pointSixtyFive

8-10-3

Longitudinal Separation

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

In accordance with Chapter 8, Offshore/Oceanic Procedures, Section 3, Longitudinal Separation, apply the following:

  1. Minima based on time:
    1. 15 minutes between turbojet aircraft.
    2. The prescribed minima in accordance with paragraph 8-3-3, Mach Number Technique.
    3. 20 minutes between other aircraft.
  2. Clear an aircraft for an ADS-B In Trail Procedure (ITP) climb or descent provided the following conditions are satisfied:
    1. The ITP climb or descent has been requested by the pilot;
    2. The aircraft identification of each reference aircraft in the ITP request exactly matches the Item 7 - aircraft identification of the corresponding aircraft's filed flight plan;
    3. The reported ITP distance between the ITP aircraft and any reference aircraft is 15 NM or more;
    4. Both the ITP aircraft and reference aircraft are either on:
      1. same identical tracks and any turn at a waypoint must be limited to less than 45 degrees; or
      2. same tracks with no turns permitted that reduce required separation during the ITP.
    5. Speed or route change clearance must not be issued to the ITP aircraft until the ITP climb or descent is completed;
    6. The altitude difference between the ITP aircraft and any reference aircraft must be 2000 ft or less;
    7. Instructions to amend speed, altitude or route must not be issued to any reference aircraft until the ITP climb or descent is completed;
    8. The maximum closing speed between the ITP aircraft and each reference aircraft must be Mach 0.06; and
    9. The ITP aircraft must not be a reference aircraft in another ITP clearance.
  3. Minima based on distance using Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) in the Anchorage Oceanic and Anchorage Continental CTAs only:
    1. Apply the minima as specified in TBL 8-10-1 between aircraft on the same track within airspace in the Anchorage Oceanic and Anchorage Continental CTAs designated for Required Navigation Performance (RNP), provided:
      1. Direct controller/pilot communication via voice or Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) is established, and
      2. The required periodic contract from TBL 8-10-1 is established prior to the application of ADS-C longitudinal separation, and
      3. The required ADS-C periodic reports are maintained and monitored by an automated flight data processor (for example, ATOP).
        TBL 8-10-1 ADS-C Criteria
        Minima
        StandardRNPRCPRSPMaximum ADS-C Periodic Reporting Interval
        50 NM1024018027 minutes
        50 NM424018032 minutes
        30 NM424018010 minutes
        20 NM4240180192 seconds
    2. Aircraft on reciprocal tracks in the Anchorage Oceanic and Anchorage Continental CTAs may be cleared to climb or descend to or through the altitude(s) occupied by another aircraft provided:
      1. An ADS-C position report on at least one of the aircraft has been received beyond the passing point, and
      2. The aircraft have passed each other by the applicable separation minimum.
    3. When an ADS-C periodic or waypoint change event report is overdue by 3 minutes, the controller must take action to obtain an ADS-C report.
    4. If no report is received within 6 minutes of the time the original report was due, the controller must take action to apply another form of separation.
    5. Aircraft on the same track may be cleared to climb or descend through the level of another aircraft provided:
      1. The longitudinal distance between the aircraft is determined from near simultaneous ADS-C demand reports and the ATOP software is used to ensure the following conditions are met;
      2. The longitudinal distance between the aircraft, as determined in a) above, is not less than:
        1. 15 NM when the preceding aircraft is at the same speed or faster than the following aircraft; or
        2. 25 NM when the following aircraft is not more than Mach 0.02 faster than the preceding aircraft.
      3. The altitude difference between aircraft is not more than 2000 ft;
      4. The clearance is for a climb or descent of 4000 ft or less;
      5. Both aircraft are filed as single flights not flying in formation with other aircraft;
      6. Both aircraft are in level flight at a single altitude;
      7. Both aircraft are same direction;
      8. Neither aircraft are on a weather deviation;
      9. Neither aircraft have an open CPDLC request for a weather deviation;
      10. Neither aircraft are on an offset with a rejoin clearance; and
      11. The clearance is issued with a restriction that ensures vertical separation is re-established within 15 minutes from the first demand report request.
  4. Minima based on DME/RNAV:

    Apply the following DME/RNAV minima in Control 1234H, Control 1487H, and the Norton Sound High Control areas to turbojet aircraft established on or transitioning to the North Pacific (NOPAC) Route System.

    1. 30 NM between aircraft when DME reports or radar observations are used to establish the distance, otherwise at least 40 NM based on RNAV must be applied; and
    2. Unless both aircraft are radar identified, both aircraft must provide DME/RNAV distance reports via direct voice that indicates the appropriate separation exists; and
    3. Application of DME/RNAV separation without direct voice communications may not continue for more than 90 minutes; and
    4. The preceding aircraft is assigned the same or greater Mach number than the following aircraft; and
    5. Both aircraft must be advised of the other aircraft involved, including the distance relative to the flights.