Points for discussion
The HKATCA has in the recent past conducted airline briefings on suggested practices as the movement rate for HKIA rises. Some points from discussions following those briefings:
1. How Clearance Delivery operates. Many misconceptions most incorrect
2. Start up delays. Never a straight forward issue.
3. Delays from mainland ATC and how they are administered
4. Sequencing traffic on departure to achieve the best overall movement rate or efficiency in en-route airspace
5. R/T: what is necessary and what is wasted air time
6. What ATC can see with our surveillance equipment. That is what information do we already have on each aircraft movement?
7. How aircrew can assist in maximising runway usage on both arrival and departure. Significant gains can be achieved just by understanding the preferred outcome versus current practice
8. Sequencing inbound - the use and application of speed control - landing slot times and how the landing sequence is created
9. At maximum hourly movement rates, the impact of minor or major interruptions and their consequence on holding requirements
10. Stack swapping - being changed from one holding pattern to another
11. The impact of weather - the impact of each crew requiring an individual approach to weather avoidance - what ATC and aircrew can achieve if we have a common understanding
12. Aircrew conduct, entering, taking off, landing and vacating a runway
13. The dramatic impact of overflights on HKIA movements and complexity in the provision of ATC
The HKATCA is endeavouring to conduct a new round of briefings/discussions with Cathay and Dragonair, between line pilots and operational controllers. From those conducted already, the benefits were widely acclaimed by both parties.
If you have any queries on the above or other issues, a suitably qualified person will be assigned to answer, so please use the blog.