Full Data Blocks, Radar Identification And Handoffs

Front 1

Define an FDB

Back 1

Full Data Block: The symbology displayed adjacent to a tracked aircraft target on a MDM (scope) containing an aircraft position symbol, a leader line, velocity vector line, and the alphanumeric data associated with the aircraft.

Front 2

What is in Field A of an FDB?

Back 2

8 Character positions containing aircraft identification..... Ac id = 7 characters max

Front 3

What is in Field B of an FDB?

Back 3

Positions B1 thru B3 contain assigned altitude information. B4 will be a symbol

Front 4

What are in the C fields?

Back 4

Positions C1 thru C3 displays mode C or controller entered altitude

Front 5

What is in the D fields?

Back 5

An “R” will be displayed in the D1 position followed by the CID in the D2 thru D4 positions at sectors that do not have track control of the referent flight, i.e. after a handoff has been accepted by another sector.

Front 6

What is Field E?

Back 6

Field E is the last four character positions of line 3 of a FDB. When a combination of situations exists for display in field E, they will be displayed on an equal time-sharing basis. Field E characters may also blink for various time periods depending on the content.

Front 7

What will be found in Field E pertaining to ground speed?

Back 7

Field E will never be blank if the aircraft is in flat track ( ) if no other information is displayed ground speed will be displayed. (range 010 to 999)...

Front 8

What will be found in Field E pertaining to special information about the aircraft? (I.E. Emergency and Radio Failure information)

Back 8

EMRG - Correlated 7700 beacon return *field E blinks 7700 is the transponder beacon code for an aircraft in distress....... RDOF - Correlated 7600 beacon return *field E blinks 7600 is the transponder beacon code for an aircraft with loss of radios..... HIJK - Correlated 7500 beacon return *field E blinks 7500 is the transponder beacon code for an aircraft that is being hijacked....... MSAW - En route Minimum Safe Altitude Warning for the aircraft * field E blinks

Front 9

What will be found in Field E pertaining to handoffs?

Back 9

HOOO - Handoff to Omaha approach (OMA) ....... HKKK - Handoff to Lincoln approach (LNK) .......... H19 - Hadoff to Denver 19 .......... H37 - Handoff to Minneapolis 37

Front 10

How many target symbols are there? What will they mean?

Back 10

There are 8 target symbols used to display radar data. All target returns, either beacon or primary, are correlated or uncorrelated

Front 11

Explain correlated and uncorrelated targets

Back 11

A correlated target indicates that tracking is being accomplished by the computer (the computer has stored information concerning the flight of the aircraft accomplished by controller input) .......... An uncorrelated target is one which the computer is not tracking.

Front 12

Explain a position symbol

Back 12

The position symbol associated with the data block is located at the track position or the correlated radar datum position. The symbol indicates the mode of tracking.

Front 13

Define Correlation

Back 13

CORRELATION = The process whereby primary / beacon radar data are uniquely identified with a given track.

Front 14

Define Correlated Radar Data

Back 14

CORRELATED RADAR DATA = Radar information that has been stored for use by the automatic tracking function.

Front 15

Describe all the different target symbols and their meaning

Back 15

. or + is an uncorrelated primary, (. is a weak return) (+ is a strong return) .......... X -- is a correlated primary .......... / -- is an uncorrelated beacon .......... \ -- is a correlated beacon .......... I -- MCI correlated track eligible for conflict alert .......... V --Correlated/uncorrelated VFR 1200 beacon code .......... = -- Identing function being performed

Front 16

Describe all the different position symbols and their meaning.

Back 16

# -- Coast track - The tracking program has lost contact with the radar target .......... ♢ -- = Flat track - Flight plan aided tracking .......... Δ -- Free track - the sole use of search beacon radar data without the use of stored information, ie headings, speed, routes etc.

Front 17

What are LDBs? What will they consist of (hint: lines)?

