Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

CLEAR SKIES, SAFE DISTANCES: LATERAL

SEPARATION PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES
FOR APPROACH CONTROL OPERATIONS

A GENERAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PROCEDURE

FINALS PROJECT
1ST SEMESTER A.Y. 2023-2024

Written by:

ANDAYA, SSIDIN B.
ARNISTO, MARY STIFFANY JADE B.

AVCOMM 3-2
December 10, 2024

MANUEL LIMBO
SUBJECT INSTRUCTOR
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

*BASTA ETO YUNG TITLE

A GENERAL PROCEDURE
WRITTEN BY:
ANDAYA, SSIDIN B.
ARNISTO, MARY STIFFANY JADE B.

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Safety is the utmost priority in the aviation industry, particularly during flight
operations. It is important for all aviation personnel, including pilots, dispatchers,
and, most importantly, air traffic controllers, to perform at their best at all times
and adhere to all necessary procedures. This ensures that flights and air traffic
are regulated and that safety, efficiency, and order are consistently maintained.
Every aspect of air traffic control, from takeoff to landing, relies on precise and
effective communication, coordination, and adherence to established protocols,
all aimed at minimizing risks and maximizing safety in the air.

One of the crucial tasks performed by air traffic controllers (ATCs), specifically
those assigned to approach control centers (APP), is the application of aircraft
separation. Aircraft separation is the process of maintaining a safe distance
between aircraft in order to prevent potential collisions and ensure smooth traffic
flow in controlled airspace. This task requires air traffic controllers to constantly
monitor aircraft positions, anticipate potential conflicts, and make real-time
adjustments to the flight paths of aircraft under their jurisdiction. Proper
separation is essential to managing the complexities of modern air traffic,
especially in busy terminal airspaces where multiple flights are converging and
diverging simultaneously.

Although there are multiple types of separation, the paper focuses on the
application of lateral separation of aircraft, with the objective of highlighting the
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

general rules and procedures that approach controllers must adhere to in order
to ensure a safe, efficient, and orderly flow of traffic. Lateral separation involves
maintaining safe distances between aircraft flying on parallel, diverging, and/or
converging flight paths. By ensuring aircraft remain separated laterally,
controllers can prevent conflicts and facilitate the smooth and maximized
movement of aircraft through congested airspace. This method is particularly
important in high-density areas, such as approach zones, where multiple aircraft
are often operating within close proximity to one another.

The application of lateral separation is governed by established standards and

guidelines that dictate the minimum lateral distance required between aircraft.
These standards can vary depending on factors such as the type of airspace,
aircraft performance, and radar capabilities. The procedures outlined in the paper
provide air traffic controllers with the necessary rules to make these decisions
efficiently and accurately. Controllers must constantly assess factors like aircraft
speed, heading, and potential airspace constraints to ensure that the prescribed
separation is maintained throughout the duration of the aircraft's journey within
the controlled airspace.

Ultimately, the correct application of lateral separation ensures that air traffic
remains orderly and that the risk of accidents or near-misses is minimized.
Adhering to these procedures is a fundamental part of air traffic control, allowing
for the smooth and safe operation of aircraft, especially during approach and
departure phases of flight. By following the guidelines outlined in this paper, air
traffic controllers can uphold the highest standards of safety while managing the
complexities of modern air traffic.
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

The lateral separation procedures outlined in this paper are deemed limited and
applicable for the separation applied by the approach control unit and are for
commercial aircraft operations only.

Disclaimer: This general procedure is based and aligned on the discussion as

well as premises and the MIA TMA map provided on the course AvComm 3106:
Phraseology II which focuses on the air traffic control procedures of the
Approach Control Unit.

II. OBJECTIVES
While the primary objective of lateral separation procedures is to maintain a safe
and orderly flow of air traffic, their importance extends beyond basic safety.
Effective implementation of these procedures is critical for managing complex air
traffic environments, especially in high-density terminal airspaces.The objectives
of this study are listed as follows:

● Ensure a high standard of safety and efficiency in managing air traffic

within approach zones, particularly by adhering to prescribed minimum
separation distances to prevent potential collisions and maintain a
streamlined traffic flow.
● Promote effective airspace utilization and conflict resolution by prioritizing
systematic coordination between arriving and departing flights, ensuring
all air traffic adheres to designated routes and separation criteria.
● Enhance real-time decision-making capabilities of air traffic controllers
(ATCs) through the integration of predefined lateral separation protocols,
enabling swift and accurate adjustments to aircraft paths to avoid conflicts.
● Streamline communication between ATCs and pilots by providing clear,
concise, and standardized instructions, thereby reducing
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

miscommunication risks and ensuring precise execution of flight

maneuvers.
● Support alignment with international aviation safety standards and foster
continuous improvement of approach control operations by leveraging the
latest best practices and monitoring tools available in the field.

