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3.2 Controller Priorities

3.2.1 General

The Tower Controller shall apply a clear and consistent order of priorities when managing air traffic.

Correct prioritisation is essential to maintaining safe and effective operations, particularly during periods of high workload or traffic complexity.

3.2.2 Priority Order

The Tower Controller shall prioritise:

  1. Safety
  2. Separation
  3. Workload Management
  4. Efficiency

These priorities shall be applied at all times and shall not be altered.

3.2.3 Safety

Safety is the highest priority in all operations.

The Tower Controller shall:

  • Prevent collisions between aircraft
  • Prevent runway incursions
  • Ensure no unsafe or conflicting clearances are issued
  • Take immediate corrective action when a situation becomes unsafe

If safety is in doubt, the controller shall:

  • Stop issuing further clearances where necessary
  • Resolve the conflict before continuing normal operations

3.2.4 Separation

The Tower Controller shall ensure that required separation standards are maintained at all times.

This includes:

  • Runway separation
  • Wake turbulence separation
  • Visual separation where applicable

Separation shall not be compromised for efficiency or traffic flow.

3.2.5 Workload Management

The Tower Controller shall manage workload to maintain safe operations.

The controller shall:

  • Avoid accepting more traffic than can be safely handled
  • Reduce complexity where required
  • Use simple and effective control techniques
  • Prioritise critical tasks over non-essential actions

Where workload becomes excessive, the controller shall:

  • Delay departures
  • Extend or re-sequence traffic
  • Reduce the rate of operations

3.2.6 Efficiency

Efficiency shall be achieved only when safety and separation are assured.

The Tower Controller shall:

  • Maintain a steady and orderly flow of traffic
  • Minimise unnecessary delay where possible
  • Use appropriate techniques to optimise runway usage

Efficiency shall never compromise safety or separation.

3.2.7 Application of Priorities

The Tower Controller shall apply priorities dynamically based on the situation.

In conflict situations, the controller shall:

  • Identify the highest-risk element
  • Resolve safety and separation issues first
  • Adjust traffic flow as required
  • Restore normal operations once safe

3.2.8 Key Principle

The Tower Controller shall always prioritise safety above all other considerations.

No operational benefit or efficiency gain shall justify:

  • Reduced separation
  • Unsafe runway operations
  • Increased risk to aircraft or personnel

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3.2.3 Separation

The Tower controller must ensure adequate separation between aircraft.

This includes:

  • Runway separation
  • Wake turbulence separation
  • Visual spacing in the circuit

If separation cannot be maintained, the controller shall:

Issue a go-around
Delay a departure
Instruct an aircraft to orbit

3.2.4 Workload Management

The controller must actively manage workload to prevent loss of situational awareness.

This may include:

  • Slowing the rate of departures
  • Restricting circuit traffic
  • Issuing simple, clear instructions
  • Avoiding unnecessary complexity

Controllers should recognise when workload is increasing and take early action.

3.2.5 Efficiency

Efficiency is important but must never compromise safety or separation.

The controller should aim to:

  • Maintain a steady flow of traffic
  • Minimise delays where possible
  • Use runway capacity effectively

However, efficiency must always remain the lowest priority.

3.2.6 Decision Making

Effective Tower control requires timely and decisive actions.

The controller should:

  • Make decisions early rather than late
  • Avoid unnecessary hesitation
  • Use standard procedures where possible
  • Anticipate conflicts before they occur

3.2.7 Example Scenario

A landing aircraft is on short final while a departure is ready at the holding point.

Correct prioritisation:

  • Safety → Ensure no conflict
  • Separation → Protect the landing aircraft
  • Action → Delay departure or instruct go-around if required

3.2.8 Key Principle

Always prioritise safety and separation above all else. Efficiency is desirable, but never at the expense of safe operations.