Air Traffic Services & Procedures

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Core Principles

  • Altitude References:
    • Aircraft altitude is always ASL.
    • Flight Level : when aircraft is above 18,000ft then pressure altimeter is set on standard (29.92″ Hg) and altitude expressed as FL. Eg FL230 = 23,000ft ASL
    • RPA generally indicate height AGL (or more correctly above launch point). Ground elevation needs to be taken into account to convert between ASL and AGL. Flight levels are really of not much relevance as you are not going to be flying at 18,000ft!
  • Position Reports: Standard “callsign, position, height/altitude, intentions” format.

ATS Checklist

  • [ ] Update local barometric pressure settings
  • [ ] Update information in flight plan
  • [ ] Crew briefed on translation between ATC and waypoint terminology