CHAPTER 11
SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS
Shipboard operations are one of the most exciting, fast-paced environments in the air
traffic control field. Your ability to make a quick, accurate separation decision is vital to
aircraft safety at sea. After completing this chapter, you should have an understanding
of the complex world of carrier and amphibious air traffic control operations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The material in this chapter will enable you to:
Identify the responsibilities and general operating procedures of the Carrier Air
Traffic Control Center (CATCC) during carrier operations
Identify the duties of the departure controller
Identify the procedures used by arrival controllers
Describe tanker operations during a recovery
Identify the general operating procedures of the Amphibious Air Traffic Control
Center (AATCC) during Amphibious Assault Aviation Ship (LHA/LHD) operations
DEFINITIONS
Before jumping into the concepts that make up shipboard air traffic control, you must
become familiar with the definitions and terminology used on a daily basis on an aircraft
carrier, LHA, or LHD.
Personnel assigned to an aircraft carrier, LHA, or LHD encounter a different air traffic
language. For air operations to function properly, these new terms must be understood.
Terms and Definitions
Table 11-1 contains definitions that pertain to shipboard operations.
Term
Definition
Advisory Control
A form of air traffic control that the controlling agency monitors
RADAR and radio contact with the aircraft under its control and
provides traffic advisories. The individual pilot is responsible for
traffic separation with the assistance from the control agency.
11-1