III. RESPONSIBILITY

IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. LATERAL SEPARATION - A type of separation applied when two aircrafts have

different ATS routes but are near each other or at the same flight level.
2. SCAPEROUTE - A temporary ATS route provided to a departing aircraft for the
purpose of lateral separation.
3. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER -
4. Approach Control Center
5. Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA)
6. Straight-Out Departure
7. LANDING
8. TAKE OFF
9. ATS routes
10. PILOT
11. AIRCRAFT
12. RUNWAY
13. FLIGHT LEVEL
14. TRAFFIC
15. RADIAL
16. MANILA VOR
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

17. Area Control Center

18. Aerodrome Control Tower

V. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

This portion of the paper contains all acronyms and abbreviations that will be utilized
throughout the paper .

1. ACC - Area Control Center/Controller

2. APP - Approach Control Center/Controller
3. ATC - Air Traffic Controller
4. ATS - Air Traffic Services
5. BRP - Boundary Reporting Point
6. DME - Distance Measuring Equipment
7. ILS - Instrument Landing System
8. LOA - Letter of Agreement
9. MFA - Minimum Flight Altitude
10. MIA - Manila
11. NM - Nautical Miles
12. RP - Reporting Point
13. RWY - Runway
14. SID - Standard Instrument Departure
15. STO - Straight-Out
16. TMA - Terminal Maneuvering Area
17. TWR - Aerodrome Control Tower
18. UFA - Until Further Advice
19. VOR - Very-high Frequency Omnidirectional Range
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

VI. PROCEDURES

The responsibility for applying aircraft separation lies with all air traffic control towers, as
they oversee the safe management of aircraft within their respective airspace. However,
this paper specifically concentrates on the role of the Approach Control Unit, which is
tasked with managing the flow of arriving and departing aircraft within the Terminal
Maneuvering Area (TMA). The TMA is a critical zone where aircraft are prepared for
landing or guided into controlled airspace for departure. This unit must carefully manage
aircraft as they transition between en-route phases and the final stages of their flight,
ensuring that separation procedures are followed to maintain safety and prevent
conflicts.

Additionally, these procedures are expected to be done when there is both an arrival
and departure aircraft/s at a given time.

REMEMBER:

a) Lateral separation is applied during the event that ATS routes of both departing
and arrival aircrafts are near each other.
b) Followed condition and jurisdiction as per the LOA is that:
- 5000 is the maximum initial climb for departure aircrafts.
- 6000 is the lowest descent for arrival aircrafts before landing clearance.
c) Prioritize all arrival aircrafts.

● FOR ARRIVAL AIRCRAFTS

Procedures for arrival aircraft stay as it is no matter the traffic since all arriving
aircrafts are prioritized. It can be divided into three phases:

Preliminary Phase ———————————————————————————

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PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

1. Once the ACC coordinated all inbound aircraft to APP. You, as APP,
shall rundown the estimates from the estimated time the aircraft will
arrive at the boundary reporting point until it reaches the MIA VOR.

- To calculate estimates, use the following speed:

a. 6 NM/min > for A319, A320, A321, A330, A350, A380,
B747, B777, B787
b. 7 NM/min > for B737
c. 8 NM/min > for Q400, ATR72
d. 5 NM/min > other aircraft, not specified.

*included aircrafts are those commonly flown across

Philippine airspace.

2. Relay all calculated estimates of all arrival aircrafts to TWR in

sequence.

3. Wait for the pilots’ initial contact.

Monitoring Phase ———————————————————————————

1. Upon pilot’s initial call, provide initial approach clearance that

includes the following details:

- Aircraft Identification
- Control Unit Identification ( e.g. Manila Approach)
- ATS route reporting points.
- Runway in Use
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PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

Follow the statement: [A/C Callsign, APP, Proceed MIA VOR via
BRP, 2nd RP, 3rd RP (if applicable), expect ILS Approach (RWY in
use)]

Ex. PAL421, APP, Proceed MIA VOR via Polio, Munti, Bangi,
expect ILS Approach RWY24

2. If pilot readback is correct, provide the aircraft an initial descent

level and instruct to report on respective reporting points.

