Updated! 7-8-2019

As so often happens after an incident, regulators and local airport authorities call for increased levels of inspection. In this case, we are talking about Mexico.

The recent incident in Mexico involving a foreign-operated Challenger with a mechanical problem brought several other issues to light. The significant mechanical failure served as a catalyst for making local customs officials aware of the aircraft’s poor maintenance record and recordkeeping. Furthermore, it was discovered that this aircraft was operating as a private flight when clearly it was a charter.

Read more: Mexico turns up the heat

Scott International Procedures Training brief on ASEPS: Advanced Surveillance – Enhanced Procedural Separation, North Atlantic space based ADS-B trials beginning on 28 Mar 2019

The NAT OPS BULLETIN 2018-006 covers the ASEPS trial procedures for the NAT airspace. The North Atlantic contingency procedures have also changed to support the NAT ASEPS trials.

The North Atlantic airspace is becoming more complex which requires correct procedures be followed to ensure the new separations given, RCP240, and ASEPS are achieved.

This Scott International Procedures Training brief breaks out both NAT OPS Bulletin 2018-006 “Trial Implementation of ASEPS using ADS-B” and the NAT OPS BULLETIN 2018-005 REV 1 “Special Procedures for In-Flight Contingencies in Oceanic Airspace."

NAT Doc 007 North Atlantic Airspace Operations Manual is also covered in this briefing video.

Written by Shawn Scott 3/18/2019

The use of the new procedures for Oceanic Contingencies and Weather deviation Procedures is coincident with the start of the Advanced Surveillance-Enhanced Procedural Separation, known as (ASEPS) trials which takes advantage of Spaced Based (SB ADS-B ). The SAT ADS-B trials will in effect reduce our separation requirements and allow ATC to apply these reductions if the aircraft is equipped with FANS 1/A+ CPDLC, ADS-C, RNP4, RCP240, and RSP180 capable and equipped with ADS-B.  The new procedures go into effect 28 March 2019.  Your ScottIPC App containing these procedures will be updated to reflect the new procedures on the 28^th as well. 

Read more: Sat Based ADS-B drives change to Special Procedures for In-Flight Contingencies in Oceanic...

The North Atlantic will begin a trial program utilizing sat based ADS-B called Advanced Surveillance-Enhanced Procedural Separation (ASEPS).  This trial will commence in the Shanwick, Gander and Santa Maria Oceanic Control Areas which will commence on or soon after 28th of March 2019. Aircraft need not apply to participate in the trials as long as they are capable of RNP 4 and RCP 240 where ADS-B service is provided and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) is available. The use of Sat based ADS-B will enable ATC to provide reduced Longitudinal separations to appropriately equipped aircraft.

Read more: Trial Implementation of ASEPS using ADS-B starting 28 March 2019 in the NAT