NATS provides air traffic navigation services to aircraft flying through UK controlled airspace and at several UK airports. This video explains how we move over 6000 flights every day through the busy skies above the UK safely and efficiently.
The guiding principle of air traffic control is that safety is paramount. Controllers must therefore keep the aircraft they handle safely separated using internationally agreed standards. This is achieved by allocating different heights to aircraft or by arranging certain minimum horizontal distances between them. These distances vary according to circumstances, but aircraft flying along the airways under radar surveillance, for example, are kept five nautical miles apart horizontally or at least 1,000 feet vertically.
Within UK airspace, a network of corridors has been established. These corridors, or airways, are usually ten miles wide and reach up to a height of 24,000 feet from a base of between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. They mainly link busy areas of airspace known as terminal control areas which are normally above major airports. At a lower level are the control zones which are established around each airport. The area above 24,500 feet is known as upper airspace.
All of these areas are designated “controlled airspace” and aircraft fly in them under the supervision of air traffic controllers. Pilots are required to file a flight plan for each journey containing details such as destination, route, timing and height.
Within controlled airspace, pilots must follow controllers’ instructions; outside controlled airspace they take full responsibility for their own safety although they can ask for assistance. In fact, military controllers, who work closely with their civilian colleagues to provide a fully integrated service to all users, offer an air traffic service to aircraft in uncontrolled airspace. Military personnel also provide services to aircraft crossing airways and for those flying above 24,500 feet. A priority task for them is aiding aircraft in distress.
To learn more about careers in air traffic control, please visit: http://natscareers.co.uk/