ENR 1.6 ATS SURVEILLANCE SERVICES AND PROCEDURES

1 PRIMARY RADAR

1.1 Use of radar in the air traffic control service

ATC will normally use radar derived information in the provision of air traffic control services. The applicable radar separation minima vary from 3 NM to 6 NM depending on the distance from the appropriate radar station.

Radar vectors and speed instructions may be necessary to establish and maintain radar separation. These instructions, also if they might result in differences from published procedures, shall be complied with.

ATC surveillance minimum altitude charts (SMAC) are published for EHAM, EHBK, EHGG, EHLE and EHRD.

The final approach vectoring area (FAVA) is an area which provides 500 feet obstacle clearance in the transition from an ATC vector to the final approach with a maximum ILS localizer interception angle of 30 degrees.

1.2 Minimum vectoring altitudes (MVA)

In the Amsterdam FIR the following definition of minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) is applicable:
The minimum vectoring altitude is the lowest altitude or flight level that may be used by ATC for vectoring IFR flights in a certain area of controlled airspace, taking into account the altitude required for obstacle clearance and the airspace classification.
I.e. the MVA is the lowest altitude that under normal circumstances is assigned by ATC to pilots of IFR flights, until the point where the pilot will resume his own navigation, for instance on final approach or in the circuit.

  1. Terminal control areas (TMAs)
    Eelde TMA2000 FT AMSL 1)
    Eindhoven TMA 12000 FT AMSL
    Eindhoven TMA 2transition level
    Eindhoven TMA 3transition level
    Eindhoven TMA 4FL 060
    Lelystad TMA 1Refer to AD 2.EHLE-SMAC
    Lelystad TMA 22000 FT AMSL
    Lelystad TMA 32000 FT AMSL
    Lelystad TMA 43000 FT AMSL
    Lelystad TMA 5FL 050
    Maastricht TMA 12000 FT AMSL 4)
    Nieuw Milligen TMA A2000 FT AMSL 2)
    Nieuw Milligen TMA B2000 FT AMSL 1)
    Nieuw Milligen TMA C2000 FT AMSL 1)
    Nieuw Milligen TMA D2000 FT AMSL 3)
    Nieuw Milligen TMA E2000 FT AMSL
    Nieuw Milligen TMA G12000 FT AMSL
    Nieuw Milligen TMA G2transition level
    Rotterdam TMA 12000 FT AMSL
    Rotterdam TMA 23000 FT AMSL
    Rotterdam TMA 3transition level
    Schiphol TMA 12000 FT AMSL
    Schiphol TMA 2transition level
    Schiphol TMA 33000 FT AMSL
    Schiphol TMA 4transition level
    Schiphol TMA 5FL 060
    Schiphol TMA 6transition level
  2. Control zones (CTRs)
    Eelde CTRRefer to AD 2.EHGG-SMAC
    Lelystad CTR 1 and 2Refer to AD 2.EHLE-SMAC
    Maastricht CTRRefer to AD 2.EHBK-SMAC
    Rotterdam CTRRefer to AD 2.EHRD-SMAC
    Schiphol CTR 1, 2 and 3Refer to AD 2.EHAM-SMAC
  1. Within a radius of 3 NM around 525410N 0062413E (obstacle Smilde): 2100 FT AMSL.
  2. Within the part of Nieuw Milligen TMA A above EHTX: transition level.
  3. Within a radius of 3 NM around 520036N 0050313E (obstacle Lopik): 2300 FT AMSL.
  4. Southeast of Maastricht CTR: 2500 and 2600 FT AMSL.
1.3 Use of radar in the flight information service

Amsterdam FIC may use radar derived information in the provision of flight information service. Radar serves only as an aid to provide aircraft with more accurate flight information. It does not relieve the pilot-in-command of an aircraft of any of his responsibilities and he has to make the final decision regarding any suggested alteration of flight plan.

