I have updated the ATC Phraseology document today (17/11) to include Instrument Recoveries and Approaches. This follows a period of revision on my behalf in order to get back up to speed on how to perform, for example, PAR (Precision Approach Radar) recoveries. Other, smaller, changes have been made also, so do take a look, for example, after departing the airfield pilots will be given a Traffic service (see below).
The link to the updated document is in the first post of this thread.
I have also decided to amend how we approach ATC frequencies when human ATC is online. Previously we maintained separate frequencies for each Airfield; however that had several disadvantages and when coupled with the extension of ATC services beyond the airfield it became clear that this would become unmanageable for ATC and confusing for pilots. Therefore we are going to use just two ATC frequencies, 257.800 MHz for normal Tower and Radar services, and 362.300 MHz for Talkdown. Putting it simply, if human ATC is online you use 257.800 MHz for all ATC communications unless ATC advises otherwise. Talkdown frequency, 362.300 MHz will be used, as required, for monitored radar approaches to separate transmission traffic as the level of ATC transmission is almost non-stop throughout the approach.A Traffic Service is a surveillance based ATS, where in addition to providing weather and airfield information, the controller provides specific surveillance-derived traffic information to assist the pilot in avoiding other traffic. Controllers may provide headings and/or levels for the purposes of positioning and/or sequencing; however, the controller is not required to achieve deconfliction minima, and the pilot remains responsible for collision avoidance.
[Please let me know if any aircraft are unable to tune these frequencies]
Reducing the number of frequencies has a number of other benefits:
- Pilots will hear many more transmissions, therefore improving the learning process and also making the ATC 'world' feel less lonely
- Pilots will have better overall situational awareness
- Should prevent transmissions being 'stepped on'
- ATC will not have a multitude of PTT buttons to manage
Finally, I am hoping to be able to staff ATC several times a week from now on so if I am online then do please tune to 257.800 MHz, check in, and enjoy the service. Also, if anyone has any questions then please do get in touch, either by PM or when I'm on Teamspeak.