Section 8. Caribbean ICAO Region

8-8-1. APPLICATION

Provide air traffic control services in the Caribbean ICAO Region with the procedures and minima contained in this section except when noted otherwise.

8-8-2. VERTICAL SEPARATION

Provide vertical separation in accordance with Chapter 4, IFR, Section 5, Altitude Assignment and Verification.

8-8-3. LONGITUDINAL SEPARATION

Provide longitudinal separation between aircraft as follows:

a. Supersonic flight:

1. 10 minutes provided both aircraft are in level flight at the same Mach number or the aircraft are of the same type and are both operating in cruise climb, and one of the following;

(a) Both aircraft have reported over a common point; or,

(b) If both aircraft have not reported over a common point, the appropriate time interval being applied between aircraft exists and will exist at the common point; or,

(c) If a common point does not exist, the appropriate time interval being applied between aircraft exists and will exist at significant points along each track.

2. 15 minutes between all other aircraft.

b. Turbojet operations at or above FL 200 in the Miami Oceanic, Houston Oceanic and San Juan CTAs/FIRs and all altitudes in the West Atlantic Route System (WATRS) and New York Oceanic CTA/FIR (subsonic flight):

1. Apply the prescribed minima in accordance with para 8-3-3, Mach Number Technique; or

2. In the New York CTA/FIR, where tracks diverge from the common point and the following aircraft is maintaining a greater Mach number than the preceding aircraft:

(a) At least 10 minutes longitudinal separation exists at the point where the tracks diverge; and

(b) At least 5 minutes longitudinal separation will exist where minimum lateral separation is achieved (whichever is estimated to occur first);

(1) At or before the next significant point (normally within ten degrees of longitude along track(s)), or

(2) Within 90 minutes of the time the following aircraft passes the common point, or

(3) Within 600 NM of the common point; or

3. Apply 15 minutes between all other turbojet aircraft.

c. Turbojet operations below FL 200 (subsonic flight):

Apply 20 minutes between turbojet aircraft operating below FL 200 in the San Juan Oceanic (outside the WATRS area), Miami Oceanic and Houston Oceanic CTAs/FIRs.

d. Nonturbojet operations.

1. Apply 20 minutes between aircraft operating in the WATRS; or

2. Apply 20 minutes between aircraft operating below FL 200 in the Miami Oceanic, Houston Oceanic and San Juan CTAs/FIRs; or

3. Apply 30 minutes between aircraft operating outside of the WATRS in the New York CTA/FIR.

NOTE-
The WATRS area is defined as beginning at a point 27°00'N/77°00'W direct to 20°00'N/67°00'W direct to 18°00'N/62°00'W direct to 18°00'N/60°00'W direct to 38°30'N/60°00'W direct to 38°30'N/69°15'W, thence counterclockwise along the New York Oceanic CTA/FIR boundary to the Miami Oceanic CTA/FIR boundary, thence southbound along the Miami Oceanic CTA/FIR boundary to the point of beginning.

8-8-4. LATERAL SEPARATION

Provide lateral separation by assigning different flight paths whose widths or protected airspace do not overlap. Apply the following:

a. 60 NM:

1. Supersonic aircraft operating above FL 275 within the New York oceanic CTA/FIR.

2. Supersonic aircraft operating at or above FL 450 not covered in subpara 1 above.

NOTE-
This reduced lateral separation shall not be used if track keeping capability of the aircraft has been reduced for any reason.

3. Aircraft which meet the MNPS and while operating in the New York oceanic CTA/FIR which are in transit to or from NAT MNPS airspace.

b. 90 NM between aircraft operating:

1. Within WATRS;

2. West of 55° West between the U.S., Canada, or Bermuda and points in the Caribbean ICAO Region.

c. 100 NM between aircraft operating west of 55°West not covered by subparas a or b above.

d. 120 NM between aircraft operating east of 55°West.

8-8-5. VFR CLIMB AND DESCENT

a. In the Houston, Miami, and San Juan CTAs, IFR flights may be cleared to climb and descend in VFR conditions only:

1. When requested by the pilot; and

2. Between sunrise and sunset.

b. Apply the following when the flight is cleared:

1. If there is a possibility that VFR conditions may become impractical, issue alternative instructions.

2. Issue traffic information to aircraft that are not separated in accordance with the minima in this section.