ATS.TR.160 Provision of air traffic services for flight testing

SPECIAL AND ALTERNATIVE CONDITIONS AND OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES PROVIDERS PROVIDING SERVICES TO FLIGHT TESTS

(a)While flight tests are regularly conducted in compliance with the standards and the provisions specified in Subpart B of Annex IV, some of them need to follow specific additional or alternative conditions and procedures approved by the competent authority to meet the needs of flight tests carried out during the flight. This is also the case for flight tests involving more than one aircraft in the same flight test. These special provisions will not jeopardise the safety of the other airspace users and the population in the area overflown.

(b)In order to ensure safe operations within the provision of air traffic service for flight tests control, the air traffic controllers, FIS officers and AFIS officers providing these services may need to have specific knowledge of flight tests and/or be briefed, depending on the specificities of the flight profiles.

(c)Air traffic controllers that provide air traffic services to flight tests (flight test air traffic controllers) may need to obtain their specific competence through a dedicated training as specified in Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/340.

(d)Air traffic services for flight tests should be provided through dedicated and specific procedures. These procedures should address the following:

(1)Compatibility with other airspace users

(i)In order to ensure the compatibility of the flight test with other airspace users and to ensure safe operations and an acceptable rate of success of the flight test, the air traffic services provider should ensure proper coordination at all levels, including strategic, pre-tactical and real-time coordination.

(ii)The air traffic services unit providing services to flight tests is responsible for ensuring compatibility of their activities with other airspace users.

(2)Flight plan The air traffic services unit should obtain all the necessary details related to flight tests (e.g. from the design organisation or the entity wishing to carry out the flight test).

(3)Flight tests with limited manoeuvrability

(i)During certain phases of the flight test, the capability to normally perform manoeuvres may only be possible after a necessary period of time (e.g. for the flight crew to get into a configuration that allows the execution of these manoeuvres).

(ii)The air traffic services provider should obtain the necessary information about the phases of flight and the duration if known.

(iii)For the conduct of these flights, the use of a temporarily reserved area is preferred. If unable, after prior coordination with the relevant air traffic services units neighbouring the flight tests, the use of a transponder should be mandated.

(iv)The real-time information on the development of the flight test as described in points (i)(ii)(iii) above does not relieve the air traffic services unit responsible for providing services to the flight tests from the obligation, when applicable, to ensure traffic separation and assure compatibility with all airspace users.

(e)The above-mentioned procedures are not exhaustive and additional provisions may be necessary to meet the needs of flight tests. The paramount principle is anyhow to make provisions without contradicting the standards and the provisions specified in Subpart B of Annex IV.