VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

positive control whenever practical. However, in many situations, placing helicopters under positive
control and fixed-wing aircraft under advisory control will satisfy flight safety requirements without restricting
visibility.
(3) Minimum altitude for fixed-wing aircraft by day when flight visibility is greater than 3 nm —
l00 feet.
(4) Unless aircraft are cooperating and are on the same frequency, or can see each other, the following
minimum lateral or vertical separation is to be arranged:
(a) In the case of a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter: 1,500 yards lateral or 300 feet vertical.
(b) In the case of two fixed-wing aircraft: 3 miles lateral or 500 feet vertical.
(c) In the case of two helicopters: 1,500 yards lateral or 300 feet vertical.
(5) Fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters conducting VECTAC or MADVEC procedures may overfly
a helicopter in the dip or hover position, but are to maintain a minimum vertical separation of 200 feet.
NOTES
1. When operating with an aircraft towing MAD, the above limitations shall be strictly
obeyed. The towed MAD sensor body and cable can trail as much as 120 feet below the aircraft.
2. When aircraft or helicopters are dropping sonobuoys, a lateral separation of 1,500 yards
must always be enforced to ensure the safety of aircraft operating at lower altitudes.
3. It is imperative that a force QNH be established by the Air Coordinator (AC) and updated
regularly to ensure aircraft separation within the force.
6474 LATERAL AND VERTICAL SEPARATION
a. General. Unless otherwise ordered, such as during tactical maneuvres, the following rules
apply when fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are operating within force-controlled airspace at levels
above 2,000 feet in IMC. Either lateral or vertical separation shall be provided. These restrictions do not
apply to tactical maneuvres, such as intercepts or rendezvous. Aircraft not in close formation should be
separated as follows:
(1) Lateral separation:
(a) At least 3 nm when aircraft are within 40 nm of the control radar.
(b) At least 5 nm when aircraft are beyond 40 nm of the control radar.
(2) Vertical separation:
(a) Helicopters shall be separated by 500 feet.
(b) Fixed-wing aircraft shall be separated by 1,000 feet.
(c) Helicopters shall be separated from fixed-wing aircraft by 1,000 feet.
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
6-58 ORIGINAL