FAA Guidance Material Polar Operations

1
FAA Guidance Material Polar Operations

• Establishes a uniform process to validate all
  operations
• Documents requirements for polar operations
• Identifies equipment requirements
• Requires passenger recovery plan

2
Development of Final FAA Guidance Material

• Current FAA guidance material is official.
  However, later it will be written in another
  format (HBAT).
• The guidance memorandum will be placed in an
  advisory circular.
• An FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee
  (ARAC) working group tasked to develop
  standardized procedures and requirements for all
  long-range operations.

3
FAA Guidance Material Definition of Polar
Operations
The north polar area of operations is defined as
that area that lies north of latitude N 78 00'.
4
FAA Guidance Material Specific Area Approval
Operators are required to gain specific approval
to conduct polar operations (in addition to FAA
approval for flight in the area of magnetic
unreliability (AMU). FAA approval is issued
by amendment to the airlines Operations
Specifications.
5
Issues Covered in Guidance Material

• Designation of en route alternates
• Airline recovery plan for passengers at en route
  alternates
• Fuel freeze strategy and monitoring requirements
• Communications
• MEL considerations

• Airline training issues
• Long-range crew requirements
• Dispatch and crew considerations during solar
  flare activity
• Special equipment
• Validation requirements for area approval

6
Summary of FAA Guidance Material

• US Airlines need specific approval for polar
  operations
• US Airlines need approval for flight in the Area
  of Magnetic Unreliability (AMU).
• FAA validates US airline capabilities
• Approval issued by amendment to the airlines
  Operations Specifications