We need to ask: Why are these changes being made? Does anyone know yet? The FODCOM forgot to mention this.
The UK change is solely to ensure we come in line with ICAO, as mentioned iin the FODCOM below.
FODCOM 01/09
1 Introduction
1.1 A recent change to ICAO Doc 4444 (PANS-ATM) introduced new procedures and phraseology associated with climb and descent instructions issued to aircraft following a SID or a STAR.
1.2 The purpose of this FODCOM is to inform operators how the CAA intends to implement these new ICAO procedures.
As to why ICAO brought about the change ... your guess is as good as mine.
A little bit of the ATC chronology to add further confusion to the issue perhaps
10th December 2008 -
ATSIN 119 Climb Above Notified Standard Instrument Departure Altitudes was issued which provided details of the Eurocontrol Safety Warning Message mandating Authorities in Europe to make the relevant changes. At this point the UK CAA did not introduce the change since they had not fully assessed it for safety impacts. In other words, no adoption of the ICAO revised procedure at that time.
ATSIN 119
17th December 2008 -
CAP493 SI 2008/04 Procedures and Phraseology Concerning Level Restrictions associated with Standard Instrument Departures was issued with immediate effect, requiring UK ATC to adopt the new ICAO procedure, on 12th March 2009.
The rationale for this change was as follows:
The CAA has completed a lengthy safety analysis, which included assessment of the advantages, disadvantages and impact of various options. As a result, it was established that the pre ATSIN 119 UK procedure would generate a significant risk of confusion and potential for level busts by UK pilots operating overseas, and by overseas pilots operating in the UK, due to its contrary intent to the revised ICAO provisions. There was evidence that the interim ATSIN 119 procedure did not adequately mitigate these risks, and that in recent months foreign pilots operating in the UK were increasingly requesting clarification from ATC on when to initiate the new climb instruction. Therefore, the CAA has concluded that the ICAO procedure should be adopted, albeit with amended RTF and expanded controller guidance, as this will reduce the risk of level busts, mitigate the negative effects of verbose phraseology and the impact of the new procedure on UK SIDs.
CAP493 SI 2008/04
14th January 2009 -
Today !! Another CAP 493 SI has been issued with immediate effect, withdrawing SI 2008/04. Until further notice, the UK shall continue to use the ATSIN 119 procedures found above. A small victory for common sense and hopefully the comments provided here, and in other channels of communication, have made the CAA see sense.
1. Introduction
1.1 A recent change to ICAO Doc 4444 (PANS-ATM) had the effect of introducing new procedures and phraseology associated with climb instructions issued to aircraft following a SID. Following consultation with industry and a safety assessment of the changes to ICAO procedures and phraseology, SRG issued CAP 493 MATS Part 1 SI 2008/04 (Procedures and Phraseology concerning Level Restrictions associated with Standard Instrument Departures (SID)). This SI provided details of revised UK procedures for aircraft on SIDs.
1.2 Since the publication of the SI and the associated FODCOM to aircraft operators, SRG has received a number of comments from both aircraft operators and air traffic service providers.
2. Withdrawal of SI 2008/04 and Reversion to Interim Procedures and Phraseology
2.1 SI 2008/04 is therefore withdrawn. This is in order to ensure that the comments received from industry are given appropriate consideration and allow time for further consultation.
2.2 Consequently, and until further notice, controllers are to continue to apply the interim procedures and phraseology detailed in ATSIN 119 entitled ‘Climb above notified Standard Instrument Departure Altitudes’.
CAP 493 SI 2009/01
Perhaps the further consultation can provide an opportunity for the idea to be kicked in to touch .. permanently !!