Back 17

LDBs will consist of one or two lines of data and will always be displayed east of the beacon symbol. .......... The first line will contain a four digit beacon code, except 1200 which is always blank. .......... The second line will contain three digits of mode C altitude data

Front 18

What will LDBs not consist of? What could the target symbols be?

Back 18

LDB does not have a leader line, velocity vector line or position symbol. ......... Target symbols may be a “V” for code 1200 aircraft that are below a facility mode C intruder altitude, 5000’ here at MCTC, Or an “I” for tracked mode C intruders

Front 19

What is a CDB? What will it consist of?

Back 19

A CDB -- Conflict Alert Data Block -- will be built and maintained when an MCI is in conflict with a tracked target controlled in the sector. .......... A CDB will consist of a position symbol “I” target symbol, velocity vector line , leader line, and two lines of data.

Front 20

What will the lines represent on a CDB?

Back 20

Line one of the data will contain the characters “TFC”. .......... This line of data will blink for the duration of it’s display unless suppressed by the controller. .......... Line two will contain an altitude transition indicator (up or down arrow) followed by mode C altitude.

Front 21

What should you do before you provide radar service?

Back 21

Before you provide radar service, *establish* and *maintain* radar identification of the aircraft involved.

Front 22

How do you identify an aircraft using primary radar identification?

Back 22

1. Observing a departing aircraft target within 1 mile of the takeoff runway. (terminal use). ......... 2. Observing a target position with respect to a fix (displayed on the map, scribed on the map overlay, or displayed as a permanent echo) or a visual reporting point that corresponds with a direct position report received from an aircraft, AND the observed track is consistent with the reported heading or route of flight. ......... 3. Observe a target make an identifying turn(s) of 30 degrees or more providing the following conditions are met: - Except in the case of a lost aircraft, a pilot position report is received which assures you that the aircraft is within radar coverage and within the area being displayed. - Only one aircraft is observed making these turns. .......... 4. For IFR aircraft you issue a heading away from an area which will require an increased minimum IFR altitude or have the aircraft climb to the highest minimum altitude in your area before you issue a heading.

Front 23

How do you identify an aircraft using beacon identification?

Back 23

When using only Mode 3/A radar beacon to identify a target, use one of the following methods: a. Request the aircraft to activate the “IDENT” feature of the transponder and then observe the identification display. .......... b. Request the aircraft to change to a specific discrete or non-discrete code, as appropriate, and then observe the change. .......... c. Request the aircraft to change transponder to: “standby”. After you observe the target disappear for sufficient scans to assure the loss of radar resulted from placing the transponder in “standby”, request the aircraft to return transponder to normal and then observe the reappearance of the target.

Front 24

Inform an aircraft of radar contact when...

Back 24

1. Initial radar identification in the ATC system is established. ......... 2. Subsequent to loss of radar contact or terminating radar service, radar identification is reestablished

Front 25

What do you do for questionable identification?

Back 25

Use more than one method of identification when proximity of targets, duplication of observed action, or any other circumstances cause doubt as to target identification. ......... If identification is questionable for any reason, take immediate action to re-identify the aircraft or terminate radar service. Identify the aircraft as follows: .......... 1. As described in 5-3-2 or 5-3-3 .......... 2. En Route: Ensure that all primary targets are displayed when radar id is lost or questionable

Front 26

Inform the aircraft of _______ whenever radar identification is established. When is this not needed?

Back 26

Inform an aircraft of its position whenever radar identification is established by means of identifying turns or by any of the beacon identification methods. Position information need not be given when identification is established by position correlation or when departing aircraft are identified within 1 mile of the takeoff runway.

Front 27

How long is it necessary to retain data blocks?

Back 27

En Route - Retain data blocks that are associated with the appropriate target symbol to provide continuous identity of aircraft. Retain the data block until the aircraft has exited the sector or delegated airspace and all potential conflicts have been resolved. The data block shall display flight identification and altitude information as a minimum display. The displayed altitude may be assigned, interim or reported altitude

Front 28

When are you to ensure mode C readouts are valid?

