Section 5. Navigational Aids
3-5-1. NAVAID MONITORING
When a facility is
assigned responsibility for monitoring NAVAIDs, the air traffic manager
must issue monitoring instructions in a facility directive. Notification
procedures must be coordinated with the appropriate sector manager.
NOTE-
Monitoring assignments are made by air traffic offices in the Service
Centers.
a. VOR/VORTAC:
1. Aurally
check the identification at the beginning of each watch.
NOTE-
Upon commissioning of 2nd generation (FA-9996) VORs, aural monitoring is
not required.
2. Record
the check in accordance with subpara 4-6-5h, Preparation of FAA Form
7230-4.
3. If a
monitor Category 2 exists:
(a) Take
appropriate action as indicated in FAAO JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control,
para 2-1-10, NAVAID Malfunctions.
(b) Notify
the ARTCC.
NOTE-
1. VORs, VORTACs, and TACANs have an automatic course
alignment and signal monitor (ACM). This monitor is usually connected to a
remote alarm. An automatic transfer and shutdown unit (ATU) is installed
as part of the ACM. When the ACM detects a malfunction, the ATU switches
the range to a standby transmitter. If the standby transmitter does not
work properly, the ATU will shut down the facility.
2. Monitoring
of VOR test signals (VOT) is accomplished by a light or a buzzer monitor
and is of local concern only.
3. VOR and
VORTAC monitor categories:
a. Category 1: Alarm feature and identification heard at the
control point.
b. Category 2: Monitor equipment failure and identification not
heard at the control point, but aircraft reports indicate that the
facility is operating normally.
c. Not constantly monitored by other than ACM and ATU.
b. TACAN
(joint-use airports):
1. Aurally
check the identification at the beginning of each watch.
2. Immediately
notify the responsible military authority when an alarm is received.
3. Consider
the aid inoperative when the alarm cannot be silenced and the
identification cannot be heard on the aural monitor.
NOTE-
The military authority will issue NOTAMs for TACANs.
c. DME (to
be monitored by the same facility that monitors the associated VOR, VORTAC,
MLS, or ILS):
1. Press the
VOR/DME control oscillator level to the “Facility On” position at the
beginning of each watch.
2. Record
the check in accordance with subpara 4-6-5h, Preparation of FAA Form
7230-4.
d. L/MF aids
(to be monitored on a continuous basis):
1. Check the
identification at the beginning of each watch.
2. Record
the check in accordance with subpara 4-6-5h, Preparation of FAA Form
7230-4.
e. NDB
(class MH, class H, and class HH):
1. Monitor
continuously by automatic means the beacons used as IFR aids.
2. Check the
operation at least once each hour if an automatic alarm is not available.
f. ILS/MLS:
1. Check the
ILS/MLS monitor panel at the beginning of each watch and record the system
status in accordance with subpara 4-6-5h, Preparation of FAA Form 7230-4.
2. Apply the
procedures described in para 3-5-2, System Component Malfunctions, when
there are indications that a component has failed.
3. If you
suspect that the indication is caused by a control line or a control
station monitor failure rather than a malfunction of the component itself,
take appropriate action as indicated in FAAO JO 7110.65, para 2-1-10,
NAVAID Malfunctions. If a malfunction is confirmed, discontinue use of the
component involved.
NOTE-
Not all ILS components are provided with remote monitor and control lines
(on/off capability). If the failure indication is caused by a control line
or a control station monitor failure, the Technical Operations technician
must advise if that component will be restored to operation and the
monitor status.
g. Compass
locators:
1. Monitor continuously by
automatic means.
2. Check the operation at
least once each hour if an automatic alarm is not available.
3. If the
provisions of subparas 1 or 2 above cannot be met, the compass locator may
be considered monitored if it is equipped with an automatic monitor and
shutdown feature at the site. In this case responsibility for monitoring
must not be assigned to the air traffic facility.
3-5-2. SYSTEM COMPONENT
MALFUNCTIONS
Take the following
action when the alarm signal or a report indicates an air traffic system
component malfunction:
a. Try to
restore the aid to normal operation.
b. If unable
to restore it, discontinue its use and:
1. Notify
the appropriate IFR control facility/sector.
2. Notify
the appropriate FSS as necessary.
3. Notify
Technical Operations personnel in accordance with FAAO JO 6030.31,
National Airspace System Failure Response, and locally developed
procedures.
4. Issue any
necessary NOTAMs, and take other NOTAM related actions as appropriate.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 3-5-1, NAVAID Monitoring.
FAAO 7930.2, Para 4-2-1, NOTAM Composition.
NOTE-
When Technical Operations personnel silence the monitoring system of any
NAVAID, they will assume responsibility for the monitoring function.
3-5-3. PROCESSING
GPS ANOMALY REPORTS
Forward all
information gathered as per FAAO JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, subpara
2-1-10b, through the TMU to the ATCSCC and the local MCC.
NOTE-
The NMCC in Warrenton, Virginia is the focal point for upward reporting
and response coordination for all GPS anomalies.
3-5-4. ORIGINATING
NOTAMs CONCERNING NAVAIDs
Air traffic
facilities having responsibility for monitoring NAVAIDs must originate
NOTAMs regarding their status unless otherwise directed by the Service
Area office. |
