Revised North Atlantic Ops Manual Published | Aviation International News

Revised North Atlantic Ops Manual Published

ICAO has revised its North Atlantic operations and airspace manual, and flight planner OpsGroup is helping pilots make sense of the changes via a summary.

Graphic of North Atlantic Track with airplane flight tracks depicted on map — ICAO has revised its North Atlantic operations and airspace manual, and flight planner OpsGroup is helping pilots make sense of the changes via a summary. (Photo: NBAA)

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

January 27, 2023

To keep operators up to date on the many procedures and requirements of flying in the North Atlantic Track (NAT) system, ICAO has issued revised NAT Document 007 “North Atlantic Operations and Airspace Manual.” The manual notes that because the airspace of the North Atlantic is “the busiest oceanic airspace in the world,” strict adherence to procedures is required to ensure safe aircraft separation.

The majority of North Atlantic flights are on tracks designated NAT High-level Airspace (NAT HLA) between FL285 and FL420 inclusive. To ensure adequate airspace capacity and provide for safe vertical separations, RVSM is applied throughout the NAT region. Hence, the bulk of the document provides information for aircraft operating agencies, flight crews, and dispatchers planning and conducting operations in or above the NAT HLA. It also offers guidance to the state regulators responsible for the approval, certification, or licensing of such aircraft operators, flight crews, or dispatchers.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.