Serial Number: 2015_004 Effective: 12 November 2015

Subject: Gander Data Link Oceanic

Clearance Delivery (OCD)
Crew Procedures

The purpose of North Atlantic Operations Bulletin 2015_004 is to promulgate Version 24 of the Gander
Oceanic Clearance Delivery via data link procedures on behalf of the Gander Oceanic Area Control Centre.
Version 24 is effective on 12 November 2015.

This NAT OPS Bulletin supersedes NAT OPS Bulletin, Serial Number: 2015_001.
Summary of Changes

Version 24 contains amendments to the following sections:

Section 2.2.c: The link to the TC AIM has been updated.
Section 5.5: TC AIM reference number updated.
Appendix A: Additional boundary fixes added to support RLatSM,
VODOR deleted and replaced with RAFIN.

Problem reports may be emailed to NAV CANADA at [email protected].

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NAT OPS Bulletin 2015_004 Gander OCD V24.docx page 1 of 1

 GANDER DATA LINK
OCEANIC CLEARANCE DELIVERY (OCD)
CREW PROCEDURES

Gander Oceanic Area Control Centre Operations Building

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Contents

Contents ...............................................................................................................2
Section 1 Summary of Changes ......................................................................3
Section 2 Introduction......................................................................................4
Section 3 Connecting to System .....................................................................4
Section 4 Requesting Clearance .....................................................................5
Section 5 Clearance Delivery ..........................................................................5
Section 6 Clearance Negotiation .....................................................................6
Section 7 Clearance Acknowledgement ..........................................................6
Section 8 Reclearances ..................................................................................7
Section 9 Time Revisions ................................................................................7
Section 10 RCL and CLA Errors........................................................................7
Appendix A – Oceanic Entry Points (OEPs) (north to south) ................................9
Appendix B – Terms Used in the ATC/ Line .........................................................9
Appendix C – Abbreviations..................................................................................9
Appendix D – Crew Check Lists...........................................................................10
Appendix E – Examples of Data Link Oceanic Clearances................................. 11

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 Section 1 Summary of Changes

Version 24 contains amendments to the following sections:

Section 2.2.c: The link to the TC AIM has been updated.

Section 5.5: TC AIM reference number updated.
Appendix A: Additional boundary fixes added to support RLatSM,
VODOR deleted and replaced with RAFIN.

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Section 2 Introduction
2.1 Gander Oceanic Area Control Centre (OACC) provides air traffic control services within the
Gander Oceanic Control Area (OCA). Data link Oceanic Clearance Delivery (OCD) service
is provided by means of VHF and satellite to ACARS equipped aircraft via communications
service providers ARINC and SITA. Operators intending to participate in the OCD process
are required to contact their communications service provider and indicate that they would
like to receive the service.

2.2 Flight crews uncertain about any aspect of the data link OCD process should contact
Gander Clearance Delivery between the hours of 2330Z – 0730Z (DST 2230Z – 0630Z),
when within 200 NM of a Gander Clearance Delivery frequency. Outside of those hours or
when the flight will not pass within 200NM of a Gander Clearance Delivery frequency they
should contact the current controller when the flight is no more than 90 minutes from the
Oceanic Entry Point (OEP).
Notes
a) OEPs are listed in Appendix A;
b) Gander Clearance Delivery frequencies and locations are listed in the Transport
Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), RAC 11.8.3 (a) (i);
c) The Transport Canada AIM is available at:
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp14371-menu-3092.htm

2.3 Flights intending to receive an unsolicited clearance or that are not capable of sending a
Request for Clearance (RCL) downlink message via data link OCD should include ‘AGCS’ in
field 18 of the ICAO flight plan.
2.4 Flights intending to receive an unsolicited clearance in a particular format are to contact
their communications service provider.
2.5 Crews should not attempt to correct RCL or Clearance Acknowledgement (CLA) downlink
message problems on a control frequency. Technical problems should be reported in
accordance with the Operator’s standard procedures. Problem reports may be emailed to
NAV CANADA at [email protected].

