9-2-22. OPEN SKIES TREATY AIRCRAFT

9-2-22. OPEN SKIES TREATY AIRCRAFT

1. Open Skies aircraft will be identified by the call sign “OSY” (Open Skies) followed by the flight number and a one-letter mission suffix.
   • EXAMPLE
   • OSY123D
   • Mission suffixes:
   • *F = Observation Flights (Priority).
   • *D = Demonstration Flights (Priority).
   • *T = Transit Flights (Nonpriority).
   • NOTE:
   • 1. Observation/Demonstration flights are conducted under rigid guidelines outlined in the Treaty of Open Skies that govern sensor usage, maximum flight distances, altitudes and priorities.
   • 2. Transit flights are for the sole purpose of moving an Open Skies aircraft from airport to airport in preparation for an actual Open Skies “F” or “D” mission.
2. Provide priority and special handling to expedite the movement of an Open Skies observation or demonstration flight.
   • REFERENCE
   • FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority, subpara n.
   • FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 5-3-5, Open Skies Treaty Aircraft Priority Flights (F and D).
   • Treaty on Open Skies, Treaty Document, 102-37.
3. Open Skies (F and D) Treaty aircraft, while maintaining compliance with ATC procedures, must have priority over activities in special use airspace (SUA)/Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA). Open Skies (F and D) Treaty aircraft are nonparticipating aircraft and must be allowed to transit SUA/ATCAA as filed after appropriate and timely coordination has been accomplished between the using agency and controlling agency.

   NOTE: A letter of agreement is not required for nonparticipating aircraft to transit deactivated/released airspace.

   • REFERENCE
   • FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 9-3-4, Transiting Active SUA/ATCAA.
   1. Open Skies (F and D)Treaty flights transiting SUA/ATCAA will be handled in the following manner:
      1. (a) The ATC facility controlling the Open Skies (F and D) Treaty flight must advise the using agency, or appropriate ATC facility, upon initial notification and when the aircraft is 30 minutes from the SUA/ATCAA boundary; and
         1. (1) For active SUA/ATCAA with an ATC facility, coordinate and execute the transit of Open Skies (F and D) Treaty aircraft.
            • REFERENCE
            • FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 9-3-4, Transiting Active SUA/ATCAA.
         2. (2) For active SUA/ATCAA without an ATC facility, the using agency must deactivate/re- lease the SUA/ATCAA to permit the Open Skies (F and D) Treaty aircraft to transit as filed in proximity to the active SUA/ATCAA. When deactivating/releasing the SUA/ATCAA for this purpose, the using agency is only required to deactivate/release the portion of the SUA/ATCAA to the controlling agency that is necessary to provide approved separation.
      2. (b) The using agency must deactivate/release the SUA/ATCAA, or portion thereof, no later than 15 minutes prior to the Open Skies (F and D) Treaty aircraft reaching the SUA/ATCAA boundary.
      3. (c) If the controlling agency is unable to confirm with the using agency that all conflicting activities in the SUA/ATCAA have ceased, the Open Skies aircraft must not be permitted access to the SUA/ATCAA.
         • REFERENCE
         • FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 9-3-2, Separation Minima.
   2. Return SUA/ATCAA to the using agency, if requested, within (15) minutes after the Open Skies (F and D) Treaty aircraft clears the SUA/ATCAA.
4. Clear the aircraft according to the filed flight plan.
   1. Do not ask the pilot to deviate from the planned action or route of flight except to preclude an emergency situation or other higher priority aircraft.
   2. Do not impose air traffic control delays except to preclude emergency situations or other higher priority aircraft.

   NOTE: If for reasons of flight safety the route or altitude must be changed, return the aircraft to the filed flight plan route as soon as practical.