Atlantic HF frequency change

[Son of a Beech]

When transferring from Gander to Iceland airspace is Gander advising you or is it pilots responcebility to change to the appropriate HF frequency. We have dual HF and dual Selcal? We are flying random track. North of the oceanic tracks.

[dss3000]

Gander will advise you to contact Shanwick in advance usually at your last position report prior to 30 west. Iceland doesn't come into the picture.

[Son of a Beech]

Hi DSS3000

Thanks for your reply, We will be flying higher since we are coming from the west coast so we will be crossing north of Iceland, but I guess the procedure will remain the same, will they advice both primary and secondary frequency or will you get secondary frequency from the next sector?

SOAB

[dss3000]

It should still be the same I suspect, although I haven't operated that far north on a crossing. But again Im pretty sure the only 2 controlling agency’s are Gander and Shanwick that far north.

Im interested to find out do post a reply if there are other when you do the flight.

Regards,

[ahramin]

Dss3000, perhaps you should not be answering questions about the Reykjavik FIR since you don't know it exists.

Son of a Beech, Gander will tell you when to change frequencies, most likely with both a VHF and HF frequency. Sometimes they will tell you to change "at the boundary" so have a good look at the map (that you already have out of course) and plot your track. Also watch out for the sector over south Greenland that is controlled by Gander above FL195.

[Son of a Beech]

Thanks for the info Ahramin, we will find out in two weeks time. :)

Soab

[mushroom69]

I was reading the answer and thought.... "What!???"

Of course Iceland exists and if you cross further south, New York does as well! And yes, they will give you the next HF freq, including back-ups. Remember to always maintain a 121.5 (123.45 too if you have enough radios) listening watch as well, in case you can help another aircraft or be contacted when you don´t make a call.

Quite typical--- "N1234X, This is Delta 54, Iceland/Gander/Shanwick is calling you on 8864 (or whatever)"

...ad if you cannot get a response on your HF, then ask for someone to relay for you.

BTW....these are "radios," not controllers. They will pass your request on for a clearance and get back to you, after they have spoken to the controllers. I hear all the time, that pilots simply do not know this and keep trying to get a clearance from "Radio."

Radio will try and get it for you, but the person you are speaking to is NOT the controller.

Read up on Oceanic procedures before your departure or at least have a good talk with an experienced Oceanic pilot.

[ksjc]

A great resource and good primer for anyone flying the N Atlantic is on the Jeppesen North Atlantic Enroute 1/2 chart...right there on the margin. It's full of good info about how to get your oceanic clearance, make a position report, RVSM contingency procedures, and plenty more.

I make the crossing only 2 -4 times per year and review the info on the map margin before the trip. Good stuff.

[Shanwick Shanwick]

Assuming that you don't have CPDLC, after you last report to Gander in their airspace they will instruct you to contact Iceland Radio by either HF or VHF. Iceland will do the same before crossing into Shanwich airspace.

If you're far enough north you won't speak to Gander at all with either Montreal or Edmonton passing you directly to Iceland as they also control within Sondrestrom airspace.

[publius]

If my Mammy could see me now.....That would be someth'in
CPDLC / ADS / Electronic Flight Bag........Geez..... There's no going back ......;)

[Island-Flyer]

Have things changed? It's been a few years since I was in the North Atlantic but last time I overflew Greenland/Iceland we were mostly VHF until we crossed from Iceland to Scotland.

[ksjc]

No, things have not changed.

We used VHF all the way from from London to Minnesota yesterday.

I flew EGLF-KINL via a random route that took us to 65N and never used the HF once. Spoke to VHF Scottish, Shanwick, Iceland, and Gander. Was assigned a back-up HF freq from Iceland Radio but never needed to use it.