Back 28

Ensure that mode C readouts are valid after accepting an interfacility handoff, initial track start, track start from coast/suspend list, missing, or unreasonable Mode C readouts.

Front 29

Consider an altitude readout valid when (3 items)....

Back 29

It varies more than 300 feet from the pilot reported altitude, or... .......... You receive continuous readout from an aircraft on the airport and the readout varies less than 300 feet from field elevation or... .......... You have correlated the altitude information in your FDB with the validated information in a data block in another facility (by verbally coordinating with the other controller) and your readout is exactly the same as the readout in the other data block.

Front 30

When should you not use the Mode C altitude information?

Back 30

When unable to validate the readout, do NOT use the Mode C altitude information for
separation.

Front 31

What happens if you observe an invalid Mode C readout below FL180?

Back 31

1. Issue the correct altimeter setting and confirm the pilot has accurately reported the altitude. .......... 2. If the altitude continues to be invalid: a - Instruct the pilot to turn off the altitude reporting portion of his/her transponder and include the reason. b - Notify the area sup of the aircraft call sign.

Front 32

What happens if you observe an invalis Mode C readout ABOVE FL180, unless the aircraft is descending below Class A Airspace?

Back 32

Confirm that the pilot is using 29.92 inches of mercury as the altimeter setting and has accurately reported the altitude. ......... If the Mode C readout continues to be invalid: a -- Instruct the pilot to turn off the altitude reporting portion of their transponder,and include the reason. b --Notify the area supervisor.

Front 33

Request a pilot to confirm assigned altitude on initial contact (pilots first radio contact with each sector/position) unless...

Back 33

1. The pilot states assigned altitude, or ..........
2. You assign a new altitude to an aircraft that is climbing or descending or .......... 3. The Mode c readout is valid and indicates that the aircraft is established at the assigned altitude

Front 34

When should you issue altimeter settings?

Back 34

To en route aircraft at least one time while operating in your area. Issue the setting for the nearest reporting station along
the aircraft’s route of flight. ......... For the destination airport to arrivals approx.. 50 NM from the destination if an approach control facility does not serve the airport.

Front 35

What should you advise the pilot of when issuing clearance to descend below the lowest usable flight level?

Back 35

advise the pilot of the altimeter setting of the weather reporting station nearest the point the aircraft will descend below that flight level.

Front 36

Explain the acronym: IRAAC

Back 36

Identify yourself ......... Radar identify the aircraft ......... Altimeter issued? ......... Assigned altitude verified? ........ C - Mode C altitude Verified?

Front 37

Why is it necessary to transfer identification of an aircraft from one controller to another?

Back 37

To provide continuous radar service to aircraft and facilitate safe, orderly and
expeditious flow of traffic,

Front 38

Define a Handoff

Back 38

An action taken to transfer the RADAR
IDENTIFICATION of an aircraft from one controller to another if the aircraft will enter the receiving controllers airspace and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred.

Front 39

Define Radar Contact

Back 39

1. Used by ATC to inform an aircraft that it is identified on the radar display and radar flight following will be provided. ......... 2. The term used to inform the controller that the aircraft is identified and approval is granted for the aircraft to enter the receiving controllers airspace.

Front 40

Define Traffic Observed

Back 40

The term used to inform the controller issuing the traffic restrictions that the traffic is identified and that the restrictions issued are understood and will be complied with.

Front 41

Transfer the identification of an aircraft using one of three methods. Name the three methods.

Back 41

1. Physically point to the target on the
receiving controllers display ......... 2. Use landline voice communications ........ 3. Use automation capabilities

Front 42

When making a hand-off or issuing traffic
restrictions relay information to the
receving controller...

Back 42

Position of target, Aircraft ID, Altitude (including restrictions)

Front 43

How to initiate a handoff on the computer..

Back 43

Intrafacility: 2 digit sector number and aircraft CID, beacon code, call sign or slew... ........ Interfacility: Facility, sector number and CID ......... Approach Controls: Three letter identifier and CID (LNK - KKK, OMA - OOO)