Requests for Oceanic clearance:
Flights entering the NAT Region through Santa Maria OACC:
All operators should request their Oceanic Clearance from Santa Maria OACC, through Santa Maria Radio, on appropriate frequencies, at least 40 minutes before the ETO for the NAT Region boundary.
Departures from Aerodromes situated close to the NAT Region Boundary shall request Oceanic Clearance as soon as possible after departure.
All flights shall carefully monitor the estimate for the OCA entry point as the non-compliance with applicable ICAO provisions may result in re-clearance to a less economical flight profile.
Pilots should always endeavour to obtain Oceanic Clearance prior to entering Santa Maria Oceanic Control Area; however if any difficulty is encountered the pilot should not hold while awaiting Clearance unless so directed by ATC.
Flights from Lisboa shall inform Lisboa ACC of the flight level and entry point in the NAT Region, as contained in the Oceanic Clearance.
All Pilots are reminded that the Oceanic Clearance is valid only from Santa Maria’s FIR boundary. In order to comply with the Oceanic Clearance if any route, speed or level change is required before to the entry boundary point, it is mandatory to make a prior request with the Control Center in charge of their flight.
Flights Departing from Azores:
Flights departing Azores will not receive the full Oceanic Clearance whilst on ground. The appropriate tower must be informed of the intend flight level for oceanic crossing and will issue an initial flight level clearance. After departure Santa Maria Radar will assure the climb to the approved final level. The pilot will only receive the route and speed clearance later on, usually through Santa Maria Radio on HF.All operators should inform the appropriate Tower about the intended flight level for oceanic crossing, as well as the Mach Speed if operating with a turbojet when requesting the ATC Clearance.
Delivery of Oceanic Clearances:
Oceanic clearance delivery for aircraft in NAT tracks
Santa Maria ACC will issue an Oceanic Clearance for aircraft flying on NAT Tracks using the track letter, flight level and Mach number, without the current NAT Track message identification number.
Pilots are expected to include the NAT Track Message Identification number in the read back of the Oceanic Clearance. If the Track Message identification number is included on the read back there is no requirement for the pilot to read back the NAT Track coordinates.
If any doubts exist as to the Track Message Identification number or the NAT Track co-ordinates the pilot should request the full Track coordinates.
Similarly, if the pilot cannot correctly identify the Track Message Identification number, Santa Maria will read the cleared NAT Track co-ordinates in full and request a full read back of those coordinates.
The Oceanic Clearance may be issued beyond NAT Track limit and may include ATS route designators (ex: A637, A705, B646, B891, R513, R514, etc.). When ATS route designators are included as part of the Oceanic Clearance, there is no requirement for the pilot to read back the significant points that make up the ATS route.
Example of ATC issued clearance: Santa Maria Control clears RZO351 to [ABCD] via Track G BDA B646 GRATX. After passing GRATX, FPL route to destination. From KOMUT maintain flight level three five zero, Mach decimal eight zero.
Example of pilot read back: Santa Maria Control clears RZO351 to ABCD via Track G BDA B646 GRATX. After passing GRATX, FPL route to destination. From KOMUT maintain flight level three five zero, Mach decimal eight zero, TMI
Oceanic Clearance Delivery for aircraft in random routes:
Santa Maria ACC will issue an Oceanic Clearance for aircraft flying on random routes, specifying the full route details, flight level and Mach number.
Flights that operate partially along a published NAT Track are considered as random routes.
ATS route designators may be included as part of the Oceanic Clearance route details (ex: T16, A637, A705, B646, B891, R513, R514, etc.).
Pilots are to read back the full details of the Oceanic Clearance as received although when ATS route designators are included as part of the Oceanic Clearance, there is no requirement for the pilot to read back the significant points that make up the ATS route.
Oceanic Clearance Delivery for aircraft departing from Azores:
After departure pilots shall expect final flight level assignment by Santa Maria Radar and Mach Number assignment and a detailed route confirmation on HF by Santa Maria Radio.
Pilots are to read back the full details of the speed and route as received although when ATS route designators are included in the clearance, there is no requirement for the pilot to read back the significant points that make up the ATS route.