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03.2 Priorities of Control

Training Objective

To establish the correct priority order for controller actions.


Key Knowledge

  • Safety vs efficiency
  • Task prioritisation
  • Workload management

Operational Application

Controllers shall prioritise:

  1. Separation
  2. Collision avoidance
  3. Traffic flow
  4. Efficiency

1. Overview

Controllers must continuously prioritise tasks to ensure safety is never compromised.


2. Core Content

2.1 Primary Priority: Separation

  • Maintaining separation is the highest priority
  • All other tasks are secondary

2.2 Secondary Priority: Collision Avoidance

  • Immediate action required if separation is at risk

2.3 Traffic Flow

  • Sequencing and spacing
  • Efficient routing

2.4 Efficiency

  • Direct routings
  • Optimal levels

3. Procedures

3.1 Task Management

  • Controllers shall reassess priorities continuously
  • Lower priority tasks may be delayed if required

4. Standards

  • Separation shall never be compromised for efficiency

5. Notes

  • High workload requires strict prioritisation discipline