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

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.

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'.

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 airline’s Operations Specifications.

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

• 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 airline’s Operations Specifications

Summary of FAA Guidance Material