9-2-14

Military Operations Above Fl 600

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

Control aircraft operating above FL 600 using the following procedures:

Flight plans involving supersonic flight are required 16 hours in advance of proposed departure times for processing and approval by the ARTCCs concerned. The originating ARTCC, where the flight plan is first filed, may waive the 16-hour advance filing requirement.
The route of flight must be defined by at least one high altitude fix within each ARTCC area without regard to the distance between fixes. Additionally, the entry and exit points of turns of 90 degrees or more will be designated.
Elapsed times from takeoff to the first fix in each ARTCC area must be included in the route of flight.
The ARTCC which originates the flight plan must forward departure times to all ARTCCs responsible for processing the flight plan.
Approval of the flight plan indicates approval of both route and flight levels (if stated) including operations below FL 600 (aerial refueling).
Phraseology

CLEARED AS FILED VIA ROUTE AND FLIGHT LEVELS.

Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 9-2-13, Military Aerial Refueling.
Separation. Use the following as minima in lieu of the corresponding type of separation prescribed in:
Note

The primary method described to provide separation between two supersonic aircraft is to descend the aircraft at the lower FL and provide vertical separation since the aircraft at the higher FL may not be able to climb rapidly enough to establish the required separation. Another aspect which should be considered is that supersonic aircraft during turns, either programmed or as the result of vectors, will lose a few thousand feet. Vectoring supersonic aircraft seriously affects the range and mission objectives. Radar separation is the preferred method of separating a subsonic aircraft both from another subsonic aircraft or from a supersonic aircraft.
1. Paragraph 4-5-1, Vertical Separation Minima: 5,000 feet.
  Note
  1. The security requirements of the military services preclude the transmission of actual altitude information on the air/ground or landline circuits. Altitude information for the day should be readily available to the controllers at their positions of operation. The classification requirements of the altitude information remains unchanged.
  2. Pilots will report their altitude, using the coded plan, and intended flight profile on initial contact with each ARTCC.
2. Paragraph 6-5-4, Minima Along Other Than Established Airways or Routes: Protect the airspace 25 miles either side of the route centerline. For turns by supersonic aircraft, protect the airspace 75 miles on the overflown side and 25 miles on the other side. For turns by subsonic aircraft, protect the airspace 34 miles on the overflown side and 25 miles on the other side.
  Reference
  
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-3, Abbreviated Departure Clearance.