Oceanic Plotting Procedures
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Virginia, USA
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Oceanic Plotting Procedures
Appreciate your input on whether it is necessary to plot positions on named oceanic routes. For example, in the northern Pacific, there are charted, named routes, such as R220, between the Anchorage and Tokyo FIRs, which are stored in FMS data-bases. Does your airline require you to maintain a plotting chart on these routes? My airline requires us to maintain a plotting chart, manually plotting our position, after passing waypoints in all Class 2 oceanic navigation airspace, whether they are named routes available in the FMS data-base, or random routes in which the pilot "types" all waypoints into the FMS. Many thanks for your thoughts.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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We plot ours before entering using ground reference and after waypoints as you do. It does seem superfluous with the accuracy of the fms's today, but I really don't mind since it gives me someting to do on the crossing.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Typically plot your Class II points. On R220 I usually start plotting at Nolti. I then plot 10 minutes checks after each point. Some people will do 2 degrees. These plots have at times been referred to as "steering checks", as it is checking that you are on your intended course.
This is what I plot usually on R220: nolti, nayld as steering check, nuluk, 10 minute check, nandy, 10 minute check, nates (include SYA check - 329 degree radial: DME readout from SYA VOR), 10 minute check, nikll, nymph as steering check, nuzan, 10 minute check, nippi, 10 minute check, nogal, 10 minute check, nubda, nanno as steering check, nodan, 10 minute check, and if not given direct anywhere else before reaching nanac, I plot nanac. Even though some of these points are not compulsories considering the distance between them it would be wise to include them in your procedures.
I use a similar procedure on A590. When given direct to amott I will usually try to hit "hold" for the current position and then draw a line from that point to amott and then do a steering check to insure that you are on course.
We also plot the ETP point on the chart as well. Typically we use the single-engine out ETP. We have ETP's for one & two engine out and depressurization.
Another thing that I will do is write on the chart "Radar Contact @ xxxxZ" & "Direct XYZ" as appropriate.
The plotting chart gives you a printed record of your flight, Mostly so that you can CYA to make sure that you have not screwed up on your navigation.
We do not have many FMS/IRS/GPS equipped aircraft, and as such are still utilizing the "Mighty Carousel IVA" with handy 9 each available lat/long waypoints. They can get tempermental and using a plotting chart with these is probably a good thing.
The best thing to do is contact your flight department management (chief pilot) and see what they want you plot so that way you can keep them off your back.
Good Luck To Us All!
This is what I plot usually on R220: nolti, nayld as steering check, nuluk, 10 minute check, nandy, 10 minute check, nates (include SYA check - 329 degree radial: DME readout from SYA VOR), 10 minute check, nikll, nymph as steering check, nuzan, 10 minute check, nippi, 10 minute check, nogal, 10 minute check, nubda, nanno as steering check, nodan, 10 minute check, and if not given direct anywhere else before reaching nanac, I plot nanac. Even though some of these points are not compulsories considering the distance between them it would be wise to include them in your procedures.
I use a similar procedure on A590. When given direct to amott I will usually try to hit "hold" for the current position and then draw a line from that point to amott and then do a steering check to insure that you are on course.
We also plot the ETP point on the chart as well. Typically we use the single-engine out ETP. We have ETP's for one & two engine out and depressurization.
Another thing that I will do is write on the chart "Radar Contact @ xxxxZ" & "Direct XYZ" as appropriate.
The plotting chart gives you a printed record of your flight, Mostly so that you can CYA to make sure that you have not screwed up on your navigation.
We do not have many FMS/IRS/GPS equipped aircraft, and as such are still utilizing the "Mighty Carousel IVA" with handy 9 each available lat/long waypoints. They can get tempermental and using a plotting chart with these is probably a good thing.
The best thing to do is contact your flight department management (chief pilot) and see what they want you plot so that way you can keep them off your back.
Good Luck To Us All!
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Wow, I thought we were behind the times using the Carousel two years ago. That's a good plan to plot everything the way you do, I used to hate the Eurpoe/Mid East flight plalns with 50 waypoints on them.
