CHIEF EXEC MEETING SUMMARY
NATS SAFETY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WORKING GROUP
Click for Agenda of the Meeting.
- Item 1. To identify, as part of a co-ordinated 3 year safety improvement plan, the following key safety risks and issues that the SPA Working Group could address, thereby making a significant and unique contribution.
o Pilot/Controller Interface training and education
o Runway Incursions
o
Commonality of procedures,
phraseology and comms across
o Engagement and consultation with regulatory authorities
o Uncontrolled airspace utilisation and procedures
o TCAS/STCA User understanding and integration
o Mode S commonality of procedures and selection
- Item 2. Report back on the consultation amongst SPA and UKFSC Members on the IATA proposal for standardisation of use of ac lights on airfields. Overall, there was general agreement on the IATA proposal and NATS would respond to IATA accordingly.
- Item 3. Pilot response to TCAS.
o A significant number of RAs that occur through an inappropriately high rate of decent being used when approaching the cleared level and particularly in the Terminal and Holding areas.
o Numerous incorrect responses to RAs have been noted, particularly in the Business jet community. These include:
- Pilot chose not to act because he was visual with the traffic.
- Pilot chose not to act due to passenger comfort factor.
- Misinterpretation of the RA instruction.
o There was useful discussion on the action to taken when an RA occurred in the climb demanding increased climb rate but adherence to this would bust a cleared level. The pilot reacts to the RA and not the level since the RA is an instruction not advice!
o Difficulties in replicating RAs and the appropriate handling procedure in the simulator was not helpful in providing proper RA training. UKFSC Chief Exec undertook to investigate at the next SIE meeting.
- Item 4. EU Ops – Stabilised Approach criteria. There was discussion and guidance sought by NATS about the introduction under EU-Ops of stabilised approach and go-round criteria. Specifically, NATS sought a better understanding of the links between speeds, distance to touchdown and height in order to enable the criteria to be met.
- Item 5. Phraseology associated with SIDs and STARs procedures. NATS undertook to provide their draft ATSIN proposal for comment by SPA Members. Click for the draft proposal.
- Item 6. The SPA was challenged to identify a list of potential risks to aviation safety from new developments which the forum could consider and address sometime in the future. These included:
o Data Links, VLJs, PR Nav, SES/SESAR/Environment/Business jet growth/multi-cultural crews/MP licensing/UAV/ automation/ Insufficient qualified personnel
- Item 7. Multi-resource management. The SPA was asked to consider the potential for an increasing cross fertilisation of pilot and ground controller in safety days, formal courses and ground training.
- Under AOB. The effects of the increasing oil price on aircraft transit and cruise speeds were discussed. Bunching due uneven application of speed policies amongst the airlines was one unwelcome outcome. But the general consensus of the airline members was that they would adopt a change of speed if directed by ATC.
Rich
Jones
Chief
Executive
UKFSC