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1.8 Safety Considerations

1.8.1 General

Safety is the primary consideration in all radar control operations.

The Approach Controller shall ensure that all actions support safe separation and controlled traffic flow.

Efficiency shall not compromise safety under any circumstances.

1.8.2 Separation Priority

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Maintain separation between all aircraft at all times
  • Apply separation standards proactively
  • Take immediate action to prevent loss of separation

Separation shall take priority over all other operational considerations.

1.8.3 Stable Approach Profiles

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Provide vectors that support a stable final approach
  • Avoid excessive or late manoeuvring
  • Ensure appropriate spacing on final approach
  • Prevent compression of traffic on final

Unstable approaches shall be identified early and corrected, or a go-around shall be instructed.

1.8.4 Early Conflict Resolution

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Identify potential conflicts in advance
  • Issue instructions early to resolve conflicts
  • Avoid reactive or last-minute interventions

Late conflict resolution increases risk and shall be avoided.

1.8.5 Workload and Complexity

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Manage traffic complexity within safe limits
  • Reduce traffic load when necessary
  • Simplify control techniques during high workload

Traffic shall not be accepted beyond the controller’s capacity to maintain safe operations.

1.8.6 Risk Mitigation

Where safety margins are reduced, the Approach Controller shall:

  • Increase separation
  • Delay or resequence traffic
  • Use conservative control actions
  • Prioritise stability over efficiency

1.8.7 Key Principle

Safety shall never be compromised for efficiency or traffic flow.

The Approach Controller shall:

  • Act early
  • Maintain separation
  • Ensure stable operations

All control actions shall prioritise safe outcomes above all other considerations.