Oceanic Clearance Removal Procedures

UPDATED!

It's happening. The requirement for a separate Oceanic Clearance in the NAT HLA is ending. Significant technological advancements in Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance made this possible. 

As an executive summary, the operator will send the Request for Clearance (RCL) that reflects the FMS loaded filed route but will not receive an Oceanic Clearance in return. Instead, ATC will use the data provided in the RCL to gather the information needed to deconflict and sequence traffic. If a reroute is required, an FMS loadable routing will be uploaded to the aircraft or received via Voice. Review the details below:

French CPDLC Mandate

As of July 13th, 2023, France will require all aircraft operating within French FIRs, including LFFF, LFEE, LFMM, LFBB, and LFRR FIRs, to log on to CPDLC. This mandate makes France the first state to implement such a requirement.

 

To operate above FL195, it is necessary to log on to CPDLC if the aircraft is equipped with operable ATN-B1 CPDLC and the crew has received training to operate it. Meeting these requirements signifies capability. In other words, if the aircraft is capable, CPDLC login is mandatory. If it is not capable, there will be no altitude restrictions on the flight.

 

Transponder Code 2000 Changes in the NAT HLA

As per the latest United Kingdom AIP, it is now mandatory to modify the last assigned transponder code to 2000 in the Shanwick FIR within 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes. This change will make the timing consistent with the requirements when operating on Tango 9, Tango 290, and Tango 213. The 10-minute requirement is also in place when entering the Shanwick FIR when transferred from Reykjavik and no later than 10 minutes after entry. This procedure does not affect the use of Special Purpose Codes 7500, 7600, and 7700 in cases of unlawful interference, radio failure, or emergency.

According to a communication from NAV CANADA, Gander Oceanic has decided not to implement the change to a 10-minute requirement at this time. The 30-minute requirement will continue to be in place. Be sure to refer to the current AIPs where operations are planned and the current version of NAT DOC 007.

Space-based ADS-B Mandate coming to Canadian airspace

NAV CANADA had previously published that the mandate for space-based ADS-B in Canadian domestic airspace would be effective for aircraft operating in Class A and B airspace above 12,500 feet as of February 23, 2023. Class B, C, D, and E Canadian airspace will not be mandated before 2026.

On August 2, 2022, NAV CANADA published an updated time for the mandate to become effective due to supply chain issues related to the COVID pandemic regarding delays in acquiring and installing the necessary transponder equipment. The equipage levels in each airspace class are still not the expected level. The level of equipage in Class A airspace is at 95%, and Class B is above 88% and increasing.

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