CRUISE/ENROUTE

CRUISE CHECKLIST. (If you omit the After T.O. & Climb checklist, you may omit this one & the Descent cklst.) (D/2-64)

OCEANIC CLEARANCE: See Nat Procedures

* NOTE:  For flights on a Cat 1 route, the following must be operational:  INS 1 and INS 2; AHRS; Pilot and Copilot NSP. Flights on airways under radar control may operate with one INS inoperative provided the attitude function of one INS, AHRS and both Nav Select Panels are operational. (A/15)
COAST-OUT FIX (if applicable) (A/6-12)
SET UP TRANSPONDER
Cruise at LRC, .74 or .767M; not > 300 KCAS. (AMCP 11-1)
OCEANIC CHART:  approaching each waypoint, recheck coordinates for long. and next point; ten min. after passing the point - record & plot lat/time. (A/6-12)
POSITION REPORTING: If ETA for the next position is in error by 3 min. or more, a revised est. shall be transmitted to the ATS unit concerned ASAP. (Chap 5 of FLIP, European section)
THREE HOUR OUT CALL:  Via HF, provide the destination CCC/ALCC with: Call sign, Mission no., ETB, MX status (+ noun), VIP code.  (A/2-3)
REVIEW ASRR restrictions/operating policies; review the approach (check the TCN!).
CHECK latest WX prior to descent & landing. (I/107) Forecast data may be used for flights of 3 hrs. or less, but it will be confirmed prior to landing. (D/2-67)

AWLS ENROUTE TEST (as required)

Test results will not be considered NO-GO.  Limit bank angle to 10°, pitch to + 5°, pitch trim - incremental inputs and + 3°, do not change flap setting. (D/1-138)
In UHF/VHF range:  contact CCC/ALCC and provide: Call sign, Mission No., ETB, MX status, VIP code & requirements, No. of Pax & ACM's, hazardous cargo, additional services - buses, fuel, customs, ag., sig. service; VIP messages. (A/2-3)
Descent checklist (approx. 200mi. out). (T)
For descent: The pilot not flying the aircraft will set QNH. The pilot flying the a/c, the nav, and the engineer will remain on 29.92 until cleared below transition level and descent is started. (D/2-67)
Begin descent at approx. triple your altitude. (T)

RADIO CALLS

A. AT ALL TIMES:

  • When vacating an assigned alt/FL for a newly assigned alt/FL.
  • When approach has been missed.
  • When unable to climb/descend at least 500 ft/min.
  • When TAS varies by 5% or 10 knots from what was filed.  (FLIP HANDBOOK)
  • "Gear Down" after extending the gear for any approach to any airport. prior to threshold. (F/5-22)
  • When conducting autopilot coupled approaches, advise ATC as soon as practical, but not later than the FAF. (I/127)

B. WHEN NOT IN RADAR CONTACT

  • Time & alt/FL reaching a holding fix or point to which cleared.
  • When leaving any assigned holding fix point.
  • Error of ETA exceeds 3 min.
  • Leaving FAF/OM inbound. (FLIP Handbook)

OCEANIC PROCEDURES

FLIGHT PLANNING:  Enter "X" in block 10 of the flt plan whenever entering MNPS airspace. (MNPS airspace, in general = FL 285-420; between 27N & 90N; E-W boundaries: NY & Gander Oceanic - Shanwick & Santa Maria FIRS.) Additionally enter "W" if you are RVSM certified (eg. SWX/C). Enter "R" for flight in European airspace (eg. SWXR/C) For manual flight planning: East - West flights: North of 70N, space tracks at 20° intervals; South of 70N, space tracks at 10° intervals.  North - South flights: space tracks at 5° intervals.  (AP2/5-7)
POSITION REPORTING:  If the ETA for the next position is found to be in error by 3 min. or more, a revised est. shall be transmitted to the ATS unit concerned ASAP. (AP 2/5-5)

NAT PROCEDURES

NAT routings are based on your 30 West crossing time. Day tracks (1130-1900Z) are for westerly flow, under the control of Shanwick (tracks A - G); Night tracks (0100- 0800Z) are for easterly flow under the control of Gander.

Eastbound:

Unless otherwise instructed by ATC, the following oceanic clearance procedures are in effect daily from 2330z to 0530z for eastbound NAT aircraft operating above FL 280 that enter the Gander Domestic CTA between Natash (YNA) and JAROM intersection (inclusive) and subsequently exit the Gander Domestic CTA between CARPE and BOBTU intersections (inclusive). To reduce VHF radio communications during those hours, control sectors will not normally issue instructions for pilots to contact oceanic clearance delivery. Instead, pilots shall initiate communication with oceanic clearance delivery within 200 NM of Stephenville (48 35N 58 40W) on freq. 135.05 or Allens Island (46 50 N 55-47 W) on freq 128.45. (FCIF, AP/2 Chap5)

Westbound:

Obtain clearance from Shanwick (123.95, HF: 2899,5616,8864,13291).  Initial contact: give call sign, NAT routing requesting, FL for the crossing, Mach no., and OCA entry point + ETA (e.g., 8W, 10W, 15W, CRK, SNN). Call when within area (see pg. 30A) or, if not going through this area, 40 min. prior to entry point.
NAT Common: 131.8; NAT broadcast: 133.8; monitor 121.5 (and 243.0).
Category II route - any route on which the position of the aircraft can be accurately determined by the overhead crossing of a radio aid (NDB, VOR, TACAN) at least once each hour with positive course guidance between such radio aids. (AMCI 11-208)
Category I route - any route that does not meet the requirements of a Category II route, including tactical navigation and overwater routes.  (Must have INS 1 and 2, AHRS, P & CP Nav Select Panels.) (AMCI 11-208)

EMERGENCY DEPARTURE FROM NAT TRACKS:

Turn 90° left or right track - 30 NM from assigned route. Below FL 410 climb or descend 500 ft. At FL 410 climb 1000 ft. or descend 500 ft. Altitude Above FL 410 climb or descend 1000 ft.

NORTH ATLANTIC MNPS AIRSPACE OPERATIONS MANUAL

Minimum Navigation Performance Specification Airspace Manual Ed. 8 - (PDF 230k)
          Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 - (all PDF)
          Complete zipped manual and figures (770k)
Visit the North Atlantic Track Programme Co-ordination Office (NAT PCO) http://www.nat-pco.org/ 

FRANKFURT ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

Depart IAF at 210 + 10 knots until 12 NM track distance (not DME) from touchdown. Then slow to 160 + 10, flaps APPROACH to the outer marker. (FLIP/ AP2, chap 3) Check FCBs for any local restrictions (e.g., 305 AW crews required Gear Down and Before Landing Checklist completed at or before Outer Marker).