NAT Doc 007: Guidance concerning air navigation in and above the North Atlantic MNPS airspace

153 Pages·2016·5.41 MB·English

NAT Doc 007

GUIDANCE CONCERNING AIR NAVIGATION IN AND ABOVE THE
NORTH ATLANTIC MNPS AIRSPACE
Edition 2011
N
80º 0ºN
7
N
60ºN 60º
REYKJAVIK
50º 50ºN
N
SHANWICK
GANDER
40ºN 40ºN
SANTA MARIA
NEW YORK
30ºN 30ºN
20ºN 20ºN
60ºW 50ºW 40ºW 30ºW
Published on behalf of the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT SPG)
by the European and North Atlantic Office of ICAO
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

A printed or electronic copy of this Manual, plus any associated documentation, is provided to the
recipient as is and without any warranties as to its description, condition, quality, fitness for purpose or
functionality and for use by the recipient solely for guidance only. Any implied conditions terms or
warranties as to the description, condition, quality, fitness for purpose or functionality of the software
and associated documentation are hereby excluded.

The information published by ICAO in this document is made available without warranty of any kind;
the Organization accepts no responsibility or liability whether direct or indirect, as to the currency,
accuracy or quality of the information, nor for any consequence of its use.

The designations and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of
any opinion whatsoever on the part of ICAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city
or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This is the second publication of this document, being an update and consolidation of material
previously contained in the “North Atlantic MNPS Airspace Operations Manual - Edition 2009” and
the “ICAO Guidance Material concerning Air Navigation in the North Atlantic Region (previously
annotated as NAT Doc 001). In consequence, this latter guidance material has now been withdrawn
from the ICAO library.

There is no objection to the reproduction of extracts of information contained in this Document if the
source is acknowledged.

NAT Doc 007 I Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
FOREWORD
This Document is for guidance only. Regulatory material relating to North
Atlantic aircraft operations is contained in relevant ICAO Annexes,
PANS/ATM (Doc.4444), Regional Supplementary Procedures (Doc.7030),
State AIPs and current NOTAMs, which should be read in conjunction
with the material contained in this Document.
This Document is primarily for the information of Aircraft Operating Agencies, Pilots and Dispatchers
planning and conducting operations in or above the North Atlantic (NAT) Minimum Navigation
Performance Specifications (MNPS) Airspace. It is also expected to be useful to the State Regulators
responsible for the approval/certification/or licensing of such aircraft operators, pilots or dispatchers.
It forms a replacement for and augmentation of relevant guidance material previously contained in the
“North Atlantic MNPS Airspace Operations Manual” and the ICAO “Guidance Material for Air
Navigation in the North Atlantic Region (NAT Doc 001)”.
Edited by European and North Atlantic Office of ICAO
3 bis, Villa Emile Bergerat
92522 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex – France

Tel: [phone]
Fax : [phone]
Email: [email protected]

