Airways supports Mongolia to safely reduce ATC separation

Mongolian air traffic control separation standards will reduce from 90 to 30 kilometres in September following an Airways New Zealand review of the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority safety assessment requirements.

Tim Bradding, a former Airways Safety Manager and current regional Chief Controller, visited Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia recently to assist the Mongolian CAA (MCAA) in their reduction of aircraft separation distances. Since the installation in 2012 of radar sites across the region, radar control in the area has been introduced gradually, and currently relies on a 90 kilometre separation between aircraft.

Mr Bradding says he worked closely with the MCAA to assess reducing radar separation standards to more closely align with the ICAO standard of five nautical miles (10 kilometres).

“During my visit I considered equipment reliability, procedures, air traffic controller training and contingency planning, to enable the MCAA to achieve their aircraft separation goals,” he says.

“Reducing aircraft separation requirements in a safe manner will allow the Mongolian CAA to more rapidly increase their air traffic flows, with economic benefits across the country and the region,” says Mr Bradding.