2.6 Flight crews in receipt of a data link oceanic clearance from Gander OACC while in the New
York OCA but subsequently routing through Gander Domestic airspace before re-entering
the North Atlantic (NAT) Region should not modify the flight management computer (FMC)
prior to exiting the New York OCA. Modifications in accordance with the oceanic clearance
should be executed while within Gander Domestic airspace.

Section 3 Connecting to System

3.1 Each operator of flights that can downlink RCL and CLA messages should ensure that
flight crews know how to address them to the Gander OCD system.
3.2 Flights equipped to send an RCL should:
 Not include ‘AGCS’ in field 18 of the ICAO flight plan; and
 Follow the procedures in Section 4 – Requesting Clearance.
3.3 Flights not equipped to send an RCL, but equipped to receive a data link oceanic
clearance should:
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  Include ‘AGCS’ in field 18 of the ICAO flight plan; and
 Expect to receive their data link oceanic clearances automatically. If the
data link oceanic clearance is not received by 30 minutes prior to the OEP,
the oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph
5.4).

Section 4 Requesting Clearance

4.1 Flights so equipped should request the clearance by sending the RCL. Flights not
equipped to send an RCL must complete the ACARS logon and expect a clearance as
per paragraph 3.3.
4.2 The RCL should contain the following information:
 An appropriate OEP (See Appendix A)
 An accurate ETA for the OEP
 The requested Mach Number
 The requested Flight Level
 The highest acceptable Flight Level which can be attained at the OEP

Example: (RCL-AFR023-SUPRY/2340 M0820 F370 -RMK/MAX FL380)

4.3 The RCL should be sent when or soon after the flight is 90 minutes from the estimated time
for the OEP. A significant delay or complete failure to send the RCL will result in the flight
not receiving a data link clearance. The oceanic clearance will then have to be requested
via voice.
4.4 Flights departing from airports less than 45 minutes flying time from the OEP should
request clearance 10 minutes prior to start up.
4.5 Flights departing from airports 45-70 minutes flying time from the OEP should request
clearance as soon as practicable after departure.
4.6 The call sign in the RCL must match the aircraft identification as contained in the ICAO
flight plan or the RCL will be rejected. (see Section 10 – RCL and CLA Errors)
4.7 Under some circumstances, a data link oceanic clearance may be received prior to the
RCL being sent.
4.8 The following message indicates that the RCL has been received:
IF NO CLEARANCE RECEIVED WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF OCEANIC ENTRY POINT
REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES END OF MESSAGE.
If this message is not received within 5 minutes of sending the RCL, the crew should
request the clearance via voice (see paragraph 5.4).

Section 5 Clearance Delivery

5.1 Examples of data link oceanic clearances are provided in Appendix E.
5.2 If the call sign in the data link oceanic clearance is not correct, the clearance is not valid
and the crew must request the oceanic clearance via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
5.3 If the flight is cleared to operate on a NAT track, the crew must confirm that the route
coordinates match those published in the current NAT track message. If there is a
discrepancy, the crew should verify that they have the current NAT track message. If there is
still a discrepancy, the clearance is not valid and the crew should request the oceanic
clearance via voice in accordance with the procedures published in the Transport Canada
Aeronautical AIM, RAC 11.8.

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5.4 If the data link oceanic clearance is not received by 30 minutes prior to the OEP the crew
must request the oceanic clearance via voice in accordance with the procedures published
in the Transport Canada AIM, RAC 11.8.
5.5 The flight level contained in the data link oceanic clearance is the “cleared oceanic flight
level” for the purposes of complying with the lost communication procedures detailed in the
Transport Canada AIM, RAC 11.19, the Canada Flight Supplement and the North Atlantic
Regional Supplementary Procedures (ICAO Doc 7030). ATC is responsible for providing a
clearance to enable the flight to reach this flight level before reaching the OEP. If there is a
concern, crews should contact their current controller.
5.6 The data link oceanic clearance may include a reroute to an oceanic entry point which is
different from the current cleared route and/or may specify an oceanic entry point which is
different from the flight plan. In all cases, flights should continue to operate in accordance
with the current cleared route until a verbal reclearance is received from ATC.
5.7 If the clearance does not contain the line END OF MESSAGE, it is possible that the
clearance was not complete. Crews must verify the clearance via voice (see paragraphs
7.4 and 7.5).

