Deconfliction Service

Deconfliction Service

Definition

3.0 A Deconfliction Service is a surveillance-based ATS where, in addition to the provisions of a Basic Service, the controller provides specific surveillance-derived traffic information and issues headings and/or levels aimed at achieving planned deconfliction minima, or for positioning and/ or sequencing. However, the avoidance of other traffic is ultimately the pilot’s responsibility.

Provision

3.1 A Deconfliction Service shall only be provided by a controller with access to an ATS surveillance system.

Flight rules and meteorological conditions

3.2 A Deconfliction Service shall only be provided to flights under IFR outside controlled airspace, irrespective of meteorological conditions. The controller will expect the pilot to accept headings and/or levels that may require flight in IMC. A pilot who is not suitably qualified to fly in IMC shall not request a Deconfliction Service unless compliance permits the flight to be continued in VMC.

3.3 Pilots that do not require ATC deconfliction advice or deconfliction minima to be applied should not request a Deconfliction Service.

3.4 Pilots operating VFR and requiring an ATS shall request a Basic Service or a Traffic Service as appropriate to the phase or conditions of flight.

Identification

3.5 The controller shall identify the aircraft, inform the pilot that they are identified, and maintain identity. If identity is lost, the pilot shall be informed and the controller shall attempt to re-establish identity as soon as practicable.

Traffic information

3.6 The controller may, subject to workload, pass traffic information on deconflicted traffic in order to improve the pilot’s situational awareness.

Deconfliction

3.7 A controller shall provide traffic information, accompanied with a heading and/or level aimed at achieving a planned deconfliction minima against all observed aircraft in:

  • Class G airspace;
  • active Temporary Reserved Areas (TRA);
  • active Military Training Areas (MTA).

3.8 The deconfliction minima against aircraft that are being provided with an ATS by the same controller, or that have been subject to co-ordination, are

  • 3 NM laterally (subject to surveillance capability and regulatory approval);
    or
  • 1,000 ft vertically; (2,000 ft within active MDA/MTA above FL410, and
    above FL290 where both aircraft are not RVSM approved);
    or
  • 500 ft vertically (subject to regulatory approval).

Terrain

3.9 A Deconfliction Service shall only be provided to aircraft operating at or above the ATC unit’s terrain safe level, other than when a controller at an Approach Control unit provides an ATS to aircraft on departure from an aerodrome and climbing to the ATC unit’s terrain safe level, or to aircraft following notified instrument approach procedures.

Headings

3.10 A pilot may operate under their own navigation or a controller may provide headings for the purpose of positioning, sequencing, navigational assistance, or to achieve deconfliction minima. If a heading is unacceptable to the pilot, they shall advise the controller immediately. Unless safety is likely to be compromised, a pilot shall not alter course without first obtaining approval from the controller, as the flight profile may have been coordinated against other airspace users without recourse to the pilot.

Levels

3.11 Controllers will normally provide level allocations for positioning, sequencing, navigational assistance, or to achieve deconfliction minima. If a level is unacceptable to the pilot, they shall advise the controller immediately. Unless safety is likely to be compromised, a pilot shall not change level without first obtaining approval from the controller, as an aircraft’s flight profile may be coordinated against other airspace users without recourse to the pilot.