ENR 7.14 Gulf of America RNAV Routes Q100, Q102, and Q105

  1. Introduction The three Q routes over the northern portion of the Gulf of America, Q100, Q102, and Q105, are not the same as the RNAV Q routes over the continental United States. There are some differences in operating procedures when flying the Gulf Q routes.
  2. Operational Requirements
    1. Operations on these Gulf Q routes requires the use of area navigation (RNAV) systems approved for IFR enroute operations and which incorporate GPS and/or inertial system inputs. For U.S. commercial operators, i.e., those operating under 14 CFR part 91 subpart K, 121, 125, and 135, use of RNAV systems must be authorized by their Operations Specifications, Management Specifications, or Letters of Authorization. For operators flying under part 91, their Airplane Flight Manual, Pilot Operating Handbook, or other manufacturer-provided documentation should indicate that the RNAV system meets the requirements for IFR enroute RNAV operations published in Advisory Circular (AC) 20-138 or AC 90-100, or meets the requirements for inertial navigation systems in 14 CFR part 121 appendix G.
    2. Pilots should fly the route centerlines at all times and must notify Air Traffic Control (ATC) of any loss of navigation capability that affects the aircraft's ability to track the route centerline.
    3. Pilots of aircraft without GPS and who therefore must rely on inertial RNAV systems to fly on a Gulf Q route, are limited to 1.5 hours of operation between position updates, e.g., DME/DME update of the position in their RNAV system. This 1.5-hour time period starts when the inertial system is placed in the navigation mode and applies en route between position updates. Pilots unable to obtain a position update for their RNAV system must inform ATC prior to 1.5 hours from the last update.
    4. Routes Q100 and Q102 are co-designated Y280 and Y290 respectively. The route filed in the flight plan governs the navigation equipment and performance requirements. Filing for Y280 on the route designated Q100/Y280 requires the aircraft to be equipped with GNSS and flown with RNAV 2 performance on that route, in accordance with section ENR 7.10.

      NOTE-

      ATC normally provides radar monitoring along the three Gulf Q routes. Pilots can expect ATC to advise them when radar monitoring is unavailable and to adjust aircraft separation as necessary.