DIRECTORATE OF AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT RAJIV GANDHI BHAWAN, NEW DELHI-110003 [File No. AAI/ATM/SQMS/31-16/2016] Doc. Id: ED/ATM/2016/311603/ATMC/SAFE ATMC Air Traffic Management Circular No. 03 of 2016 Procedure for reporting cross boundary large deviations resulting from coordination errors for the purpose of airspace safety monitoring 1. Introduction 1.1 ATS units are expected to forward from unit to unit, as the flight progresses, necessary flight plan and control information in accordance with the Letter of Agreement (LOA) that exists between the two ATS Units. Applicable coordination procedures, including transfer of control points are specified in the LOAs and ATS unit instructions as appropriate. 1.2 ICAO Safety requirements stipulate that all occurrences of large deviations viz., Lateral, Longitudinal and Vertical beyond certain specified values based on the route and airspace specifications [i.e., Large Lateral Deviation (LLD), Large Longitudinal Error (LLE) & Large Height Deviation (LHD)] should be reported to the appropriate safety monitoring agencies. 1.3 Experience has shown that a majority of large deviations occur due to errors in coordination between two ATS units, also called as Category-E Operational errors in Airspace Safety parlance. 2. Purpose 2.1 The Purpose of the ATMC is to emphasise the Safety significance of timely, error free and effective coordination of necessary flight plan and control information between ATC units as per the applicable LoA and to implement a fair and transparent procedure for reporting of large deviations that occur as a result of errors in coordination between ATS Units. 3. Scope 3.1 This ATMC is applicable to all ATS In-Charge, Training In-Charges and Air Traffic Controllers working at various AAI airports/atc centers/atc units. 02-02-2016 ED/ATM/2016/311603/ATMC/SAFE Page 1 of 5
4. Procedures 4.1 Coordination Errors 4.1.1 Category-E Operational Errors are defined as one that results from Coordination errors in the ATC to ATC transfer of control responsibility as a result of human factors issues (e.g. late or non-existent coordination, incorrect time estimate/actual, flight level, ATS route etc., not in accordance with agreed parameters). Example 1: Sector A coordinated Aircraft 1 to Sector B at FL380 but the Aircraft was actually at FL400 Example 2: Sector A controller received coordination on Aircraft 1 for Waypoint XXXXX at FL370 from Sector B but Aircraft 1 was at Waypoint XXXXX at FL350 and requesting FL370. Example 3: Aircraft 1 entered in the airspace of Sector B from Sector A for which, as per the LoA between the two Sectors, no prior coordination was done by Sector A. 4.1.2 Non-compliance with the existing coordination procedures/loas often result in Aircraft large deviations such as LHD, LLD & LLE at the airspace boundary. 4.1.3 Neighbouring States/FIRs such as Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Colombo, Male, Karachi, Lahore etc., have been reporting an increased number of aircraft deviations such as LHD, LLD & LLEs arising out of coordination errors committed by Indian Controllers for flights transiting from Indian FIRs to their FIRs. 4.1.4 Further it has also been noticed that ATS units observing large deviation resulting from coordination errors directly report the same to the monitoring agencies without first informing the transferring unit of the occurrence. This lack of timely information to the transferring unit deprives the transferring unit of the opportunity to investigate and take appropriate remedial measures to prevent future occurrence of such events. 4.2 The Safety monitoring agencies, taking cognizance of the lack of information flow between the receiving unit and transferring unit on the occurrence of LHD/LLD/LLE, have now formulated a procedure for reporting of large deviation resulting from coordination errors. Adherence to this procedure will ensure timely information to the transferring unit, for it to investigate and take remedial action. It also aims to avoid instances of false and/or duplicate reports. 4.3 The procedure to report large deviation resulting from Coordination errors is detailed in Annexure-A in graphical form. The procedure prescribes specific actions that need to be taken by the receiving and transferring units, such as; 02-02-2016 ED/ATM/2016/311603/ATMC/SAFE Page 2 of 5