This Manual has been produced with the approval and on behalf of the North Atlantic Systems
Planning Group (NAT SPG); a North Atlantic regional planning body established under the auspices
of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This Group is responsible for developing the
required operational procedures; specifying the necessary services and facilities and; defining the
aircraft and operator approval standards employed in the NAT Region. Further information on the
functions and working methods of the NAT SPG, together with the NAT Regional Safety Policy
Statement, are contained in the NAT SPG Handbook which is available from the ICAO European and
North Atlantic Office website http://www.paris.icao.int/.
This Document can be accessed/downloaded from the ICAO European and North Atlantic Office
website: http://www.paris.icao.int/. This website will also include, any noted post publication errata
(changes) or addenda (additions) to the current edition. The Document will be reissued on a yearly
basis in September. Details of additional Internet access will be promulgated through the Aeronautical
Information Service (AIS) of NAT ATS Provider States.
Material, intended for the information of States of Registry and Aircraft Operating Agencies, dealing
primarily with planning and management aspects of NAT MNPS operations, previously (prior to
2010) contained in ICAO ‘Consolidated Guidance and Information Material concerning Air
Navigation in the North Atlantic Region’ (NAT Doc 001), was incorporated into this Document and
that guidance material has been subsequently withdrawn from the ICAO library. To assist with the
editing of this Manual and to ensure the currency and accuracy of future editions it would be
appreciated if readers would submit their comments/suggestions for possible amendments/additions, to
the ICAO EUR/NAT Office at the above Email address.
NAT Doc 007 II Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
The NATSPG has also commissioned the UK National Air Traffic Services to produce an interactive
DVD ROM, “On the Right Track”, which contains general information on Air Traffic Control in the
North Atlantic Region and which highlights many of the common operational errors and discusses
their causes. This DVD ROM, like this Manual, is aimed at pilots, dispatchers and others concerned
in operations in the North Atlantic. It is available at no charge to bona fide operators on application
to: [email protected].
As part of the continuing development within the operating environment of NAT MNPS Airspace,
various trials take place in the NAT from time to time. Some of these trials require the assistance of
operators and pilots. For a listing of current trials (if any) and participation details etc., reference
should be made to the AIS documentation of NAT ATS Provider States. Information on some of these
trials may also be found on the above-mentioned ICAO Paris website.
NORTH ATLANTIC MINIMUM NAVIGATION PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
AIRSPACE
The vertical dimension of MNPS Airspace is between FL285 and FL420 (i.e. in terms of normally
used cruising levels, from FL290 to FL410 inclusive).
The lateral dimensions include the following Control Areas (CTAs):
REYKJAVIK, SHANWICK, GANDER and SANTA MARIA OCEANIC plus
the portion of NEW YORK OCEANIC which is North of 27°N but excluding the area
which is west of 60°W & south of 38°30'N
Some idea of these dimensions can be obtained from the maps on the cover of this document and those
in Chapters 2 and 3. However, for specific dimensions, reference should be made to ICAO Regional
Supplementary Procedures (Doc.7030) - NAT/RAC (available at http://www.paris.icao.int/).
Pilots MUST NOT fly across the North Atlantic within MNPS Airspace, nor at flight levels 290 to 410
inclusive anywhere within the NAT Region, unless they are in possession of the appropriate
Approval(s) issued by the State of Registry or the State of the Operator.
The North Atlantic is the busiest oceanic airspace in the world. In 2010 approximately 430,000 flights
crossed the North Atlantic. For the most part in the North Atlantic, Direct Controller Pilot
Communications (DCPC) and ATS Surveillance are unavailable. Aircraft separation assurance and
hence safety are nevertheless ensured by demanding the highest standards of horizontal and vertical
navigation performance/accuracy and of operating discipline. Within NAT MNPS Airspace a formal
Approval Process by the State of Registry of the aircraft or the State of the Operator ensures that
aircraft meet defined MNPS Standards and that appropriate crew procedures and training have been
adopted.

NAT Doc 007 III Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
DEVELOPMENT OF CONTENT

