What action is recommended if a pilot does not wish to use an instrument departure procedure?

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COMMUNICATIONS 1. DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS_CONTROLLERS/PILOTS

a. Air Route Traffic Control Centers are capable of direct communications with IFR air traffic on certain frequencies. Maximum communications coverage is possible through the use of Remote Center Air/Ground (RCAG) sites comprised of VHF and UHF transmitters and receivers. These sites are located throughout the United States. Although they may be several hundred miles away from the ARTCC, they are remoted to the various centers by land lines microwave links. As IFR operations are expedited through the use of direct communications, pilots are requested to use these frequencies strictly for communications pertinent to the control of IFR aircraft. Flight plan filing, en route weather, weather forecasts and similar data should be requested through Flight Service Stations, company radio, or appropriate military facilities capable of performing these services.

b. An ARTCC is divided into sectors. Each sector is handled by one or a team of controllers and has its own sector discrete frequency. As a flight progresses from one sector to another, the pilot is requested to change to the appropriate sector discrete frequency. c. ATC Frequency Change Procedures:

(1) The following phraseology will be used by controllers to effect a frequency change: “(Aircraft identification) CONTACT (location name) (facility or terminal control function) (frequency) AT (time, fix or altitude), OVER." Unless otherwise indicated by ATC the pilot should change to the new frequency without delay.

(2) The following phraseology should be utilized by pilots for establishing contact with the designated facility :

(a) When a position report will be made:

“(Name) CENTER, (aircraft identification),

(position), OVER.” (b) When no position report will be made:

“(Name) CENTER, (aircraft identification), ESTIMATING (reporting point) (time) AT

(altitude/flight level) CLIMBING/DESCEND-

OVER.”

(c) When operating in a radar environment and no position report is required.

(Name) CENTER, (aircraft identification) AT (exact altitude/flight level); or, if appropriate, LEAVING (exact altitude/flight level) CLIMBING/DESCENDING TO MAINTAIN (altitude/

flight level) OVER. NOTE--Exact altitude/flight level means to the nearest 100 foot increment. Exact altitude/flight level reports on initial contact provide air traffic control with information required prior to using MODE C altitude information for separation purposes.

(3) At times controllers will ask pilots to verify the fact that they are at a particular altitude. The phraseology used will be: 'VERIFY AT (altitude).' In climbing/descending situations, controllers may ask pilots to "VERIFY ASSIGNED ALTITUDE AS (altitude)." Pilots should confirm that they are at the altitude stated by the controller or that the assigned

altitude is correct as stated. If this is not the case, they should inform the controller of the actual altitude being maintained or the different assigned altitude. Pilots should not take action to change their actual altitude or different assigned altitude to that stated in the controllers verification request unless the controller specifically authorizes a change. d. ARTCC Radio Frequency Outage:

(1) ARTCCs normally have at least one back-up radio receiver and transmitter system for each frequency which can usually be pressed into service quickly with little or no disruption of ATC service. Occasionally, technical problems may cause a delay but switchover seldom takes more than 60 seconds. When it appears that the outage will not be quickly remedied, the ARTCC will usually request a nearby aircraft, if there is one, to switch to the affected frequency to broadcast communications instructions. It is important, therefore, that the pilot wait at least 1 minute before deciding that the ARTCC has actually experienced a bona fide radio frequency failure. When such an outage does occur, the pilot should, if workload and equipment capability permit, maintain a listening watch on the affected frequency while attempting to comply with the recommended communications procedures which follow.

(2) If two-way communications cannot be established with the ARTCC after changing frequencies, a pilot should attempt to recontact the transferring controller for the assignment of an alternative frequency or other instructions.

(3) When an ARTCC radio frequency failure occurs after two-way communications have been established, the pilot should attempt to re-establish contact with the center on any other known ARTCC frequency, preferably that of the next responsible sector when practicable, and ask for instructions. However, when the next normal frequency change along the route is known to involve another ATC facility, the pilot should contact that facility, if feasible, for instructions. If communications cannot be re-established by either method, the pilot is expected to request communications instructions from the FSS appropriate to the route of flight.

(4) The exchange of information between an aircraft and an ARTCC through an FSS is quicker than relay via company radio because the FSS has direct interphone lines to the responsible ARTCC sector. Accordingly, when circumstances dictate a choice between the two, during an ARTCC frequency outage, relay via FSS radio is recommended. 2. IFR POSITION REPORTING

a. The safety and effectiveness of traffic control depends to a large extent on accurate position reporting. In order to provide the proper separation and expedite aircraft movements, air traffic control must be able to make accurate estimates of the progress of every aircraft operating on an IFR flight plan.

b. When a position report is to be made passing a VOR radio facility, the time reported should be the time at which the first complete reversal of the "to-from" indicator is accomplished.

c. When a position report is made passing a facility by means of an airborne ADF, the time reported should be the time at which the indicator makes a complete reversal.