7.7 High Workload Management
7.7.1 General
High workload occurs when traffic complexity approaches or exceeds the controller’s capacity to maintain safe and effective control.
The Approach Controller shall actively manage workload to maintain separation, sequencing, and situational awareness.
7.7.2 Priority of Duties
The Approach Controller shall prioritise:
- Separation
- Stability of approaches
- Efficiency
Efficiency shall not compromise safety or separation.
7.7.3 Workload Management Techniques
The Approach Controller shall:
- Simplify instructions and reduce complexity
- Avoid unnecessary vectoring
- Use speed control as the primary sequencing tool
- Build and stabilise the sequence early
- Reduce frequency congestion through concise communication
7.7.4 Traffic Simplification
When workload increases, the Approach Controller shall:
- Reduce the number of active instructions
- Stabilise aircraft on predictable tracks
- Avoid unnecessary changes to the sequence
- Delay or extend aircraft where required
Traffic shall be simplified to maintain control.
7.7.5 Situational Awareness
The Approach Controller shall:
- Maintain a continuous mental picture of all traffic
- Monitor aircraft position, speed, and sequence
- Anticipate conflicts before they develop
- Remain ahead of the traffic situation
Loss of situational awareness shall be treated as a critical risk.
7.7.6 Warning Signs of Overload
Indicators of increasing workload include:
- Frequent or continuous corrective instructions
- Increasing frequency congestion
- Breakdown of sequence structure
- Delayed decision-making
The Approach Controller shall act immediately when these indicators are observed.
7.7.7 Recovery Actions
When workload becomes excessive, the Approach Controller shall:
- Reduce traffic complexity
- Increase spacing between aircraft
- Delay or extend aircraft as required
- Issue go-arounds where necessary
- Request assistance or coordination if available
7.7.8 Limitations
The Approach Controller shall not:
- Continue complex control when situational awareness is degraded
- Allow traffic demand to exceed manageable capacity
- Delay corrective action during overload situations
7.7.9 Key Principle
High workload shall be managed proactively.
The Approach Controller shall:
- Recognise early signs of overload
- Act to simplify the situation
- Maintain control of the sequence
Maintaining control is more important than maintaining efficiency.