UP – the cable is raised on rubber rings often referred to as grommets or doughnuts, or on automated raising systems. In this position the cable is ready for engagement.
DOWN – the cable is lowered and normally lying flat on the runway or in a slight recess. The cable cannot be engaged in this position.
DERIGGED – the cable has been physically removed from the runway and will take an extended period of time before it could be ready for an engagement.
‘Approach Cable’ refers to an arrestor cable in the first half of the runway, normally a short distance beyond the threshold in the direction of landing.
‘Centre Cable’ refers to an arrestor cable that is positioned approximately at the mid-point of the runway.
‘Overrun Cable’ refers to an arrestor cable that is in the latter half of the runway in the direction of landing, normally prior to the upwind threshold.
UP – the barrier is in the raised position and ready for an engagement.
DOWN – the barrier is in the lowered position, but could be raised on request.
UNSERVICEABLE – the barrier system is not available.
The position of a cable, in distance from the approach end threshold rounded to nearest 100 ft is to be given to aircraft unfamiliar with the aerodrome. When barrier position and/or cable state is as published in FLIPs, reference to them is normally omitted to aircraft based at the aerodrome. Reference to cable state is normally omitted to visiting aircrew that are familiar with the aerodrome. A pilot may require a change to arrestor system positions and will normally try to warn of an imminent engagement.
An airborne aircraft requesting an engagement will provide as much of the following information as possible:
Callsign and type of aircraft.
Nature of emergency.
The arresting system they are intending to engage.
Estimated time to landing in minutes.
In addition, except for short or no notice engagements, the pilot should report “Hook Down” as part of the final call. If the controller does not receive the hook down call, a check will be requested:
Pilot
ATC
Rider 1, final, gear down
Rider 1, check hook down
Rider 1, gear and hook down
On receipt of a request from an airborne aircraft, the controller is to:
advise the pilot of the serviceability state of the preferred arresting system;
if necessary, advise of the time that the arresting system will become available;
request fuel remaining;
and once the engagement has occurred, obtain the aircraft weight and engagement speed;
pass normal landing information;
alert the Crash/Rescue Crew to an appropriate readiness state