Section 6 Clearance Negotiation

6.1 Amendments to the data link oceanic clearance should be requested via voice. Flights
equipped to send an RCL should send one before requesting the amendment via voice.
6.2 Amendments to the data link oceanic clearance should be requested by contacting Gander
Clearance Delivery between the hours of 2330Z – 0730Z (DST 2230Z – 0630Z), when
within 200NM of a Gander Clearance Delivery frequency. Outside of those hours or when
the flight will not pass within 200NM of a Gander Clearance Delivery frequency crews
should contact the current controller when the flight is no more than 90 minutes from the
OEP.

Section 7 Clearance Acknowledgement

7.1 When the data link oceanic clearance is received, flights equipped to send a Clearance
Acknowledgement (CLA) should do so. Flights not equipped to send a CLA must verify
the data link oceanic clearance via voice in accordance with paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5.
7.2 The following message indicates that the data link oceanic clearance process is complete
and that no further action is required by the crew to acknowledge or verify the oceanic
clearance:
CLA RECEIVED CLEARANCE CONFIRMED END OF MESSAGE.
If this message is not received within 5 minutes of sending the CLA, then the data link
oceanic clearance must be verified via voice in accordance with paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5.
7.3 If a CLA error message is received, the data link oceanic clearance must be verified via
voice in accordance with paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5. (see also Section 10 – RCL and CLA
Errors)
7.4 If a data link oceanic clearance must be verified via voice, contact Gander Clearance
Delivery between the hours of 2330Z – 0730Z (DST 2230Z – 0630Z), when within 200NM of
a Gander Clearance Delivery frequency. Outside of those hours or when the flight will not
pass within 200NM of a Gander Clearance Delivery frequency, crews should contact the
current controller when the flight is no more than 90 minutes from the OEP.
7.5 When verifying a data link oceanic clearance via voice the following information must be
provided:
 ETA for the OEP;
 The NAT track identifier (if operating on a NAT track);

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  The cleared oceanic route (if operating on a random route);
 The cleared oceanic flight level (see paragraph 5.5); and
 The cleared Mach number.

Section 8 Reclearances
8.1 When a data link oceanic clearance is amended, it will include the ATC/ line and the
RECLEARANCE line (see Appendix E for examples of reclearances).
8.2 The ATC/ line will list which item (or items) of the clearance was changed from the
previously issued clearance. The terms used in the ATC/ line are explained in Appendix B.
8.3 The RECLEARANCE line will contain a number from 1 to 9, to identify the first and
subsequent reclearances.
8.4 The CLA should be sent for the clearance with the highest RECLEARANCE number.
8.5 If unable to send a CLA, the clearance should be verified via voice (see paragraphs 7.4
and 7.5).
8.6 If the reclearance does not contain the line END OF MESSAGE, it is possible that the
clearance was incomplete. Crews must verify the clearance via voice (see paragraphs
7.4 and 7.5).

Section 9 Time Revisions

9.1 If the data link oceanic clearance has been received, crews should advise the current
controller via voice if the ETA for the OEP changes by 3 minutes or more. This may
result in ATC providing a reclearance.
9.2 Crews should be aware that the time located next to the OEP in the data link clearance
message (see Appendix E) is not a restriction or an instruction and may not coincide with the
OEP estimate they sent in the RCL. This time should be used when considering whether a
time revision notification to ATC is necessary.

Section 10 RCL and CLA Errors

RCL errors

RCL RECEIVED GANDER CLEARANCE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED SEND DATALINK

ACCEPTANCE NOW
Meaning: There has been no CLA received in response to the data link oceanic
clearance within the expected timeframe.
Crew Action: If no CLA has been sent, send it immediately. If a CLA has been sent
then crew should operate in compliance with paragraph 7.2.

SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES END OF MESSAGE

Meaning: The Gander OCD data link was not available when the RCL was sent.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
RCL REJECTED ERROR IN MESSAGE REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES END OF
MESSAGE
Meaning: There was a formatting error in the RCL received by the Gander OCD system.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).

