03.4 Situational Awareness
Training Objective
To develop and maintain an accurate mental picture of traffic.
Key Knowledge
- Traffic picture development
- Projection and anticipation
- Risk recognition
Operational Application
Controllers shall:
- Maintain continuous awareness of all aircraft
- Anticipate conflicts before they occur
- Monitor trends, not just positions
1. Overview
Situational awareness is the controller’s ability to understand current and future traffic situations.
2. Core Content
2.1 Traffic Picture
- Position, level, speed, intent
2.2 Projection
- Predict future positions
- Identify conflicts early
2.3 Monitoring
- Continuous scan of sector
- Avoid fixation
3. Procedures
3.1 Scan Technique
- Systematic radar scan
- Prioritise high-risk aircraft
4. Standards
- Conflicts should be identified early
- Controllers shall not rely solely on system alerts
5. Notes
- Loss of awareness is a primary cause of incidents