[quote]
Quote:
"INTOL/M082F350 UN873 SALPU/M082F370 UN873..."
Decoded, this means the flight intended to cross INTOL at Mach 0.82 and FL350, proceed along the UN873 airway and cross SALPU at Mach 0.82 and FL370. In other words, the canned flight plan called for a cruise climb from FL350 to FL370 between INTOL and SALPU and before disappearing.
Do we know if this cruise-climb was performed? If it was, would not the A330 have been even more deeply embedded into its "coffin corner?"
Nope, it means that
after SALPU the flight is requesting a level change to FL370. Any change in level would be issued by ATC (whether a cruise climb or not) and would be dependent on other traffic and whether the pilot actually wanted a level change or not from his current level. The pilot wouldn't change level on his own initiative,
unless complying with Loss of Communications procedures. In that case there are criteria for making the level change, and based on the filed FPL, it would not occur until after passing SALPU.[/quote]
(my underlining)
PPRUNE Radar:
The pilot shall proceed in accordance with the last received and acknowledged oceanic
clearance, including level and speed, to the last specified oceanic route point, normally
landfall, then continue on the filed flight plan route. The pilot shall maintain the last assigned
oceanic level and speed to landfall and, after passing the last specified oceanic route point;
the pilot shall conform with the relevant State procedures/regulations.