**D R A F T**

**Summary of Discussions**

**Fifth Meeting of the**

**Cross Polar Trans-East Air Traffic Management Working Group**

**(Cross Polar WG/5)**

**1-3 April 2008**

**Ft. Worth, Texas, USA**

**1.0 Background**

1.1 The Fifth Meeting of the Cross Polar Trans-East Air Traffic
Management Working Group (CPWG/5) was held at the American Airlines
System Operations Center in Ft. Worth, TX from 1-3 April 2008. The
fifty-nine participants attending the meeting represented the Air
Navigation Service (ANS) providers of Russia, Canada, Iceland, the
United States, and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. There was also
representation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA),
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, ARINC, Jeppesen, and most
importantly, the numerous airlines which operate through the subject
airspace.

1.2 The CPWG provides a forum for the improvement of the provision of
air traffic services (ATS) to aircraft which operate between North
America and Asia via Cross Polar and Russian Trans East (RTE) routes.

**2.0 Welcome and Opening Remarks**

2.1 The opening remarks for the meeting were presented by Mr. Tim
Antalovich, Managing Director of Dispatch, American Airlines. Mr.
Antalovich welcomed the group to Ft. Worth and to the System Operations
Center (SOC) which houses 180 dispatchers and supports weather, air
traffic control, and security. Mr. Antlovich noted that every 1 penny
increase in fuel costs equals \$30 million dollars for American Airlines
and that the work of the CPWG can help to increase the efficiencies on
the Polar and RTE routes.

2.2 Mr. Ray Howland, Manager, Technical Procedures & Training of
American Airlines also welcomed the group to Ft. Worth and the SOC. Mr.
Howland noted continued support to the CPWG and its efforts and was
looking forward to a productive 3 days. Mr. Howland introduced Mr. Rocco
Bova, Manager Technical Procedures and Training at American Airlines.
Mr. Bova will participate in upcoming CPWG meetings for American
Airlines.

2.3 Mr. David Maynard, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic
Organization (ATO) Manager for Oceanic and Offshore Operations welcomed
the group and noted the continued need to work together to increase the
efficiency of the Polar and trans-east routes. Mr. Maynard advised the
meeting that the facilitation role for the CPWG had been transferred to
the FAA Headquarters ATO Operations Planning International Office and
introduced Ms. Leah Moebius, who would serve as facilitator. Mr. Maynard
also recognized Mr. Victor Hernandez, Acting Deputy Director of the ICAO
North American, Central American and Caribbean Office in Mexico City and
his attendance at the meeting to ensure information is shared between
regions and activities.

2.4 Ms. Leah Moebius welcomed the group and thanked Mr. Ray Howland and
American Airlines for hosting the fifth meeting of the CPWG at their
offices. Self introductions were conducted by all participants.

**3.0 Agenda Item 1: Review and Approve Agenda**

3.1 The following agenda was adopted by the meeting:

Agenda Item 1: Welcome

Agenda Item 2: Review and approve agenda

Agenda Item 3: Report on Relevant Outcomes from other pertinent meetings

> Agenda Item 4: Communications, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) and Air
> Traffic Management (ATM) Issues
>
> Agenda Item 5: Review and Update of Action Items

Agenda Item 6: 2008-2009 Cross Polar Work Program

Agenda Item 7: Other business

Agenda Item 8: Update Actions from Meeting

Agenda Item 9: Next Meeting

**4.0 Submitted Papers**

1.  The following working and information papers were presented to the
    Cross Polar Working Group/5 and are available along with all
    presentations given during the meeting on the CPWG website at:

<http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/enroute/oceanic/cross_polar/>

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Paper         **Agenda       **Title**                      **Presented
  Number**        Item**                                        by**
  --------------- -------------- ------------------------------ -------------
  IP/1            3              Summary of Discussions of      FAA
                                 First ICAO Trans-East Regional 
                                 Airspace Organization and ATM  
                                 Supporting Steering Group      
                                 (TRASAS/2) Meeting             

