8-9-1

8-9-1 Section 9. Pacific ICAO Region

8-9-1 Application

Provide air traffic control services in the Pacific ICAO Region with the procedures and minima contained in this section except when noted otherwise.

8-9-2 Vertical Separation

Provide vertical separation in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 5, except when aircraft operate within airspace where composite separation and procedures are authorized, apply the minima specified in paragraph 8-9-5, Composite Separation Minima.

8-9-3 Longitudinal Separation

Provide longitudinal separation between aircraft as follows:
a. Between all aircraft, 15 minutes; or
b. Between turbojet aircraft provided the Mach number technique is applied in accordance with paragraph 8-3-3:
1. 10 minutes; or
2. Between 9 and 5 minutes provided:
   (a) It is possible to ensure by radar or other approved means that the required time interval will exist at the common point from which the aircraft either follow the same track or continuously diverging tracks; and
   (b) The preceding aircraft is maintaining a greater Mach number than the following aircraft in accordance with the following table:
    (1) 9 minutes if the preceding aircraft is Mach 0.02 faster than the following aircraft.
    (2) 8 minutes if the preceding aircraft is Mach 0.03 faster than the following aircraft.
    (3) 7 minutes if the preceding aircraft is Mach 0.04 faster than the following aircraft.
    (4) 6 minutes if the preceding aircraft is Mach 0.05 faster than the following aircraft.
    (5) 5 minutes if the preceding aircraft is Mach 0.06 faster than the following aircraft.

8-9-4 Lateral Separation

Provide lateral separation by one of the following:
a. Clear aircraft on different flight paths whose route widths or protected airspace do not overlap.
b. When aircraft operate within airspace where composite separation and procedures are authorized, apply the minimum specified in FAAO 7110.65, paragraph 8-9-5, Composite Separation Minima.
c. When subparagraphs a or b are not applicable, apply 100 NM between aircraft.

8-9-5 Composite Separation Minima

Provide composite separation within the Central East Pacific (CEP) and North Pacific (NOPAC) composite route systems and where designated by facility directive in the Pacific Organized Track System (PACOTS) at and above FL 290 as follows:
a. 1,000 feet vertical separation; and
b. 50 NM lateral separation.

8-9-6 Composite Separation Altitude Assignment

a. Aircraft operating at or above FL 300 in a composite route system may be cleared at even flight levels. Additionally, aircraft may be cleared at even flight levels while joining, crossing, or leaving a composite route system provided such aircraft leaving the system are cleared to an appropriate odd cardinal flight level when noncomposite vertical or lateral separation is achieved.
b. Aircraft (operating at or above FL 300) leaving a composite route system at an even cardinal flight level do not have to be assigned an odd cardinal flight level provided:

1. The aircraft is being provided radar service; and
2. The aircraft will be cleared for descent and approach to an airport within the facility's domestic FIR; and
3. There is an operational advantage.
c. Aircraft operating on unidirectional routes or traffic flows may be assigned altitudes other than the appropriate altitude for direction of flight provided that 2,000 feet vertical separation is maintained between aircraft operating on the same route.

8-9-7 Composite Separation Application

Provide composite separation in the Central East Pacific (CEP) and the North Pacific (NOPAC) composite route systems and where designated by facility directive in the Pacific Organized Track System (PACOTS) as follows:
a. Clear an aircraft to join an outer route of the composite route system at other than the normal entry point provided:
1. Longitudinal or noncomposite vertical separation exists between that aircraft and any other aircraft on that route; and
2. Composite separation exists between that aircraft and any other aircraft on the next adjacent route.
b. Clear an aircraft to leave an outer route of the composite route system at other than the normal exit point provided its course diverges so that lateral spacing from the route system increases until noncomposite separation exists between that aircraft and any other aircraft in the composite route system.

c. Clear an aircraft to change from one route to an adjacent route within the composite route system provided:
1. Longitudinal or noncomposite vertical separation is maintained between that aircraft and any other aircraft on the route being vacated until that aircraft is established on the route to which it is proceeding; and
2. Longitudinal or noncomposite vertical separation exists between that aircraft and any other aircraft on the route to which that aircraft is proceeding; and
3. Composite separation exists between that aircraft and any other aircraft on the next adjacent route.
d. Clear an aircraft to cross the composite route system provided longitudinal or noncomposite vertical or lateral separation exists between that aircraft and any other aircraft in the composite route system.
e. Clear aircraft to transition to or from the composite route system from an Oceanic Transition Route (OTR) provided:
1. The OTR is charted on aeronautical charts; and
2. Composite separation is maintained between that aircraft and any other aircraft within the composite route system; and

NOTE -
An aircraft is within the confines of a composite route system when the aircraft joins or crosses the outer route of the composite route system or passes a composite route entry point.

3. Composite separation is maintained between that aircraft and any other aircraft on adjacent OTRs.
f. Clear an aircraft to change altitude on a route if noncomposite separation exists between that aircraft and others operating on that route regardless of other aircraft operating on adjacent routes in the system. Pilot's discretion climbs and descents are not authorized when applying composite separation.

NOTE -
Although composite separation is not applied between aircraft on different tracks at FL 280 and FL 290, this paragraph applies to climbs and descents between FL 280 and altitudes within the composite altitude stratum (FL 300 and above).

8-9-8 VFR Climb and Descent

a. In the Pacific CTA, IFR flights may be cleared to climb and descend in VFR conditions only if the following conditions are met:

1. When requested by the pilot.
2. Between sunrise and sunset.
b. Apply the following when the flight is cleared.
1. If there is a possibility that VFR conditions may become impractical, issue alternative instructions.
2. Issue traffic information to aircraft that are not separated in accordance with the minima in this section.

8-9-9. Procedures for Weather Deviations and Other Contingencies in Oceanic Controlled Airspace.