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Is ATC really responsible for terrain separation? I was under the impression they can advise you when your altitude looks odd, but you are still responsible for
by kqr 3y ago
Is ATC really responsible for terrain separation? I was under the impression they can advise you when your altitude looks odd, but you are still responsible for avoiding terrain by following procedures and sticking to minimum altitudes, etc.
- alistairSH 3y agoThe pilot is in control. But ATC will provide an altitude they want you to maintain. When you are cleared to land, ATC isn’t doing anything to keep the plane from hitting a building on final approach.
- tass 3y agoThey will provide “clearances” which avoid terrain - if they ask you (for example) to fly direct to LAX, they need to ensure you are told an altitude to fly which keeps you at or above the minimum for whatever is between you and that waypoint. As the pilot you are required to follow the instruction but ATC aren’t responsible for you not doing so. There are situations where you may inadvertently lose communications, so ATC can’t tell you to climb for some future higher altitude requirement. In this case the pilot needs to climb and fly the minimum for the area they are in or airway they are following.