  IP/2            3              Report of the Informal Pacific FAA
                                 ATC Coordinating Group's       
                                 27^th^ Meeting                 

  IP/3            3              Fifth Special ATS Coordination State ATM
                                 Meeting -- China, Mongolia,    Corporation
                                 the Russian Federation and     
                                 IATA (CMRI/5)                  

  IP/4            4              Report on the Development of   NavCanada
                                 ADS-B in Northern Canada and   
                                 Greenland                      

  IP/5            5              Establish PACOTS track across  FAA
                                 NOPAC into RFE                 

  IP/6            4              ATS Route Development in the   State ATM
                                 Russian Airspace               Corporation

  IP/7            4              New Route or Realignment of    Continental
                                 Airway B223 from LIKON         
                                 (Russia) to WKE (Wakkani) VOR  
                                 (Japan)                        

  WP/1            1              Approval of the Proposed       FAA
                                 Meeting Agenda and Timetable   

  WP/2            5              Review and update of Action    FAA
                                 Items                          

  WP/3            5              Polar Trial Results            FAA and
                                                                NavCanada

  WP/4            5              Polar Trial: LISKI Proposal    FAA

  WP/5            5              Cross Polar Flex Tracks        FAA

  WP/6            5              Contingency Response           FAA

  WP/7            4              New Route Proposals in Russia  Continental

  WP/8            4              New Route Proposals in Russia  Continental

  WP/9            4              New Route Proposals in Russia  Continental

  WP/10           4              New Route Proposals in Russia  Continental

  WP/11           5              Extension of the Operation     JCAB
                                 Time for the Kamchatka 4       
                                 (B932)                         

  WP/12           4              New Route Proposals in Russia  Continental

  WP/13           5              Introduction of RNP and        IATA
                                 Associated Benefits for Cross  
                                 Polar and Trans-East           
                                 Operations                     

  WP/14           5              RVSM over Arctic               IATA

  WP/15           5              RVSM Transition over High Seas IATA

  WP/16           5              Review of B932 Operations and  State ATM
                                 Proposals for Improvement      Corporation

                                                                

                                                                
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

**5.0 Agenda Item 3: Report on Relevant outcomes from other meetings**

*Second ICAO Trans-East Regional Airspace Organization and ATM
Supporting Steering Group (TRASAS/2) Meeting*

5.1 Leah Moebius, of FAA's ATO Planning International Office, presented
a summary of discussions from the Second ICAO Trans-East Regional
Airspace Organization and ATM Supporting Steering Group (TRASAS/2)
Meeting. The meeting was held March 18-19, 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The TRASAS is a formal steering group that coordinates interregional
issues between Europe, Asia and North America through the respective
regional groups. The meeting further defined the roles between the three
regions. There were 6 TRASAS conclusions from the meeting that
participants were to take back to their respective States and or groups
for discussion and implementation. Mr. Victor Hernandez also attended
TRASAS/2 and provided additional details on the meeting including a
briefing on the conclusions noting TRASAS support for reduced vertical
separation minimum (RVSM) in the Polar region, and the implementation of
required navigation performance (RNP).

*27^th^ Meeting of the Informal Pacific ATC Coordination Group
(IPACG/27)*

5.2 Mr. Mark McClure, Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
presented the report of the Informal Pacific ATC Coordination Group's
(IPACG's) 27^th^ Meeting held November 5-9, 2007 in Tokyo, Japan. Mr.
McClure noted that one particular issue of interest to the CPWG is the
ICAO oceanic longitudinal separation standard for turbojet aircraft is
15 minutes.[^1] Several years ago, the FAA conducted a trial of a 10
minute longitudinal separation standard without the mandatory use of
Mach Number Technique (MNT) in the Oakland oceanic airspace. This trial
was successful and the 10 minute standard was officially adopted by ICAO
on January 27, 2006, applicable within the Oakland Oceanic Flight
Information Region (FIR). Effective April 12, 2007, FAA began an
identical trial of the 10 minute standard in the Anchorage Oceanic FIR.
The trial is succeeding, but further data collection is required to
satisfy the statistical analysis of the safety case. Most interesting,
and the point for CPWG, is that the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)
stated their interest in conducting a similar trial to support possible
implementation in the Fukuoka FIR. Mr. Natsuki Ibe from the JCAB
recognized that the activities in this region are very important,
particularly User Preferred Routes (UPRs) in the Pacific and is working
with the FAA to conduct trials. The next IPACG will be held May 12-16,
2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada and the JCAB will provide updates during the
meeting.

