Simply quoting a section may be taking it out of context, nor does a quote allude to any other documents which may have superseded or clarified that section.
It is useful for a pilot to know that they are ultimately responsible, and as the documents note, the AT controller has no idea what the prox warning is set to for various aircraft.
Technically, the documents differentiate between terrain and obstacles....
this is also a direct quote...
"The objectives of the air traffic control service as prescribed in ICAO Annex 11 do not include prevention of collision with terrain. The procedures prescribed in Doc 4444, PANS-ATM do not relieve pilots of their responsibility to ensure that any clearances issued by air traffic control units are safe in this respect."
Bottom Line: ATC was set up to manage air traffic and prevent aircraft to aircraft collisions...NOT provide terrain clearance for the aircraft.
Last edited by FlightPathOBN; 20th May 2011 at 22:14.