What is 'tactical vectoring'?

[ericliu]

Could anybody explain what 'tactical vectoring' is, which I read in ICAO doc4444 8.6.8.1 c) .
Many thanks!

[Cuddles]

Vectoring not for separation, but for getting the a/c onto an instrument approach, outside CAS, when the a/c is in receipt of a RIS. (TS in 12 days)

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I wouldn't agree with the previous correspondent. Tactical vectoring is, effectively, killing two birds with one stone. Eg, You have opposite direction traffic you need to provide separation from and could turn right or left. However, a right turn would place your aircraft on a long base leg. So, you've provided a) separation and b)achieved an expeditious approach. That's Tactical Vectoring.

[cloudyapple]

Mr Liu - Looking through your previous posts, you had claimed to be an "ATC Instructor" in China and yet you have been asking questions as if you knew very little about Air Traffic Control? :confused:

[ericliu]

cloudyapple：
Yes, actually I have been teaching ATC for a couple of years, because the way we provide ATS is quite different from what you do, I just want to make something much more clear, and I am quite interested in what you do in the UK. Of course I have my own answers to the questions I asked, I am just eager to know what you think on the same topic, I would like to make some comparison between the different ways to solve the same problem.
When I read DOC4444, I really have something I can't understand very well, because there 's something we never apply before, for example, we don't have uncontrolled airspaces in china, so I am eager to know everything about uncontrolled airspaces, we don't use mode s to identify the aircraft, so I am quite interested in how you use mode s etc.
I hope you understand that well.

[anotherthing]

Tactical vectoring needn't be as specific as HD's answer - it could be as simple as turning an aircraft 20-30 degrees off track for 15-20 miles in order to give continuous climb.

There is no hard an fast answer to what tactical vectoring is - with area, approach and ATSOCAS to take into consideration, it could be any number of things.

You might even 'tactically vector' one aircraft in order to give some benefit to another... Any radar vector applied by an ATCO which helps them resolve a situation is a tactical vector.

[Cafe City]

Tactical vectoring in Hong Kong is where the controller track shortens the number 2 aeroplane by 5 miles and track stretches the number 1 by 10 "for sequencing". :ugh::ugh::ugh:

[Jumbo Driver]

Following HD's earlier post, I wonder if you would describe a Westcott Snatch as 'tactical vectoring' ... ?

JD
;)

[On the beach]

In the Area Control environment if you have, say, two aircraft, one above the other approaching top of descent, the higher aircraft will generally require descent clearance before the lower aircraft. In order to provide this you can use tactical vectoring to turn the higher aircraft left or right to facilitate its descent, instead of being forced into a step descent situation. It all depends on your available airspace, of course. I understand in Mainland China you have to keep aircraft rigidly inside airways so tactical vectoring, as above, may not always be an option for you.

If you get the opportunity try and visit Hong Kong to see tactical vectoring. It is used by Area controllers and Approach controllers every day. Or if you can't visit Hong Kong try to get to somewhere that has radar coverage of the Hong Kong area to see it in action. Better, of course, to visit in person and have it explained to you.

On the beach

[SuzieWong]

If you get the opportunity try and visit Hong Kong to see tactical vectoring. It is used by Area controllers and Approach controllers every day.

Yes! You can come and see TRW controller tacticaly ( means suddenly!) vector Sikou arrival off the Star because TRS controller gives head on traffic from Kapli dct Sikou.:eek: Please leave them to Attol when I am on!!

[caucatc]

Mode S is used in Beijing ,but in tower for the ground ATC to identify the aircraft.:)

[The Real Slim Shady]

The Westcott Snatch. Love it.

Am I the only pilot offered a visual to 09L?

[Doctor Cruces]

Somebody explain Westcott Snatch please?

Thanks

Doc C

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

When Heathrow is on easterlies, traffic routing towards the Bovingdon holding area from the north can sometimes be turned early on to a long base leg..

S*ds Law dictates that the moment the Intermediate Director North turns someone for a snatch, his/her opposite number on the south side will have just snatched something on it's way to Ockham... Oh what fun controllers have!