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 RCL REJECTED CALLSIGN IN USE REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES END OF
MESSAGE
Meaning: The call sign in the RCL matches a call sign associated with another aircraft.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
RCL REJECTED FLIGHT PLAN NOT HELD END OF MESSAGE
Meaning: The Gander OCD system does not have a flight plan for the flight.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
RCL REJECTED INVALID REGISTRATION END OF MESSAGE
Meaning: The aircraft registration in the RCL does not match the registration in the flight
plan in the Gander OCD system.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
RCL REJECTED INVALID OCEAN ENTRY POINT REVERT TO VOICE
PROCEDURES END OF MESSAGE
Meaning: The route requested in the RCL did not contain a valid OEP.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
RCL REJECTED RCL SENT TOO EARLY REQUEST AGAIN LATER END OF
MESSAGE
Meaning: The time for the OEP included in the RCL was more than 90 minutes from the
current time.
Crew action: Send another RCL not earlier than 90 minutes but not later than 30
minutes prior to the OEP.
RCL REJECTED RCL RECEIVED TOO LATE REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES
END OF MESSAGE
Meaning: The RCL was received by the Gander OCD system less than 30 minutes
before the time estimated for the OEP.
Crew action: The oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).
CLA errors

CLA REJECTED RCL NOT RECEIVED REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES

Meaning: The data link oceanic clearance was sent before the RCL was received. The
CLA is correct, but some information must be verified via voice.
Crew action: Contact ATC in accordance with paragraph 7.4 and verify only the
estimate for the OEP, the data link sequence number and the reclearance number if
present (see Appendix E for examples of data link oceanic clearance formats).
CLA REJECTED ERROR IN MESSAGE REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES END OF
MESSAGE
Meaning: There was a formatting error in the CLA received by the Gander OCD system.
Crew action: The data link oceanic clearance must be verified via voice (see paragraphs
7.4 and 7.5).
CLA REJECTED CLEARANCE CANCELLED REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES
END OF MESSAGE
Meaning: The CLA received by the Gander OCD system did not match the data link
oceanic clearance.
Crew action: The data link oceanic clearance received by the crew is not valid. The
oceanic clearance must be requested via voice (see paragraph 5.4).

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Appendix A – Oceanic Entry Points (OEPs) (north to south)

AVPUT URTAK JANJO SAXAN JOOPY RAFIN

CLAVY AVUTI KODIK TUDEP MUSAK TALGO
EMBOK CUDDY LOMSI UMESI NICSO
KETLA DORYY MELDI ALLRY OMSAT
MAXAR ENNSO NEEKO BUDAR PORTI
PIDSO HOIST PELTU ELSIR RELIC
SAVRY IRLOK RIKAL IBERG SUPRY

Appendix B – Terms Used in the ATC/ Line

LEVEL CHANGE The expected flight level in the reclearance is different from the previously
issued clearance.
MACH CHANGE The speed in the reclearance is different from the previously issued
clearance.
ROUTE CHANGE The route contained is a change from the filed flight plan or the route in the
reclearance is different from the previously issued clearance Note: If the
previously issued clearance was on a NAT track, the route description will
change to RANDOM ROUTE.

Appendix C – Abbreviations
Abbreviations used in this document
ACARS Aircraft Communications, Addressing and Reporting System
AGCS Air Ground Communications System
AIM Aeronautical Information Publication
ATC Air Traffic Control
CLA Clearance Acknowledgement downlink message
DST Daylight Standard Time
ETA Estimated time of arrival
NAT North Atlantic
NM Nautical Mile(s)
OACC Oceanic Area Control Centre
OCA Oceanic Control Area
OCD Oceanic Clearance Delivery
OCP Oceanic Clearance Processor
OEP Oceanic Entry Point
RCL Request for Clearance downlink message

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Abbreviations used in data link oceanic clearance messages
ATC Air Traffic Control
CLRD Cleared
CLRNCE Clearance sequence identifier
CLX Clearance uplink message identifier
F Flight Level
FM From
M Mach
NAT North Atlantic track

Appendix D – Crew Check Lists

Aircraft equipped to send an RCL:
1 Complete ACARS logon (see paragraph 3.1)
2 Send the RCL (see Section 4 – Requesting Clearance)
3 Ensure confirmation message is received (see paragraph 4.8)
4 If error message received, take appropriate action (see Section 10 – RCL and CLA Errors)
5 Receive data link oceanic clearance (see Section 5 – Clearance Delivery)

6 Confirm call sign in clearance matches the call sign in the flight plan (see paragraph 5.2)
7 Confirm that route coordinates are correct (see paragraph 5.3)
8 Send CLA (see paragraph 7.1)
9 Ensure confirmation message is received (see paragraph 7.2)
10 If error message received, take appropriate action (see Section 10 – RCL and CLA Errors)
11 Advise ATC via voice if the ETA for the OEP changes by 3 minutes or more (see Section
9 – Time Revisions).

