NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA - CNATRA - The US Navy

(2) Flight Level*: Shanwick/Gander may exchange on a
tactical basis during other than scheduled periods.
(3) Other than scheduled times: E - 0100-0800Z++, W -
1130-1800Z++.
(4) For operations outside of other than scheduled
times and/or the other than scheduled structure, flight plan levels
in accordance with the above flight allocation scheme.
(5) If a flight is expected to be level(s) critical, operators
should contact the initial Oceanic ACC prior to filing the flight
plan to determine the likely availability of such level(s).
(AFFSA/AIRAC 48-04)
2. STATE AIRCRAFT -
a. For the purposes of Reduced Vertical Separation
Minimum operations, state aircraft are those aircraft used in
military, customs, and police service.
b. State aircraft
(1) Are exempt from the requirement to be Reduced
Vertical Separation Minimum to operate in Reduced Vertical
Separation Minimum Airspace.
(2) Do not require advanced approval to operate in
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum Airspace.
c. Special coordination procedures for Non-Reduced
Vertical Separation Minimum aircraft in Reduced Vertical
Separation Minimum Airspace: Non-Reduced Vertical Separation
Minimum aircraft may not flight plan within Reduced Vertical
Separation Minimum certified airspace:
(AFFSA/RAC 12.16.6)
(1) Is being initially delivered to the State of Registry of
Operator.
(2) Was formerly Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
approved but has experienced an equipment failure and is being
flown to a maintenance facility for repair in order to meet
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum requirements and/or
obtain approval.
(3) Is being utilized for mercy or humanitarian purposes.
(4) Is a photographic survey flight (Canadian Domestic
Airspace only). This approval is not applicable for that portion of
flight transiting to/from the area(s) of surveying or mapping
operations.
(5) Is conducting flight checks of a navigation aid. This
approval is not applicable for that portion of flight transiting
to/from the area(s) of flight check operations.
(AFFSA/RAC 12.16.6(d))
d. Aircraft operators requesting approval as above shall
obtain approval from the first Reduced Vertical Separation
Minimum affected ACC not less than 2 hours prior to intended
departure time. The ACC will provide notification of approval via
telephone, AFTN, facsimile or e-mail as appropriate. (NOTE: The
first ACC will coordinate with other ACC’s concerned.) The
operator is to include “STANDARD/APPROVED NON REDUCED
VERTICAL SEPARATION MINIMUM” in Item 18 of Flight Plan. This
special coordination provides approval to flight plan into Reduced
Vertical Separation Minimum Airspace only. Routings and altitudes
are still subject to an air traffic control clearance. This approval is
CANADA 3-11
intended exclusively for the purposes indicated above and not as
a means to circumvent the normal Reduced Vertical Separation
Minimum approval process.
(AFFSA/RAC 12.16.6)
FLIGHT PLANNING
1. VOICE CALL IDENTIFICATION OF US AIRCRAFT - The
Canadian Department of National Defence and the Ministry of
Transport have requested that U.S. Military Aircraft, when flying
in Canada and operating in Canadian Controlled Airspace, or
when communicating with TC Air Traffic Control Agencies,
specifically identify their service by using the prefix "United
States" or "US".
EXAMPLE United States (or US) Navy 531
United States (or US) Air Force 401
United States (or US) Army Beaver 355
The use of this prefix will obviate confusion in Air Traffic Control
situations especially when DND Aircraft with identical or similar tail
numbers might be sharing contiguous airspace at the same time.
2. IFR FLIGHT PLANS - Pilots are urged to file IFR Flight Plans
as early as practicable, preferably 30 minutes prior to their
proposed departure time, and to be prepared to depart as
closely as possible to the proposed departure time as specified in
the flight plan. In case of trans-border flight where the point of
departure is in close proximity to the boundary; flight plans
should be filed at least one hour in advance in order to facilitate
adequate coordination and data transfer.
(NAV CANADA/GPH 204, CH 5, SEC 2)
3. FORMATION FLYING IFR OR CVFR IN CIVIL CONTROLLED
AIRSPACE -
a. The formation leader shall operate at the cleared altitude
and the other formation aircraft shall fly within 100’ vertically of the
altitude of the formation leader. The formation shall occupy a
maximum frontal width of 1000’ and shall have a maximum
longitudinal spacing of 6000’ between the first and the last aircraft.
b. On initial contact with the controlling agency at
destination, the formation leader shall inform the controlling
agency whether the formation will let down as one unit or in
sections.
c. The formation leader shall be responsible for separation
between aircraft within the formation. In the event of descent by
sections, the responsibility for separation within the remaining
section shall revert to the leader of that section at the time the
preceding section commences descent.
d. The controlling agency will provide an expected
approach time for each remaining section to commence descent.
(NAV CANADA/GPH 204, CH 5, SEC 5)
4. NOTICE OF VISITING AIRCRAFT (NOVA) MESSAGE -
a. To ensure that details of servicing, maintenance and
personnel requirements are transmitted to airports and bases prior
to the arrival of a nonscheduled flight, the Aircraft Commander
shall send a NOVA message in accord with guidelines listed below.
b. The NOVA message shall be sent PRIORITY when:
(1) Passengers with rank of Colonel or above (or
equivalent) are on board.