Case Studies
Understanding Controller Shortcuts and Workarounds
Identified during NOSS
Departing aircraft were being given headings by the local/aerodrome controller without coordinating with the terminal controller (in contravention of local procedures) during about half of the observations. The rest of the time, headings were being coordinated.
Response to findings
Focus group discussions indicated that the headings being issued by the local/aerodrome controller presented no operational concern to the terminal controller. In fact, the coordination of such headings was deemed “nuisance coordination” by the terminal controller. In response, a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was drafted that permitted the issuance of certain headings by the local/aerodrome controller without coordination being required. This change to procedures reduced coordination and ensured that the procedural guidance is closely aligned with operational realties, thus providing more credibility to the procedures that remained “in the book.”
