HANKE-Aviation GmbH - Flight Crew Training

CHAPTER 14 - MNPS CHECKLIST

Check Lists for Pilots Operating in NAT MNPS Airspace

INTRODUCTION

The North Atlantic MNPS Airspace is the busiest Oceanic environment anywhere in the world. To safely and efficiently accommodate the high traffic volumes here, unique traffic organization and management techniques are employed and pilots are required to rigorously utilize particular operating procedures. The following Check Lists are provided as guidance. Operators without an oceanic checklist are encouraged to use these and tailor them to their specific needs and approvals SPECIAL NAT MNPSA ITEMS

To assist those pilots who are less familiar with operating in NAT MNPS Airspace, below is a list of questions which address the unique and/or particularly important NAT MNPSA check list elements.

1. Are you sure that your State of Registry has granted approval for both RVSM and MNPS operations in connection with this flight by this aircraft ? (See Chapter 1: Operational Approval and Aircraft System Requirements for Flight in the NAT MNPS Airspace)

2. If it has, are the letters ‘X’ and ‘W’ in Item 10 of your flight plan?

3. If you are intending to follow an organised track, and bearing in mind that the OTS changes every 12 hours, do you have a copy of the valid track message, including when applicable, any "TMI Alpha Suffixed" changes to it? (See THE NAT TRACK MESSAGE in Chapter 2: The Organised Track System (OTS)

4. Are you familiar with the Mach Number Technique? (See Chapter 7: Application of Mach Number Technique)

5. Have you had an accurate time check referenced to UTC, and is the system you will be using on the flight deck for MNPS operation also accurately referenced to UTC? Is this time accuracy going to be maintained for the planned duration of the flight ? (See Chapter 8 - Importance of Accurate Time)

6. If using GPS, have you checked the latest NOTAMs regarding the serviceability of GPS satellites and have you performed a Satellite Navigation Availabilty Prediction Programme analysis? (See Chapter 8: MNPS Flight Operation & Navigation Procedures)

7. If flying via the special Greenland/Iceland routes, have you checked the serviceability of your one remaining LRNS and of your short range navigation systems plus the ground navigation aids which you will use? (See Chapter 10 - Partial or Complete Loss of Navigation/FMS Capability by Aircraft having State Approval for Unrestricted Operations in MNPS Airspace)

8. If flying a non-HF equipped aircraft, is your route approved for VHF only? (See Chapter 4, Flights Planning to Operate Without HF Communications)

9. If flying other than on the special routes, are you sure that both your LRNSs are fully operational?

10. Have you planned ahead for any actions you might need to take should you suffer a failure of one LRNS? (See Chapter 10: Procedures in the Event of Navigation System Degradation or Failure).

11. Are you sure that both your primary altimetry systems and at least one altitude alerter and one autopilot are fully operational ?


12. Are you familiar with the required procedures for flight at RVSM levels? (See Chapter 9).

If, as a pilot, you have any doubt about your answers to these questions, it may be necessary for you to consult with the Civil Aviation Department of your State of Registry.

 

SAMPLE NAT MNPS CHECK LIST

ICAO North Atlantic Working Groups composed of industry, ATC and state regulators have created the following sample checklist. It is provided as guidance and is not intended to replace an operator’s oceanic checklist.. However, Operators without an oceanic checklist are encouraged to use this sample and tailor it to their specific needs and approvals. This checklist focuses on an orderly flow and ways to reduce oceanic errors. The detail of and the rationale for the proposed actions listed are described in the "Expanded Check List" which follows on. Operators are also encouraged to study the "Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin (OESB)". The OESB can be found at www.nat-pco.org .

Flight Planning

- Plotting Chart – plot route from coast out to coast in

- Equal Time Points (ETP) - plot

- Track message (current copy available for all crossings)

- Note nearest tracks on plotting chart

- Review possible navigation aids for accuracy check prior to coast out

Preflight

- Master Clock for all ETAs/ATAs

- Maintenance Log – check for any navigation/ communication/surveillance or RVSM issues

- RVSM

- Altimeter checks (tolerance)

- Wind shear or turbulence forecast

- Computer Flight Plan (CFP) vs ICAO Flight Plan (check routing, fuel load, times, groundspeeds)

- Dual Long Range NAV System (LRNS) for remote oceanic operations

- HF check (including SELCAL)

- Confirm Present Position coordinates (best source)

- Master CFP (symbols: O, V, \, X)

- LRNS programming

- Check currency and software version

- Independent verification

- Check expanded coordinates of waypoints

- Track and distance check (+ 2o and + 2 NM)

- Upload winds, if applicable

- Groundspeed check

Taxi and prior to take-off

- Groundspeed check

- Present Position check

Climb Out

- Transition altitude – set altimeters to 29.92 in (1013.2 hPa)

- Manually compute ETAs above FL180

Prior to Oceanic entry

- Gross error accuracy check – record results

- HF check, if not done during pre-flight

- Log on to CPDLC or ADS 15 to 45 minutes prior, if equipped

- Obtain oceanic clearance from appropriate clearance delivery

- Confirm and maintain correct Flight Level at oceanic boundary

- Confirm Flight Level, Mach and Route for crossing

- Advise ATC When Able Higher (WAH)

- Ensure aircraft performance capabilities for maintaining assigned altitude/assigned Mach

- Reclearance – update LRNS, CFP and plotting chart

- Check track and distance for new route

- Altimeter checks - record readings

- Compass heading check – record

After Oceanic Entry

- Squawk 2000 – 30 minutes after entry, if applicable

-  Maintain assigned Mach, if applicable

-  VHF radios-set to interpilot and emergency frequencies

-  Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures (SLOP) - SOP

- Hourly altimeter checks

Approaching Waypoints

- Confirm next latitude/longitude

Overhead Waypoints

- Confirm aircraft transitions to next waypoint

- Check track and distance against Master CFP

- Confirm time to next waypoint

- Note: 3-minute or more change requires ATC notification

- Position report - fuel

10-Minute Plot (Approximately 2° of Longitude after Waypoint)

- Record time and latitude/longitude on plotting chart – non steering LRNS

Midpoint

- Midway between waypoints compare winds from CFP, LRNS and upper millibar wind charts

- Confirm time to next waypoint

Coast In

- Compare ground based NAVAID to LRNS

- Remove Strategic Lateral Offset

- Confirm routing after oceanic exit

Descent

- Transition level - set altimeters to QNH

Destination/Block In

- Navigation Accuracy Check

- RVSM write-ups