1.1.1   Radar service is an integral part of the ATC system within the Budapest FIR.

Budapest ACC and Budapest TRCC will normally use radar derived information in the provision of air traffic control services.

1.1.2   Within Budapest FIR radar service is provided by:

1. BUDAPEST CONTROL for aircraft operating under Area Control;
2. BUDAPEST APPROACH for aircraft operating within Budapest TMA;
3. BUDAPEST DIRECTOR for arriving aircraft in Budapest TMA below 7500 feet altitude (as traffic conditions require).
4. BUDAPEST FLIGHT INFORMATION may use radar derived information in the provision for flight information service between 4000 feet and 9500 feet altitude. Radar serves only as an aid to provide aircraft with more accurate flight information. It does not relieve the pilot-in-command of an aircraft of any of his responsibilities and he has to make the final decision regarding any suggested alternation of flight plan.

For more details See ENR 2.1

1.1.3   Communication

The following R/T procedures shall be applied by aircraft operating under radar control within Budapest FIR

1. The initial call after a change of radio frequency shall contain only:
   • aircraft call sign;
   • actual level (with the addition of cleared level for climbing or descending aircraft).
2. Any position report (if required) subsequently shall contain only:
   • aircraft call sign;
   • position;
   • time over (fix)
3. Aircraft being identified after entering controlled airspace are exempted the requirement of subsequent position reporting. Pilots of aircraft shall resume position reporting when:
   • it is instructed by ATC; or
   • crossing the FIR boundary; or
   • are advised that radar service terminated or radar contact lost.

Note: The requirement to report receipt of ATIS broadcast at first contact on 129,700 MHz (APP) when entering Budapest TMA and on 134,550 MHz (Budapest Delivery) before starting up engines by reading back the relevant designator of information and actual QNH is not affected by the above procedure.

1.3.1   Radar failure

In the event of radar failure or loss of radar identity of an aircraft under radar control will be advised immediately of the interruption or termination of radar control and as an emergency measure reduced vertical separation (500 feet at/or below FL410 and 1000 feet above FL410) may be resorted to as necessary until standard non-radar separation can be provided or radar control is resumed.

1.3.2   Radio communication failure

When an aircraft is unable to establish radio connection with the competent ATS unit on the given frequency, the correct function of the radio equipment or the correct setting of the frequency shall be checked. The correct functioning of the receiver can be checked by monitoring continuous transmissions (VOLMET, ATIS) or other message exchanges.

When both transmitting and receiving devices are fully functional, but connection cannot be established (e.g. due to geographical conditions), the aircraft shall request other aircraft operating on the same frequency to relay the message to the ATS unit concerned. If this procedure is unsuccessful, the aircraft shall try to establish connection with other ATS units and request the message to be relayed to the ATS unit concerned.

When an aircraft is unable to establish connection due to receiver failure, pilots shall give continuous reports at set periods or geographical points on the given frequency using the phrase ’TRANSMITTING BLIND DUE TO RECEIVER FAILURE’. The entire transmission shall be repeated once and the time of the next transmission stated.

The ATS unit concerned may advise the aircraft experiencing radio communication failure to carry out a specific manoeuvre as a reply to discover the nature of the radio communication failure. The advisory shall be so that the aircraft returns to the previously cleared route following the identification manoeuvre.

ATS may also advise the aircraft to operate IDENT or change SSR code.

In the case of complete aircraft communication failure the pilot shall carry out the procedures detailed in PANS ATM (ICAO Doc 4444) Chapter 15, paragraph 15.3.

1.4.1   General requirements

Aircraft are required to report their position when entering controlled airspace. Following aircraft identification position reporting is only required when:

• Requested by ATC,
• Crossing FIR boundary,
• Notified of termination ATS surveillance or loss of radar control.

Position reports shall include:

• Ground station identification on first contact,
• Aircraft identification,
• Aircraft position,
• Aircraft altitude/flight level,
• Crossing times of reporting waypoints.

Following frequency change the position report shall include together with requirements stated above:

• If given speed restriction by ATC, the designated speed,
• In the case of heavy wake turbulence category aircraft, the word ’HEAVY’,
• When in descent or climb the leaving altitude/flight level and cleared altitude/flight level.

Aircraft shall report position relative to an important waypoint, ground navigational device or aerodrome.

For information regarding CPDLC see GEN 3.4.3.2.

2.3.1   Radio communication failure procedure

In the event of a radio communication failure, a pilot shall select Mode A/C, Code 7600 and follow established radio communication failure procedures. Subsequent control of the aircraft will be based on those procedures.

In the case of complete aircraft communication failure the pilot shall carry out the procedures detailed in PANS ATM (ICAO Doc 4444) Chapter 15, paragraph 15.3.

See para 1.3.2 above.

2.3.2   Transponder failure

1. Prior to departure

   In cases where a transponder has failed and definitely cannot be restored prior to departure, permission to perform the flight without SSR must be obtained from the appropriate ATC unit before departure to the nearest aerodrome where the transponder can be fixed. (See ENR 1.6.2.1.3)

   In such cases the letter “N” shall be inserted in item 10 of the ICAO flight plan.

2. After departure

   In cases where a transponder failure occurs during flight pilots may expect that ATC units will endeavour to provide continuation of the flight to the aerodrome of first intended landing in accordance with the flight plan. When the traffic situation is such that the flight cannot be continued with a transponder failure ATC may request that the aircraft returns to the departure aerodrome or divert to the nearest suitable aerodrome. After landing pilots shall make every effort to have the transponder restored to normal operation. If repair cannot be effected, pilots shall comply with the provisions in item a.) above.

2.3.3   Unlawful interference procedure

See ENR 1.13