U.S. Department Advisory of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Circular Subject: Oceanic and International Date: 8/12/10 AC No: 91-70A Operations Initiated by: AFS-400 Change: FOREWORD This advisory circular (AC) contains general information and guidance for operators planning oceanic flights, including authorizations needed for operations outside the continental United States. This includes Special Areas of Operation (SAO) such as North Atlantic Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (NAT/MNPS), Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM), Area Navigation (RNAV), and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) airspace. The dynamics of oceanic operations are such that they are constantly evolving and it is incumbent on the operators to closely monitor any changes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised this AC to point the reader to the most current sources of international material. In many cases, the references are to a Web site. The material, however, is still found at www.faa.gov or calling a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) navigation specialist. This AC includes specific guidance for authorizations and other FAA policy issues. A detailed study of the FAA Web site is the best source for introduction information about oceanic, international, and remote operations. John M. Allen Director, Flight Standards Service AC 91-70A 8/12/10 CONTENTS Paragraph Page CHAPTER 1. GENERAL 1-1. Purpose...........................................................................................................................1 1-2. Cancellation ...................................................................................................................1 1-3. Applicability ..................................................................................................................1 1-4. Related CFR Regulations (current editions)..................................................................1 1-5. Background....................................................................................................................2 1-6. General Information.......................................................................................................2 CHAPTER 2. UNITED STATES AVIATION AND THE ICAO 2-1. Background....................................................................................................................5 2-2. ICAO and the ICAO Annexes .......................................................................................5 2-3. U. S. Public Law, International Agreements, and Standards Related to Air Navigation......................................................................................................................9 CHAPTER 3. OCEANIC, INTERNATIONAL, AND REMOTE OPERATIONS 3-1. Introduction..................................................................................................................11 3-2. Equipment....................................................................................................................18 3-3. ATC..............................................................................................................................22 3-4. Oceanic Communications ............................................................................................26 3-5. Navigation Procedures (Navigation Sensors—Inertial Navigation System (INS), Inertial Reference Systems (IRS), or GNSS)...............................................................27 3-6. Position Plotting...........................................................................................................28 3-7. Oceanic Operations......................................................................................................38 3-8. Extended Operations (ETOPS)....................................................................................38 3-9. Strategic Lateral Offsets in Oceanic Airspace to Mitigate Collision Risk and Wake Turbulence ...................................................................................................................39 3-10. Oceanic Emergency Procedures ..................................................................................40 3-11. Communication, Navigation, Surveillance, and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Technology.............................................................................................44 Figure 1. Data Link Diagram...................................................................................................45 3-12. Monitoring of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and Communication...............46 CHAPTER 4. ATLANTIC, CANADA, AND EUROPEAN OPERATIONS 4-1. Atlantic Region............................................................................................................49 4-2. Communications ..........................................................................................................50 4-3. Navigation....................................................................................................................50 4-4. Surveillance—Canadian Control Areas.......................................................................51 Figure 2. Canada—Northern, Southern and Arctic Control Areas..........................................51 4-5. European Region..........................................................................................................52 Page ii 8/12/10 AC 91-70A CONTENTS (continued) Paragraph Page CHAPTER 5. NORTH PACIFIC OCEANIC OPERATIONS 5-1. Introduction..................................................................................................................55 5-2. Communications ..........................................................................................................55 5-3. Navigation....................................................................................................................57 5-4. Surveillance..................................................................................................................58 Figure 3. Pacific Organized Track System Routes ..................................................................59 Figure 4. North Pacific Routes.................................................................................................60 5-5. Class II Navigation and Position Planning ..................................................................61 CHAPTER 6. SOUTHERN PACIFIC OCEANIC OPERATIONS 6-1. Introduciton..................................................................................................................63 6-2. Communications ..........................................................................................................63 6-3. In-Flight Contingencies...............................................................................................64 CHAPTER 7. WATRS/CARIBBEAN OPERATIONS 7-1. General.........................................................................................................................65 7-2. Operational Policy and Procedures..............................................................................65 7-3. Navigation....................................................................................................................70 Figure 5. West Atlantic Route System Plus Oceanic Airspace ...............................................76 CHAPTER 8. SOUTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 8-1. Introduction..................................................................................................................77 8-2. Navigation....................................................................................................................77 8-3. Communications ..........................................................................................................77 Figure 6. In-Flight Broadcast Procedures Over Intertropical Convergence Zone...................79 8-4. Collision Avoidance.....................................................................................................82 8-5. Dispatch .......................................................................................................................82 Figure 7. Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System Gap..........................82 8-6. Maintenance/Dispatch Criteria....................................................................................83 8-7. Emergency Procedures and Diversions .......................................................................83 8-8. Medical Diversion........................................................................................................85 8-9. Depressurization Procedures........................................................................................86 8-10. Safety of Flight ............................................................................................................86 Figure 8. Terrain Critical Areas...............................................................................................86 8-11. Central America and Caribbean Weather ....................................................................88 8-12. South America Weather Information...........................................................................92 8-13. Communication............................................................................................................96 8-14. Navigation....................................................................................................................96 8-15. Surveillance..................................................................................................................96