Can someone (preferably a pilot) explain airspace seperation?
July 3rd, 2010 | by admin |http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/64/200890108ATSAirspaceClassificationV3.pdf
I looked at this chart on the link and i couldn’t understand what it meant in the "ATC seperation provided" box or the "traffic informatin provided" box. I just didn’t understand for example in Class C VFR it has VFR and SFVR pointing towards IFR and SFVR in ATC seperation and VFR ATC VFR in traffic information?
Can someone please explain?
Thanks
"ATC separation provided" indicates the types of flights for which ATC assumes separation responsibility. In other words, if it says IFR to IFR, ATC will keep IFR flights separated. If it says IFR to IFR and SVFR, ATC will keep IFR flights separated from other IFR and SVFR flights. And so on.
"Traffic information provided" indicates the type of traffic information concerning nearby aircraft that ATC can provide. Traffic information is advisory—ATC does not take responsibility for separation. In contrast, when separation is provided, ATC assumes responsibility for keeping aircraft apart. With traffic advisories, ATC just points out the traffic, but it’s up to pilots to keep from hitting each other.
In Class C, ATC provides separation between IFR and all other traffic.
In Class D, ATC will guarantee separation between IFR flights and other IFR or SVFR flights. It will not guarantee separation between VFR flights and other flights, but it will provide traffic advisories (the individual VFR pilots are still responsible for maintaining their own separation). This is logical since VFR flights are always in visual conditions where they can see and avoid other traffic, whereas IFR flights are often in conditions of poor visibility where other traffic cannot be seen. Advisories are provided to IFR flights concerning VFR flights because the only time IFR flights will encounter VFR traffic is under visual conditions where both types of flights can see and avoid each other themselves (thereby maintaining separation).
3 Responses to “Can someone (preferably a pilot) explain airspace seperation?”
By Techwing on Jul 3, 2010 | Reply
"ATC separation provided" indicates the types of flights for which ATC assumes separation responsibility. In other words, if it says IFR to IFR, ATC will keep IFR flights separated. If it says IFR to IFR and SVFR, ATC will keep IFR flights separated from other IFR and SVFR flights. And so on.
"Traffic information provided" indicates the type of traffic information concerning nearby aircraft that ATC can provide. Traffic information is advisory—ATC does not take responsibility for separation. In contrast, when separation is provided, ATC assumes responsibility for keeping aircraft apart. With traffic advisories, ATC just points out the traffic, but it’s up to pilots to keep from hitting each other.
In Class C, ATC provides separation between IFR and all other traffic.
In Class D, ATC will guarantee separation between IFR flights and other IFR or SVFR flights. It will not guarantee separation between VFR flights and other flights, but it will provide traffic advisories (the individual VFR pilots are still responsible for maintaining their own separation). This is logical since VFR flights are always in visual conditions where they can see and avoid other traffic, whereas IFR flights are often in conditions of poor visibility where other traffic cannot be seen. Advisories are provided to IFR flights concerning VFR flights because the only time IFR flights will encounter VFR traffic is under visual conditions where both types of flights can see and avoid each other themselves (thereby maintaining separation).
References :
By jokerneckq on Jul 3, 2010 | Reply
That’s a JETMiracle I can accept!
References :
http://www.deltaweb.co.uk/spitfire/hiflight.htm
By JoelKatz on Jul 3, 2010 | Reply
Techwing nailed it.
I just wanted to add one useful piece of information about VFR<->VFR and VFR<->IFR separation.
VFR<->IFR separation is needed because an IFR aircraft may be in a cloud and unable to see a VFR aircraft. The VFR aircraft may be unable to see the IFR aircraft because it can pop out of a cloud unexpectedly.
This is also the reason VFR aircraft are not permitted to fly right up next to a cloud in airspace in which IFR aircraft may be present. If a VFR aircraft were permitted to fly up close to a cloud, there would be a significant collision hazard if an IFR aircraft were to be flying through that cloud.
VFR<->VFR separation is not needed because both aircraft are required to remain well clear of clouds. There is no reason they wouldn’t be able to see each other. This is also the reason VFR traffic is always subject to speed limits and one of the reasons IFR traffic is subject to speed limits where VFR traffic might be present.
References :