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COLONIAL AIRLINES, INC.

August 5, 1949

TO: All Pilotsp

FROM: Director of Flight Operations

SUBJECT: Relation of Essential Traffic Information and Air Traffic Clearances

The Civil Aeronautics Administration has brought the following information to the attention of this office.

"Investigation of incidents reported to this office by pilots and operators indicated that there is a general misunderstanding relative to the issuance of essential traffic information. The following information is intended to clarify the relation of "essential traffic information" to a "traffic clearance" and to explain the issuance of essential traffic information by traffic controllers.

'Traffic information is included in a clearance when deemed advisable by an air traffic controller, or at any time when requested by the pilot or aircraft operator.

Traffic clearances are issued to eliminate the potential traffic conflictions. Such clearances are issued in advance of the time the conflictions are expected to occur; therefore, a traffic clearance may require that a flight 'hold' or change altitude so that the aircraft involved (underline)do not(underline) become essential traffic as defined. However, immediately upon receiving such a clearance, it is natural for a pilot to assume that the control action taken was due to another aircraft being within less than the standard separation minimums. The pilot may then request his 'traffic' and is at a loss to understand the controller's reply when it indicates that there is no essential traffic reported. In such cases, the controller has taken action to prevent a traffic confliction which would have occurred at a distant point if the aircraft had proceeded at the assigned altitude. If a controller takes time form his control duties to explain such situations to pilots, he will delay other flights and his attention could be so distracted he may fail to provide adequate separation between aircraft.
A pilot has every right to request his 'traffic' and the controller will advise him of any aircraft that falls within the definition of essential traffic. If a controller advises that there is no reported traffic, the pilot may rest assured that the change in his flight was due to a potential confliction. The controller could have had no other reason for making the change.
Should a pilot desire an explanation of the handling of his flight, a letter or telephone call to the Chief Controller of the Air Route Traffic Control Center will result in a complete explanation. use of the CAA control circuits for such purposes only distracts controllers and delays aircraft.'"

G.R. Janas

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