OPI 03

1. Do you often communicate with foreign pilots in English? If yes, do you have any problems in radio telephony communication?
Yes, I often use English in my work since I am working in an international airport. There are many foreign pilots come from different countries. If the pilot`s English is not good , it is hard to understand what they said.
2. Do you think it is necessary to speak English in radio telephony communication with Chinese pilots? Why?
No, I don`t think it is necessary because it may cause misunderstanding.
3. Do you think speaking English may cause more communication misunderstanding? Why?
Yes, I think so. Because English is not our mother tongue, and many foreign pilots use nonstandard communication.


Now, let`s talk about runway incursions.（跑道侵入）

4. The runway is critical area for flight safety; do you think anything about runway incursions?
Runway incursion is the incorrect appearance of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the runway. For example, a runway incursion occurs when an aircraft crosses an active runway without controller`s permission.
5. What could cause a runway incursion?
There are many factors which can cause a runway incursion. Firstly, controllers may give a wrong instruction to pilots. Secondly, runway incursion may be caused by a pilot who does not comply with the instruction. And there are many other reasons, such as bad weather. For example, low visibility can increase the possibility of a runway incursion. Pilots or vehicle drivers may get lost and enter an active runway because of the poor visibility .
6. What consequences may a runway incursion bring?
In the event of a runway incursion, the controller has to take immediate measures to handle the situation. This will increase controllers` workload and pressure. It may cause other flights delayed for a long time. And even worse, it may cause a collision on the runway carrying off hundreds of lives.
7. When the runway is unlawfully occupied, what should a tower controller do?
Firstly, The tower controller should instruct the landing aircraft to go around immediately and instruct the departure aircraft to hold position until the runway is clear. In an emergency , the controller should instruct the unlawfully aircraft or vehicle vacate the runway immediately.
8. In order to prevent a runway incursion from happening, what rules or regulations should you follow?
Firstly, I should monitor the traffic situation both on and near the runway all the time. Secondly, I should always provide safe separation between aircraft. Further more, I should use standard phraseology to avoid misunderstanding.
9. Have you ever heard of or encountered a runway incursion? Please tell the story. And what did you learn from the incident?
I have never encountered a runway incursion. But I have heard many stories about runway incursion. The most famous accident in history is the 1977 Tenerife airport disaster, which is a runway incursion caused by misunderstanding between controllers and pilots. From this accident I have learned that we must use standard phraseology in communication with pilots and monitor the traffic situation on and around the runway all the time.

The following question are about fuel dumping（空中放油）

10. Have you ever controlled an aircraft dumping fuel?
Yes I have. An aircraft had to return to the airport after taking off due to bird strike. It had to dump fuel before landing.
11.Under what conditions does an aircraft need to dump fuel?
An aircraft dumps fuel when it is too heavy to land. For example, an aircraft experiences engine failure after takeoff and has to come back to land. Its weight will exceed the maximum landing weight unless fuel is dumped. There are another example, if an aircraft cannot extend its landing gear before landing, dumping fuel can help to reduce damage to the aircraft in case of belly landing.
12. Could you please describe the fuel dumping procedures in your airspace?
In my airspace, we should vector the aircraft to the fuel dumping area, advise the pilot about the dumping altitude as well as weather information of the fuel dumping area, and instruct other aircraft to avoid the fuel dumping area.
13. What information should a controller relay to the flight crews of other aircraft before fuel dumping begins?
Before fuel dumping begins, the controller should advise other flights about the track and altitude of the fuel dumping aircraft and the estimated time of beginning and completing fuel dumping.
14. How would fuel dumping affect other aircraft near the fuel dumping area?
The fuel dumping aircraft will leave a trail of fuel behind. Other aircraft flying in the fuel dumping area may experience reduced visibility. And the fuel may be ingested by engines, which can cause engine fire. Therefore, in order to ensure flight safety, other aircraft should change heading or climb to a higher altitude to avoid the fuel dumping area.
15. What help can the controller provide to the flight crew when they need to dump fuel?
The controller should vector the aircraft to the fuel dumping area, advise the pilot about the dumping track and altitude as well as weather condition of the fuel dumping area, and instruct other aircraft to avoid the fuel dumping aircraft.