PACOT

[787dreamer]

Can anyone tell me how's the PACOT work? For example, the CPA828, 882, 838, 082 would track via A1/M750 to Tokyo FIR, will they then take different tracks to cross the Pacific? I'm thinking that if 3 CPA a/c bound for North America, no.1 takes FL290 initially, no. 2 takes FL270, and no. 3 takes FL250 (to avoid delay on ground), and assuming they are of the same a/c type (not much speed difference) and depart in a row (no longitudinal separation), even when the no.1 can climb to FL370 upon leaving Tokyo FIR, the no. 3 can only get FL290. Is that true?

[slatch]

Trying to make this simple is going to be a problem. The PACOTS are a very dynamic track system. Due to winds the tracks move from just north of Hawaii to over ANC. Lets say you are filing off HKG to LAX, You file for A1/M750 and transition on to Track 14 or Track 15. You are being released from HKG based on how you work on A1/M750. There is no flow off HKG/TPE on to Track 14 and 15. What altitude you get from Tokyo Center to start Track 14 and 15 depends on how you fit with other traffic on Tracks 14 and 15. Tokyo uses only odd altitudes and will normally not assign even altitudes. Sometimes Track 11 and 12 and Track A and B cross Tracks 14 and 15 around 170W. When this happens alot of prime altitudes are taken by the Hawaii/Japan bound flights. This can cause some real problems for aircraft on Track 14 and 15 until the tracks diverge. Oakland Center controllers use all RVSM altitudes when available. So usually by 160W most flights have a reasonable altitude. Having AC at 370, 350 and 330 is not as effecient as 370, 360 and 350 when traffic permits. Luckily it is the short direction and fuel is not normally an issue.