This is the second publication of this Document.
History
This document was initially developed to incorporate updated elements from Edition 2009 of the
“North Atlantic MNPS Airspace Operations Manual” and relevant elements from the 7th Edition
(2002) of the NAT Doc 001 - “Guidance and Information Material Concerning Air Navigation in the
North Atlantic Region”. The Document’s format is based upon that of Edition 2009 of the Operations
Manual. However, it includes the following content modifications and additions, most of the latter
arising from the 7th Edition of Doc 001. Additionally, since Edition 2009 of the NAT MNPS Airspace
Operations Manual was published, various other guidance material documents in the NAT Library
have been designated as “NAT OPS Bulletins”. Mostly they provide detail in respect of specific
elements of NAT operations. Some are copies or paraphrases of NAT ATS Provider State AIS. Since
individual States must retain the prerogative to revise their AIS, as and when dictated by infrastructure
developments, experience or changes to regulations, it was determined that detailed information
provided in these NAT OPS Bulletins should be omitted from this Document. The Document does,
however, include references to these Bulletins where appropriate.
Edition 2010 Content Modifications and Additions
The recommendations for Crew Training for NAT MNPS Airspace operations, as were contained in
section 3.13 of Doc 001, were incorporated into Chapter 1 - “Operational Approval and Aircraft
System Requirements for Flight in the NAT MNPS Airspace”.
Recommendations for the Presentation of Navigation Information contained in section 3.14 of
Doc 001 were incorporated into Chapter 8 – “MNPS Flight Operation and Navigation Procedures”.
Elements of Part 4 of Doc 001 dealing with recommended procedures for the adoption by State
Regulators in the granting of MNPS Approvals were incorporated into Chapter 1 – “Operational
Approval and Aircraft System Requirements for Flight in the NAT MNPS Airspace”.
The contents of Parts 6 and 7 of Doc 001, dealing with Temporary Airspace Reservations, Formation
Flying and Missile Activity in the NAT Region are of direct interest only to State or Military Aircraft
Operating Agencies and to NAT ATS Providers. Consequently they are referenced only in passing in
Chapter 1 of this Document. The future repository of the detail will be determined by the appropriate
competent authorities.
Part 8 of Doc 001 dealt with “Manned Balloon Flights in the NAT Region”. Such flights are
specifically excluded from operating in NAT MNPS Airspace and each such flight must be
meticulously co-ordinated far in advance with the relevant ATS Providers. Consequently only passing
reference is made in Chapter 1.
Appendix A5 from Doc 001 - “VHF Air/Ground Communications Coverage Existing in the NAT
Region at FL 300” was incorporated as Attachment 5 to this document.
This Document includes a Chapter (now number 11) “Monitoring of Aircraft Systems and Crew
Performance”. This Chapter incorporates the contents of Sections 8.7 & 9.3 and Attachment 1 of
Edition 2009 of the MNPS Airspace Operations Manual, together with further information on the
NAT Doc 007 IV Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
Monitoring Methods employed and the Collision Risk Models used (including information from
Appendix B and Appendix C19 of Doc 001).
In 2010 a number of NAT ATS Provider States were conducting or planning ADS-B Trials in the
NAT Region and in immediately adjacent domestic airspace. Reference to these operations was
included into Chapter 6 - “Communications and Position Reporting Procedures”.
In 2010 the sample “Oceanic Check List Proposals” and the “Expanded Oceanic Check List” which
were previously included in Chapter 12 of the 2009 Edition of the MNPSA Operations Manual were
published in full as NAT OPS Bulletins. Their details were consequently omitted from this
Document.
Subsequent Content Modifications and Additions now incorporated into Edition 2011
A temporary corrigendum to Edition 2010 rescinding the guidance on the NAT Region-wide
availability of SATCOM Voice for regular ATS voice communications (per Paragraph 6.1.17) was
superseded following the adoption on 13 May 2011 of a relevant Amendment to the North Atlantic
Supplementary Procedures 3-3. The corrigendum has consequently been removed from this 2011
Edition.
In December 2010 new text was added to Paragraph 3.7 of Attachment 4 to highlight some of the
Common Errors made by operators when providing NAV Equipment information in Field10 and Field
18 of a NAT flight FPL.
Also in December 2010 additions were made in Chapters 6 and 12 to apprise Operators of the
existence and availability of ICAO NAT Doc.006 - The North Atlantic Air Traffic Management
Operational Contingency Plan and to encourage all regular NAT Operators to ensure their familiarity
with the content.
Reference is made in this Edition to the plan to incorporate major changes to the content of the ICAO
flight plan on 15 November 2012. Operators are encouraged to study these changes and develop plans
for implementation.
An additional chapter has been included in this edition (Chapter 10) describing the ATS surveillance
services provided within the NAT Region.
Further references are made within this edition to implemented and planned ADS-B services within
and adjacent to the NAT Region.
References to Traffic levels and error rates have been updated to reflect recent experience.
A new section 1.9 has been added to Chapter 1 to draw the attention of NAT Operators and their
Regulators to the planned developments of systems and procedures which will significantly affect
flight operations within the NAT Region in the coming years.
Text modifications have been made to “Chapter 11 - Monitoring of Aircraft Systems and Crew
Performance”, to reflect adjustments to the NAT SPG working structure, which were effected in 2009
to accommodate the changes in emphasis to performance based requirements, as driven by the Global
Air Navigation Plan (ANP), and to take account of the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP).
For further clarification of the Weather Deviations procedures, text revisions have been made in
“Chapter 13 – Special Procedures for In-flight Contingencies”.
NAT Doc 007 V Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
Text revisions and additions have been included in “Chapter 13 - Special Procedures for In-flight
Contingencies” to reference the potential for the appearance of ACAS/TCAS targets in circumstances
relating to the current trial implementations of 5 minutes longitudinal separations within parts of the
NAT Region.