[landedoutagain]

To counteract Sods law, have you considered installing a loud catchphrase style buzzer in the room, so that whichever controller buzzes in first gets the first snatch?

[Doctor Cruces]

Thanks
Doc C:)

[Orlando Coronel]

Dear ATC Colleagues
I've been teaching ATC for quite a long time.
There are some words in the ICAO document 4444 that unfortunately are not defined. Tactical vectoring is one of them.
When I teach radar vectoring, I teach my students to;
1. First get situational awareness of the operational situation;
2. Then, they have to create a strategic plan in order to address the ATC situational operation demands. I call that; Vectoring Strategic Planning;
3. Simultaneously, I encourage them to create backup plans in order to have alternatives in case the main plan fails;
4. And finally, they have to implement the plan by doing some specific actions. That’s what I call; TACTICAL VECTORING.
5. Follow and validation comes at the end in order to keep on going or to apply the best corrective action or plan.
So! What is tactical vectoring?
Well, yes… it could be issuing one single heading. However, it’s in my opinion, more than issuing headings.
According to the DOC 4444 - Headings: is the provision of navigational guidance to aircraft in the form of specific headings, based on the use of radar;
Therefore, there’s got to be a distinctive definition for tactical vectoring. My empiric definition is as follows:
Tactical Vectoring is the provision by radar controllers of navigational guidance to aircraft in the form of specific headings, combined with altitude management and speed control with the operational objective of:

a. sequencing efficiently and safely arrival and departure traffic;
b. segregating efficiently and safely arrivals from departures:
c. applying the prescribed radar/vertical separation minima based on specific operational requirements;
d. reducing route length and enhancing optimum climb and descent profiles;
e. reducing adverse environmental impacts, such as engine noise over populated areas and emission of carbon footprint;
f. bearing in mind economic aspects when handling traffic such as; aircraft fuel consumption, aircraft tear and wear, social and aviation business related economic consequences derived from delays

Radar Controllers should consider the following factors when providing navigational guidance or tactical vectoring:
i. Traffic situation and conditions
ii. Airspace configuration
iii. Weather conditions
iv. Flying distance
v. Airborne navigational equipment
vi. Aircraft performance
vii. Pilot qualifications and style
viii. ATCO radar equipment capability and skills
ix. Coordination factor

Please, be advised that some controllers call this tactical sequencing.

Later I can post the tactical vectoring tools that are available to ATCOs.

I would like to brush up this definition to its maximum potential; therefore, I encourage you to give your contribution. I appreciate your wise assistance on this subject.

Best regards to all of you,

Orlando Coronel
ATC Instructor
Mobile +1 (786) 454 0928
[email protected]

[Short Approach?]

Every time I hear an ATCO use the phrase "tactical vectoring" on frequency, I get the feeling the guy is plainly making **** up.

[Helen49]

HD....I think you should have to shake a six for a Westcott Snatch as you call it!

[ayrprox]

what some call 'tactical vectoring' ,others may call ' AVOIDING ACTION!!!' :E

[Not Long Now]

What other vectoring is there? 'Completely pointless' perhaps?

[obwan]

Ayrprox just beat me to it. Means I've screwed up and now I am trying to get myself out of a holehttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/icons/46.gif

[Vercingetorix]

Re Wescott Snatch. Was once asked by a downbound who was just south of EGBB enroute to EGLL (on easterlies at the time); "any chance of a quick snatch this morning London?"
To which the reply was ; "Well I haven't had one:{ but you might as well have one;)" resulting in an 85 NM left base leg.

Good game

:ok:

[Helen49]

Rather sadly, aviation has followed the ways of the world and invented lots of fancy words, phrases, acronyms etc. Half the time, also rather sadly, half the people [at least] haven't a clue what is meant by the fancy words etc and the sensible people manage quite well without them!

Since the introduction of radar into the ATC world, controllers have vectored aircraft without any need for fancy descriptions.

Jobs for the boys [and girls] perhaps?