Page 44 - UK SERA Standard European Rules of the Air (Consolidated) January 2022

SERA - Standardised European Rules of the Air

The following procedures are intended as guidance for use by aircraft when unlawful interference
occurs and the aircraft is unable to notify an ATS unit of this fact.
(a) If the pilot-in-command cannot proceed to an aerodrome, they should attempt to continue
flying on the assigned track and at the assigned cruising level at least until able to notify an
ATS unit or until within radar or ADS-B coverage.
(b) When an aircraft subjected to an act of unlawful interference must depart from its
assigned track or its assigned cruising level without being able to make radiotelephony
contact with ATS, the pilot-in-command should, whenever possible:
(1) attempt to broadcast warnings on the VHF channel in use or the VHF emergency
frequency, and other appropriate channels, unless considerations aboard the
aircraft dictate otherwise. Other equipment such as on-board transponders and
data links should also be used when it is advantageous to do so and circumstances
permit; and
(2) proceed in accordance with applicable special procedures for in-flight
contingencies, where such procedures have been established and promulgated in
the Regional Supplementary Procedures (Doc 7030); or
(3) if no applicable regional procedures have been established, proceed at a level
which differs from the cruising levels normally used for an IFR flight by:
(i) 150 m (500 ft) in an area where a vertical separation minimum of 300 m (1
000 ft) is applied; or
(ii) 300 m (1 000 ft) in an area where a vertical separation minimum of 600 m (2
000 ft) is applied.
SERA.11005(a)(1) GM1 to AMC1 Unlawful interference
Verbal reference to unlawful interference should not be made by the controller unless it is first made
by the pilot in a radio communication transmission, since it might attract the attention of the hijacker
(or of other aircraft) and have detrimental consequences.
SERA.11010 Strayed or unidentified aircraft
(a) As soon as an air traffic services unit becomes aware of a strayed aircraft it shall take all
necessary steps as outlined in (1) and (3) to assist the aircraft and to safeguard its flight.
(1) If the aircraft’s position is not known, the air traffic services unit shall:
(i) attempt to establish two-way communication with the aircraft, unless such
communication already exists;
(ii) use all available means to determine its position;
(iii) inform other air traffic services units into whose area the aircraft may have
strayed or may stray, taking into account all the factors which may have
affected the navigation of the aircraft in the circumstances;
(iv) inform, in accordance with locally agreed procedures, appropriate military
units and provide them with pertinent flight plan and other data concerning
strayed aircraft;
(v) request from the units referred to in (iii) and (iv) and from other aircraft in flight
every assistance in establishing communication with the aircraft and
determining its position.
(2) The requirements in (1)(iv) and (1)(v) shall apply also to air traffic services units
informed in accordance with (1)(iii).
(3) When the aircraft’s position is established, the air traffic services unit shall:
(i) advise the aircraft of its position and the corrective action to be taken. This
advice shall be immediately provided when the ATS unit is aware that there is
a possibility of interception or other hazard to the safety of the aircraft; and
(ii) provide, as necessary, other air traffic services units and appropriate military
units with relevant information concerning the strayed aircraft and any advice
given to that aircraft.
(b) As soon as an air traffic services unit becomes aware of an unidentified aircraft in its area,
it shall endeavour to establish the identity of the aircraft whenever this is necessary for the
provision of air traffic services or required by the appropriate military authorities in
accordance with locally agreed procedures. To this end, the air traffic services unit shall
take such of the following steps as are appropriate in the circumstances:
(1) attempt to establish two-way communication with the aircraft;
(2) inquire of other air traffic services units within the flight information region about the
flight and request their assistance in establishing two-way communication with the
aircraft;
(3) inquire of air traffic services units serving the adjacent flight information regions
about the flight and request their assistance in establishing two-way communication
with the aircraft;
(4) attempt to obtain information from other aircraft in the area;
(5) the air traffic services unit shall, as necessary, inform the appropriate military unit
as soon as the identity of the aircraft has been established.
(c) In the case of a strayed or unidentified aircraft, the possibility of the aircraft being subject
of unlawful interference shall be taken into account. Should the air traffic services unit
consider that a strayed or unidentified aircraft may be the subject of unlawful interference,
the appropriate authority designated by the State shall immediately be informed, in
accordance with locally agreed procedures.
SERA.11010 GM1 Strayed or unidentified aircraft
GENERAL
13th January 2022 44 of 96