*Fifth Special ATS Coordination Meeting -- China, Mongolia, the Russian
Federation and IATA (CMRI/5)*

3.  Mr. Alexey Buevich of the State ATM Corporation provided a summary
    of the Fifth Special ATS Coordination Meeting -- China, Mongolia,
    the Russian Federation and IATA (CMRI/5) that took place in Bangkok,
    Thailand, June 20-21, 2007. Mr. Buevich noted that China had adopted
    a procedure for selecting multiple entry points into China airspace
    but certain airlines did not make full use of this procedure, which
    affects choice of routings in the Russian airspace. He asked IATA to
    disseminate information on this procedure to its member-airlines.

**6.0 Agenda Item 4: Communications, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) and
Air Traffic Management (ATM) Issu**es

*Updates from ANS Providers*

6.1 An update was provided by Anchorage ARTCC, which included
information on Polar and Trans-East statistics, status of Advanced
Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP)/Ocean 21 implementation, and
User Preferred Routes (UPRs) to the RTE. The meeting noted that traffic
over VALDA was 44% of Polar/RTE traffic for 2007. The FAA has been
incorporating the Anchorage Arctic FIR airspace into the new ATOP
automation platform, Ocean21. The Ocean21 system provides numerous
benefits for ATM including Automatic Dependent Surveillance -- Contract
(ADS-C) and Air Traffic Services Interfacility Data Communications
(AIDC). Ocean 21 is used in Sectors 10 and 11 and will be expanded to
Sectors 63, 64, and an amended Sector 68. Sector 4 Arctic airspace may
be added, but probably not this year. The safety risk management process
regarding ADS-C 50 nautical mile longitudinal separation continues. The
goal is to implement a 50 NM standard before the end of 2008.

6.2 NavCanada expressed an interest in adding an additional Polar
boundary fix based on the amount of traffic at NIKIN. FANA agreed to
provide an additional Polar fix between DEVID and RAMEL () late 2008 or
early 2009. Continental Airlines suggested adding a waypoint on R338
south of MUSHR within radar coverage. Continental was asked to submit a
proposal for consideration. The Russian Federation noted that B241 was
available and customers would like to use it to offload VALDA. Anchorage
ARTCC noted that this was a very complex piece of airspace without Very
High Frequency (VHF) communication, but agreed to look into options and
report back at the next meeting. NavCanada met separately with
Continental Airlines and agreed to realign the north eastern common
boundary between Montreal, Gander, and Edmonton ACC's to reduce
coordination on P1 ABERI flights.

6.3 A suggestion was made that the meeting consider whether using a
single altitude or transitioning from feet to meters within Russian
airspace would help. There was a concern that use of separate procedures
for specific routes would increase the possibility of error with the
same controller working both routes. This will be added to the CPWG work
program.

6.4 It was noted that flights on User Preferred Routes (UPR) must be
flight planned around active military airspace. Operators were
encouraged to refer to FAA\'s Special Use Airspace webpage located at
<http://www.sua.faa.gov/sua/Welcome.do> to identify which airspaces are
active.

6.5 Mr. Buevich of Russia's Main Air Traffic Flow Management Center
(MATFMC) provided State ATM's Cross Polar update. His report included
information regarding changes to Russia's ATM system, the implementation
of RVSM and included an update on traffic statistics.

6.6 Mr. Buevich reported that the Russian civil and military ATM systems
formed a Joint ATM System on January 1, 2008. Military controllers have
been retired from the Russian Ministry of Defense and transferred to the
civilian system and the civil sector will now have responsibility for
the whole of the Russian airspace as well as for the provision of ATS to
aircraft on and off-airways.

