Vluchtseparatie

Vluchtseparatie, letterlijk “flight separation” in Dutch, is a concept in aviation safety that refers to the minimum distance that must be kept between aircraft in flight to prevent mid-air collisions. It is established and enforced by air traffic control and the applicable international and national regulations governing airspace.

The concept encompasses vertical and lateral separation. Vertical separation concerns the altitude difference between aircraft flying on the same or adjacent routes, while lateral separation concerns the horizontal distance between aircraft in the same airspace. The exact minima for both vertical and lateral separation depend on factors such as airspace classification, equipment (for example, RVSM-enabled aircraft), aircraft performance, weather, and the level of surveillance available.

Regulatory frameworks for vluchtseparatie are defined by international and regional bodies. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards and recommended practices, which are then implemented by national aviation authorities and regional bodies such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Europe. In practice, air traffic controllers monitor aircraft positions using radar or satellite-based surveillance and issue altitude, route, or speed instructions to maintain the required separation.

Implementation of vluchtseparatie relies on a combination of technology, procedures, and coordination. Modern systems use automatic dependent surveillance, navigation and communication, along with ground-based radar or satellite surveillance, to maintain safe separation even in high-traffic or adverse weather conditions. Challenges to maintaining separation include weather-related turbulence, rapid headwinds, equipment outages, and congestion, which may necessitate holding, re-routing, or altitude changes to preserve safety.

See also: air traffic control, collision avoidance, RVSM, ICAO standards.