Academic Catalogs

APT A211: Enroute Air Traffic Control Lab

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 1 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lab Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Total Student Learning Hours 54
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

Students operate radar-simulation consoles representing both Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) sectors. Exercises emphasize radar identification, vectoring, altitude and speed management, separation, coordination, and emergency handling in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) procedures. PREREQUISITE: APT A210 or concurrent enrollment. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Operate a simulated radar control sector by identifying aircraft, issuing headings and altitudes, and maintaining required FAA radar separation standards.
  2. Apply vectoring and conflict-resolution procedures to manage converging, crossing, or overtaking traffic scenarios while maintaining safe separation.
  3. Execute inter-sector coordination and handoff procedures using correct FAA phraseology and timing.
  4. Analyze radar-based traffic conflicts and justify control actions based on FAA Order JO 7110.65.

Course Objectives

  • Describe the structure and purpose of TRACON and ARTCC radar facilities within the National Airspace System.
  • Identify and verify aircraft targets using primary and secondary radar identification methods.
  • Interpret and apply radar separation standards for lateral, longitudinal, and vertical spacing.
  • Provide radar vectors and altitude assignments for sequencing, approach, and en-route operations.
  • Detect and resolve potential aircraft conflicts through real-time analysis and procedural control techniques.
  • Conduct inter-facility coordination through accurate handoffs, point-outs, and transfer-of-control procedures.
  • Demonstrate correct use of radar automation systems including STARS or ERAM displays, data blocks, and radar symbology.
  • Adapt vectoring and coordination strategies for changing conditions such as weather deviations, restricted airspace, or high workload.
  • Apply emergency and non-radar procedures in situations involving equipment failure or loss of radar contact.

Lab Content

  1. Orientation & Radar System Familiarization
    1. Radar-sim software setup, data-block formats, system symbology, and keyboard commands.
  2. Radar Target Identification I
    1. Primary vs. secondary radar returns; Mode A/C codes; visual and beacon identification drills.
  3. Radar Target Identification II
    1. Position correlation, radar-fix cross-checking, and hand-off acknowledgment verification.
  4. Radar Separation Standards I
    1. Apply 5-NM and 1,000-ft minima; practice horizontal and vertical separation on dual tracks.
  5. Radar Separation Standards II
    1. Apply reduced-separation rules in terminal airspace; mixed-speed sequencing.
  6. Vectoring Techniques I
    1. Basic turns, intercepts, headings, and course corrections; maintain situational awareness.
  7. Vectoring Techniques II
    1. Establish downwind, base, and final vectors for approach sequencing; merge-target management.
  8. Altitude Assignment & Coordination
    1. Assign altitudes using Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) charts; climb/descent coordination drills.
  9. Conflict Detection & Resolution I
    1. Manual detection of converging, crossing, and overtaking conflicts; apply vector/altitude solutions.
  10. Conflict Detection & Resolution II
    1. Use automation alerts; evaluate multiple conflicts simultaneously under instructor supervision.
  11. Handoffs and Point-Outs
    1. Execute inter-sector coordination; perform verbal and automated hand-offs; timing practice.
  12. Weather Deviation and Airspace Restriction Ops
    1. Vector around convective weather; manage traffic through/around MOAs and TFRs.
  13. Non-Radar Procedures Transition
    1. Practice position reports, time-based separation, and loss-of-radar-contact contingency actions.
  14. Emergency Operations
    1. Manage radio failure, emergency squawk codes, and priority handling; coordinate with adjacent sectors.
  15. Integrated Radar Scenario
    1. Multi-sector simulation incorporating identification, vectoring, altitude, and hand-off tasks.
  16. Capstone Radar Proficiency Evaluation
    1. FAA-style graded simulation: maintain separation, execute hand-offs, and manage emergencies.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

- Interactive lecture using FAA manuals and visual diagrams - Simulation demonstrations and performance labs - Group problem-solving of enroute traffic management scenarios - Analysis of historical accident reports and procedural failures

Reading Assignments

Students complete 25–40 pages of FAA procedural or technical material weekly to support radar-lab performance. - FAA Order JO 7110.65 (Chapters 5–9): Radar identification, vectoring, conflict resolution, and separation standards. - FAA Air Traffic Basics (Course 50110, Modules 14–18): Radar Identification, Vectoring, Conflict Detection, Coordination, En-Route Operations. - FAA Order JO 7210.3: Facility Operations and Administration – Sector organization and inter-facility coordination. - AIM Sections 4-1 through 4-4: Controller/pilot communication and radar services. - Nolan, M.S. (2015). Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control (6th ed.) Chapters 10–13 on radar and en-route control. - Advisory Circular 90-48D: Pilot Awareness in Collision Avoidance – Relationship between controller vectors and pilot compliance. - FAA Safety Briefing and Journal of Air Traffic Control articles on radar technology, automation, and human factors.

