Question for American ATC

[fernytickles]

When flying above 18,000 / FL180, would it not be correct to say that, if on an airway, it will be a jet airway, not a victor airway? If so, why is that ATC give clearances to aircraft above FL180 to follow a victor airway, not a jet airway?

Thank you

F

[Scott Voigt]

Hi Ferny;

You are correct, the jet route system begins at FL180. We can use either the victor airways above or the jet routes below but we should preface it with "fly the radials of XXXXX". I know that most of us don't. The radials are good for the victor airways, however unless you know what the MEA's for the jet routes are then you don't know just how low down they are good for. However, with radar available for flight monitoring, we still can use it.

regards

Scott H. Voigt
NATCA Southwest Region
Safety and Technology Chairman

[fernytickles]

Scott,

Thank you for your answer,

F