Arrival Information
Airfield status and weather information is critical to the aircraft recovery process. As a
RADAR controller, you relay this information to arriving aircraft. When working in the
RADAR environment, you will need to know the general information that is outlined in
Air Traffic Control Order 7110.65, Chapter 5 ―RADAR.‖
Landing Information
After you establish radio contact with an arriving aircraft and the pilot requests a
RADAR approach, provide the pilot with the following information:
Altimeter setting
Ceiling and visibility if the ceiling and visibility at the airport of intended landing is
reported below 1,000 feet or below the highest circling minimum whichever is
greater. Also, if the visibility is less than 3 miles. Advise pilots when weather
information is available via the Automated Weather Observing System
(AWOS)/Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) and, if requested, issue
appropriate frequency.
Special weather observations
Airport conditions that may affect flight safety
Lost communications procedures when required
Lost Communications
When weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather
conditions during the approach, take the following action as soon as possible after
establishing RADAR identification and radio communications (may be omitted after the
first approach when successive approaches are made and the instructions remain the
same):
If lost communications instructions will require the aircraft to fly on an
unpublished route, issue an appropriate altitude to the pilot. If the lost
communications instructions are the same for both pattern and final, the
pattern/vector controller shall issue both. Advise the pilot to do one of the
following if radio communications are lost for a specified time interval (not more
than 1 minute) on vector to final approach, 15 seconds on a surveillance final
approach, or 5 seconds on a PAR final approach:
1. Attempt contact on a secondary or a tower frequency
2. Proceed in accordance with visual flight rules if possible
3. Proceed with an approved NONRADAR approach, or execute the specific
lost communications procedure for the RADAR approach being used
If the final approach lost communications instructions are changed, if they differ
from those for the pattern, or if they are not issued by the pattern controller, they
shall be issued by the final controller.
If the pilot states that they cannot accept a lost communications procedure due to
weather conditions or other reasons, request the pilot's intention.
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