Gulf of Mexico 50 (NM) Lateral Separation Reduction - RNAV Routes Project

Oceanic and Offshore Operations Group

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List of Webpage Changes by Date (26 March 2013)

Table of Contents

Section 1:	Acronyms and Terms
Section 2:	Project Description
Section 3:	GoMex Control Areas Affected & Charts (existing and new route structure)
Section 4:	Project Objectives
Section 5:	SPECIAL EMPHASIS ITEMS
Section 6:	Operational Policy and Procedures
Section 7:	FAA RNP 10 and RNP 4 Authorization Policy & Procedures
Section 8:	FAA Inspector Guidance: FAA Order 8900.1 (Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS)
Section 9:	ICAO Guidance on RNP 10 and RNP 4 authorization: ICAO Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613)
Section 10:	Safety Assessment
Section 11:	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Section 12:	Contacts: U.S. FAA, SENEAM and DGAC Mexico

Gulf of Mexico 50 NM Lateral Separation/ RNAV Routes Project

Section 1. Acronyms and Terms

• Acronyms

Section 2. Phase 2 Project Description (Implementation: 10 January 2013).

• With two exceptions, existing ATS routes have been replaced with RNAV routes. Operators are expected to obtain RNP 10 (minimum) or RNP 4 authorization from the appropriate State authority, however NonRNP 10 aircraft are being accommodated. Aircraft equipped with a Single Long Range Navigation System qualify for RNP 10 for Gulf of Mexico operations only. This is a joint FAA, SENEAM and DGAC Mexico project. See FAA NOTICE and DGAC CIRCULAR in Section 6 for details.

NOTE: "RNP 10" has the same meaning and application as "RNAV 10". See "Acronyms and Terms" in Section 1 above.

Section 3. GoMex Oceanic Control Areas Affected and Charts

• The Houston Oceanic CTA/FIR and the Gulf of Mexico portion of the Miami Oceanic CTA/FIR.
• The Monterrey CTA and Merida High CTA within the Mexico FIR/UTA
a. GoMex Chart: Existing ATS routes
b. GoMex Chart: New GoMex Route Structure

Section 4. Project Objectives

• Apply 50 NM lateral separation between aircraft authorized RNP 10 (minimum) or RNP 4 in airspace outside radar coverage.
• Have 100% of GoMex flights conducted by operators/aircraft authorized for RNP 10 or RNP 4 operations by the appropriate State authority.
• Accommodate the operation of the small percentage of flights not authorized RNP 10, as necessary.
• Continue the policy that aircraft equipped with a Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS) can qualify for RNP 10 operations in the Gulf of Mexico. See FAA Notice and DGAC Circular in Section 6 for details.
• Implement new GoMex RNAV routes on 10 January 2013.

Section 5. SPECIAL EMPHASIS ITEMS

a. FAA Notice and DGAC Circular: GoMex 50-lateral Operational Policy and Procedures. See 6a and 6b below.

b. GoMex Route Operations Guidance (4 Mar 2013). Guidance on one-way routes, altitude restrictions, arrival and overflight routing, etc.

c. Procedures For NonRNP 10 Aircraft

d. ICAO Flight Plan Entries for RNP 10 and RNP 4

Section 6. Operational Policy and Procedures

a. FAA Notice (3 Dec 2012 update) Gulf of Mexico 50 NM Lateral Separation/RNAV Routes Project - Operational Policy & Procedures

b.DGAC Mexico Circular AIC 07/12 - IMPLEMENTACION DE RUTAS DE NAVEGACION DE AREA (RNAV) EN EL GOLFO DE MEXICO Y AREAS OCEANICAS (13 Dic 2012). This is a Spanish language version of the 3 Dec 2012 FAA Notice. The DGAC and FAA coordinated development of the documents.

c. ICAO Doc 4444: In-flight Contingency and Weather Deviation Procedures

d. ICAO Doc 4444:Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures (SLOP)

Section 7. FAA RNP 10 and RNP 4 Authorization Policy & Procedures:

Important Note: RNP 10 is the minimum "navigation specification" for 50 NM lateral separation. RNP 4 is an operator option.

a. FAA Order 8400.12C (RNP 10 Operational Authorization) (11/9/11). This version of FAAO 8400.12 contains new provisions for aircraft equipped with a Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS) to qualify for RNP 10 in GoMex operations. 8400.12C does not change provisions for aircraft equipped with two or more LRNS's to qualify for RNP 10. U.S. operators will follow the guidance of FAA Order 8400.12 (as amended).

NOTE: 8400.12C, Appendix D, paragraph 2c is not yet updated with the ICAO FPL 2012 Item 18 entry of "PBN/A1" for RNP 10.

a. (1) Acceptable LRNSs For RNP 10 Authorization (2 Aug 2011). This document provides a basic explanation and references for LRNS qualification for RNP 10 in the Gulf of Mexico.

b. FAA RNP 10 Job Aid For Operator/Aircraft Authorization.(26 Mar 2013) This Job Aid contains references to FAAO 8400.12C.

c. FAA Order 8400.33 (Authorization for RNP 4 in Oceanic & Remote Area Operations). To obtain RNP 4 authorization U.S. operators will use the guidance provided in FAAO 8400.33.