a) Receiving Unit Controller shall notify Watch Supervisory Officer (WSO) of the occurrence. b) WSO of receiving Unit shall coordinate with transferring unit WSO/Supervisor to confirm the occurrence and find out the cause. c) If controller of a receiving ATC unit has notified such occurrence and the WSO of the concerned unit has not coordinated or verified the occurrence of such large deviation from the WSO/Watch Supervisor of the transferring Unit, then Jt. GM /DGM (SQMS) of Indian ACCs/ATC Units shall coordinate with LHD points of contact of the transferring unit and confirm the occurrence. ATS Incharge of such Indian ACC /ATC Unit shall investigate such occurrences and take actions to avoid such occurrences in future. d) Receiving unit shall thereafter submit the LHD/LLD/LLE Form to BOBASMA which is the nodal agency to collect reports of all large aircraft deviations (LHD, LLD & LLE). The deviation reports shall be submitted even if there is no response from the transferring unit within the deadline mentioned. 4.4 Controllers shall strictly follow the established coordination procedures as specified in the LOAs when coordinating transfer of control of aircraft with adjacent ATC units. If any deviation from these procedures due to any reason, is reported appropriate action may be initiated against such controllers. 4.5 Controllers shall also make appropriate markings with correct time in the Flight Progress Strips indicating that all necessary coordination has been completed for the flight. Not making the appropriate Flight strip marking may lead to more likelihood of coordination failures and also work to the disadvantage of the controller during investigation. 4.6 Controllers while adhering to ATMC 5 of 2013 for reporting coordination errors shall ensure that they duly comply with the procedure enumerated in Annexure A. The same procedure may be followed for reporting of all types of aircraft deviation including Large Lateral Deviation (LLD) and Large Longitudinal Errors (LLE) resulting from errors in coordination. 4.7 The Watch Supervisory officers shall maintain the latest updated copy of the list of LHD Points of Contact (POCs) of the adjoining ATS units and will be responsible for coordinating with the WSO/Watch Supervisor of the adjoining ATS unit for confirming the occurrence of large deviation. The Watch Supervisory Officer will be responsible for reporting all occurrence of aircraft deviations during his watch to Jt. GM/DGM (SQMS). 4.8 The Jt. GM/DGM (SQMS) of the ACC/ATS Unit concerned will be the LHD POC for the ACC/ATS Unit concerned and shall maintain an updated list of all LHD POCs of the adjoining FIRs. Jt. GM/DGM (SQMS) will be responsible for coordinating with the adjoining ATS Unit LHD POC and for filing the aircraft deviation reports (LHD, LLD & LLE Forms) to BOBASMA. Further JT.GM/DGM (SQMS) shall also investigate 02-02-2016 ED/ATM/2016/311603/ATMC/SAFE Page 3 of 5
and verify any complaint/reports of coordination errors received from adjacent ATC units or Safety Monitoring agencies (MAAR/BOBASMA) and initiate appropriate remedial action to prevent occurrence of such occurrences in the future. Jt. GM/DGM (SQMS) shall maintain a record of such complaints/reports of coordination errors received and the action taken. The LHD POC shall strictly adhere to the timelines specified in the procedure. 4.9 The Procedure for reporting of aircraft deviation due to coordination errors shall also apply for aircraft deviation occurring at the boundary between two Indian ACCs/OCCs. 5. Queries 5.1 Any queries or further guidance required on the contents of this ATMC should be addressed to: Executive Director [ATM], Airports Authority of India, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport New Delhi-110003 E-mail: edatm@aai.aero. 6. Validity 6.1 This ATMC will remain in force until further notice. (P.K. MISHRA) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR [ATM] AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA 02-02-2016 ED/ATM/2016/311603/ATMC/SAFE Page 4 of 5
Annexure- A Procedure for reporting cross boundary large deviations resulting from coordination errors for the purpose of airspace safety monitoring 02-02-2016 ED/ATM/2016/311603/ATMC/SAFE Page 5 of 5