NAT Gotchas: The Mistakes We See Most Often

Part 1 of 4 in the Gary Dietz NAT Series, first published in the Scott IPC newsletter in June 2026.

In this series, Gary Dietz, Scott IPC’s resident North Atlantic (NAT) airspace expert, highlights common “gotchas” that business aviation operators encounter when flying in oceanic airspace. These are not necessarily complex issues, but they are recurring challenges that continue to contribute to operational errors, delays, and unnecessary workload.

One common thread among these issues is that they involve procedures crews may not perform every day. When operations become infrequent, it is easy to overlook details that can have significant consequences in oceanic airspace.

Over the course of this series, we will explore these topics in greater detail and discuss practical mitigation strategies. To start, here are some of the most common NAT gotchas operators should be aware of:

Not Understanding Regional Oceanic Clearance Procedures

Oceanic clearance procedures vary depending on the airspace you are operating in. Assuming procedures are the same from one oceanic region to another can lead to confusion, delays, or clearance errors. Crews should understand the specific clearance requirements and communication processes for each area they enter.

The Leading Causes of Oceanic Errors

Many oceanic errors are preventable and often stem from a handful of recurring issues, including route deviations, altitude deviations, communication errors, and incorrect data entry. Understanding the most common causes is the first step toward avoiding them.

Not Knowing Where to Find Critical Operational Resources

Successful oceanic operations require access to current information, guidance material, and planning resources. Crews who are unfamiliar with available references may miss important procedural updates or operational requirements during flight preparation. Part 2 of this series covers the primary and secondary references every NAT operator should know.

Failing to Review the Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin (OESB)

The Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin provides valuable lessons learned, current trends, and recommendations designed to help operators avoid common mistakes. Unfortunately, many crews are unaware of the bulletin or do not review it regularly as part of their preparation process.

Limited Familiarity with Contingency and Weather Deviation Procedures

Weather deviations, turbulence encounters, and unexpected operational events can require immediate action in oceanic airspace. Crews must understand contingency procedures before departure. Trying to work through them while managing an event in real time is a recipe for error.

Not Using an Oceanic Checklist

One of the simplest ways to reduce risk is through disciplined checklist usage. Oceanic checklists help ensure that critical planning, equipment verification, communication, and procedural steps are completed consistently before entering oceanic airspace.

In future articles, we will take a deeper look at these topics, explore why they continue to challenge operators, and share practical techniques and resources that can help crews operate more safely and confidently in North Atlantic airspace.

The Gary Dietz NAT Series

• Part 1: NAT Gotchas: The Mistakes We See Most Often (this article)
• Part 2: Staying Current in the North Atlantic
• Part 3: Small Margins, Big Stakes: Preventing NAT Errors
• Part 4: To Track or Not to Track: Why the NAT Tracks Matter