NAT Tracks

[yoni63]

Sounds like I as one for sure could use some training on that one! Just when I was getting the FMC down for sure

[John Khan]

"Ross I don't know if this will help but..... V DOTTY CRONO 52/50 53/40 54/30 54/20 DOGAL BABAN EAST LVLS 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 WEST LVLS NIL EUR RTS EAST NIL NAR N109B N113B N115B- First Line = The NAT designator - NATV Then.... Waypoints DOTTY & CRONO (These are where the NAT begins on the Canadian side of the Atlantic)) then the Oceanic waypoints 5250N 5340N 5430N etc to 5420N then waypoints DOGEL & BABAN (on the UK side of the Ocean) Second Line = The flight levels to use on this NAT (Note it is an EASTbound NAT) Third Line = No Levels (as it is an easterly track only) fourth Line = The tracks (jet routes from the east end of the NAT ie (BABAN)...in this case none specified so choose any one). Fifth line = North American Routes.... N109B N113B N115B These come from further south west to the first waypoint (DOTTY) of the NAT. Here is one going the other way.. A BALIX 61/20 63/30 63/40 62/50 60/60 PEPKI LOPVI EAST LVLS NIL WEST LVLS 310 320 330 350 360 370 EUR RTS WEST NINEX NAR N464E N466E N468E N472E N474E- Try working out what it means. Starting with the designator - NATA - then use the above explanation. If you have FSNavigator or something that shows the High Level Jet routes and waypoints including the Oceanic waypoints and mark the track through, it's easier to see what it means. You must enter all the waypoints into the FMC. When you file the flightplan you only have to use the designator thus - DOTTY NATV BABAN - in the flightplan. You still have to file the routes to get from the departure airport (ie JFK) to the beginning of the NAT, and don't forget to use one of the designated North American Routes shown above (although it's in Canada by then) to get to the first point (DOTTY). Don't worry about that other stuff as it is for real operations where, incidentaly, the NAT is sent to the aircraft by an aerial fax system after their departure and before they get to the start of the NAT. Hope this is not too long and boring Regards John"

[rossspargo]

"Hey John, Thats a great help! Thats the type of information i was looking for, when it explains what the actuall track is and explains the waypoints in it! When entering on the FMC, do you have to enter it as, DIRECT DOTTY DIRECT CRONO DIRECT 5250N etc............. Thanks, Ross S"

[John Khan]

"Ross On the FMC use the 2nd page of the ROUTE menu. If there is a jet route put it into the left lines and the waypoints into in the right lines of that page..... You'll see 'VIA' over the left lines and 'TO' over the right Initialise the FMC enter the route, call for clearance, enter the departure Runway and SID on the DEP/ARR. Back to the ROUTE page, then, NEXT PAGE you'll see the departure there and last waypoint. Here is a plan (note - not accurate) New York to London DCT HFD J42 BOS J55 PQI DCT MILLS N113B DOTTY NATV BABAN UN544 DEVOL UL975 MALUD UL6 HON DCT On the next line down from the departure put the jetway - J42 - into the next left line and - BOS - into the Right line, then J55 into the next left line and PQI in the right line. next with no jetway just put MILLS in the next right line and it will put DCT or DIRECT in the left line. When you get to the NAT put the waypoints DOTTY CRONO 5250N etc.....all into the right lines. The FMC will put in all the waypoints along the jetroutes, that you enter in the left lines, for you. If you make a mistake it will tell you!! Don't forget to plan DCT to the end of the SID - in this case HFD - don't put the SID on the plan, ATC will give you that with your clearance, and, plan to one of the arrival points for the STAR at the other end, - again, just put HON DCT and they'll give you the STAR) If there's no ATC just do it. It's not hard but takes a bit of time. Some of the nav. programs do it for you, but they cost. I only use FSNav which is not exact but close enough for a sim. Enjoy John"