15. Standing Agreements

Question 1

According to MATS 2, detail the conditions under which an aircraft may enter the airspace under the jurisdiction of another sector without individual co-ordination. Include provisions for the modification and/or cancelling of agreements and for aircraft cruising below an agreed level.

Answer 1

An aircraft may enter the airspace under the jurisdiction of another sector without individual co-ordination when it:

1. Is following a standard route on its own navigation or a specified track on a radar heading; and
2. Has been cleared to, or is at, an agreed level before communication is transferred to the receiving sector.

When applying LEVEL BY restrictions to descent clearances, controllers should use the ABEAM if the aircraft is on a radar heading and the track is not going to overfly the defined reference point.

Aircraft may be transferred in-trail with a minimum separation of 15nm where the rear aircraft is the same speed or slower than the lead aircraft.

The particular flights and the agreed levels are detailed in the operational sector sections of the MATS 2.

The coordinator, following agreement with the Sector controller, or at the request of the Sector controller, may modify or cancel Standing Agreements on a temporary basis.

Aircraft cruising below an agreed level are to be co-ordinated individually.