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General Coordination Regulation

CHAPTER 4

Any traffic that is not deemed coordinated under the terms of this chapter shall be individually coordinated.

4.1 Deemed Coordination of Traffic Between Shanwick and Gander

Aircraft transferred between Shanwick and Gander shall be deemed coordinated provided:
▪ the aircraft is operating in compliance with their current oceanic clearance;
▪ if operating on a NAT Track, is at a level specified in the NTM for the direction of flight;
▪ the RFL has not been changed level within 15 minutes of the common sector boundary;
▪ no objection has been raised by the receiving controller.

4.2 Deemed Coordination of En-Route Traffic Entering the OCA

Aircraft in receipt of an oceanic clearance shall be deemed coordinated provided that:
▪ the aircraft is at the level specified in the oceanic clearance;
▪ the aircraft will cross the oceanic entry point within 3 minutes of the most recently received time estimate or according to a time restriction specified in the oceanic clearance and;
▪ no objection has been raised by the receiving controller.

4.3 Deemed Coordination of En-Route Traffic Leaving the OCA

Cruising traffic which has reached the RFL indicated on the flight plan is deemed to have been coordinated provided that:
▪ the RFL has not been changed within 5 minutes of the oceanic exit point and;
▪ there is no known conflict and separation is maintained against OCA traffic;
▪ no objection has been raised by the receiving controller.

4.4 Transfer of Control and Communication

Transfer of control and communications is at the receiving sector boundary except:
▪ For aircraft entering the Shannon (EISN) FIR (or NOTA/SOTA) from Shanwick between SUNOT and BEDRA (inclusive):
o Transfer of Control – sector boundary
o Transfer of Communications – 1 degree prior to sector boundary

4.4.1 Transfer of Tags

On VATSIM, two distinct methods are used for the transfer of tags. The Gander and Shanwick OCAs border regions that use different methods.

4.4.1.1 Silent Method (Oceanic and Europe)

The silent transfer method shall be employed between:
▪ All oceanic sectors and;
▪ Shanwick OAC and all adjacent domestic sectors.

Under the silent transfer method, controllers shall transfer communications together with the transfer of the aircraft’s tag. Receiving controllers shall only ‘accept’ the transfer of an aircraft tag from the transferring controller when the aircraft has ‘checked in’ on the receiving controller’s frequency.

4.4.1.2 Confirmed Method (Americas)

The other transfer method shall be employed between:
▪ Gander OAC and all adjacent domestic sectors. Under the confirmed method, the transferring controller shall initiate transfer of the aircraft’s tag and wait until the receiving controller has ‘accepted’ the tag before transferring communications.

4.5 Coordination of Direct Routings

Direct routings that cross sector boundaries must be coordinated. This coordination may be completed electronically via the COPX function of EuroScope.

Controllers should be aware that accepted coordination of a direct routing only appears in the datablock for the coordinating and receiving controller. It is therefore advisable for the current controller to re-enter/re-type any direct into the datablock after it has been agreed via electronic coordination.


Last update: January 3, 2025