NOTE: 8400.33C, paragraphs 9c and 10b(3) are not yet updated with the ICAO FPL 2012 Item 18 entry of "PBN/L1" for RNP 4.

d. FAA Order 8400.33 Table of Contents e. FAA RNP 4 Job Aid (26 Mar 2013). This Job Aid contains references to FAAO 8400.33 (as amended).

d. FAA Order 8400.33 � Table of Contents

e. FAA RNP 4 Job Aid (26 Mar 2013)This Job Aid contains references to FAAO 8400.33 (as amended).

f. Operations Specifications (OpSpecs), Management Specifications (MSpecs) & General Aviation (GA) Letters of Authorization (LOA).. The documents listed below are either existing documents or were approved in November 2011 for GoMex operations.

(1) OpSpecs and MSpecs for RNP 10 qualification with two or more Long-Range Navigation Systems: OpSpec and MSpec Paragraph B036 (Class II Navigation Using Multiple Long-Range Navigation Systems (LRNS).

(2) OpSpecs and MSpecs for Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS) qualification for RNP 10 in the Gulf of Mexico: OpSpec and MSpec Paragraph B054 (B054 Class II Navigation Using Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS)). Explanation: OpSpec and MSpec B054 paragraphs allow S-LRNS aircraft to qualify for RNP 10 in GoMex operations. See 7f(5) below.

(3) GA LOA for RNP 10 qualification with two or more LRNS�s: GA LOA B036 (Operations in RNP Airspace).

(4) GA LOA for RNP 10 qualification with S-LRNS in the Gulf of Mexico: GA LOA B054 (Class II Navigation Using Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS) Equipped Airplane Authorized RNP 10). Explanation: LOA B054 paragraphs were approved to allow S-LRNS aircraft to qualify for RNP 10 in the Gulf of Mexico. See 7f(5) below.


(5) FAA Notice 8900.175 (Subject: OpSpec/MSpec/LOA B054/MB054, Class II Navigation Using Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS) (11/3/11). This Notice contains templates for OpSpecs, MSpecs and LOA's for S-LRNS operations in Class II airspace including provisions for S-LRNS/RNP 10 authorization in the Gulf of Mexico.

Section 8. FAA Inspector Guidance: FAA Order 8900.1 (Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS).

a. Paragraph 4-108 (RNP in Class II Airspace). Paragraph 4-108 provides guidance for RNP 10 qualification with two or more Long-Range Navigation Systems (LRNS). The paragraph was revised to incorporate provisions for RNP 10 qualification with a Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS). The paragraph is located in 8900.1, Vol. 4, Chapter 1, Section 5 (Special Navigation Areas of Operation).


b."OPSPEC/MSPEC B036 (CLASS II NAVIGATION USING MULTIPLE LONG-RANGE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS)". This paragraph provides guidance for RNP 10 qualification for aircraft equipped with two or more LRNS's. It is located in 8900.1, Vol. 3, Chapter 18, Section 4 (Part B OpSpecs � En Route Authorizations and Limitations).


c. "OPSPEC/MSPEC/LOA B054/MB054, (Class II Navigation Using Single Long-Range Navigation System (S-LRNS))". This paragraph provides guidance for operation with S-LRNS in a limited number of oceanic areas. It was revised to incorporate provisions for RNP 10 qualification with S-LRNS in the Gulf of Mexico. The paragraph is located in 8900.1, Vol. 3, Chapter 18 (Operations Specifications), Section 4 (Part B OpSpecs - En Route Authorizations and Limitations).


d. Not related to GoMex operations: 8900.1 Volume 4, Chapter 12 (Issue/Renew LOA for Operations in Special Use Airspace). This paragraph focuses on North Atlantic MNPS operations.



NOTE: RNP 10 and RNP 4 Job Aids are posted in the "FAA RNP Authorization Policy & Procedures� section above.

Section 9. ICAO Guidance on RNP 10 and RNP 4 authorization

Important Note: RNP 10 is the minimum "navigation specification" for 50 NM separation. RNP 4 is an operator option.

a. ICAO Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613 Edition 4 2013)


• See pdf pages 144-158 (II-B-1-1 to II-B-1-15) for: Implementing RNAV 10 (Designated and Authorized as RNP 10)
• See pdf pages pages 205-218 (II-C-1-1 to II-C-1-14) for: Implementing RNP 4.


b. Chapter Table of Contents for Implementing RNAV 10 (Designated and Authorized as RNP 10) (26 Mar 2013).


c. Chapter Table of Contents for Implementing RNP 4 (26 Mar 2013)


d. RNP 10 Job Aid - With ICAO PBN Manual References (26 Mar 2013). This Job Aid provides a methodology for authorizing operators and aircraft for RNP 10.


e. RNP 4 Job Aid - With ICAO PBN Manual References (26 Mar 2013).

Section 10. Safety Assessment

• Safety Assessment To Support Use of 50 NM Lateral Separation in GoMex Control Areas. This document is under development. It will provide a summary of the "Safety Assessment" supporting 50 NM lateral separation implementation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Section 11. Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (28 Jan 2013)

Section 12. Contacts (3 Nov 2012): U.S. FAA, SENEAM and DGAC Mexico

• Contacts