AIM ¶ 4-7-6 — Oceanic Contingency Procedures
AIM 4-7-6 explains contingency procedures for reduced lateral separation operations outside ATC surveillance, including weather deviations in oceanic airspace.
When you're flying in oceanic airspace or other areas outside ATC radar surveillance and direct VHF communications, the normal safety net of radar vectors and quick controller coordination doesn't exist. Because aircraft are operating under reduced lateral separation, even a small deviation can quickly become a serious conflict. AIM 4-7-6 emphasizes that pilots must be intimately familiar with, and able to rapidly execute, standard contingency procedures for situations like:
- Weather deviations (specific procedures exist)
- Loss of communications
- Inability to maintain assigned altitude or speed
Key points to remember:
- Operators should ensure crews carry these procedures in a readily accessible format in the cockpit.
- The reduced margin for error means procedures must be applied correctly and expeditiously.
- These are internationally accepted procedures published in ICAO Document 4444, Chapter 15.
- They are reprinted in the U.S. AIP, ENR Section 7.3 (Special Procedures for In-flight Contingencies in Oceanic Airspace) and in AC 91-70.
This is a recommended practice / informational guidance, but compliance with the underlying ICAO and operating rules is expected for any flight in oceanic airspace.