6.7 Mr. Buevich reported that the traffic count in all Russian airspace
was 1,017,900 operations with a 12.2% increase of transit flights in
2007. Cross Polar traffic was up 30.6% and RTE traffic increased 13.2%
in 2007 over 2006. Mr. Buevich noted that Russia implemented 57
international airways in 2007 and plans to add 40 more by the end of
2008. State ATM praised JCAB for their efforts to open the new fix LUMIN
between Russia and Japan.

6.8 The directors of State ATM Corporation branches at Magadan,
Kamchatka, and Khabarovsk each provided updates on their regions.

6.9 Mr. Vladimir Krivorog, Director, North West Air Navigation Branch of
State ATM Corporation (St. Petersburg), provided an update on the ATC
centers and coverage that includes 2.3 million sq km of airspace over
the Arctic Ocean. He noted that the agreement on coordination procedures
between Anchorage ARTCC, Reykjavik Area Control Center (ACC), Bodo Air
Traffic Control Center (ATCC) and Murmansk ACC had been amended. The
longitudinal separation for flights at the same level in the same
direction was reduced to 10 minutes. Mr. Krivorog noted that they were
working to improve the quality of HF communications in the Oceanic
sector of Murmansk ACC, including development of requirements
specification on radio-receiving and transmitting HF facilities and a
State contract for radio equipment was under development.

6.10 Mr. Alexander Dzyubenko, Director, North East Branch (Magadan)
State ATM Corporation, provided an update on Magadan ACC consolidation
program and advised that A218 airway became available H24.

6.11 Mr. Victor Zinovyev, Director, Far East Branch of State ATM
Corporation (Khabarovsk), provided information and a proposal for the
next steps of the B932 operation.\
Mr. Zinovyev and State ATM Corporation proposed opening B932 24 hours
beginning August 28, 2008, and changing the transition area from
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk ACC to Sapporo ACC, along with amending the Letter of
Agreement (LOA) to reflect this. In addition, Mr. Zinovyev proposed
opening B932 for two-way traffic and conducting a trial to change
longitudinal separation from 1 hour to 30 minutes for 6 months, after
which they would evaluate the results.

6.12 IATA complimented State ATM on their updates, in particular, the
presentations from the Directors in the regions. This information was
helpful and provided status on activities within the regions. IATA also
noted that with the increase in traffic and capacity issues in the
region that they were looking forward to hearing more from Russia on its
implementation plans for RVSM either at the next CPWG or TRASAS meeting.

6.13 Mr. Sigurleifur Kristjánsson of ISAVIA provided an update and noted
that Reykjavik total traffic was up 7.7% in 2007 and that ABERI
eastbound traffic was up 30% and westbound traffic was up 336%.
Continental Airlines is the biggest user of ABERI with about 600
operations per year. Mr. Kristjánsson noted that there is a need to
solve coverage problems with satellite communications (voice and data
link communications) north of 80N. This was also discussed during the
TRASAS/2 meeting, where it was agreed to establish a task force through
the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT SPG) to address this
issue. It was also agreed to issue a special invitation to the Russian
Federation to participate in the task force meeting.

6.14 Mr. Kristjánsson updated the group on ISAVIA's Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) plans and their four ground stations
currently up and running with plans for 2 additional ground stations in
the Faroe Islands and Greenland. ISAVIA is currently in the data
collection phase with no set date for live surveillance.

6.15 Mr. Dave Rome, Manager of International Operations for NavCanada,
presented their present and future plans for implementation of ADS-B in
Canada and Greenland, including the planned implementation over Hudson
Bay. He noted that discussions are underway with customers to define the
extent of exclusionary airspace. The Hudson Bay project will provide
surveillance to 250,000 square nautical miles of airspace used primarily
by international carriers traveling between Europe and North American
plus some flights to Asia including those flying Polar routes. NavCanada
has met twice with customers regarding its plans for implementation and
based on these meetings and input, Flight Level 350 and above in Hudson
Sector would be mandatory equipage.

