ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the fundamental principles and practices on how the air traffic control system works. Air traffic management means the aggregation of the airborne and ground-based functions required to ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic. The main services provided to air traffic during all phases of operations include air traffic management, communication, navigation and surveillance, meteorological services for air navigation, search and rescue, and aeronautical information services. The navigable airspace is divided into three-dimensional segments, each of which is assigned to a specific class. Those classes are fundamentally defined in terms of flight rules and interactions between aircraft and air traffic control. The primary responsibility of air traffic controllers is the separation of aircraft. They are responsible for Aerodrome Control service, Approach control service, and Area control service to guide aircraft through their various phases of flight. To prevent collisions, air traffic control enforces traffic separation rules, which refer to the minimum distance between the aircraft operating in controlled airspace and at airports with an operational control tower.
