ATC Aspects of Interception of Civil Aircraft

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ATC Aspects of Interception of Civil Aircraft

26TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Nairobi, Kenya, 27-30 April 1987

WP No. 60

ATC Aspects of Interception of Civil Aircraft

 

The subject of ATC aspects of interception of civil aircraft was placed on the SC 1 work programme by the 1986 conference. In general the work consists of an examination of the latest amendments of the ICAO documents ANNEX 2, 11 and the PANS-RAC and if necessary formulation of policy.


Amendment number 27 of Annex 2 is as follows:

  1. Amendment of Chapter 3, paragraph 3.8 and Appendix A, section 2 and the introduction of a new Appendix B containing standards relating to the interception of civil aircraft.
  2. Amendment of Attachment A relating to the identification and interception of civil aircraft.

New Appendix B “Interception of civil aircraft” gives in para 2 actions which have to be taken by intercepted aircraft. 2.1.C talks about attempts to establish radio communication either on 121.5 MHz or on 243 MHz. It must be technically possible to make a radio unit that allows transmitting on 121.5 and 243 MHz simultaneously in order to save important time.

Attachment A para 2.3.b and 2.3.f should incorporate the provision of communication facilities on 243 as well. Because this provision is made in the new Appendix B.

The new point 7.1 should incorporate 243 as well.

The new point 9 (Co-ordination between intercept control units and air traffic services units”) is now stating that it is essential that the appropriate air traffic service unit is fully informed.

The other sections of Annex 2 are not directly related to ATC aspects and therefore require no comment.


Amendment number 31 of Annex 11 is as follows:

  1. Amendments to chapter 2, para 2.14 concerning co-ordination between military authorities and air traffic services.
  2. Introduction of a new para 2.19 in Chapter 2 concerning action in the event of in-flight contingencies due to strayed or unidentified aircraft and/or interception of civil aircraft.
  3. Introduction in Chapter 6 of a new provision regarding facilities for communications between adjacent flight information centres or area control centres.
  4. Amendments to Attachment H concerning traffic information broadcast by aircraft and relating operating procedures.

Para 2.14 of Chapter 2 given now more regulations concerning the co-ordination between military authorities and air traffic services in order to minimise the need for interception.

Unfortunately the text of this para does not specify the time period in which the notification has to take place e.g. as soon as…

The new para 2.19.1 talks about in-flight contingencies of strayed or unidentified aircraft 2.19.1.1 gives the actions/measures ATS – unit shall take. Part C of this para reads as follows…

“ Inform other ATS units into whose area the aircraft may have strayed or may stray taking into account all the factors which may have affected the navigation of the aircraft in the circumstances .”

One can imagine that not all the factors are known. So it should read: ……taking into account all the known factors……

Para 2.19.1.2 describes all kinds of steps an ATS unit shall take as soon as an ATS unit becomes aware of an unidentified aircraft.

Part B and part C should also include military units. Perhaps this is meant but it is not clearly stated.

Interception of civil aircraft para 2.19.2 :

Para 2.19.2.1

Part A : also the emergency frequency 243 should be incorporated,

Part C reads: establish contact with the intercepting control unit…

Unfortunately the text does not discuss the time it may take to find out who is the intercepting control unit.

Para 2.19.2.2 Should also include military authorities.

In general the whole para looks clear. When one thinks about the actions and steps that have to be taken one can imagine the great problems that may arise looking at the various areas of tension all over the world. This para should also talk more about the close co-operation between military and civil ATC units.


Amendment number 1 of PANS- RAC (doc 4444-RAC/501/12) is as follows:

  1. amendment of Part III, paragraphs 18 and 19 concerning strayed or unidentified aircraft and interception of civil aircraft.
  2. introduction of provisions in Part VII and Part VIII regarding the provision of flight progress information to air traffic services units serving flight information regions adjacent to particular routes or portions of routes.
  3. amendment of the procedures in Part X concerning position information and the use of radar in the air traffic control service.

The text of the amendments of Annex 2 and Annex 11 is now in PANS-RAC. The previous comments are also applicable for these changes.

To conclude

Important steps have been taken to minimise the need of interception of civil aircraft. To get as much effect as possible states have to follow these regulations as quickly as possible.

It is recommended that :

A device should be developed which would permit two-way radio communication between intercepted and intercepting aircraft operating on VHF/UHF (at least 121.5 and 243 MHz) simultaneously.

Last Update: September 20, 2020  

December 1, 2019   723   Jean-Francois Lepage    1987    

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