Controlled airspace, towers, ATIS and transponders — transcript

00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:04.762 Towers, ATIS and transponders: controlled airspace for drone crews.

00:00:05.900 --> 00:00:11.117 A controlled aerodrome has an operating control tower. Around it is a control zone.

00:00:11.117 --> 00:00:15.774 It starts at the surface and rises to an upper limit published on the VTC.

00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:24.080 Major airports, like Brisbane, have a Class C zone, where radar separates traffic.

00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:28.597 Smaller towered aerodromes, like Archerfield, are Class D. There,

00:00:28.597 --> 00:00:31.540 the tower separates traffic without radar.

00:00:31.890 --> 00:00:36.752 The zone reaches the ground, so any drone flight inside it needs approval.

00:00:36.752 --> 00:00:40.902 Even at fifty feet. Staying under 400 feet doesn't change that.

00:00:41.890 --> 00:00:47.092 A roof job inside the zone. That takes planning with CASA and Airservices,

00:00:47.092 --> 00:00:47.924 well ahead.

00:00:49.890 --> 00:00:53.930 Get approval through CASA's current process, as shown on its website.

00:00:53.930 --> 00:00:58.144 Approvals can limit height, area and time. Record yours in the job pack.

00:01:00.890 --> 00:01:05.618 Quick check. Fifty feet, inside a Class D control zone. Do you need approval?

00:01:07.090 --> 00:01:10.015 Yes. The zone starts at the surface.

00:01:10.890 --> 00:01:14.159 Before calling a tower, listen to its ATIS:

00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:20.400 a recorded broadcast while the tower is open. Wind, visibility, cloud, temperature,

00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:25.973 QNH and the runway in use. When anything changes, it gets the next letter:

00:01:25.973 --> 00:01:27.608 Romeo becomes Sierra.

00:01:27.958 --> 00:01:33.653 On the day, phone the tower to confirm your approval still stands. On radio,

00:01:33.653 --> 00:01:39.645 give your aircraft type, position, height, the ATIS letter, and your intentions.

00:01:39.645 --> 00:01:41.568 Radio calls need an AROC.

00:01:41.918 --> 00:01:46.400 The tower clears you. Read it back in full, and end with your callsign:

00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:50.695 Cleared to operate, not above two hundred feet, Alpha Bravo Charlie.

00:01:55.418 --> 00:02:01.459 Keep two-way contact. Can't comply, or lost sight of traffic? Tell the tower.

00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:06.415 Radio fails? Land, then phone ATC. And report when you're done.

00:02:07.418 --> 00:02:11.375 Controllers watch radar. Primary radar shows a plain blip.

00:02:11.375 --> 00:02:16.205 A transponder replies to secondary radar with a four-digit squawk code,

00:02:16.205 --> 00:02:18.285 and with Mode C, its altitude.

00:02:19.418 --> 00:02:24.623 Four codes to know. One two zero zero: VFR. Seven five zero zero:

00:02:24.623 --> 00:02:31.089 unlawful interference. Seven six zero zero: radio failure. Seven seven zero zero:

00:02:31.089 --> 00:02:31.957 emergency.

00:02:32.307 --> 00:02:38.494 An emergency aircraft near your site may not fly the usual path. Land early,

00:02:38.494 --> 00:02:40.744 keep clear, and follow ATC.

00:02:41.807 --> 00:02:47.136 Recap: zones reach the ground. Copy the ATIS. Read back. Know the codes.

00:02:48.307 --> 00:02:52.982 Final check. An aircraft is squawking seven six zero zero. What does that mean?

00:02:54.707 --> 00:02:57.345 Communications failure. Its radio is out.