Separate instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft using the following minima between altitudes:
Oceanic separation procedures are supplemented in Chapter 8; Section 7, Section 8, Section 9 , and Section 10.
Clear aircraft at altitudes according to the TBL 4-5-1.
Aircraft Operating | On course degrees magnetic | Assign | Examples |
---|---|---|---|
Below 3,000 feet above surface | Any course | Any altitude | |
At and below FL 410 | 0 through 179 | Odd cardinal altitude or flight levels at intervals of 2,000 feet |
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180 through 359 | Even cardinal altitude or flight levels at intervals of 2,000 feet |
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Above FL 410 | 0 through 179 | Odd cardinal flight levels at intervals of 4,000 feet beginning with FL 450 |
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180 through 359 | Odd cardinal flight levels at intervals of 4,000 feet beginning with FL 430 |
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One way routes (except in composite systems) | Any course | Any cardinal altitude or flight level below FL 410 or any odd cardinal flight level above FL 410 |
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Within an ALTRV | Any course | Any altitude or flight level | |
In aerial refueling tracks and anchors | Any course | Altitude blocks as requested. Any altitude or flight level |
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In aerial refueling tracks and anchors | Any course | Altitude blocks as requested. Any altitude or flight level |
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When traffic, meteorological conditions, or aircraft operational limitations prevent assignment of altitudes prescribed in paragraph 4-5-2, Flight Direction, assign any cardinal altitude or flight level below FL 410 or any odd cardinal flight level at or above FL 410 without regard to direction of flight as follows:
NOTE: See paragraph 2-3-10, Control Symbology, for control abbreviations and symbols to be used in conjunction with this paragraph.
If a change in atmospheric pressure affects a usable flight level in your area of jurisdiction, use TBL 4-5-2 to determine the lowest usable flight level to clear aircraft at or above 18,000 feet MSL.
Altimeter Setting | Lowest Usable FL |
---|---|
29.92” or higher | 180 |
29.91” to 28.92” | 190 |
28.91” to 27.92” | 200 |
When the prescribed minimum altitude for IFR operations is at or above 18,000 feet MSL and the atmospheric pressure is less than 29.92”, add the appropriate adjustment factor from TBL 4-5-3 to the flight level equivalent of the minimum altitude in feet to determine the adjusted minimum flight level.
Altimeter Setting | Adjustment Factor |
---|---|
29.92” or higher | None |
29.91” to 29.42” | 500 feet |
29.41” to 28.92” | 1000 feet |
28.91” to 28.42” | 1500 feet |
28.41” to 27.92” | 2000 feet |
Except as provided in subparas a and b below, assign altitudes at or above the MEA for the route segment being flown. When a lower MEA for subsequent segments of the route is applicable, issue the lower MEA only after the aircraft is over or past the Fix/NAVAID beyond which the lower MEA applies unless a crossing restriction at or above the higher MEA is issued.
NOTE: Controllers must be aware that in the event of radio communications or GNSS failure, a pilot will climb to the MEA for the route segment being flown.
NOTE: Minimum en route and maximum authorized altitudes for certain jet route segments have been established above the floor of the jet route structure due to limitations on navigational signal coverage.
NOTE: On high altitude ATS routes, the GNSS MEA is FL180 unless published higher.
Issue altitude instructions as follows:
EXCEPTION. If you are in direct, two-way, VHF/UHF voice communication with the pilot and the aircraft is in radar contact, you may specify an elapsed time interval restriction, in full minute increments only, without any reference to the UTC clock. The time restriction begins once the clearance has been acknowledged by the pilot.
“Time two two one one and one-quarter.”
The pilot is expected to be level at 13,000 feet at 2215 UTC.
NOTE: The pilot is expected to commence descent upon receipt of the clearance and to descend at the suggested rates specified in the AIM, para 4-4-10, Adherence to Clearance, until reaching the assigned altitude of 6,000 feet.
NOTE: The pilot is authorized to conduct descent within the context of the term “at pilot's discretion” as described in the AIM.
NOTE: The pilot is authorized to conduct descent “at pilot's discretion” until reaching Lakeview VOR. The pilot must comply with the clearance provision to cross the Lakeview VOR at or above FL 200, and after passing Lakeview VOR, the pilot is expected to descend at the rates specified in the AIM until reaching the assigned altitude of 6,000 feet.
NOTE: The pilot is authorized to conduct descent “at pilot's discretion,” but must comply with the clearance provision to cross Lakeview VOR at 6,000 feet.
NOTE: The pilot is expected to promptly execute and complete descent to FL 270 upon receipt of the clearance. After reaching FL 270, the pilot is authorized to descend “at pilot's discretion” until reaching Lakeview VOR. The pilot must comply with the clearance provision to cross Lakeview VOR at or below 10,000 feet. After Lakeview VOR, the pilot is expected to descend at the rates specified in the AIM until reaching 6,000 feet.
NOTE: American Eighty Three, at FL 280, has been cleared to descend at pilot's discretion to FL 240. Subsequently, the altitude assignment is changed to FL 260. Therefore, pilot's discretion is no longer authorized.
NOTE: Pilots cleared for vertical navigation using the phraseology “descend via” or “climb via” must inform ATC, upon initial contact, of the altitude leaving, the runway transition or landing direction if assigned (STARs), and any assigned restrictions not published on the procedure.
NOTE: Pilots are not expected to comply with published “expect” restrictions in the event of lost communications, unless ATC has specifically advised the pilot to expect these restrictions as part of a further clearance.
NOTE: The aircraft should track laterally and vertically on the Haris One Arrival and should descend so as to cross Haris at or above 16,000; remainder of the arrival must be flown as published.
NOTE: In Example 1, the aircraft will comply with the assigned SID departure lateral path and any published speed and altitude restrictions and climb so as to cross Mkala at or above 7,000; remainder of the departure must be flown as published.
NOTE: In Example 2, the aircraft will join the Suzan Two departure at Dvine, at the published altitude, and then comply with the published lateral path and any published speed or altitude restrictions. The aircraft will climb so as to cross Mkala at or above 7,000; remainder of the departure must be flown as published.
NOTE: In Example 1, the aircraft will track laterally and vertically on the Teddd One departure and initially climb to 10,000; Once re-issued the “climb via” clearance the interim altitude is canceled aircraft will continue climb to FL230 while complying with published restrictions.
NOTE: In Example 2, the aircraft will track laterally and vertically on the Teddd One departure and initially climb to 10,000; once issued “climb via” clearance to FL260 the aircraft will continue climb while complying with published restrictions.
NOTE: The aircraft should track laterally and vertically on the Eagul Five Arrival and should descend so as to comply with all speed and altitude restrictions until reaching Geeno and then maintain 10,000. Upon reaching 10,000, aircraft should maintain 10,000 until cleared by ATC to continue to descend.
If practicable, inform an aircraft when to expect climb or descent clearance or to request altitude change from another facility.
NOTE: For the purpose of this paragraph, “initial contact” means a pilot's first radio contact with each sector/position.