FM 1–300

Appendix E

Position Responsibility Transfer

The transfer of position responsibility will be accomplished according to this appendix and the
appropriate facility directives. This appendix describes the step–by–step process for conducting a
position–relief briefing and transferring position responsibility from one specialist to another.

E–1. DISCUSSION

a. The increase in traffic density and the need to move air traffic quickly without compromising
safety makes the position–relief process vitally important. The contents, methods, and practices
used to conduct the position relief and position–relief briefing vary among personnel; therefore,
pertinent information is often forgotten or incomplete. Major problems occur when personnel rely on
memory rather than established routines or systematic reminders.

b. Position relief increases the workload of specialists at the time the relief is conducted. The
intent of this appendix is to make the process of transferring position responsibility and information
smooth and complete. The method described takes advantage of a self–briefing concept. To begin
the relief process, the relieving specialist obtains needed information from the status information
areas. Up–to–the–minute flight service information requires the specialists to communicate verbally
during the relief process. This method also specifies the time when the transfer of position
responsibility will occur.

E–2. TERMS

The terms used in this appendix are defined as follows:

a. Status Information Areas—manual or automatic displays of the current status of position–

related equipment and operational conditions or procedures.

b. Written Notes—manually recorded items of information about the position of operation that
are kept at designated locations (an element of status information areas).

c. Checklist—an ordered listing of items covered during a position relief.

E–3. PRECAUTIONS

Specialists involved in the position–relief process should not rush or be influenced to rush. During
the position operation, each item of status information that is or may be an operational factor for the
relieving specialist should be recorded as soon as possible. Extra care should be taken when more
than one specialist relieves or is relieved from a position at the same time.

E–4. RESPONSIBILITIES

a. The specialist being relieved is responsible for ensuring that any pertinent status
information of which he is aware is relayed to the relieving specialist. He must ensure that this

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information is accurately displayed in the status information areas for which he has responsibility or
that it is relayed to the position responsible for accurately displaying it.

b. Before the relieving specialist accepts responsibility for the position, he must ensure that all
problems pertaining to the operation of the position are resolved. The relieving specialist and the
specialist being relieved share equal responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the position–
relief briefing. The specialists engaged in a position relief will conduct the relief process at the
position being relieved unless other procedures have been established and authorized by the facility
air traffic manager.

E–5. POSITIONB
BRELIEF PROCESS

a. Position Review. The relieving specialist—

(1) Follows the checklist and reviews the status information areas. (This step may be
replaced by an authorized pre–position briefing if an equivalent review of the checklist items is
completed.)

(2) Observes the position equipment, the operational situation, and the work environment.

(3) Listens to voice communications and observes other operational actions.

(4) Observes current and pending aircraft and vehicular traffic and correlates that
information with flight and other movement information.

(5) Indicates to the specialist being relieved that the position has been previewed and that
the verbal briefing may begin.

b. Verbal Briefing. The specialist being relieved will brief the relieving specialist about the
status of items not displayed in the status information areas. He also will brief the relieving
specialist about any items of special interest that require a verbal explanation or an additional
discussion. The specialist being relieved will brief the relieving specialist about the traffic, if
applicable. The relieving specialist may ask questions to ensure a complete understanding of the
situation, and the specialist being relieved must provide complete answers to these questions.

c. Position Responsibility Assumption. The relieving specialist will make a statement or

otherwise indicate to the specialist being relieved that position responsibility has been assumed.
Then the specialist being relieved will release the position to the relieving specialist.

(1) Relieving specialist. The relieving specialist—

(a) Signs the position on unless a facility directive authorizes the specialist being
relieved to perform this function.

(b) Checks, verifies, and updates the information obtained in a and b above.

(2) Specialist being relieved. The specialist being relieved—

(a) Reviews the checklist, status information areas, written notes, and other sources of
information and advises the relieving specialist of known omissions, updates, or inaccuracies.

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(b) Observes the overall position operation to determine if assistance is needed.

(c) Provides or summons assistance, if needed.

(d) Advises the appropriate position regarding known status information area omissions,
updates, or inaccuracies.

(e) Signs the relieving specialist on the position, if appropriate.

(f) Signs the position off according to existing directives or otherwise indicates that the
relief process is complete.

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