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TWR/GND

Coordination Between ATC Units

Effective communication and coordination between ATC units are essential for safe and efficient air traffic management. While many standard procedures are defined in SOPs, certain situations require direct coordination between controllers.

Coordination Between Tower (TWR) and Approach (APP)

Some scenarios where Tower and Approach controllers must coordinate include:

  • Vectored Departures: If an IFR pilot cannot or does not want to fly a SID.
  • Visual Departures: If permitted according to SOPs.
  • Departure Releases: If required.
  • Non-Standard Approach Procedures: Such as visual approaches when a pilot cannot fly a standard approach.
  • Emergencies: Including relevant details.
  • Missed Approaches: Including reasons and further instructions (usually the standard missed approach).
  • SVFR Operations: To allow the approach controller to increase spacing between arrivals if necessary.
  • Low Visibility Operations.
  • Runway Closures and Reopenings.
  • Change of Runway Direction.
  • Departures from Non-Standard Runways: If a pilot requests a different departure runway than the one in use.

Coordination Between Tower (TWR) and Ground (GND)

Ground and Tower controllers must coordinate efficiently in several situations, such as:

  • Pilot Taxiing Incorrectly: If an aircraft mis-taxis and needs to be rerouted.
  • Aircraft Technical Issues at Holding Point: If an aircraft develops a technical problem, requiring subsequent aircraft to be rerouted.
  • Pilot Requests a Specific Intersection: When a pilot has requested a specific taxiway intersection for departure.
  • Missing Aircraft on Frequency: If a controller is missing an aircraft that should already be on their frequency.

Coordination Guidelines

Unlike some Approach and Center communications, Tower and Ground coordination typically does not have standardized phraseology. Instead, clear and concise plain language should be used. Since the receiving controller may be busy with pilots, it is important to keep coordination brief and to the point.

Example Coordination Exchanges

Tower and Approach Coordination

TWR: Approach, Tower
APP: Go ahead
TWR: TUN988 cannot fly SIDs and needs direct MEDIL. What vectored departure should I issue?
APP: Climb runway track to 4000 feet, expect radar vectors. TWR: Copied.

Tower and Ground Coordination

TWR: Ground, Tower.
GND: Go ahead
TWR: KMR112 mis-taxied, now coming via J5 instead of J2
GND: Roger.

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