UNIT 3: S3 - Approach & Control

Lesson 3.1: S3 Basics, Radar Scan, & Identification

S3 Objective: Manage aircraft in three dimensions (position, altitude, speed). Sequence arrivals, vector efficiently, maintain terminal airspace separation, handle go-arounds, and coordinate with adjacent sectors.

Radar Scan: Do not stare at one aircraft. Scan cycle:

1. Arrival stream.
2. Departure stream.
3. Conflicts within 5 minutes.
4. Aircraft needing descent.
5. Aircraft needing speed control.
6. Handoffs and coordination.

Radar Identification: Before providing radar control, know which target belongs to which callsign via RadarThing. Do not issue radar vectors to an aircraft you have not identified.

Lesson 3.2: Vectoring, Altitude, & Speed Control

Basic Vectoring:

• Heading: "AAL123, fly heading two seven zero."
• Turn direction: "AAL123, turn left heading two two zero."

Altitude Control: Approach descent planning must happen early. If an aircraft is too high at 20 NM, it will still be too high at 10 NM unless you fix it.

• "AAL123, climb and maintain one three thousand."
• "DAL456, cross SMO at or above seven thousand."

Speed Control: Common arrival speed gates:

• 220 knots on downwind or early base.
• 190 knots before intercept.
• 160 knots to final (or 5 NM final).

Note: Speed control is for fine-tuning spacing early, not solving a broken sequence at the last second.

Lesson 3.3: Descent Planning & Arrival Sequencing

Descent Planning (The 3-to-1 Rule): A simple planning rule is 3 NM per 1000 ft of descent, plus extra distance for slowing. Example: Aircraft at 12,000 ft, needs to be at 3,000 ft at the fix. (Descent needed = 9,000 ft). 9 x 3 = 27 NM needed.

Sequencing Arrivals: Build a landing order before aircraft reach the final turn. Techniques: Extend downwind, use speed reduction early, turn base at different distances.

Lesson 3.4: Approach Clearances & Departure Control

Approach Clearance: Before clearing an aircraft for approach:

• It is established or being vectored to intercept.
• Altitude is appropriate and speed is manageable.
• Separation from preceding traffic is safe.

Example: "DAL456, turn left heading two four zero, maintain three thousand until established, cleared ILS runway 25R approach."

Departure Control: After Tower handoff, Departure should radar identify, confirm altitude/route, climb aircraft, and turn toward route when safe.

Lesson 3.5: Conflict Detection & Go-Around Resequencing

Conflict Detection: A conflict is easier to solve 5 minutes early than 30 seconds late. Look for converging tracks, fast planes behind slow planes, climbing departures hitting descending arrivals. Tools: Heading change, altitude change, speed change.

Go-Around Resequencing: When Tower sends an arrival around:

1. Issue/confirm climb-out altitude.
2. Turn away from departure conflicts.
3. Rebuild the sequence.

Lesson 3.6: Holding & S3 Emergencies

Holding: Use holding when sequencing cannot be solved safely with vectors and speed. Example: "AAL123, hold east of DAG on the zero niner zero radial, left turns, one-minute legs, maintain one zero thousand."

S3 Emergencies (Aviate, Separate, Navigate, Communicate):

1. Aviate: Let the pilot fly.
2. Separate: Protect the emergency aircraft from other traffic.
3. Navigate: Offer headings/runway options.
4. Communicate: Coordinate with Tower/adjacent sectors.