SPA.HOFO.150 Aircraft tracking system

GENERAL Flights should be tracked and monitored from take-off to landing. This function may be achieved by the air traffic services (ATS) when the planned route and the planned diversion routes are fully included in airspace blocks where:

(a)ATS surveillance service is normally provided and supported by ATC surveillance systems locating the aircraft at time intervals with adequate duration; and

(b)the operator has given to competent air navigation services (ANS) providers the necessary contact information. In all other cases, the operator should establish a detailed procedure describing how the aircraft tracking system is to be monitored, and what actions and when are to be taken if a deviation or anomaly has been detected.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE The procedure should take into account the following aspects:

(a)the outcome of the risk assessment made when the update frequency of the information was defined;

(b)the local environment of the intended operations; and

(c)the relationship with the operator’s emergency response plan. Aircraft tracking data should be recorded on the ground and retained for at least 48 h. Following an accident or a serious incident subject to investigation, the data should be retained for at least 30 days, and the operator should be capable of providing a copy of this data without delay.