Section 6. Planning Approval of APREQs

4-6-1. PLANNING/APPROVAL OF APREQs

The following separation minima must be applied in the planning and approval of ALTRVs:

Vertical - Standard minima specified for the area of operation.
Lateral - Standard minima specified for the area of operation. When a mission requires operation on a broad frontal width, separation must be provided in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, between the outer limits of such flight or formation and non‐participating aircraft.
Longitudinal and Crossing.
1. Domestic - 30 minutes.
2. Oceanic - 60 minutes.
STATIONARY ALTRVs - Separate one stationary ALTRV from another stationary ALTRV by one of the following minima:
1. VERTICAL SEPARATION – Standard minima specified for the area of operation.
2. LATERAL SEPARATION - Between stationary ALTRVs, lateral separation will exist if there is no overlap of the boundary of the stationary ALTRV with the boundary of another stationary ALTRV.
3. Stationary ALTRVs are considered separated if the requested time periods do not coincide and are separated by one or more minutes.
4. You may approve ALTRVs that are separated from each other by less than the minima provided that each APREQ specifies MARSA with respect to the other conflicting ALTRV.
  
  NOTE-
  
  The originator/agency of the ALTRV that specifies MARSA with another ALTRV is responsible for coordinating with the other originator/agency before submitting the initial request and any subsequent amendment requests.

4-6-2. MILITARY AUTHORITY ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR SEPARATION OF AIRCRAFT (MARSA)

When less than the separation in paragraph 4-6-1, Planning/Approval of APREQs, exists, MARSA must apply as follows:

The originator of an ALTRV APREQ must accept the responsibility for separation:
1. Between all aircraft in the ALTRV.
2. Between aircraft in the ALTRV and other aircraft or groups of aircraft utilizing the same “mission” name even though the flights originate from different air bases, division headquarters, and/or military commands.
When MARSA is applied between missions of different mission names, include a statement in the remarks section of the flight plan and ALTRV APREQ that includes the name(s) of the missions with which separation responsibility is accepted.
MARSA authorizes an ATC facility to clear a tanker to a common altitude with a receiver even though the altitude has not been processed as an ALTRV request. This information and the identification of the other aircraft must be included in the flight plan(s).

4-6-3. IN−FLIGHT SEPARATION

ATC facilities must provide separation in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, unless MARSA is applicable in accordance with paragraph 4-6-2, Military Authority Assumes Responsibility for Separation of Aircraft (MARSA).

4-6-4. POSITION REPORTS

In a nonradar environment or when requested by the air traffic controller, the first and last aircraft in a stream formation must make position reports at each required reporting point and must indicate position in the formation.

NOTE-

In Class A airspace, controllers may find it necessary to obtain information from pilots conducting certain military operations over and above that is normally required for IFR flight.
The cell leader must make position reports for the cell formation at each required reporting point.

NOTE-

Caution should be exercised by the pilot and the controller during the departure and/or arrival phase of the ALTRV to avoid referring to the lead aircraft and succeeding aircraft as a cell unless the definition of a cell formation is met.
Aircraft in an ALTRV, other than in a stream or cell formation, must make position reports as individual aircraft or flight plan formation.
ATC facilities may authorize communications out/reduced communications procedures in lieu of radio position reporting if required by military operations and prior coordination has been accomplished with affected ATC facilities.

4-6-5. USE OF AIRSPACE THROUGH ALTRV

Approval of airspace for an ALTRV must not preclude ATC from using such airspace, provided that separation is applied in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, between nonparticipating aircraft and aircraft within the ALTRV.