Writing Assignments

Students complete 8–12 pages of technical and reflective writing demonstrating procedural understanding and documentation accuracy. - Radar-Scenario Summary Report (Weekly): Write a one-page summary of each radar-lab session, including sector handled, conflicts resolved, handoffs completed, and lessons learned. - Technical Memo: “Loss-of-Separation Analysis”: Analyze a simulated or real radar incident; identify causes, procedural errors, and corrective actions based on FAA orders. - Coordination Log Phraseology Journal: Maintain a record of radar communications used for handoffs, point-outs, and vectoring. Highlight improvements in clarity and timing. - Case-Study Essay: “Automation and Human Oversight”: Two-page reflection on the role of automation systems (STARS, ERAM, ADS-B) and their impact on controller situational awareness. - Final Report: “Sector Traffic Management Plan”: Design a one-page written plan for sequencing and vectoring in a multi-aircraft radar environment, justifying procedures used.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students devote approximately 2–3 hours per week outside of class for skill reinforcement and professional research. - Radar Simulation Replay: Review recorded lab scenarios (if available) and write a short critique describing one successful and one improvable control decision. - Sector Familiarization Research: Study a local TRACON or ARTCC (e.g., SCT, ZLA) using FAA charts. Submit a one-page summary identifying key airways, altitudes, and handoff sectors. - Vector Calculation Exercise: Using plotted aircraft data, compute headings and distances needed to maintain 5-NM separation and 1,000-ft vertical spacing. - Phraseology Practice: Record yourself issuing radar vectors and handoffs; self-evaluate phraseology and cadence against FAA standards. - Weather-Impact Report: Retrieve current SIGMETs/AIRMETs and summarize how weather deviations would affect vectoring and coordination.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

0

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Final Exam
  • Problem Solving Exercises
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students analyze complex radar traffic environments and apply analytical reasoning to make safe, efficient, and procedurally correct decisions. - Conflict Evaluation Exercise: Identify converging, crossing, and overtaking radar tracks, determine which are in conflict, and justify vector or altitude solutions using FAA separation minima. - Airspace Efficiency Analysis: Evaluate traffic flow within a simulated TRACON sector and propose alternative vectoring or altitude strategies to reduce congestion and delay. - Equipment Failure Scenario: Analyze the impact of partial radar or automation loss and develop an immediate procedural response plan following JO 7110.65 guidelines. - Human Factors Reflection: Discuss the influence of workload, fatigue, and automation dependency on decision-making and situational awareness.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Required Writing Students produce concise, professional documentation consistent with FAA technical reporting standards. - Radar Scenario Report: Summarize each major simulation, documenting traffic managed, vectoring decisions, and separation outcomes. - Loss-of-Separation Incident Memo: Write a formal one-page FAA-style incident summary outlining contributing factors and corrective actions. - Coordination Record: Maintain a written log of all handoffs, point-outs, and altitude coordination completed during lab sessions. Problem Solving Students use quantitative and procedural reasoning to resolve operational challenges under simulated conditions. - Vector Calculation Drill: Compute headings, distances, and times required to maintain 5-NM lateral and 1,000-ft vertical separation. - Altitude Assignment Scenario: Select and justify appropriate altitudes for multiple aircraft based on direction of flight, terrain, and minimum vectoring altitudes. - Handoff Timing Problem: Determine optimal handoff points to adjacent sectors to ensure continuous separation and efficiency. - Weather Deviation Exercise: Re-route aircraft around convective weather while maintaining legal separation and sector coordination. Skills Demonstration Students perform hands-on radar-control tasks demonstrating procedural proficiency and situational awareness. - Radar Identification Lab: Identify primary and secondary targets, correlate positions, and verify identification within 10 seconds. - Vectoring Simulation: Issue radar vectors and altitude assignments to sequence arrivals and departures in real-time simulations. - Conflict Resolution Scenario: Detect and resolve in-progress conflicts using heading, altitude, and speed adjustments while maintaining communications accuracy. - Coordination and Handoff Exercise: Execute inter-sector handoffs and point-outs using proper phraseology and timing. - Capstone Radar Evaluation: Operate a full-sector radar simulation integrating identification, vectoring, conflict resolution, and coordination under workload pressure.

Resources Subscreen

  • Manual: 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.