NAT Ops

[Haroon]

Hi

Question 1

On a westbound track, if your entry point is "ISVIG" into Reykjavik OCA and the next OCA is Gander then the standard RT call is:

" XY-123 CPDLC, Gander Next, Request SELCAL check "

My question is in reference to the call "Gander Next"

To which area control is this call supposed to be given?

Normally after "ISVIG" you are with "Reykjavik OAC" which then transfers you to "Iceland Radio".

Are we supposed to give the Call "Gander Next" to both "Reykjavik OAC" and "Iceland Radio" or only "Iceland Radio"?

Is there some document about this?


Question 2

Considering the same scenario of question 1, we dont change the squawk to 2000 when entering "Reykjavik OCA". However when we enter the "Gander OCA" are we supposed to change the squawk to 2000 at the time of entery into Gander OCA or 30 minutes after entery into Gander OCA?


Thanks

[eckhard]

question 1

Once you have told Reykjavik Control, there is no need to repeat any info to Iceland Radio. The radio operator with whom you speak on Iceland Radio will pass your messages on to the ATC guys and gals at Reykjavik. They are probably sitting next to each other. Similarly, he or she will pass messages and clearances from ATC to you. So if you tell Iceland Radio that you are 'CPDLC and Gander next' they will pass it on to their colleagues at Reykjavik OAC who will say, "yeah we know, he told us already".

The thing to remember is that any agency that ends in 'radio' is not an ATC service. It is simply a radio communication channel. Iceland Radio cannot clear you to do anything; they pass your requests on to Reykjavik ATC who will give the clearance and then Iceland Radio will relay that clearance back to you.

Question 2
You should squawk 2000 20 minutes after entry into an OCA, unless you have been given a discrete code by ATC. Reykjavik have extended VHF coverage and radar, so they give you a squawk while you are in their airspace and under radar control. Change your squawk to 2000 20 minutes after you change from Reykjavik control to Iceland Radio.

[Haroon]

Hi eckhard, thanks for the response

Once you have told Reykjavik Control, there is no need to repeat any info to Iceland Radio.

Then why does Iceland Radio ask "Whats your next OCA" if you dont tell him on initial contact. May be Reykjavik Control does not tell Iceland about the aircraft's next OCA and Iceland radio believes that they have to pass the complete info to Reykjavik, so they need to know the next OCA. Just assuming ...

In anycase when we get the clearance through datalink and the concerned OAC knows our exit point and route then why do they need to know the next OCA?

You should squawk 2000 20 minutes after entry into an OCA

the NAT ops bulletin checklist says 30 min, is there a different ruling on this one?

On an eastbound flight entering from Gander and going to Reykjavik OCA on a random route, some people dont change the squawk until told by Reykjavik. Is there a ruling on this one. I dont see any reason why you should not change squawk in this case 20 or 30 min after entry in to Gander OCA. I dont think it has anything to do with Random route or NAT Tracks either.

Looking forward to your feedback

Thanks

[rab-k]

the NAT ops bulletin checklist says 30 min, is there a different ruling on this one?

30 mins is the correct figure.

Then why does Iceland Radio ask "Whats your next OCA" if you dont tell him on initial contact. May be Reykjavik Control does not tell Iceland about the aircraft's next OCA and Iceland radio believes that they have to pass the complete info to Reykjavik, so they need to know the next OCA.

The reason you are asked your next OCA is that as you are CPDLC/ADS there is no further reason to 'talk' to the radio station prior to exiting that OCA and entering the next. You should be given the contact HF for the next OCA when you make the initial SELCAL with for example:

"Shanwick BIGJET123, CPDLC, Gander next"

"Roger BIGJET123, at 30W contact Gander on...."