IFALPA published a Safety Bulletin regarding the implementation of Performance Based Communications Surveillance (PBCS) in the North Atlantic Organized Track System.Since March 29, 2018 the NAT OTS will publish PBCS tracks. (PBCS separation standards are being implemented worldwide.) PBCS replaces the existing RLatSM trials in the NAT OTS. By reducing the lateral and longitudinal separation standards, more aircraft will be able to benefit from the preferred core winds.
This provides Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs or simply “ATC”) the ability to publish up to nine tracks, with a half-degree of (lateral) separation and as little as 5 minutes in-trail separation (longitudinal), in the North Atlantic Organized Track System (NAT OTS).
By now airlines operating in the NAT region should have published training materials and Flight Operations Bulletins to crew-members educating them of these new standards and procedures.
Please refer to your company’s materials for more detailed information.
We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Bulletin if you operate in the NAT region.