NAT Doc 007 VI Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ACARS Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
ACAS Airborne Collision Avoidance System
ACC Area Control Centre
ADC Air Data Computer
ADF Automatic Direction Finding
ADS Automatic Dependant Surveillance
ADS-B Automatic Dependant Surveillance - Broadcast
ADS-C Automatic Dependant Surveillance - Contract
AFTN Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
AIC Aeronautical Information Circular
AIP Aeronautical Information Publication
AIRAC Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control
AIS Aeronautical Information Service
ARINC ARINC - formerly Aeronautical Radio Incorporated
ASR Aviation Safety Report
ATA Actual Time of Arrival
ATC Air Traffic Control
ATM Air Traffic Management
ATS Air Traffic Services
AWPR Automatic Waypoint Position Reporting
BOTA Brest Oceanic Transition Area
BRNAV Basic Area Navigation
CAR Caribbean
CDL Configuration Deviation List
CDM Collaborative Decision Making
CDR ConDitional Route
CDU Control Display Unit
CMA Central Monitoring Agency
Conflict A situation that occurs when it is predicted that the spacing between aircraft,
an aircraft and a defined airspace, or an aircraft and terrain, may or will
reduce below the prescribed minimum.
CPDLC Controller Pilot Data Link Communications
CTA Control Area
DCPC Direct Controller/Pilot Communications
DME Distance Measuring Equipment
DR Dead Reckoning
DVD ROM Digital Video Disk Read-Only Memory
NAT Doc 007 VII Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETOPS Extended Range Twin-engine Aircraft Operations
EUR Europe
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FANS 1/A Future Air Navigation System 1 or A. (Respectively, Boeing and Airbus
Proprietary Air-Ground ATC Data Link Communications Systems)
FDE Fault Detection and Exclusion
FIR Flight Information Region
FL Flight Level
FLAS Flight Level Allocation Scheme
FMC Flight Management Computer
FMS Flight Management System
GLONASS Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System
GMU GPS (Height) Monitoring Unit
GNE Gross Navigation Error
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GP General Purpose
GPS Global Positioning System
HF High Frequency
HMU Height Monitoring Unit
HSI Horizontal Situation Indicator
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation
IFR Instrument Flight Rules
INS Inertial Navigation System
IRS Inertial Reference System
JAA Joint Aviation Authorities
kHz Kilohertz
LAT Latitude
LONG Longitude
LRNS Long Range Navigation System
LROPS Long Range Operations
MASPS Minimum Aircraft System Performance Specification
MEL Minimum Equipment List
MET Meteorological
MHz Megahertz
MMEL Master Minimum Equipment List
MNPS Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications
MTT Minimum Time Track
NAM North America
NAT Doc 007 VIII Edition 2011
Guidance concerning Air Navigation in and above the NAT MNPSA
NAR North American Route
NAT North Atlantic
NAT SPG North Atlantic Systems Planning Group
NDB Non Directional Beacon
NERS North Atlantic European Routing Scheme
NM Nautical Mile
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOTA Northern Oceanic Transition Area
NOTAM Notice to Airmen
OAC Oceanic Area Control Centre
OCA Oceanic Control Area
Oceanic Entry Point That point on the FIR boundary where the aircraft enters the first oceanic
control area
Oceanic Exit Point That point on the FIR boundary where the aircraft leaves the last oceanic
control area
OESB Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin
OTS Organized Track System
PRM Preferred Route Message
Procedural Control Term used to indicate that information derived from an ATS surveillance
system is not required for the provision of air traffic control service. (PANS-
ATM)
RA Resolution Advisory (per ACAS/TCAS)
RAIM Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
RMI Radio Magnetic Indicator
RNP Required Navigation Performance
R/T Radio Telephony
RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
SAM South America
SELCAL Selective Calling
SID Standard Instrument Departure
SLOP Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures
SMS Safety Management System
SOTA Shannon Oceanic Transition Area
SSB Single Sideband
SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar
Strategic Control As used in this manual, control techniques employed in an environment where
the level of surveillance and intervention capability requires that each oceanic
clearance be planned and issued prior to the flight’s entry into oceanic
airspace, in order to provide safe separation between known traffic from
oceanic entry to oceanic exit.
TA Traffic Advisory (per ACAS/TCAS)
NAT Doc 007 IX Edition 2011