6.16 Mr. Rome also provided information on the increase of flights in
2008 over 2007. He requested both ANSPs and airlines to provide feedback
on information within the monthly statistics reports and what additional
information that the group would like included.

*Contingency Responses*

6.17 Mr. McClure proposed a format for contingency responses for the
group to consider. The format included potential generic contingencies
and possible responses which may be expected during flights through the
Cross Polar airspace. There may be differences between the States on how
they implement contingency procedures, and it would be useful to
understand what they are and determine what is needed to harmonize
procedures across the FIRs. IATA thanked Mr. McClure for his proposal.
It was suggested that an additional category for lost communication
could be added to include the case of extended communications outages in
the Polar region. There was discussion on the process for development of
procedures: whether it should be done through an ICAO process or through
regional agreement among the ANSPs. The ANSPs were asked to complete the
matrix and submit to Mr. McClure. The results will be presented at the
next CPWG.

*Updates from Airlines*

6.18 Mr. Peter Lay of Emirates Airlines provided information on the new
route between Dubai and Los Angeles that is scheduled to start in
September 2008. Mr. Lay also noted that there will also be a new route
between Dubai and San Francisco, but no start date is planned at this
time. Flight via ABERI during the winter months has the potential to
save an hour flight time. They are currently talking with State ATM
regarding other proposed routes. Emirates has asked the FAA to provide
information on any restrictions using "Q" routes and High Altitude
Redesign (HAR) waypoints along the west coast.

6.19 Mr. Dave Behrens from IATA presented information on three working
papers that were discussed at the TRASAS/2 meeting. These papers were
endorsed by the meeting to bring forth to the CPWG for discussion and
implementation. Mr. Behrens proposed that there was a need for the
introduction of RNP and associated benefits for Cross-Polar and
Trans-East Operations. He addressed the need to develop and agree on an
implementation plan for RNP and reduced horizontal separation that will
increase capacity and efficiency for the cross-Polar routes. Mr. Behrens
noted that the ICAO Performance Based Navigation (PBN) plan was to
implement both RNP-10 and RNP-4 in oceanic airspace. He noted that IATA
would like to see consistent 10 minute longitudinal standard and
immediate inclusion of cross-Polar and trans-east FIRs for RNP-10 and
Mach Number Technique (MNT) in the appropriate regional supplementary
procedures (Doc 7030).

6.20 The meeting noted the current RNP-10 capability of existing fleets;
the ICAO PBN plan to implement both RNP-10 and RNP-4 in oceanic
airspace; and the environmental and operational savings using RNP based
track separation. The meeting also agreed to consider addition of
cross-Polar and Trans-East FIRs for implementation of RNP-10 and Mach
Number Technique in the appropriate Regional Supplementary Procedures
(Doc 7030); and to consider where RNP-4 should be part of the
longer-term vision for CPWG.

6.21 Mr. Behrens also provided information to establish understanding
and agreement that RVSM transition procedures over high seas must be
governed by international agreements and laws, and not by national laws.
He provided definitions from several sources including ICAO Annex 11 -
Air Traffic Services that further specified how airspace is to be
delegated over the high seas and stipulated that this airspace is not
sovereign but is international airspace delegated to States for the
provision of ATS.

6.22 The Russian Federation noted that cross Polar routes overfly
islands in the Arctic which are Russian sovereign airspace. Many routes
cross back and forth between sovereign territory and the high seas,
therefore the decision has been made by Russia to implement RVSM in
domestic and international airspace at the same time. Mr. Behrens
encouraged the group to work together to develop RVSM transition
procedures based on ATM requirements.

