Santa Maria FIR Radio Initial Voice Contact Trial

The Santa Maria FIR (LPPO) has initiated a trial for the initial voice contact to Santa Maria Radio for flights using CPDLC. The trial of the proposed change is expected to reduce the crew workload, as the responsibility to establish the initial voice contact on HF is assigned to the radio operator. It will also allow the radio operator to better manage the air-ground communications sequence and priority, avoiding simultaneous calls from distinct aircraft. The trial is scheduled to run through 30 November 2025. For complete details, refer to the Portugal AIC A 003/2025.

CZQX OCR Procedure Update

The procedure change described below for issuing route amendment clearances in Gander Domestic airspace will be conducted as a trial between 5 May 2025 and 31 December 2025. Check current NOTAMs for any changes to this procedure.

Due to ATC workload and pilot confusion regarding oceanic route clearance changes issued through CPDLC, Gander Flight Information Region (CDQX FIR), Gander Domestic controllers will be issuing oceanic route amendments via VHF voice communications in lieu of CPDLC uplink route amendment clearance messages.

Mitigating Flight Plan vs. Clearance Errors

Flying the filed flight plan instead of the issued clearance remains a leading cause of lateral deviations and gross navigation errors (GNEs). This issue is most common when a revised clearance with a route amendment is issued. The most effective mitigation strategy is implementing robust standard operating procedures (SOPs) that incorporate dual independent verification when accepting, loading, and updating clearances in the flight management system (FMS), as well as ensuring the Master Operational Flight Plan and plotting chart reflect the latest changes.

Comprehensive Ramp Inspection Program implemented in Mexico

AFAC (Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority) implemented a comprehensive Ramp Inspection Program on December 16th, 2024, and will continue until January 15th, 2025. The primary concerns are to ensure compliance with operational security procedures and, in the process, protect all stakeholders involved in business aviation operations within Mexico.

According to Universal Aviation Mexico, this program will affect the following:

  1. OCR Gander Update
  2. The Importance of Following Annex 6 Fuel Guidance
  3. Oceanic Clearance Removal Procedures
  4. French CPDLC Mandate