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North Atlantic Airspace

Description of airspace

The Gander Oceanic FIR (CZQX) and Shanwick FIR (EGGX) cover the airspace only above the North Atlantic, from 44° North to 61° North and partly up to 64° North (only in Gander FIR).This airspace is moderately hostile to civil aircraft, as there are virtually no land-based navigational aids, or communication relays.

The Shanwick FIR covers the airspace from the coasts of Europe to 30° W. The airspace is class A from FL55 to FL660, (below FL55 is a class G airspace within the OCA, NOTA, SOTA and BOTA). The Gander Oceanic FIR covers the airspace from 30°W to the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. The airspace is class A from FL55 to FL660 (except the area over southern Greenland is a class A airspace from FL195 to FL660).

Traffic within the Shanwick FIR is managed by the Shanwick Oceanic Control Centre (CTR) located in Prestwick, Scotland. The name of the FIR is actually a combination of Shannon and Prestwick -> Shan-wick.

Communication to pilots over the North Atlantic is made via Shanwick Radio (FSS) which is located in Shannon, Ireland.

Traffic within the Gander Oceanic FIR is managed by the Gander Oceanic Control Centre (CTR), which is a non-radar unit of the Gander ACC. Communication to pilots over the North Atlantic is made via Gander Radio (FSS).

A detailed map of all Oceanic FIRs is available here.

All ATC is provided via position reporting ONLY, as there are no radars in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

Furthermore all airspace between FL285 and FL420 is designated MNPS (Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications) airspace. Basically this imposes far more rigorous navigation limitations on aircraft, and imposes the use of pre-defined NAT tracks as opposed to random tracks. (More info)

NAT track system

Because of the vast distances to be covered, the lack of navigational aids, and the weather conditions over the North Atlantic, a system of daily tracks exists.

North Atlantic Tracks dynamic airways which change location and direction twice daily to ameliorate traffic flow across the North Atlantic. For more information refer to the Airspace and Pilot Procedures pages.

In the real world you will find most flights from America to Europe (Eastbound) will take place during the night, whilst Europe to America (westbound) tends to occur during the day. On IVAO flights in both directions are permitted at all times, and the semi-circular rule is applied.

ALL pilots are urged to consult the current tracks to plan their route across the Atlantic. The current NAT Tracks are available here.

NATs are only within MNPS airspace. Aircraft flying above or below this airspace must file a random route.

Westbound Tracks are published by Shanwick Area Control Centre (ACC) while the Eastbound Tracks are published by Gander ACC day. The hours of validity of the two Organized Track Systems (OTS) are normally:

(i) day-time OTS – 1130 – 1900 UTC

(ii) night-time OTS – 0100 – 0800 UTC

The hours of validity are specified in the track message.

The most northerly track of a day OTS is designated as NAT Track Alpha; the adjacent track to the south, as NAT Track Bravo; etc.

For the night OTS, the most southerly track is designated as NAT Track Zulu; the adjacent track to the north, as Track Yankee; etc.

Flight levels are allocated for use within the OTS and, in most cases; details of domestic entry and exit routings associated with individual tracks are provided in the NAT Track Message.

Random track system

Random tracks are basically handmade routes across the North Atlantic, using LAT/LON waypoints, just like the NATs.

Random tracks are used for routes where the NATs are nor suitable, such as flights from eastern Canada/USA, to the Scandinavian countries, or southern Europe, who will most probably not transit via The Shannon (EINN), Scottish (EGPX), London (EGTT) or Brest (LFRR) Flight Information Regions.

However random tracks which cross through, or come within 120 miles of the NATs will not be accepted - Aircraft flying these routes are expected to file via a NAT.

Examples:

For a westbound flight during the night you have to file a random routing
For a eastbound flight during the day you have to file a random routing
For flights above F400 (eastbound) and/or F390 (westbound) you have to file a random routing