Area Control Center

An Area Control Center (ACC) is a facility responsible for providing air traffic control services to controlled flights operating above 14,000 feet within a designated airspace. The ACC is responsible for managing the flow of air traffic within its jurisdiction and transferring aircraft to approach control as they descend to lower altitudes.From: Occupational Safety and Hygiene II [2019], Leverage points: insights from a field study in the air traffic control system [2020]

The Air Traffic Management System

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Published in Tom Kontogiannis, Stathis Malakis, Cognitive Engineering and Safety Organization in Air Traffic Management, 2017

Tom Kontogiannis, Stathis Malakis

The ATC system comprises three interconnected levels supported by the following units: Airport control tower (TWR) that provides control services to departing and arriving aircraft.Approach control unit (APP) that provides services to aircraft approaching a terminal maneuvering area (TMA).Area control center (ACC) that provides services to overflying aircraft.

Leverage points: insights from a field study in the air traffic control system

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Published in Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 2020

Stathis Malakis, Tom Kontogiannis

Our research setting was an approach control unit of a European airport with medium traffic, single runway operations and seasonal traffic. As defined by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO 2016), approach control provides ATC services to controlled flights arriving at or departing from one or more airports. The role of the approach control unit (APP) is to provide clearances and separation instructions to departing and arriving aircraft as well as aircraft routes in or out of a sector by adjacent area control units. Medium traffic density is defined in the order of 16–25 movements per runway in the mean busy hour (ICAO 1986). The Area Control Centre (ACC) provides services to over-flying aircraft and transfers aircraft to approach control at lower altitudes.

Area Control Center

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The Air Traffic Management System

Leverage points: insights from a field study in the air traffic control system