**THE TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE**

**INFORMAL PACIFIC ATC COORDINATING GROUP**

**(IPACG/26)**

(Anchorage, Alaska, USA, May 14-18, 2007)

Agenda Item 06: Air Traffic Management (ATM) Issues

**Russia Far East Trials**

(Presented by the Federal Aviation Administration)

**[SUMMARY]{.underline}**

This information paper provides a status update on the Russia Far East
(RFE) trials in the Oakland, Vancouver, and Anchorage Control Area
(CTAs) .

**1. Introduction**

1.  In 2006 at the Oceanic Work Group (OWG) meeting, the FAA was asked
    to begin a paper trial generating a minimum time tracks from KLAX to
    two Russia Far East (RFE) entry points, BESAT and VALDA.

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1.  There is a large potential for savings by flying the RFE routes.
    This is evident by a 291 percent increase in the increase in traffic
    on the RFE and Polar Routes since the year 2000. There was a 47
    percent increase in traffic just this last year.

2.  The potential for savings on the Russia Far East ( RFE) routes is
    greatest in the winter months. During the winter months, long
    flights from KLAX and KSFO to VHHH and RCTP on the North Pacific,
    (NOPAC), route structure are frequently required to make interim
    stops to refuel. Cargo and Passenger revenues are frequently left
    behind in order to place more fuel on the aircraft. Any flight
    efficiencies that can be gained equate to large savings for the
    user.

3.  The savings by flying the RFE routes are not limited to the winter
    months. The chart below shows that savings may be gained in all the
    months except August.

![](media/image1.wmf)

4.  In September 2006, the FAA began a paper trial generating a minimum
    time track from KLAX to the BESAT and VALDA RFE entry points. The
    results showed that there was a potential for savings by flying the
    RFE routes. At the January OWG meeting, Cathay Pacific expressed
    interest in flying airborne trials.

**2. Discussion**

2.1 In March 2006, the FAA, in conjunction with Nav Canada and the
users, conducted a three week airborne trial for flights departing the
San Francisco area and Los Angeles basin between 0500 and 0900
Coordinated Universal Times UTC. Cathay Pacific was the only participant
in the airborne trial. Thirty two aircraft flew the minimum time track
to the RFE routes. The results from the trial showed an average savings
of 6.3 minutes flying time per flight. One flight saved 21 minutes
flying time and was able to carry an additional 4.8 tons of cargo.

2.2 The flights to the RFE routes did create some manageable traffic
situations in Anchorage Center's airspace as the flights crossed R220.
Anchorage was able to resolve the conflicts with altitude changes and
one reroute.

2.3 The FAA will continue to work with the other Air Navigation Service
Providers, (ANSPs) and Users to continue the airborne RFE trials.

**3. ACTION BY THE MEETING**

3.1 The group is requested to note the information from the RFE trials
and support efforts to expand the RFE and Polar Routes.

3.2 Users are encouraged to participate in the RFE Airborne Trial when
they resume. Anyone interested in participating in the trial should
contact the Oakland Center International Airspace and Procedures Office
at 510-745-3320.

**- END -**