ATC Services

ADS-B
● Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast
● Incorporates GPS, aircraft transmitters and receivers, and ground stations to provide
pilots and ATC with specific data about position and speed.
● ADS Out signals travel line of sight from transmitting aircraft to ATC ground receivers
and aircraft receivers.
● ADS In receives signal and displays traffic in aircraft.
● With an effective range of 100 nm, aircraft with ADS B In receives data and displays it on
a CDTI or GPS or MFD.
● ADS B system displays aircraft with transponders that are not ADS B equipped using
traffic info service broadcast or TIS-B.
● ADS B can also provide FIS B or flight info service broadcast, FIS-B delivers a broad
range of textual and graphical weather products, TFRs, and special use airspace status.
ADS-B Data Links
● Aircraft transmit and receive info using one or both data links.
● Aircraft equipment can use the 1090 MHz extended squitter link for ops at any altitude
and must be used at or above 18,000 ft MSL, this enables TIS-B data but not FIS-B
● A 978 MHz universal access transceiver limited to altitudes below 18,000 ft MSL, can
receive both TIS and FIS B data using the link.
● You can transmit ADS B Out on 1090ES and In on both 1090ES and 978 UAT.
Radar
● Ground based synchronized radio transmitter and receiver emits and detects radio
waves using a rotating antenna.
● When radio wave hit your plane, some of the waves reflect back
Radar Operation
● Primary system measures the time required for the echo to return from the plane to
determine direction of the signal.
● The system can indicate the plane's distance from the radar antenna and azimuth or
direction of the plane in relation to the antenna.
● Secondary surveillance system : enables ATC to assign a discrete code that is entered
on the transponder.
● Interrogator transmits a signal that causes the transponder to reply automatically
● Transponder signal is used to display ident code, as well as altitude and ground speed.
Radar Limitations
● Waves normally travel in a continuous straight line unless they are bent by atmospheric
phenomena, this is called anomalous propagation.
● If waves are bent towards the ground, ground clutter can appear on the radar.
● If waves are bent upward this reduces the detection range
● Waves can also be reflected by dense objects like heavy clouds or precipitation or
ground obstacles.
● These reflected waves can block out aircraft at the same range and weaken or eliminate
the target at greater range.
Transponder
 ● ABS-B and radar systems use transponders to provide precise info.
Transponder Modes
● Mode A : transmits a four digit code to ATC.
● Mode C : transmit altitude to ATC
● Mode S : enables the transponder to exchange info with ATC and with other Mode S
equipped aircraft, Mode S is required for traffic alert and collision avoidance systems
(TCAS).
Transponder Codes
● Most VFR ops : 1200
● Discrete Code : 3256
● Hijacking : 7500
● Communication failure : 7600
● Emergency : 7700
Transponder Operation
● Squawk : Set the designated code
● Ident : Press IDENT key
● Squawk VFR : Set code to 1200
● Stop altitude squawk : Turn off automatic altitude reporting feature of your transponder,
typically occurs if ATC sees that your altitude is off by more than 300 ft of reported
altitude.
● Stop squawk : Switch to OFF
● Squawk MAYDAY : Set code to 7700
Transponder Inspection
● FARs require that transponders be tested and inspected every 24 calendar months for
ops in controlled airspace.
● Inspection must be done by a certified repair station and results entered into a logbook
Flight Service
● FS is used during each phase of flight from preflight planning to landing.
● To plan flight, obtain a weather briefing and NOTAMs on the phone (1-800-WX-BRIEF)
or online at 1800wxbrief.com
● Next, file a flight plan online or by phone, this provides FS with essential info, such as
destination, route, time enroute, and number of PAX onboard.
● FS also adverse condition alerting service, notifying you by text or email.
● During departure, activate flight plan on 122.2 or local FS frequency or EasyActivate
service.
Search And Rescue
● Inform FS if your destination changes or if you will be at least 15 minutes later than
planned.
● If you have not closed the plan within 30 minutes after your ETA, FS will try to find you,
by calling the destination airport, other airports along the route, home base, and contacts
in the plan.
