prior to flight. - ADS-B + ARSR (Air Route Surveillance Radar) is used, range 200 miles sometimes as far as 600 miles - In VMC, IFR flights must search for all other aircraft ## Weather Avoidance - WARP Weather and Radar Processor - Used by center controllers: - 3 levels: moderate, heavy and extreme - ASR - Airport Surveillance Weather - Used by approach controllers - More precise - 4 levels of precipitation intensity: light, moderate, heavy, extreme - Controllers do not see clouds or thunderstorms or turbulence only precipitation intensity ## Others - Center controllers will provide safety alerts for terrain, obstructions (below published minimum) - Aircraft conflict alert - when minimum separation between an aircraft being controlled and another aircraft can be compromised - Emergency Assistance # Terminal Facilities - Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) - Monitors area with a 50 mile radius and up to 17,000 feet ## Control Towers - Responsible for flow of all traffic that is landing, taking off or operating on and in the vicinity of an airport - Responsible for movement areas at the airport ## ATIS - Automated Terminal Information System ## Clearance Delivery - Receive IFR clearances on busy airports have dedicated CLRDEL frequencies. otherwise contact ground - VFR pilots can request ATC clearance when departing on airport within Class B or Class C airspace - # ATC Clearances ## Elements of a clearance - Aircraft Identification - Clearance Limit - Departure Procedure - Route of flight - Altitudes or flight levels - Holding Instructions - Special Information - Frequency of departure - Transponder Code ## Details - Clearance Limit: typically given to destination, but due to delays, can be cleared to a fix AND you will be given EFC. - Short range clearance can be given to get aircraft from non-radar to radar environment; clearance given to a fix with a frequency of a ARTCC that will issue long range clearance. - Departure procedure can include STARs, SID. - ATC may issue a cruise clearance - ATC will use "cruise" instead of "maintain". You may operate at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including but not above the altitude specified in the clearance - Each change in altitude doesn't require a report - But beginning descent and report leaving an altitude, you may not climb back with out ATC clearance - Cruise clearance authorizes you to proceed to and perform an approach at the destination airport. ATC will not issue a separate approach clearance at the destination airport - Holding: - Default right turns and time of 1 min leg - Controller will issue EFC time and a best estimate of any additional enroute or terminal delay. - Abbreviated clearance: "cleared as filed" - Restrictions: - Release Time: "hold for release" earliest time you may depart - Clearance Void Time: "clearance void if not off by" - must depart at the latest by that time. - If unable to depart, must contact ATC no later than 30 minutes after the void time otherwise airplane may be considered overdue # VFR on Top - Allows you to fly in VFR conditions at appropriate VFR cruising altitudes - ABOVE MEA - Must be below class A airspace - ATC cannot initiate VFR on top clearances, must be requested - Allows you to change altitudes without advising ATC in VMC - Since you are still on IFR plan, IFR position reporting points, ATC clearances, radio communication must be followed. - Receive new clearance before entering IFR conditions ## Climb to VFR on TOP - ATC authorization will contain a top report - May include alternative clearance if VFR on top is not reached by specified altitude -