Another Interview Question!

[Atc4Me]

Ok, I've read all the great advice here about how to handle your NATS technical interview, and that they are not out to trip you up etc.

My question is pretty specific here though. I had a scenario on my previous interview which included birds on the runway, and a plane coming into land, what do you do ? I guess this relates to others where you have some form of hazard in the vicinity of the runway.

The obvious answer is to send the incoming traffic around until the hazard is cleared, but then the nice interviewer throws in that an incoming plane is running out of fuel!

This poser has me stumped every time, I know there's probably a really easy answer, but can anyone advise me on what the safe thing is to do ?:confused:

I've an interview in a couple of weeks and I really don't want the nightmares again which haunted me after the last one!;)

[STANDBY, STANDBY]

SIMPLE.
if you think its safer for the aircraft to go around, tell it.

on the other hand, if the aircraft is in an emergency situation, there could be a flock of ostriches running up and down the runway, and it won't matter.......THE PILOT WILL GET THE PLANE ON THE GROUND...ASAP!

relax, you're not expected to be an expert on air traffic procedure.
just go with your gut, commonsense feeling.

good luck,
the lucky one:p

[VectorLine]

Good answer Standby

In any scenario involving safety - TELL THE PILOT. (if you have time of course!)

there are 2 of them flying the thing and would probably like to be involved in any decision affecting the safety of their aircraft :)

You can help them make a decision by suggesting what you think is the best option (given the imformation you have) and the pilots can either accept your skill and judgement, or use whatever information they have available to them (do they have enough fuel for a go around? etc etc) to come up with a different option.

One excellent piece of advice I got from an instructor was - if anyone gives you some information, pass it on to someone else because its bound to affect someone somewhere!

[1261]

Mention the phrase "Essential Aerodrome Information" and your examiner will wet his/her pants.

Seriously, as has been said above, it is incumbent upon the controller to pass on details of a potential hazard to the pilot, but it is the pilot's responsibility to decide on how to act upon that information. So, pass details of the hazard and clear them to land. After that, get the fire vehicles on their way out!