Section
11. Ground Stop(s)
17-11-1. POLICY
Ground
stop(s) (GS) override all
other traffic management
initiatives. Aircraft must
not be released from a GS
without the approval of
the originator of the GS.
17-11-2. GENERAL
The GS
is a process that requires
aircraft that meet a
specific criteria to
remain on the ground. The
criteria may be airport
specific, airspace
specific, or equipment
specific; for example, all
departures to
San Francisco, or all
departures entering
Yorktown sector, or all
Category I and II aircraft
going to Charlotte. GSs
normally occur with little
or no warning. Since GSs
are one of the most
restrictive methods of
traffic management,
alternative initiatives
must be explored and
implemented if
appropriate. GSs should be
used:
a. In
severely reduced capacity
situations (below most
user arrival minimums,
airport/runway closed for
snow removal, or aircraft
accidents/incidents);
b. To
preclude extended periods
of airborne holding;
c. To
preclude sector/center
reaching near saturation
levels or airport grid
lock;
d. In
the event a facility is
unable or partially unable
to perform ATC services
due to unforeseen
circumstances;
e. When
routings are unavailable
due to severe weather; and
f. When
routings are unavailable
due to catastrophic
events.
NOTE-
Helicopters are exempt
from ground stops based on
weather unless
specifically included by
the ARTCC facility when
requesting the ground
stop.
17-11-3. LOCAL GROUND
STOP(S)
A
facility may initiate a
local GS when the
facilities impacted are
wholly contained within
the facility's area of
responsibility and
conditions are not
expected to last more than
30 minutes. Local GSs must
not be extended without
prior approval of the
ATCSCC.
a. The
TMU must:
1. Explore
and, if warranted,
implement alternative
initiatives before
implementing a local GS.
2. Notify
the ATCSCC before
implementing a local GS.
NOTE-
If conditions prohibit
notifying the ATCSCC
before the GS is
implemented, the TMU must
inform the ATCSCC as soon
as practical.
3. Issue
GS information to
underlying facilities,
using normal communication
methods, in sufficient
time for proper planning.
b. The
Terminal facility must
notify the appropriate TMU
before implementing a
local GS.
NOTE-
If conditions prohibit
notifying the TMU before
the GS is implemented, the
facility must inform the
TMU as soon as practical.
c. The
ATCSCC must:
1. When
available, use the FSM to
implement the GS.
2. Issue
an advisory.
17-11-4. NATIONAL GROUND
STOP(S)
Prior
to implementing a national
GS, less restrictive
traffic management
initiatives must be
evaluated. Upon receipt of
information that an
immediate constraint is
needed to manage a
condition:
a. The
ATCSCC must:
1. Time
permitting, conference
affected facilities and
system users, as
appropriate, to implement
a national GS.
2. When
appropriate, utilize
Flight Schedule Monitor (FSM)
to implement a national
GS, except when deemed
impractical.
NOTE-
FSM does not allow for the
implementation of category
specific GSs, for example,
GS for single airline
flights or GS for all Cat
I and II flights. In these
cases the use of the FSM
GS is not practical.
3. Transmit
an ATCSCC advisory
providing information to
air traffic facilities and
user groups about the
implementation or
modification of a national
GS. The ATCSCC advisory
must include the following
items:
(a) Airport.
(b) Facilities
Included.
(c) Expect
Update Time.
(d) Reason.
(e) Probability
of Extension.
(f) Remarks.
(Optional)
4. Continually
monitor, adjust, and
cancel national GSs, as
appropriate, and transmit
an ATCSCC advisory as
necessary.
5. Coordinate
with the affected
facilities to ensure the
GS is managing the
condition.
b. The
ARTCC TMU must:
1. Explore
and implement alternative
initiatives prior to
requesting a national GS,
if feasible.
2. Issue
GS information to
underlying facilities,
using normal communication
methods, in sufficient
time for proper planning.
3. Coordinate
closely with the ATCSCC on
conditions affecting
capacity.
c. The
Terminal facilities must:
1. Issue
GS information to
underlying facilities,
using normal communication
methods, in sufficient
time for proper planning.
2. Coordinate
closely with the
appropriate TMU on
conditions affecting the
national GS.
3. Request
release of aircraft
through the appropriate
protocol.
17-11-5. CANCELLATION
PROCEDURES
a. The
ATCSCC must:
1. Time
permitting, conference
affected facilities and
system users, as
appropriate, to develop an
operational plan to
release nationally ground
stopped traffic.
2. Transmit
an ATCSCC advisory when a
national GS has been
cancelled.
3. Transmit
an ATCSCC advisory to
cancel an ATCSCC issued
local GS advisory.
4. The
advisory must include the
following items:
(a) Airport.
(b) Facilities
Released.
b. The
ARTCC TMU and the Terminal
facilities must:
1. Issue
cancellation information
to underlying facilities,
using normal communication
methods, in sufficient
time for proper planning
and control actions.
2. Notify
facility personnel, as
appropriate, of the
cancellation.
3. Notify
the ATCSCC if a local GS
was coordinated with the
ATCSCC.
17-11-6. DOCUMENTATION
a. The
ATCSCC must document all
pertinent information
related to the GS in their
position logs, including,
but not limited to, the
start and stop times, the
affected facilities, and
the reason for the GS.
b. The
ARTCC TMU and the Terminal
facilities must document
all pertinent information
related to the GS in their
position logs.
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