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DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
NEW YORK
1515 STEWART AVE
WESTBURY NY 11590
ISSUED:
June 14, 2004
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2004
NEW
YORK TRACON LETTER TO AIRMEN SUBJECT:
Climb and Descent Performance and Transponder Usage
CANCELLATION: June 30, 2006
Recently,
there have been several incidents where less than standard separation
between aircraft occurred as a result of an aircraft's non-standard
climb/descent rate performance, non-activation of transponder equipment
or incorrect beacon code selected on departure. Particularly within
New York Approach Control airspace, where there exists a continuous
high volume of traffic in complex airspace, it is essential that
information concerning aircraft performance is clearly communicated
and those procedures for the operation of transponder equipment
be closely followed. In an effort to eliminate similar events, this
Letter To Airmen serves as a reminder to the aviation community
of Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) related paragraphs, which
are used as a basis to separate aircraft by air traffic control
personnel.
When
operating in New York Approach Control airspace:
1.
Advise the controller if you plan to climb or descend at other than
the expected rate (see Attachment #1).
2.
Ensure that the correct assigned beacon code is selected and that
the transponder is "ON/ALT" and operating normally (see
Attachment #2).
Please
address comments regarding this LTA to the New York TRACON Quality
Assurance Office at (516) 683-2944.
Jeffrey
D. Clarke
Acting Air Traffic Manager
New York TRACON
Attachment
#1
The
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) states:
IFR Separation Standards ATC effects separation of aircraft vertically
by assigning different altitudes...
4-4-9.
Adherence to Clearance
a. When ATC issues a clearance or instruction, pilots are expected
to execute its provisions upon receipt.
d. When ATC has not used the term "AT PILOT'S DISCRETION"
nor imposed any climb or descent restrictions, pilots should initiate
climb or descent promptly on acknowledgement of the clearance. Descend
or climb at an optimum rate consistent with the operating characteristics
of the aircraft to 1,000 feet above or below the assigned altitude,
and then attempt to descend or climb at a rate of between 500 and
1,500 fpm until the assigned altitude is reached. If at anytime
the pilot is unable to climb or descend at a rate of at least 500
feet a minute, advise ATC. If it is necessary to level off at an
intermediate altitude during climb or descent, advise ATC, except
when leveling off at 10,000 feet MSL on descent, or 2,500 feet above
airport elevation (prior to entering a Class B, Class C, or Class
D surface area), when required for speed reduction.
REFERENCE
- Section 91.117. NOTE - Leveling off at 10,000 feet
MSL on descent or 2,500 feet above airport elevation (prior to entering
a Class B, Class C, or Class D surface area) to comply with 14 CFR
Section 91 airspeed restrictions is commonplace. Controllers anticipate
this action and plan accordingly. Leveling off at any other time
on climb or descent may seriously affect air traffic handling by
ATC. Consequently, it is imperative that pilots make every effort
to fulfill the above expected actions to aid ATC in safely handling
and expediting traffic.
EXAMPLE
- "United Four Seventeen, descend and maintain six thousand."
NOTE - The pilot is expected to commence descent upon receipt
of the clearance and to descend at the suggested rates until reaching
the assigned altitude of 6,000 feet.
Attachment
#2
The
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) states:
4-1-19. Transponder Operation
a. General
1. Pilots should be aware that proper application of transponder
operating procedures will provide both VFR and IFR aircraft with
a higher degree of safety in the environment where high-speed closure
rates are possible. Transponders substantially increase the capability
of radar to see an aircraft and the Mode C feature enables the controller
to quickly determine where potential traffic conflicts may exist.
Even VFR pilots who are not in contact with ATC will be afforded
greater protection from IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft that are receiving
traffic advisories. Nevertheless, pilots should never relax their
visual scanning vigilance for other aircraft.
3. Civil and military transponders should be adjusted to the "on"
or normal operating position as late as practicable prior to takeoff
and to "off or "standby" as soon as practicable after
completing landing roll, unless the change to "standby"
has been accomplished previously at the request of ATC.
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