Chapter 19. Other Airspace Areas

Section 1. General

19-1-1. EN ROUTE DOMESTIC AIRSPACE AREAS

  1. En Route Domestic Airspace Areas consist of Class E airspace that extends upward from a specified ­altitude to provide controlled airspace in those areas where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC ­services but the Federal airway structure is inadequate. En Route Domestic Airspace Areas may be designated ­to serve en route operations when there is a requirement to provide ATC service but the desired routing does not ­qualify for airway designation. Consideration may also be given to designation of En Route Domestic Airspace ­Areas when:
    1. The NAVAIDs are not suitable for inclusion in the airway system, but are approved under part 171, are ­placed in continuous operation, and are available for public use; or
    2. Navigation is by means of radar vectoring. En route Domestic Airspace Areas are listed in FAA Order ­JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.
  2. En Route Domestic Airspace Areas are designated under 14 CFR § 71.71 and are listed in FAA Order JO ­7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.

19-1-2. OFFSHORE/CONTROL AIRSPACE AREAS

  1. Offshore/Control Airspace Areas are locations designated in international airspace (between the U.S. ­12-mile territorial limit and the CTA/FIR boundary, and within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ­ATC radar coverage) wherein domestic ATC procedures may be used for separation purposes.
  2. These areas provide controlled airspace where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC services, ­and to permit the application of domestic ATC procedures in that airspace.
  3. Class A Offshore/Control Airspace Areas are identified as “High" (for example, Atlantic High; Control ­1154H). Class E areas are identified as “Low" (for example, Gulf of America Low, Control 1141L).
  4. Since there is no standard established for offshore routes NAVAID spacing, such spacing should be ­determined on a regional, site-by-site basis.
  5. In determining which configuration to use, consider user requirements, NAVAID quality and dependability, ­radar vectoring capabilities, transition to/from offshore airspace areas, requirements of other users for adjacent ­airspace, and possible future requirements for controlled airspace.
  6. Offshore/Control areas that require use of one NAVAID for an extended distance should be based on L/MF ­facilities so that lower MEAs can be established.
  7. Where Offshore/Control Class E airspace is extended to the domestic/oceanic boundary, the diverging lines ­must terminate at their intersection with the domestic/oceanic boundary.

19-1-3. DESIGNATION

Offshore control airspace areas are designated in § 71.33 and 7l.71. These areas are listed in FAA Order JO ­7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.

19-1-4. PROCESSING

Offshore airspace area rulemaking actions are processed by Rules and Regulations Group. Regions/service area ­offices may process those domestic cases that are ancillary to a terminal airspace action with approval of Rules ­and Regulations Group.