Introduction to Airspace Flow Programs

1. Federal Aviation Administration Introduction to Airspace Flow Programs Date: February 1, 2006

2. Coming In June 2006 AFP

3. Airspace Flow Program

4. An AFP is : - a Ground Delay Program (GDP) for a designated piece of constrained airspace • used to reduce enroute volume during large thunderstorm events - drawn using a Flow Constrained Area (FCA) on the Traffic Situation Display (TSD) - similar to an Airport GDP

5. An AFP EDCT : - is assigned by the Flight Schedule Monitor (FSM) using an arrival rate through the FCA • is complied with the same as an airport EDCT (+ or – 5 min.) - does not apply to a flight already captured by an airport EDCT When an AFP is cancelled, all TMUs will send out a program cancellation notice. Each flight will then get an updated EDCT that is either the current time plus 15 minutes or the aircraft’s filed P-time, whichever is later. Those flights are then released, subject to any other restrictions that are in place.

6. An AFP Arrival Rate (AAR): - may be a set number of aircraft allowed through the FCA per hour Example: AAR = 60 flights per hour through AFPA01 - or may be a percent reduction of known demand Example: AAR = 25% reduction of known demand through AFPA01

7. AFP IMPACT There may be flights (i.e. General Aviation) off of uncontrolled airports that get AFP EDCTs, even though the weather at their destination is VFR. What happens if one of these flights departs VFR? • Answer - They are dealt with the same as if they had an airport EDCT. • They may: • Return to their departure airport and take their delay on the ground • (Note: Don’t depart the flight plan or they will lose their slot) • Hold enroute for the duration of their delay • Request a reroute around the AFP (check with TMU)

8. Playbook-Style AFPs • Starting on 6/5/06 six pre-coordinated AFPs will be available for use • AFPs will be incorporated into the ATCSCC’s Operational Planning Telcons • Just like Playbook Routes, Coded Departure Routes (CDRs), Ground Stops and GDPs, AFPs will become “another tool in the toolbox” for handling traffic volume in the NAS during severe weather events • The first AFPs used in 2006 will be Playbook-Style, pre-defined AFPs, using FCAs A01-A06. • There may also be other limited applications for AFPs that will be tested in 2006 (i.e. Cancun, Cabo, Snowbirds, Ski Country, etc)

9. AFPA01 FCAA01 is defined by the western boundary of ZNY and extending northward to Lake Ontario. Altitude Filters: 120 – 600 Arrival Filters: ZNY & ZBW. Departure Filters: None Likely weather for use:Weather close in to or moving toward the N.Y. Metro area. Weather Triggers: Intense weather that is close in or moving toward the N.Y. Metro area and is likely to directly impact the N.Y. Metro airports. FCAA01

10. AFPA02 FCAA02 is defined as the northern boundary of ZDC from MRB extending eastward. Altitude Filters: 120 – 600 Arrival Filters: ZNY & ZBW. Departure Filters: None Likely weather for use:Weather close in to or moving toward the N.Y. Metro area. Weather Triggers: Intense weather that is close in or moving toward the N.Y. Metro area and is likely to directly impact the N.Y. Metro airports. FCAA02

11. AFPA03 FCAA03 is defined by the western boundary of ZOB and the eastern boundary of ZID with ZDC. Altitude Filters: 120 – 600 Arrival Filters: ZNY, ZBW (Could add ZDC and/or ZOB) Departure Filters: None Likely weather for use:Weather in the Ohio Valley region would likely trigger use of these FCAs. Weather Triggers: Lines and popcorn storms. CCFP predicted intensity levels of greater than 50% with High Confidence. FCAA03

12. AFPA04 FCAA04 is defined by the entire western and southern boundary of ZDC. Altitude Filters: 120 – 600 Arrival Filters: ZNY, ZBW (Could add ZDC and/or ZOB) Departure Filters: None Likely weather for use:Weather in the Ohio Valley region would likely trigger use of these FCAs. Weather Triggers: Lines and popcorn storms. CCFP predicted intensity levels of greater than 50% with High Confidence. FCAA04

13. AFPA05 FCAA05 is defined by the western boundary of ZOB and the eastern boundary of ZID with ZDC. Altitude Filters: 120 – 600 Arrival Filters: Same as FCAA03 with ZNY, ZBW, but also add ZDC. Departure Filters: None Likely weather for use:Weather in the Ohio Valley region would likely trigger use of these FCAs. Weather Triggers: Lines and popcorn storms. CCFP predicted intensity levels of greater than 50% with High Confidence. FCAA05

14. AFPA06 FCAA06 is defined by the entire western and southern boundary of ZDC. Altitude Filters: 120 – 600 Arrival Filters: Same as FCAA03 with ZNY, ZBW, but also add ZDC Departure Filters: None Likely weather for use:Weather in the Ohio Valley region would likely trigger use of these FCAs. Weather Triggers: Lines and popcorn storms. CCFP predicted intensity levels of greater than 50% with High Confidence. FCAA06

15. AFP DELAY REPORTING Delays associated with an AFP will be recorded automatically, and do not need to be reported in OPSNET.

16. NO DRCTs INTO AN AFP AFP is another good reason to not send aircraft direct past the first fix in the next center (7110.65, 4-4-6) By issuing long distance direct reroutes you may be adding flights into airspace that TMU is attempting to restrict. If you have any additional questions, contact TMU. Thank You

17. Introduction to AFP Summary As always, if you have any questions, please call TMU. THANK YOU Federal Aviation Administration 17 February1, 2006