2 SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR (SSR)

2.1 Transponder operating procedures
2.1.1 Normal procedures
  1. The provisions of ICAO (Aircraft Operations Volume I, Flight Procedures, part VIII, chapter 1) apply.
  2. Except when conditions in item c and d are met, pilots shall operate transponders in accordance with ATC instructions. In particular, when entering the Amsterdam FIR, pilots who have already received specific instructions from ATC concerning the setting of the transponder shall maintain that setting until otherwise instructed.
  3. IFR flights about to enter the Amsterdam FIR who have not received specific instructions from ATC concerning the setting of the transponder shall operate the transponder on mode A code 2000 before entry and maintain that code setting until otherwise instructed.
  4. VFR flights in the Amsterdam FIR equipped with an operational mode S transponder shall activate the transponder and select mode A code 7000 during all flight stages from departure until touch down, unless otherwise prescribed or instructed. This includes flights in airspace exempted from the mandatory transponder carriage.
  5. Gliders starting with the use of a winch are advised to activate the transponder only after the winch is disconnected. The high climb-rate during a winch-start can lead to unwanted “resolution advisory” warnings on ACAS systems.
  6. In accordance with ICAO Doc 8168 (PANS-OPS) Volume I, part III, section 3, chapter 1.3: the flight crew of aircraft equipped with mode S transponders shall set the aircraft identification in the transponder. This setting shall correspond to the aircraft identification specified in item 7 of the ICAO flight plan or, if no flight plan has been filed, the aircraft registration. In order to be interpreted properly, there must be no spaces between the designator letters and flight number, nor any additional/superfluous zeros preceding the flight number. For details see ENR 1.10 FLIGHT PLANNING, 3.2.1 ITEM 7: aircraft identification.
  7. In case the aircraft identification can be entered manually, entry should be part of the start-up procedures.
  8. Correct setting of aircraft identification is essential for identification and correlation (of radar track with flight plan data). An incorrect setting of the aircraft identification will be reported to the Dutch aviation authorities.
Mode C shall always be activated.
2.1.2 Emergency procedures
  1. If the pilot of an aircraft encountering a state of emergency has previously been directed by ATC to operate the transponder on a specific code, this code setting shall be maintained until otherwise advised.
    In all other circumstances, the transponder shall be set on mode A code 7700.
  2. Notwithstanding the procedure in item a. above, a pilot may select mode A code 7700 whenever the nature of the emergency is such that this appears to him to be the most suitable course of action.
  3. Pilots of aircraft in-flight subjected to unlawful interference shall endeavour to set the transponder to mode A code 7500 to give indication of the situation, unless circumstances warrant the use of code 7700.
Continuous monitoring of responses on mode A code 7700 and 7500 is provided.
Mode C shall always be activated.
2.1.3 Radio communication failure procedures

In the event of an aircraft radio receiver failure, a pilot shall select mode A code 7600 and follow established procedures; subsequent control of the aircraft will be based on those procedures.

Continuous monitoring of response on mode A code 7600 is provided.
Mode C shall always be activated.
2.1.4 SSR transponder failure

Because of the dominating role of SSR in radar data processing it is almost impossible to accommodate a flight with a failing transponder in an ATC environment. Pilots have to take this into account when interpreting the procedures indicated below.

  • In particular in the case of an observed failure immediately after take-off, ATC will normally not be in a position to allow continuation of the flight to destination.
  • In case of failure which occurs during flight, pilots may expect that ATC units will endeavour to provide for continuation of the flight to the aerodrome of first intended landing in accordance with the flight plan.
2.2 Mode A code assignment method

Mode A codes will be assigned in accordance with the modified code allotment plan for the EUR region, which is based on the so-called originating region code assignment method (ORCAM). Codes protected for international transit in use (transit codes), which are assigned to overflying or inbound flights, will be retained by ATC.

2.3 Flight plan notification

For flights intending to enter the Amsterdam FIR, the aircraft SSR capability shall be indicated in item 10 of the flight plan.

2.4 Mode S radar coverage

Mode S radar coverage in the Amsterdam FIR is shown in the following radar coverage maps of three horizontal sections: 1500 ft AMSL, FL 055 and FL 245.

At Schiphol Airport mode S surveillance is utilized.

Mode S radar coverage at 1500 ft AMSL

Mode S radar coverage at FL 055

Mode S radar coverage at FL 245

3 AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT SURVEILLANCE - BROADCAST (ADS-B)

To be developed.

4 OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES

NIL.