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1.5 Controller Responsibilities

1.5.1 General

The Approach Controller is responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic under radar control.

The controller shall exercise positive control over all identified aircraft within their area of responsibility.

1.5.2 Core Responsibilities

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Maintain continuous surveillance of all aircraft under control
  • Ensure separation is applied and maintained at all times
  • Establish and maintain radar identification
  • Issue clear, timely, and appropriate control instructions
  • Monitor pilot compliance with all clearances

1.5.3 Separation Responsibility

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Maintain separation between all identified aircraft
  • Apply appropriate lateral or vertical separation
  • Anticipate and resolve conflicts before they occur

Separation responsibility remains with the controller until formally transferred.

1.5.4 Situational Awareness

The Approach Controller shall maintain continuous awareness of:

  • Aircraft positions and tracks
  • Altitudes and climb/descent profiles
  • Traffic sequence and flow
  • Potential and developing conflicts

Loss of situational awareness is a primary contributor to operational error and shall be actively prevented.

1.5.5 Decision Making

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Act proactively rather than reactively
  • Make timely and decisive control actions
  • Adjust plans based on changing traffic situations
  • Prioritise safety over efficiency

1.5.6 Communication

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Use standard ICAO phraseology
  • Issue clear, concise, and unambiguous instructions
  • Ensure instructions are correctly understood

Poor communication may result in loss of separation and shall be avoided.

1.5.7 Monitoring and Compliance

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Monitor aircraft response to instructions
  • Detect and correct deviations promptly
  • Take immediate action if non-compliance is observed

1.5.8 Transfer of Control

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Transfer aircraft in a timely and coordinated manner
  • Ensure the receiving unit has sufficient information
  • Maintain responsibility until transfer is complete

1.5.9 Key Principle

The Approach Controller is responsible for maintaining separation and control of all aircraft within their airspace.

The controller shall:

  • Monitor continuously
  • Anticipate conflicts
  • Act decisively

Safety and separation shall not be compromised under any circumstances.