6.23 Mr. Behrens also expressed the airlines' need for RVSM in the
Arctic Oceanic airspace and provided a proposal to begin discussions on
partial RVSM over the Arctic. The current cross-Polar airspace over the
Arctic Ocean is an incomplete mixture of partial ICAO RVSM cruising
levels and Russian cruising levels. Only 3 RVSM altitudes are provided
to northwest bound flights while over North America (FL300, FL320, and
FL340). Although FL380 is also available, it is usually not achievable
by the long-haul flights. The much-coveted FL 360 is prohibited due to
its direct conflict with the opposite direction Russian cruising level
of 11,100 meters. IATA asked Russia to identify international Arctic
airspace for transition from feet to meters prior to approaching Russian
sovereign airspace. Russia said it would look into IATA proposal
regarding use of FL360 and advise at the next meeting.

6.24 Mr. Greg Dale of Continental Airlines presented several proposed
routes for Russia's consideration. Many of the route proposals would
provide time, fuel and cost savings for the airlines. Mr. Dale provided
these briefings to the CPWG in order to obtain feedback from other
airlines on their level of interest in the routes. Mr. Buevich noted
that the State ATM would appreciate an agreed upon process for
submitting proposals that would benefit all airlines, and asked IATA to
take a leading role in accepting route proposals from airlines and
prioritizing them. IATA agreed that a single consolidated position was
needed and agreed to gather proposals, determine benefits, distribute to
airlines for comments, prioritize them and present the ANSPs with
updated route catalogues.

6.25 Mr. Dale also presented information on the new route or
re-alignment of airway B223 from LIKON (Russia) to WKE (Wakkani) VOR
(Japan)**,** updating the group on the Russian and Japanese work to
re-align Airway B223 due to increased current usage to and from North
America. The meeting noted the efforts of both Russia and Japan and
thanked them for their work.

*Other Presentations*

6.26 Mr. Mike Meza of Iridium Satellite provided an overview of
satellites, avionics, and data link connectivity. Iridium is a global
system as opposed to a regional network and therefore does not use
regional Ground Earth Stations. Iridium provides global, pole to pole
coverage using 66 low earth orbit (LEO) operational satellites with 24
back up satellites and redundant central back-up facilities in Arizona.
Iridium provides 24-hour real time coverage. The system is providing a
very high level of service availability and is providing robust voice
and data services to government and commercial users around the globe.
There has been increased interest in Iridium since satellites provides
coverage in the Polar Regions.

6.27 Mr. Dave Robinson, Aircraft Certification, FAA provided background
on the Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) and Minimum
Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPSs). Mr. Robinson provided
information on ICAO Approval of Iridium Safety Services for Air Traffic
Control Communications -- Revisions of International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) AMS(R)S Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)
-- Approval by ICAO Member States November 2007. There is work currently
underway within RTCA Special Committee 215 for TSO C 159 compliance that
the Iridium Satellite System will support data communications between
aircraft users and ground- based users, such as Air Route Traffic
Control Centers (ARTCCs) and aircraft operators. Tests are planned with
Oakland Oceanic ATC Center in April. Pending test results, operational
trials are planned for July timeframe with Continental Airlines.

6.28 Mr. Joe Kunches of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and Mike Stills of United Airlines presented information
concerning space weather and aviation operational needs. Mr. Kunches
noted that recent solar activity has been relatively calm. The next
solar cycle is expected to peak in the 2011 to 2012 time frame. Mr.
Kunches also reported that a subgroup met in August to discuss solar
weather and to define airline and ATC requirements as to how solar
weather information may be incorporated into the operational decision
making process. It was agreed that the International Space Environment
Service (ISES) would host a website where "one stop" space weather
information service could be obtained. This website is located at:
[www.spaceweather.org](http://www.spaceweather.org/). Mr. Kunches asked
the group for feedback on the graphical displays from the presentation.