3. Provide the estimated approach clearance time (if applicable).

REMEMBER!
● Monitor all aircrafts’ flight level.
● You may initiate descent of an aircraft provided that the assigned
flight level is cleared of traffic.
● Apply vertical separation in sequence, depending on which arriving
aircraft is estimated to report first over the VOR.
● Maintain at least 1000 ft. vertical separation between aircrafts.

Entry Phase —————————————————————————————

1. Once aircraft reported at the last reporting point and provided that
there is no traffic, ILS approach clearance may be provided. This
includes:

- Aircraft Identification
- Descend 6000 (if not yet at this FL, disregard if already at
6000 ft.)
- “Cleared ILS Approach”
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PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

- Runway in Use

Follow the statement: [A/C Callsign, descend 6000, cleared ILS

Approach (RWY in use), report commencing over the VOR.]

Ex. PAL421, descend 6000, cleared ILS Approach RWY24, report

commencing over the VOR.

2. Coordinate the arrival aircraft to tower once it commenced ILS

approach over the VOR.

3. Instruct the aircraft to contact TWR at 118.1.

DURING TRAFFIC:
- ILS Approach clearance shall not be provided immediately, particularly if
there is a preceding aircraft.
- ILS Approach clearance shall not be provided for arrival aircraft if there
is traffic with a departing aircraft.
- Wait for the preceding aircraft to report on final, before providing
succeeding aircraft ILS clearance.
- However, when the preceding aircraft is already commencing ILS
approach, succeeding aircraft may be cleared to descend at 6000 ft.

● FOR DEPARTURE AIRCRAFTS

1. Once TWR requests a release for a departing aircraft, instead of providing

the original SID given by the clearance delivery, use the phrase:
“Straight-Out Departure”
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PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

● Initial Climb is provided by the ATC. It is at their discretion given

that the maximum initial climb allowed to be provided is at 5000.
● Follow the phrase: [A/C callsign, STO Departure, (Initial Climb),
Runway in Use]

Ex. SIA109, STO Departure, 5000, RWY24

2. Once TWR coordinates the departure time, relay it to the ACC.

3. Wait for the pilot’s initial contact before provision of further instructions.

4. If an arrival aircraft is enroute near the departing aircrafts provided ATS

route and SID, find a scaperoute.
a. A condition for choosing an appropriate scaperoute is that:
i. Radial Difference from the ATS route of the arrival aircraft
must be at least one of the following:
● 30° - This includes radial differences from 31° - 44°
● 45° - This includes radial differences from 46° - 59°
● 60° - This includes radial differences from 61° above

5. Once the pilot initiates the contact and asks for further instructions,
manually instruct the pilot to turn, and intercept and track out assigned
scaperoute and report when established.

a. Use the pilot’s point of view when instructing turns

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

6. Once aircraft have reported establishment on the assigned scaperoute,

request DME from MNL VOR.

7. Depending on the radial difference of the scaperoute to the ATS route of

the arrival traffic, instruct the pilot to report at:

a. 20 DME - if radial difference is from 30° - 44°

b. 15 DME - if radial difference is from 45° - 59°
c. 10 DME - if radial difference is from 60° and above

8. Once the pilot reports at the assigned DME distance from VOR, instruct
the pilot to climb FL150 UFA then turn and direct to original SID after
passing MFA of the original SID.

a. Use the pilot's point of view when instructing turns.

Ex. SIA109, climb FL150 UFA, after passing 8000, turn right, direct
Bucal.

9. After, coordinate the aircraft to the ACC.

10. Then contact the pilot to switch frequency, depending on the direction of
the boundary reporting point it is heading.

a. North - 128.7 c. West - 132.7

b. East - 120.5 d. South - 125.

VII. REFERENCES
 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
INSTITUTE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
Aviation Communication Major in Flight Operations

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. 2022. Manual of Standards for Air Traffic

Services [2nd Edition].

https://caap.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MOS-ATS-2nd-Edition-Amendm

ent-No.-1_compressed.pdf.