Pilot phraseology at FISO Airfield
The "option" is a phrase often used by the RAF during training flights when the pilot may be practicing an approach where the Instructor/Examiner may have a different intention, not necessarily known to the pilot. It essentially tells ATC that the approach could be result in either a landing or a go-around. It has no relevance in the AFIS environment and there is no civilian equivalent.
BigEndBob: That's ATC who are required to have 'average' anemometer displays as standard with 'instant' available on request. AFIS units are not required to have 'average' anemometers (although the CAA recommends it) hence they MUST broadcast the word 'instant' if transmitting instant wind.
Whopity: It does have relevance in the AFIS environment if a pilot (instructor or not) uses it in a busy circuit session.
Whopity: It does have relevance in the AFIS environment if a pilot (instructor or not) uses it in a busy circuit session.
if a pilot (instructor or not) uses it in a busy circuit session.
Well they do invent 'non existent' phraseology, so what can be done? I've already informed the UK Ops and Phraseology Working Group, I can do no more.
What FISOs need is guidance on how to reply to the pilot as there is nothing in CAP 413 which covers it.
What FISOs need is guidance on how to reply to the pilot as there is nothing in CAP 413 which covers it.
The only legal requirement with AFIS is to report entering and leaving the ATZ and to maintain a listening watch. There is no requirement to say anything else. On that bases phraseology should be plan and simple. The FISO bible is CAP 797. It is not the Phraseology Committee's job to instigate change, their role is to provide industry advice and filter proposals generated by and through Airspace Policy.
With all due respect bob, he doesn't know his intention!!
The only legal requirement with AFIS is to report entering and leaving the ATZ and to maintain a listening watch. There is no requirement to say anything else. On that bases phraseology should be plan and simple. The FISO bible is CAP 797. It is not the Phraseology Committee's job to instigate change, their role is to provide industry advice and filter proposals generated by and through Airspace Policy.
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"Take off at your discretion" is the most useless piece of non-information that contributes nothing to safety or situational awareness (IMHO). I mean what is it actually telling the pilot? Even an A/G controller will tell you if there is "No reported traffic".
Here is a very interesting link to a document by EGAST on RT phraseology. Look on Page 21 - the suggested FISO phraseology here is far more useful:
Pilot: D-CD, ready for departure
FISO: D-CD, no reported traffic, runway 06 right hand circuit free for
departure, wind 090 degrees 8 knots, report airborne
Pilot: Runway 06 right hand circuit free for departure, wilco, D-CD
Here is a very interesting link to a document by EGAST on RT phraseology. Look on Page 21 - the suggested FISO phraseology here is far more useful:
Pilot: D-CD, ready for departure
FISO: D-CD, no reported traffic, runway 06 right hand circuit free for
departure, wind 090 degrees 8 knots, report airborne
Pilot: Runway 06 right hand circuit free for departure, wilco, D-CD
Pilot: Runway 06 right hand circuit free for departure, wilco, D-CD
The 'option' term is a standard, and commonly used, term in the US. Considering how many UK pilots learnt in the US I'm not surprised some pilots are using it in the UK.
The 'option' term is a standard, and commonly used, term in the US. Considering how many UK pilots learnt in the US I'm not surprised some pilots are using it in the UK.
In the USA, not all airports are allowed to use 'the option'. Permission has to be requested from the FAA. Pilots are required to notify ATC that they will wish to use 'the option' during a circuit detail and ATC can refuse permission.
But this is all ATC, they don't seem to have AFIS over there, so we're still none the wiser as to whether it is possible to use it at FISO airfields in the UK.
But this is all ATC, they don't seem to have AFIS over there, so we're still none the wiser as to whether it is possible to use it at FISO airfields in the UK.