**7.0 Agenda Item 4: Review and Update of Action Items**

7.1 The following updates were provided relating to the open Action
Items:

> **[AI 090732]{.underline}**: Mr. Rick Bartow proposed the adoption of
> a system of Cross Polar "flex" tracks through the Arctic FIRs from
> North America to the Russian Domestic FIR boundaries to achieve both
> greater route efficiency and harmonized ATM procedures. NavCanada
> noted that flex tracks are an interim step to random routes. The
> Russian Federation stated that the tracks must be stopped at the
> Anchorage/Russian FIR boundary. Anchorage agreed that as an interim
> step, they would continue with flex tracks to the Russian FIR. IATA
> stated that if this would save 1-3 minutes initially then they support
> this as a step forward. The Anchorage TMU will continue its
> exploration of the DOTS+ track generation capability and to share the
> results of that exploration with CPWG members.
>
> **[AI030609]{.underline}**: Mr. Natsuki Ibe from JCAB provided an
> update on the extension of the operation time for the Kamchatka 4
> (B932), which has been operated by Japan, the Russian Federation and
> the United States since 2003. Customers wishing to use B932 have
> requested to eliminate the current limitation and increase the
> opportunity to fly on the route. The JCAB, State ATM Corporation, and
> the FAA have recognized that extending the operation time would bring
> more benefit for those who operate between North America and Asia. Mr.
> Ibe announced that after August 2008, B932 will be operational 24
> hours.
>
> Mr. Alexey Buevich presented a review of B932 operations and proposals
> for improvement and noted that Petropavlovsk Kamchatka (PK) was ready
> to support 15 minute longitudinal separation, bidirectional use and
> H24 availability of B932 within its current alignment. The State ATM
> Corporation made the following recommendations for JCAB consideration:

1.  Expand B932 coverage for H24 operations effective from August 28,
    2008 (the date was proposed by Sapporo ACC).

2.  Given that Sapporo ACC has both radar and VHF coverage and also
    pursuant to the ICAO recommendations for establishing RVSM
    transition areas in the States which implement RVSM, it was
    suggested to move the transition area to Sapporo FIR. Thus aircraft
    would be able to enter TOKVI at metric flight levels, while the
    flight level conversion (RVSM to meters and vice versa) would be
    carried out by Sapporo ACC. This would remove double conversions
    (from meters to feet and then to RVSM) and place the transition area
    under radar control and VHF coverage.

3.  Introduce changes to the MOU between Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Sapporo
    ACCs.

4.  Allow bidirectional use of B932.

5.  Reduce the longitudinal separation to 30 minutes on a trial basis
    for 6 months and then further reduce it to 15 minutes after the
    installation of a VHF relay in 2009.

> Mr. Ibe thanked the Russian Federation for their proposals and noted
> that they were considering other transition areas and would like to
> engage in further coordination with Russia on transition during a
> bi-lateral meeting. Mr. Ibe proposed to change the order of proposed
> actions above to: 1, 3, 4, 5, and 2. This would be included as part of
> bi-lateral discussions between Russia and Japan. Mr. McClure thanked
> Japan for their work to realign B932. Once all the issues have been
> addressed and agreed to between Japan and Russia, Anchorage ARTCC will
> be able to realign the route and get it charted.\
> Mr. McClure noted that the time of charting will depend on the notice
> given.
>
> **[AI030618]{.underline}**: Ms. Leslie McCormick from the FAA Air
> Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) provided an update to
> the FAA's Dynamic Ocean Tracking System Plus (DOTS+) Online program.
> The overall deployment is approximately 85% complete. Ms. McCormick
> noted that a "testing and training" server is available on the
> internet at:
> [http://dotsplus.cssiinc.com](http://dotsplus.cssiinc.com/). For those
> interested, accounts can be set up to use the testing and training
> server by contacting Ms. McCormick at <leslie.mccormick@faa.gov>
>
> **[AI090734]{.underline}**: Mr. Mike Brennan of the ATCSCC provided
> information on the results of the Polar Trial conducted for fixes
> DEVID, RAMEL, NIKIN and ORVIT that ran from January 14, 2008 to March
> 30, 2008. Data collected on the number of flights per fix highlighted
> the increase in flights over RAMEL. The trial resulted in the
> elimination of the Gateway Reservation List (GRL) buffer time for all
> fixes on February 29, 2008. The trial raised issues regarding the
> differing non-radar separation standards that need to be considered
> and showed that the GRL was not an effective traffic management tool
> for these routes. Proposed permanent procedures for DEVID, RAMEL,
> NIKIN and ORVIT were presented and agreed by the meeting.
>
> The operators want to continue to use the GRL for information purposes
> and hope that DOTS+ Online provides benefit. NavCanada noted that the
> 10-minute longitudinal separation standard can only be provided on
> identical tracks and that the use of FL360 at the Polar fixes would
> help. IATA agreed that both the GRL and FL360 are needed, and would
> like written commitment as soon as possible to get access to the use
> of FL360 westbound at the Polar fixes. IATA noted that there are
> several ANSPs working to manage the increasing traffic and with new
> border crossings into China, this further increases traffic flows and
> make the cross Polar region a crossroads. This is an issue that should
> be brought to TRASAS.
>
> Mr. Brennan also provided information on the proposed trial for RTE
> fix LISKI which will run from April 7-May 10, 2008. This trial is an
> expansion of the procedures applied during the Polar Trial. Weekly
> telcons will be held to discuss progress, status, and issues. Once the
> trial is complete, a consensus decision will be made by telcon
> regarding permanent implementation of the trial procedures for LISKI.
> Results will be provided at the next CPWG meeting.

