Combining and splitting Apron Positions

Lukas Agerskov (1226374)

Problem
One of the tasks of FIRDIR is to identify weak points in our structure and way of doing things. In the latest months several complaints has identified such case at VTC. The ground frequency is getting way to chaotic and difficult to manage, frustrating the pilots. There has been no personal complaints against any controllers, actually quite the contrary but a complaint of the entire situation. Reason for this is simple:

DEL is too often not staffed, and I want to figure out why
GND is too often too busy, even with DEL online.

Solution
One of the solutions can be to adapt the same procedure as they do in real life in the Tower in Kastrup.

We have 4 ground frequencies. EKCH_DEL, EKCH_S_GND, EKCH_A_GND, EKCH_D_GND.

Currently we use to controllers, and split it in DEL and GND, but how they do it in real life is splitting it into A_GND and D_GND. and then they REVERSE the responsibilities of the two others. A_GND is also Clearance Delivery, and D_GND is sequencing and startup. This solves a lot of problems with handling the immense radio traffic on GND, by splitting up the responsibilities, while being able at busy times of departures to have A_GND handle DEL. Same time we can then collect the responsibilities of startup and TSATs to the same controller who will push them. A streamlining.

A couple of very minor procedures would then be produced to facilitate coordination at Apron, but nothing intrusive and complicated. This is in my opinion key. But there also is a scenario where that is possible

Question
Question is: Would you be more willing to sit on the S1 position if the split was this way. Please write your thoughts and questions here, so we can look into it.

Torben Andersen (861112)

Not sure I understand the problem or rather the proposed new split. But it must be ensured that pilots know, who to contact for clearence. It is not obvious if I should contact A_GND or D_GND. DEL is known to be clearence dellivery, so perhaps it is more a question, if DEL should have responcibility for sequencing and push, before handing over to GND for taxi. But perhaps it is me, who do not understand the new split.

Lukas Agerskov (1226374)

That for sure is one of the issues that needs to be dealt with. There could be a solution to be found by specifying in the ATIS using more PDC and slightly alter the middle fix of the station.

Problem is radio congestion at the moment. With many out and inbounds by only one controller

Viktor Espenhain (1563351)

Lukas Agerskov (1226374) Maybe also specify that initial climb per chart to the ATIS?

Torben Andersen (861112)

What about a 3-position scenario: DEL, D-Apron and A-Apron. DEL gives clearences, D-Apron handles outbound traffic and A-Apron handles inbound. Needless to say that a tight communication between the 3 are needed. Just wondering.

Chris Thomassen (1633514)

So a A_GND/D_GND split but still with the option to log on DEL?

Torben Andersen (861112)

Chris Thomassen (1633514) yes, but perhaps this is allready done - long time since I sat at DEL

Lukas Agerskov (1226374)

Torben Andersen (861112) this is de facto what would happen with three controllers but we are talking about the scenario where only two controllers are online.

In that case it would be who takes DEL? And in that case it would be 121.63.

We have to forget designations real quick because they confuse the issues. We put prefixes like AGND and DGND but it’s not about these prefixes. We change those as we like, it’s about frequencies. Like ACC sector BIDE doesn’t mean anything neither should the 4 apron positions.

It’s only about which responsibilities to we combine. In this idea we combine the responsibility with taxiing inbounds to their gate with giving outbound their ATC clearances. Then we combine the responsibility with giving startup clearances with giving outbound their taxi instruction. That’s how they combine their AOR in real life. Then if you add a third guy to the mix. Then yea he would normally take the DEL part for himself. But that’s a whole different scenario.

Torben Andersen (861112)

One way is to have one controller logging on as EKCH_DEL, but x-couple the freq with A_GND and another manning D_GND. Then pilots, who fly out of CPH know, who to get clearence from and will be handed over to the appropiate next controller by DEL. Pilots flying into CPH will be handed over to A_GND/DEL from C_TWR (or A_TWR), but will naturally not see the controller in the controller-list. This might have the negative effect, that some pilots will contact D_GND, as they can't find A_GND, but the World is not perfect.