ENR 7.11 Atlantic High Offshore Airspace Offshore Routes Supporting Florida Airspace Optimization

Introduction
1. On 27 October 2005, nine new directional offshore Class I area navigation (RNAV) Atlantic Routes (ARs) were established between Florida and northeastern US airport pairs. These routes support the Florida Airspace Optimization project and are designed to relieve traffic congestion and reduce in-trail delays. The nine new offshore RNAV routes, designated AR15, AR16, AR17, AR18, AR19, AR21, AR22, AR23 and AR24, were established between FL240 and FL600 inclusive.
2. None of the waypoints will be compulsory reporting points since the new and revised routes are entirely within radar coverage.
3. Southbound routes include AR15, AR17, AR19, and AR22, while northbound routes include AR16 and AR18. AR23, AR24 are bidirectional.
4. Air traffic control services for these routes in offshore airspace is provided by Washington, Jacksonville and Miami ARTCCs.
Filing Routes
1. Flights departing from and landing at airports within the domestic U.S. should file to conform with the appropriate Preferred IFR Routes listed in the Airport Facility Directories. International traffic southbound from the Wilmington VORTAC/Dixon NDB (ILM/DIW) area filing over MCLAW, FUNDI, Fish Hook NDB (FIS), or CANOA should file AR17. International traffic southbound from the ILM/DIW area filing over Freeport VOR (ZFP) or URSUS should file AR23 or AR24. Traffic originating south of Miami, Florida, filing over the ILM/DIW area should file AR16, AR18, AR23 or AR24.
RNAV Equipment Eligibility
1. In accordance with 14 CFR Parts 91.511, 121.351, 125.203, and 135.165 (as applicable), an approved Long-Range Navigation System is required for operation on these RNAV routes. Operators must not flight plan or operate on these routes unless their aircraft are equipped with RNAV systems approved for IFR navigation and the pilots are qualified to operate them. Approved GPS IFR units and inertial navigation systems meeting the guidance below provide acceptable performance.
2. Aircraft are eligible to operate on these routes provided that the Airplane Flight Manual or FAA approved documentation indicates that the navigation system installation has received airworthiness approval in accordance with one or more of the following:
  1. AC 20-138, as amended (Multi-Sensor Navigation System Approval);
  2. AC 20-138, as amended (GPS approval);
  3. AC 90-100, Annex 2, as amended (U.S. Terminal and En Route RNAV Operations); and/or
  4. Title 14 CFR Part 121 Appendix G (INS).
Operational Requirements and Procedures
1. Operators filing or accepting clearance for these RNAV routes are certifying that the crews and equipment are qualified to conduct RNAV operations.
2. Operators must be responsible for navigating along route centerline, as defined by aircraft navigation systems. Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures used in oceanic airspace are not applicable on these routes.
3. The pilot must notify ATC of any loss of navigation capability that affects the aircraft ability to navigate the routes.
4. ATC will provide radar separation for these routes. In the event of loss of radar, ATC will advise the aircraft and apply appropriate separation.
5. INS or IRS Limitation.
  1. While operating on these AR routes, aircraft equipped with Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) or Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) that cannot receive automatic position (for example, DME/DME) updates for the entire length of the route, are limited to 1.0 consecutive hour of un-updated operation. This one hour time period starts when the INS or IRS is placed in the navigation mode, and applies en route between automatic position updates. Systems performing updating after the pilot has manually selected the navigation aid are considered to have “automatic update" capability. If an aircraft is unable to conduct an update in accordance with the above guidance, the pilot must notify ATC and ATC will then provide radar vectors and/or other ATC services.