§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances an air traffic control unit providing an approach control service at an aerodrome is permitted, specifically at night, to transfer in toto its responsibilities concerning the provision of separation of aircraft operating on an instrument flight rules plan to the commander of such an aircraft during his approach to land at that aerodrome.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAir traffic control is the responsibility of the National Air Traffic Services. It tells me that the circumstances in which an air traffic control unit providing an approach service at an aerodrome is permitted at all times, to transfer in toto its responsibilities to provide the separation of aircraft during its approach to land at that aerodrome are laid down in the manual of air traffic services part 1, section 1, chapter 3, paragraph 3, sub-paras(b) and (c) which states:
In the vicinity of aerodromes, the standard separation may be reduced if:
- (b) each aircraft is continuously visible to the pilots of other aircraft concerned, and the pilots report that they can maintain their own separation, or
- (c) when one aircraft is following another the pilot of the succeeding aircraft reports that he has the other in sight and can maintain separation.