A Functional Description of Air Traffic Control.

Abstract : The document contains a description of air traffic control in terms of generic operational functions. The functions are grouped by flight phase and by major system function (navigation, surveillance, control and communication). More detailed descriptions of these functions, and estimates of related parameters are contained in the appendix. A diagram is shown of the sequence of events for a typical IFR flight through the current ATC system. Also, certain aspects of ATC which cannot be described in terms of operational functions (e.g., legal responsibilities) are discussed. (Author)