To my knowledge, the high altitude enroute charts only apply to the altitudes between FL180 and FL450. Does that mean you can plan direct to your destination if your cruising altitudes stay above FL450?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
3
asked Sep 22, 2017 at 9:54
-
3$\begingroup$ I'm not sure (if I was I would be posting an answer :P) but I think you have to specify jurisdiction. I guess it has to do with airspace classification, and there are differences between the countries. $\endgroup$– Stelios AdamantidisCommented Sep 22, 2017 at 10:23
-
$\begingroup$ @Stelios Adamantidis Actually I meant international flights under ICAO rules, but if it's impossible to talk about it since different countries have different flight rules, I'd like to know at least about the FAA rules on this $\endgroup$– lemoninciderCommented Sep 22, 2017 at 10:32
-
1$\begingroup$ This depends on the specific country you are flying over. Some countries make use of free route airspace and similar concepts, others do not $\endgroup$– 60levelchangeCommented Sep 22, 2017 at 11:20
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
0
If ATC allows a direct-to, then yes. However, what you will file is a flight plan based on published waypoints, but not airways. So pick and choose based on great circle and trade winds and so on.
Airways
The en route airspace structure of the National Airspace System (NAS) consists of three strata. The first stratum low altitude airways in the United States can be navigated using NAVAIDs, have names that start with the letter V, and are called Victor Airways. They cover altitudes from approximately 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) up to, but not including 18,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The second stratum high altitude airways in the United States all have names that start with the letter J, and are called Jet Routes. These routes run from 18,000 feet to 45,000 feet. The third stratum allows random operations above flight level (FL) 450. The altitude separating the low and high airway structure varies from county to country. For example, in Switzerland it is 19,500 feet and 25,000 feet in Egypt.
(FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook - En Route Operations)
And from the FAA AIM:
Operations above FL 450 − Use aids not more than 200 NM apart. These aids are depicted on enroute high altitude charts.
compared to
Operation off established routes from 18,000 feet MSL to FL 450 − Use aids not more than 260 NM apart. These aids are depicted on enroute high altitude charts.
and finally
Operation above FL 450 may be conducted on a point-to-point basis. Navigational guidance is provided on an area basis utilizing those facilities depicted on the enroute high altitude charts.
Special RNAV points can also be used, such as the HAR, see here: What are those 5-character alphanumeric waypoints? HAR allows up to 500 NM between waypoints.
The reason for the limitation in filing a huge distance without points is the air traffic optimization. The computers are limited by how far to look ahead for conflicts is one of the reasons. I don't have numbers at the moment but I'm mentioning it in case you were wondering. Also because the different sectors and FIR's prefer to have a complete leg(s) within their own airspace. However, they can coordinate together and shoot you direct-to the destination.