8-5-1 Altitude/Flight Level Transition
When vertical separation is applied between aircraft crossing the offshore/oceanic airspace boundary below FL 180, control action shall be taken to ensure that differences between the standard altimeter setting (QNE) and local altimeter setting (QNH) do not compromise separation. (See Figure 8-5-1).
Figure 8-5-1
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Conversion Example
QNE to QNH Altimeter Setting
Local Station Domestic Altitude
Altimeter Setting
(QNH)
30.52"
15,600'
30.22"
15,300'
29.92"
15,000'
29.42"
14,500'
28.92"
14,000'
Oceanic Altitude = FL 150
Altimeter 29.92" (QNE)
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When aircraft are entering oceanic airspace, separation will exist
in oceanic airspace when:
a. Domestic lateral separation exists at the oceanic control
boundary;
b. Courses diverge by a least 15° until the oceanic lateral
separation is established.
When transitioning from an offshore airspace area to oceanic airspace,
an aircraft may climb through opposite direction oceanic traffic provided
vertical separation above that traffic is established:
a. Before the outbound crosses the offshore/oceanic boundary;
and
b. 15 minutes before the aircraft are estimated to pass. (See
Figure 8-5-2)
When transitioning from an offshore airspace area to oceanic airspace
or while within oceanic airspace, apply 5 minutes minimum separation when
a following aircraft on the same course is climbing through the altitude
of the preceding aircraft if the following conditions are met:
a. The preceding aircraft is level at the assigned altitude and
is maintaining a speed equal to or greater than the following aircraft;
and
b. The minimum of 5 minutes is maintained between the preceding
and following aircraft; and
c. The following aircraft is separated by not more than 4,000
feet from the preceding aircraft when the climb clearance is issued; and
d. The following aircraft commences climb within 10 minutes after
passing:
1. An exact reporting point (DME fix or intersection formed
from NAVAIDs) which the preceding aircraft has reported; or
2. A radar observed position over which the preceding aircraft
has been observed; and
e. The following aircraft is in direct communication with air
traffic control until vertical separation is established. (See Figure 8-5-3)