Middle East Restricted Critical Terrain Routes
General
Because of the sensitivity of relations between several Middle Eastern countries
and the United States, Restricted Critical Terrain Routes have been developed.
These special routes to be used in the event of cabin depressurization will enable
diversion to suitable airports outside of these areas, regardless of where the loss
of pressurization occurs.
Supplemental Oxygen Requirements
Supplemental oxygen bottles are used on these routes , to comply with the FAR
requiring oxygen for 10% of the passengers for extended flight between 10,000
feet and 14,000 feet. Maintenance is responsible for boarding the necessary
oxygen.
Terrain Avoidance Waypoints
NOTE: The highest terrain within 50 miles along the Iranian routes is 18,600 feet.
Driftdown altitude at 1EO cruise speed will exceed the highest terrain.
Six FMS waypoints are being used to assist pilots in circumnavigating several high
mountain peaks in eastern Turkey and Iran. The waypoints are described in the
route descriptions on each Restricted Critical Terrain Route Procedures chart.
The mountains are located in the following positions and elevations:
• Turkey - N38°55 E042°50 (13,314'), south of R660 between ERZ / TBZ
• Iran - N31°36 E054°03 (13,304'), on G663 between YZD / SYZ
• Iran - N30°47 E052°45 (12,936'), east of R659 between ISN / SYZ
The waypoints have been created to provide at least 20 NM horizontal clearance
from these mountains. If turns are involved, a 10 NM turning radius has been
incorporated. Examples are YZD32 and YZD41 in Central Iran.
Additionally, nine other waypoints have been created (and shown on the
Restricted Critical Terrain Route Procedures charts) where a descent from FL 140
to FL 100 may be safely made in the following areas:
• Turkey, on a westerly diversion to Ankara (LTAC) or Diyarbakir (LTCC).
• Iran, on a southerly diversion to Dhahran (DHA/OEDR), Bahrain (BAH/OBBI),
Doha (DOH/OTBD), or Dubai (DXB/OMDB).
In addition to the major mountain peaks listed above, other mountains that impact
a potential diversion have been printed on the Restricted Critical Terrain Route
Procedures charts. They are shown because a turn, if required, must be made in
a specific direction relative to the airway. A summary of these mountain peaks is:
• UG8 / G208 - between SRT and UMH. Several high peaks up to 13, 556’ lie
within 15 NM S of the airway.
• UA4 - between ERZ and VAN. A 13,314’ peak is 26 NM south of the airway,
approximately 102 NM SE of ERZ.
• R660 - between ERZ and TBZ. This same peak is 5 NM northeast of the airway,
approximately 36 NM NW of VAN.
• R660 - between TBZ and RST. A 15,785' peak is 29 NM north of the airway,
approximately 70 NM E of TBZ.
• R660 - between TBZ and RST. A 12, 163' peak is 27 NM south of the airway,
approximately 30 NM SE of TBZ.
• G208 - between UMH and ZAJ. This same peak is 27 NM north of the airway,
approximately 68 NM ENE of UMH.
• R654 - between SV and ISN. A 12,779' peak is 20 NM NE of the airway,
approximately 45 NM N of ISN.
• R654 / G452 - within 50 NM E and SE of KER. Several high peaks up to 14,650'
lie within 20 NM of both airways.
• W2 - between ZAH and LOXOL. A 12,930' peak is 17 NM E of the airway,
approximately 54 NM S of ZAH.
I have charts covering the route with escape routes... but not sure how to upload them onto the site.