Air Traffic Controller

## **Procedures and Guidelines for Controlled and Uncontrolled Airport Operations**

**Spagistan Aviation Administration**

**August 2018**

This document details the procedures and guidelines for military rotary and fixed wing aircraft operating in Spagistan airspace. Organization is key to successful air operations. Effective communication between aircraft and ground is vital to the safety of all involved personnel.Outlined here are the responsibilities for ATC, ground forces, and pilots when entering controlled airspace as well as procedures for uncontrolled landing zones. Use the examples as a guideline for communication; it doesn’t have to be word for word, however, all relevant information must be statedclearly and accurately. Always read back instructions from the ATC or state in the affirmative or negative if you have received comms from aircraft in uncontrolled airports.

## **I) UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES**

An uncontrolled airport is defined as “an airport without active ATC services.” Commonly referred to as a “non-towered airport.” While there is no active flight control, pilots are responsible for
maintaining organized and safe flight. Pilot to pilot communication is important in preventing midair collisions and lost cargo. The general purpose of communication in the uncontrolled airspace is to alert other aircraft and ground of the pilot’s intentions.

**1. Radio Equipment**

a. Pilots must have proper radio equipment in working order set to CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency)

**2. Radio Usage**

a. Messages must be short and to the point. Off topic, communications should not be on CTAF what so ever.

b. Acknowledge you have received instructions and read back if required

c. Report on CTAF if you have traffic insight to avoid collision. Establish communication with other traffic. i.e. “Iceman 1-1, Mi-8 insight, I’m at your 3 o’clock high.” “Maverick 2-1 copies, I see you, mi-24, 3 o’clock high, maintaining current altitude and speed.”

**3. Full Stop Landing**

A full stop landing defined as a landing where an aircraft comes to a complete stop, parks, and then shuts down engines.

a. When entering an uncontrolled airport’s airspace the pilot will announce location, direction of flight, altitude (AGL in meters), and intentions. i.e. “Iceman 1-1, 300 meters west of the FOB, heading 67, 75 meters, full stop landing on the helipad.”

b. Pilots should follow a basic traffic pattern when landing and announce what part of the traffic pattern they are in. Unless notated, enter downwind, proceed to base leg and final approach. i.e. “Iceman 1-1 entering base leg,” “ Iceman 1-1, on final.

c. Upon a full stop landing, the pilot should announce touch down, and shut down engines. i.e. “Iceman 1-1, touch down, engines off.”

**4. Touch and Go**

 A touch and go is a landing in which a pilot will touch wheels then take off without coming to a complete stop without shutting engines down. A touch and go is a common exercise for new pilots training landings. For the purpose of ARMA a touch and go may also refer to a quick landing where troops and/or cargo are drop quickly and the aircraft takes off quickly.

a. When entering an uncontrolled airport’s airspace the pilot will announce location, direction of flight, altitude (AGL in meters), and intentions. E.g. “Iceman 1-1, 300 meters west of the FOB, heading 67, 75 meters, touch and go on the helipad.”

* i. If you are flying the circuit for training, ensure that you have notified aircraft in area

b. Pilots should follow a basic traffic pattern when landing and announce what part of the traffic pattern they are in. Unless notated, enter downwind, proceed to base leg and final approach. i.e. “Iceman 1-1 entering base leg......Iceman 1-1, on final.”

c. Upon touch and go pilot should announce touch down, and then announce take off. Once the pilot is clear of the pad or runway, announce clear of runway/pad i.e. “Iceman 1-1, touch down... Iceman 1-1 taking off... clear of helipad 2”

* i. Quick touch and go’s are appropriate for quick cargo and/or troop drop off. 4-B procedures should be followed. The fire team leader or squad lead will ensure that his team/squad have exited the aircraft. Upon confirmation of dismount, the leader will stand at a safe distance in front of the cockpit and salute (default “\”). Once the leader has saluted the aircraft is cleared to take off after announcing take off on CTAF.

**5. Sling Loading**

a. When entering an uncontrolled airport’s airspace with sling loaded cargo the pilot will announce location, direction of flight, altitude (AGL in meters), cargo type and
intentions. i.e. “Iceman 1-1, 300 meters west of the FOB, heading 67, 75 meters, drop one vehicle ammo crate dropped at cargo drop zone.”

b. Sling loaded aircraft will have a spotter on the ground. A spotter may not always be available; however, it is highly recommended regardless of pilot skill.

* i. When communicating spotter/pilot, use the terms “forward, back, left, right”

from the pilot's perspective. Use distance in meters when giving an altitude or direction of flight.

* ii. Spotter on the ground will communicate with the pilot to ensure cargo is placed in the desired location with minimum damage to persons, cargo, and surrounding area.
* iii. Upon attachment of cargo, ground will announce positive attachment. Pilot

will wait until ground is clear from the cargo before lifting. i.e. “cargo attached...... ground is clear, green for flight”
c. To prevent damage to cargo sling loaded aircraft are restricted to 150km/h and 30
degrees bank.