● If the phone search fails, they will alert search and rescue.
TRACON And ARTCC Services
 ● Terminal radar approach control provides services in the terminal area of Class B, Class
C, or TRSA airspace.
● A TRACON can be combined with control or can be separate.
● To receive TRACON services in Class B and C obtain a transponder code and departure
frequency from clearance prior to taxi.
● While enroute, ARTCC are facilities that provide flight following.
● The purpose of ARTCC is to manage IFR traffic.
● ARTCCs can provide assistance if you become oriented.
ATC Services --- Pilot Responsibilities
● Traffic advisories alert you to air traffic relevant to your flight, but you are still responsible
for collision avoidance.
● Safety alerts are mandatory services provided to all aircraft. Controller warns you if your
plane is in unsafe proximity to terrain.
● Vectors provide navigational guidance on an advisory basis only, controllers might vector
you for safety reasons. While being vectored, safety is still your responsibility.
● Sequencing provides a safe and orderly flow of arriving aircraft into the pattern.
● Separation from both IFR and VFR aircraft in Class B and from IFR in Class C.
SECTION B RADIO PROCEDURES
VHF Comm Equipment
● GA comm radios use VHF range which includes frequencies between 118.0 MHz and
135.975 MHz.
● A 360 channel uses 50 kHz (.05 MHz spacing between channels such as 118.025,
118.10, 118.15, 118.20.
● A 720 channel uses 25 kHz (.025 MHz) spacing, such as 118.025, 118.050, 118.075,
118.100.
● To receive full ATC services, a 720 channel transceiver is a necessity.
● VHF transmission ranges are limited to line of sight which means that obstructions block
the radio waves
Coordinated Universal Time
● Coordinated universal time, aka Zulu time, places the world on one time standard.
● The time in UTC, is the time at the 0 degree line of longitude, which passes through
Greenwich, England or Prime Meridian.
● In the U.S. ,you add hours to convert local time to Zulu and subtract to convert from Zulu
to local.
Unicom
● Transmits on a limited number of frequencies 122.7, 122.725, 122.8, 122.975, or 123.0.
LAA Service
● Provided at uncontrolled airports in Alaska that have a FSS on field, advisory area
extends out to 10 sm from primary airport.
● FSS with a designated CTAF normally 123.6.
MULTICOM
● Airports that do not have a tower, FSS, or a UNICOM, the CTAF is the MULTICOM
which is the frequency of 122.9 MHz.
Lost Comm Procedures
 ● If radio is inoperative, it is still possible to land at an airport with a control tower.
● LOST COMMs PROCEDURES --- Set transponder to 7600 this will alert ATC of your
failure.
● If neither transmitter nor receiver works you need to stay outside or above the Class D
until the direction and flow of traffic.
● Then, join the pattern and maintain a visual with the tower to receive light signals.
● During the day, acknowledge transmissions by rocking your wings, and at night blinking
your landing or nav lights.

Emergency Procedures
● Distress : A condition of being threatened by serious or imminent danger and requiring
immediate assistance, such as fire, mechanical failure, or structural failure.
● Urgency : The moment you become doubtful about your position, fuel, endurance,
weather, or any other condition that could adversely affect flight safety.
● Transmit emergencies at 121.5 MHz, range is limited to line of sight, and is guarded by
military towers, most civil towers, FSS, and radar facilities.
● In distress use MAYDAY, commands radio silence, Use PAN-PAN, in urgency, has
priority and warns stations to not interfere.
● Squawk 7700
● If you get lost, five Cs, climb, communicate, confess, comply, and conserve.
● ELT - Emergency signaling devices to help locate downed aircraft, emits tone on
frequencies 243 MHz and 406 MHz.
Flight Info
● Aeronautical Charts - Updated every six months
● Chart Supplements - Updated every 56 days
● Five sections of Chart Supplement : The Airport/Facility Directory Legend, The
Airport/Facility Directory, Notices, Associated Data, and Airport Diagrams.