APT A210: Enroute Air Traffic Control

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	03/11/2026
Top Code	302030 - Air Traffic Control (CTE)
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

This course introduces students to terminal-radar (Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)) and en-route (Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)) air traffic control operations. Emphasis is placed on radar identification, vectoring techniques, altitude assignment, conflict resolution, hand-off coordination, and separation standards. Students practice radar procedures through simulation while integrating airspace structure, communication phraseology, and automation systems consistent with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Basics and operational orders. PREREQUISITE: APT A204. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Students will operate a radar-simulation sector, identifying aircraft, maintaining required separation, and issuing clearances using correct FAA phraseology.
Students will analyze radar-based traffic conflicts and determine the safest resolution method within FAA separation standards.

Course Objectives

Describe the structure and functions of TRACON and ARTCC radar facilities within the NAS.
Interpret and apply radar-identification procedures as specified in FAA Order JO 7110.65.
Provide radar vectors for separation, sequencing, and navigation assistance.
Apply radar and non-radar separation minima based on altitude, speed, and course.
Identify and resolve traffic conflicts using vectoring and altitude assignments.
Conduct hand-offs, point-outs, and coordination between radar sectors and facilities.
Adjust operations for weather, restricted areas, or equipment limitations.
Demonstrate workload management and situational awareness under radar conditions.
Employ standard phraseology and automation tools to maintain safe radar operations.
Integrate radar procedures into a comprehensive simulated approach or en-route environment.

Lecture Content

Introduction to Radar ATC Systems
1. Overview of TRACON/ARTCC roles, radar principles, radar display components.
Radar Identification Procedures
1. Primary vs. secondary radar identification methods, transponder codes, position confirmation.
Radar Separation Standards I
1. Horizontal and vertical separation minima, 5-mile and 1,000-foot standards.
Radar Separation Standards II
1. Reduced separation in terminal airspace, speed-based separation concepts.
Vectoring Techniques I
1. Heading assignments, intercept angles, navigational aids integration.
Vectoring Techniques II
1. Sequencing arrivals and departures, base legs and final approach vectors.
Altitude Assignment and Coordination
1. Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA), altitude stratification, climb/descent coordination.
Conflict Detection and Resolution
1. Identifying converging tracks, overtakes, and crossings; conflict alert systems.
Handoffs and Point-outs
1. Inter-facility coordination, LOA procedures, TRACON, and Center communication.
Automation and Radar Display Systems
1. STARS, ERAM, and data-block management.
Speed Control and Sequencing Tools
1. Speed assignments, merge targets, final-approach spacing.
Weather Deviations and Airspace Restrictions
1. Handling weather cells, temporary flight restrictions, military operations areas.
Non-Radar Procedures & Backup Operations
1. Position reports, time separation, lost radar scenarios.
Emergency Operations and Deviations
1. Lost-communication procedures, emergency codes, priority handling.
Human Factors in Radar Operations
1. Workload management, attention, automation dependency, team coordination.
Review and Integration of Radar Concepts
1. Comprehensive review for final simulation evaluation.

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

- Interactive lectures with radar display demonstrations - Simulation walkthroughs and scenario-based labs - Group problem-solving and debrief sessions - FAA document analysis (JO 7110.65, 7210.3, AIM) - Case studies of radar incidents and NTSB reports

Reading Assignments

Students are expected to complete approximately 30–40 pages of FAA documentation and technical text per week to reinforce radar procedures and lab simulations. -FAA Order JO 7110.65 (Chapters 5–9): Radar operations, separation standards, vectoring, altitude assignment, and conflict resolution. - FAA Air Traffic Basics (Course 50110, Modules 14–18): Radar Identification, Vectoring, Conflict Detection, Coordination, and En-Route Operations. - FAA Order JO 7210.3: Facility Operations and Administration: Radar facility organization, inter-sector coordination, and standard operating practices. - AIM Section 4-1 to 4-4: Air traffic control procedures, communication, and radar services. - Nolan, M.S. (2015). Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control (6th ed.): Chapters 10–13 - Radar control, en-route operations, and automation systems. - Advisory Circular 90-48D: Pilot Awareness in Collision Avoidance - Controller-pilot interaction and radar vectoring awareness. - Selected articles from Journal of Air Traffic Control or FAA Safety Briefing discussing TRACON/ARTCC operations and technology trends (e.g., ERAM, STARS).

