Oceanic Airspace

Oceanic Airspace refers to the portions of controlled airspace extending over the open ocean where conventional radar coverage is not available. ATC separation in oceanic airspace relies on procedural methods, position reports, and increasingly, satellite-based surveillance.

• Separation standards are larger than in radar-controlled airspace (historically 10 minutes longitudinal, 60 NM lateral)
• FANS-equipped aircraft using ADS-C and CPDLC benefit from reduced separation (e.g., 30 NM lateral on the North Atlantic)
• North Atlantic Tracks (NAT) are the busiest oceanic routes — organized track systems published daily
• Oceanic clearances are obtained before entering oceanic airspace
• HF radio was traditionally used for voice communication; SATCOM and CPDLC are now standard