7.2 The revised and updated CPWG Action Item list is located as
Attachment A of this report.

**8.0 Agenda Item 6: 2008-2009 Cross Polar Work Program**

1.  Mr. Kip Spurio of FAA discussed the CPWG's terms of reference and
    its reference to:

> "*Russia, Canada, Iceland and the US will share joint responsibilities
> for collaboratively developing and maintaining a comprehensive work
> program including target dates and milestones to be achieved*."

8.2 The CPWG has evolved and is now seeing accomplishments from the
initiatives that have been addressed in the last several meetings. The
group has been recognized by regional groups and ICAO. It is an
opportune time to start planning and developing a work program to ensure
that the overall goals and objectives of increased efficiencies in the
Polar and trans-east region continue.

8.3 Potential topics for the group to consider include:

-   Increase flexible routings (Russian North Coast and others)

-   Respective ANSPs efforts for improving communications in the area

-   Development of a single separation standard in region

-   Improve/Increase efficiencies and predictability on Polar routes

8.4 Dave Rome noted that the North Atlantic System Planning Group has a
Roadmap that goes out 7 years and offered to provide a copy to Leah
Moebius. In addition, Mr. Victor Hernandez provided an overview on ICAO
and in particular, information regarding ICAO Global Planning Document
9750 and Regional Planning Document 8733 to familiarize the group with
the structure and processes that are involved as the group moves forward
in the development of its own work program. Mr. Hernandez also provided
information on the CAR/SAM ATM Performance Objectives that can serve as
a model for the group's consideration in developing its objectives, and
offered to provide assistance to the group in the development of a work
program. The FAA agreed to develop a first draft and coordinate it with
ANSPs and customers prior to the next meeting.

8.5 The CPWG will continue to provide meeting reports to the ICAO Asia
and Pacific Office, the ICAO European and North Atlantic Office and the
ICAO North American, Central American and Caribbean Office to facilitate
information sharing between the regions and to support the work of
TRASAS.

**9.0 Agenda Item 7: Other business**

9.1 The size and format of the meetings were discussed. The group has
grown in size making it more challenging to hold thorough discussions on
issues and develop initiatives, as well as to find venues to hold
meetings.

9.2 Dave Rome recommended establishing a Special Planning Group (SPG)
and a working group to get the group size to a workable level and
maintain the effectiveness of the group. The ANSPs will look at format
and structure of meetings.

10. **Agenda Item 8: Next Meeting**

10.1 The meeting agreed to accept Cathay Pacific's offer to host the
next Cross Polar meeting in the November 2008 timeframe in Hong Kong,
China. Once the meeting space and dates have been confirmed, details
will be sent out.

[^1]: ICAO Doc. 4444, paragraph 5.4.2.2 et. al