Writing Assignments

Students complete 10–15 pages of professional and analytical writing over the semester, designed to develop technical communication and procedural reasoning skills. - Radar Scenario Report: “Conflict Resolution Analysis.” Write a 2-page summary analyzing a radar conflict scenario, identifying how procedural compliance or vectoring strategy prevented loss of separation. - Technical Memorandum: “Coordination Between Sectors.” Draft a one-page memo describing coordination procedures for handoffs between TRACON and ARTCC facilities, referencing relevant FAA Orders. - Incident Case Study: “Radar Loss or Equipment Outage.” Analyze a real-world FAA report (ASRS or NTSB) involving radar outage or non-radar procedures, summarizing controller actions and lessons learned. - Phraseology Logbook: Maintain a weekly record of phraseology used in lab sessions for radar identification, vectoring, and conflict resolution; highlight areas for improvement.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students devote approximately 2–3 hours per week outside of class for preparation, observation, and technical practice. - Radar Simulation Review: Re-watch recorded radar simulations (if available) and complete an analysis worksheet identifying sequencing errors or loss-of-separation risks. - Sector Familiarization Project: Research a local TRACON or ARTCC facility (e.g., SCT, ZLA) and create a one-page sector summary identifying altitudes, airways, and neighboring facilities. - Phraseology Practice: Practice standard radar vectoring and handoff phraseology using headset recordings; evaluate accuracy and pacing against FAA phraseology examples. - Weather and Airspace Exercise: Retrieve current radar and weather data (e.g., SIGMETs, AIRMETs) and describe how these would impact vectoring, separation, or rerouting decisions. - Technology Brief: Research one modern radar or automation system (e.g., STARS, ERAM, ADS-B) and write a one-page summary of its role in ATC efficiency and safety. - Conflict Resolution Drill: Use a simplified radar plotting sheet to manually track two or more aircraft; calculate conflict points, separation times, and required vector corrections.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Short Quizzes
Written Assignments
Problem Solving Exercises
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students analyze complex radar environments, apply procedural standards, and make decisions based on situational variables, automation feedback, and aircraft performance data. - Conflict Analysis Exercise: Evaluate a radar traffic display containing converging and overtaking aircraft; determine which pairs are in conflict and propose appropriate vectoring or altitude solutions, citing applicable FAA separation standards. - Separation Standards Evaluation: Compare radar vs. non-radar separation requirements for en-route vs. terminal airspace, and justify procedural differences in operational contexts. - Sector Efficiency Study: Analyze how airspace design and sector boundaries influence radar-controller workload and traffic flow management; propose adjustments for improved efficiency. - Human Factors Discussion: Examine case studies of controller fatigue or data-overload events, identifying cognitive challenges and proposing workload-mitigation strategies.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Required Writing Students demonstrate professional, analytical writing through FAA-style documentation and reflective analysis. - Technical Report: “Radar Vectoring Case Study.” Summarize a real or simulated radar vectoring scenario, describing separation standards used, phraseology issued, and decisions made. - Coordination Log Report: Submit a written summary of all radar handoffs and point-outs performed during simulation, including timing and procedural notes. - Incident Analysis Memo: “Loss of Separation Event.” Write a formal report identifying procedural errors, contributing factors, and corrective measures for a simulated loss-of-separation case. Problem Solving Students apply quantitative reasoning and procedural knowledge to resolve simulated operational problems under time constraints. - Vector Calculation Drill: Given aircraft heading, speed, and altitude data, compute vectors needed to achieve minimum lateral or longitudinal separation. - Altitude Stratification Scenario: Assign altitudes and headings to maintain vertical and horizontal separation among multiple aircraft. - Handoff Timing Exercise: Determine optimal points to initiate handoffs to adjacent sectors while maintaining safe spacing and workload balance. - Weather Deviation Simulation: Resolve routing conflicts resulting from convective weather by creating safe vectoring paths while maintaining facility coordination. Skills Demonstration Students demonstrate procedural proficiency and situational awareness through practical radar simulations and evaluations. - Radar Identification Proficiency: Identify primary and secondary radar targets using transponder codes and visual positioning within 10 seconds per target. - Vectoring Simulation: Issue radar vectors and altitude assignments to establish proper spacing for approach sequencing or en-route conflict resolution. - Conflict Detection and Resolution Lab: Operate a live radar-simulation scenario identifying conflicts, issuing corrective vectors, and verifying regained separation. - Coordination Exercise: Execute inter-sector handoffs and point-outs while maintaining phraseology accuracy and procedural compliance. - Capstone Radar Simulation: Conduct a full-sequence radar scenario integrating identification, vectoring, altitude management, and coordination under real-time conditions.

Resources Subscreen

Textbook: Federal Aviation Administration. FAA Order JO 7110.65. FAA (2026).

Eligible Discipline(s)

Aviation (flight, navigation, ground school, air traffic control): Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

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