Chapter Four Special Situations

CHAPTER FOUR

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

400. INTRODUCTION

This unit covers communications that do not normally occur on all flights. Previous chapters

have addressed standard formats and phraseology that are routine. Later lectures will expand on

calls that arise occasionally but are not normally expected. Situations that will be analyzed

include flight in a non-radar environment, changing flight plans enroute, low-level reporting

procedures, METRO/PIREP calls, Lost Comm (NORDO) procedures, and emergency

401. NON-RADAR ENVIRONMENT

When operating in a non-radar environment, radar services are not available. Manual (i.e.,

lateral, time, altitude) separation of aircraft is implemented for aircraft operating on an IFR

clearance or VFR-on-Top. The safety and effectiveness of traffic control depends to a large

extent on accurate position reporting. Aircrews should commence position reporting when

ATC advises "radar contact lost" or "radar services terminated," or when checking in on

frequency in a non-radar environment and ATC replies, "go ahead."

402. POSITION REPORTING POINTS

There are three times when position reports are mandatory:

Over designated compulsory reporting points (solid triangles) on high/low enroute charts.

Points listed in the flight plan defining the route of flight.

When requested by ATC.

Example

1. If flying south of Elm Grove VORTAC on J29 and filed to MOTLY, then J58 to

Alexandria VORTAC, you receive:

"KATT 813, radar services terminated, report TURNN."

2. From the DD 175, enroute chart, and Center's request, the mandatory reporting points from

Figure 4-1 are:

MOTLY - Point listed on flight plan defining route of flight;

TURNN - ATC request;

AEX - Point listed on flight plan.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

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