Aircraft not equipped to send an RCL:

1 Complete ACARS logon (see paragraph 3.1)
2 Receive data link oceanic clearance (see Section 5 – Clearance Delivery)
3 Confirm call sign in clearance matches the call sign in the flight plan (see paragraph 5.2)
4 Confirm that route coordinates are correct (see paragraph 5.3)
5 If able, send CLA (see paragraph 7.1)
Ensure confirmation message is received (see paragraph 7.2)
If error message received, take appropriate action (see Section 10 – RCL and CLA Errors)
6 Verify clearance via voice (see paragraphs 7.4 and 7.5)
7 Advise ATC via voice if the ETA for the OEP changes by 3 minutes or more (see Section
9 – Time Revisions).

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Appendix E – Examples of Data Link Oceanic Clearances

Explanation of data link clearance elements

Time and date (2006, February 24)

Data link clearance

Message identifier sequence number
Gander ACC

Call sign CLX 1259 060224 CZQX CLRNCE 026 Destination and
OEP

ACA123 CLRD TO LFPG VIA NEEKO

Route
description
NAT W

Assigned
route NEEKO 54NO50W 56N040W 57N030W 57N020W PIKIL SOVED

FM NEEKO/1348 MNTN F330 M082 Assigned Mach number

END OF MESSAGE Cleared oceanic flight level (see paragraph 5.5)

If this line does not appear, the clearance OEP estimate used by ATC when assigning the clearance.
may be incomplete (see paragraph 5.7) Note: This additional element is not a restriction or an instruction
(see Section 9).

Example 1 – clearance on a NAT track

CLX 1259 060224 CZQX CLRNCE 026
ABC123 CLRD TO LFPG VIA NEEKO
NAT W
NEEKO 54N050W 56N040W 57N030W 57N020W PIKIL SOVED
FM NEEKO/1348 MNTN F330 M082
END OF MESSAGE

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Example 2 – clearance on a random route
CLX 1523 060530 CZQX CLRNCE 118
ABC456 CLRD TO EGLL VIA TUDEP
RANDOM ROUTE
TUDEP 52N050W 53N040W 53N030W 52N020W LIMRI DOLIP
FM TUDEP/1632 MNTN F350 M080
END OF MESSAGE

Example 3 – reclearance from the clearance in Example 1

CLX 1325 060224 CZQX CLRNCE 097
ABC123 CLRD TO LFPG VIA NEEKO
RANDOM ROUTE
NEEKO 54N050W 55N040W 56N030W 57N020W PIKIL SOVED
FM NEEKO/1430 MNTN F340 M082
ATC/ ROUTE CHANGE LEVEL CHANGE
RECLEARANCE 1
END OF MESSAGE

Example 4 – reclearance from the clearance in Example 2

CLX 1558 060530 CZQX CLRNCE 135
ABC456 CLRD TO EGLL VIA TUDEP
RANDOM ROUTE
TUDEP 52N050W 53N040W 53N030W 52N020W LIMRI DOLIP
FM TUDEP/1702 MNTN F350 M082
ATC/ MACH CHANGE
RECLEARANCE 1
END OF MESSAGE

Example 5 – reclearance from the clearance in Example 4

CLX 1605 060530 CZQX CLRNCE 149
ABC456 CLRD TO EGLL VIA TUDEP
RANDOM ROUTE
TUDEP 52N050W 52N040W 53N030W 52N020W LIMRI DOLIP
FM TUDEP/1711 MNTN F350 M082
ATC/ ROUTE CHANGE
RECLEARANCE 2
END OF MESSAGE

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