Section 4. PLANNING

10-4-1. TRACK/ANCHOR PROPOSALS

Proposals for establishing refueling tracks or anchors shall be submitted in the format and with the data depicted in FIG 10-4-1 to the appropriate ARTCC/CERAP with a copy to the appropriate regional military representative.   In those airspace areas not under the direct jurisdiction of FAA, the theater command headquarters shall develop procedures for coordination and approval of proposed tracks and anchors.

10-4-2. COORDINATION

a. The ARTCC which received the request for establishment of an aerial refueling track or anchor shall assume the responsibility for FAA internal coordination, as necessary.

b. In areas not under FAA jurisdiction, the theater command headquarters which received the request for establishment of the track/anchor shall assume the responsibility for ensuring that necessary diplomatic coordination is completed prior to publication/use.

c. In the event the proposed track/anchor lies within special use airspace (SUA) or ATC assigned airspace (ATCAA), the using agency shall provide assurances, in writing, that air refueling operations will not conflict with other activities being conducted.  Correspondence accompanying the initial proposal for refueling track/anchor shall include the written assurance.

10-4-3. CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHMENT

a. Aerial refueling tracks may be established for use in either direction in sufficient length to satisfy the mission requirement.

b. Parallel tracks may be established provided a minimum of 30 NM exist between track centerlines.

c. Tracks/anchors may be established coincident with, parallel to, or across airways/jet routes as considered appropriate by the ATC facility.

d. Tracks/anchors shall be defined in relation to NAVAID's by degree-distance reference or by geographical coordinates.

e. Where anchors are established inside SUA or ATCAA's, entry and exit points shall be located on the boundary of the SUA or ATCAA for use as transfer of flight data information points, unless alternate entry and exit points are authorized by ATC.

NOTE-
If activation of the ATCAA or SUA is desired for refueling operations, a request shall accompany the initial request for air refueling operations.

f. The scheduling agency for the ATCAA shall ensure that pilots comply with the procedures in the LOA.

g. The receiver entry point (track/anchor) will be the ARIP.

h. The tanker entry point (track/anchor) will be the ARCP/anchor point and should be located to permit direct routing.

i. The following is guidance for establishing simultaneous opposite direction aerial refueling (SODAR):

1. Simultaneous refueling in opposite direction may be authorized between single AR tracks, which are vertically separated by a minimum of 2,000 feet between altitude blocks.

2. If it becomes necessary to assign SODAR aircraft altitude blocks which are outside the vertical limits of the AR tracks, controllers shall ensure a vertical separation minimum of 2,000 feet between assigned altitude blocks.

3. The SODAR procedure is not intended to apply to all refueling tracks (due to airspace configuration, traffic volume, etc.), however, ARTCC/CERAP's are expected to evaluate existing tracks for applicability upon user request.

4. If an existing single AR track qualifies for SODAR, it may be split into two separate tracks, or a new track may be created directly above or directly below the existing track.  In either case, the tracks shall be vertically separated by 2,000 feet and each track shall be designated by a separate number.

5. Each published track description shall contain in remarks that it is authorized for simultaneous opposite direction aerial refueling (i.e., "SODAR authorized with AR___").

6. SODAR tracks should be established for bi-directional use to permit course reversals without requiring altitude changes.

10-4-4. APPROVAL NOTIFICATION

a. After receiving all impacted ARTCC/CERAP's concurrence of an aerial refueling track or anchor, the ARTCC/CERAP in which the AR track is initiated shall forward the Aerial Refueling Track/Anchor Proposal (See FIG 10-4-1), including all information required in FIG 10-4-1 and any other pertinent information to the regional AT division and military representatives.

b. In areas not directly under FAA jurisdiction, the theater command headquarters may, after final coordination and approval, forward the information required by paragraph 10-4-5 directly to National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA)
St. Louis for publication.

10-4-5. PUBLICATION IN FLIP

After final coordination the military representative assigned to the FAA regional office shall forward the following information to NIMA for publication:

a. For tracks:

1. Number - The originator of the track/anchor shall obtain a route designator for use during coordination from NIMA/MCBB, Mail
Stop L-27, 3200 South 2nd Street, St. Louis AFS, Missouri 63118
by letter, message (NIMA, St. Louis AFS, MO/MCBB), telephone
(DSN 693-4636 or commercial 314-263-4636) or FAX
(DSN 693-4997 or commercial 314-263-4997).  The number in the designator provided by NIMA will be prefixed by an "X"; e.g.,
AR-X100, to indicate the number to be used for coordination purposes only.  The prefix "X" will be deleted when published in FLIP Planning.

2. ARIP - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

3. ARCP - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

4. Navigation check points - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

5. Exit point - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

6. Communications/Rendezvous Plan - Obtained from HQ AMC TACC/SCOX (DSN 576-3134) by regional military representative if required.

7. Refueling altitudes.

8. Scheduling unit.

9. Assigned ATC facility.

10. Remarks including the list of coordination accomplished.

b. For anchors:

1. Number - Same procedures as in subparagraph a1.

2. Description of anchor area - Coordinates.

3. Entry point(s) - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

4. ARIP(s) - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

5. Exit - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

6. Anchor pattern (four turn points) - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

7. Exit point(s) - Degree-distance and coordinate values.

8. Communications/Rendezvous Plan - Obtained from HQ AMC TACC/SCOX (DSN 576-3134) by regional military representative if required.

9. Military radar call sign and MHz frequencies.

10. Refueling altitudes.

11. Scheduling unit.

12. Assigned ATC facility.

13. Operational time.

14. Remarks, including anchor point, inbound course, pattern width, pattern length, and the list of coordination accomplished.

15. State whether ATCAA is associated with anchor and list the scheduling agency for the ATCAA.

10-4-6. MILITARY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Assure that all appropriate DOD and FAA coordination has been accomplished.

b. Obtain a Communications Rendezvous Plan (C/R Plan) from HQ AMC TACC/SCOX (DSN 576-3134), if necessary, and submit the information required in paragraph 10-4-5 to NIMA.  The USN regional representative shall submit data to Naval Flight Information Group, Washington Navy Yard, Bldg. 176, 901 M Street S.E., Washington, DC 20374-5088.

c. Maintain a master list of all current refueling tracks and anchors (both published and special) that fall within this area of responsibility, scheduling units, and assigned ATC facilities.

d. Ensure that the concerned ATC facilities are aware of the effective date of the track or anchor and any revisions thereto.

10-4-7. NIMA RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Assign track and anchor numbers and provide them to the originator upon request.  Each published track or anchor shall be identified by the prefix "AR" followed by a number.  Numbers shall be assigned consecutively in their particular group.

b. Should the track or anchor be outside Class A airspace areas, submit the
following information directly to FAA National Flight Data Center, (NFDC),
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20591, for publication on appropriate charts (by NOS) and assume responsibility for updating it as necessary.

1. Designated track or anchor number.

2. Geographical location of the track or anchor using NAVAID
degree-distance definitions or geographical coordinates.

3. Location (State).

4. Track beginning.

5. Track end.

6. Altitudes.

NOTE-
Alaskan information shall be submitted for inclusion in
U.S. Government FLIP Supplement, Alaska.

10-4-8. EFFECTIVE DATE

Refueling tracks and anchors and revisions thereto shall be effective upon the date of the DOD Flight Planning (FLIP) document publication.

10-4-9. REVISIONS TO TRACKS/ANCHORS

Revisions shall be processed in the same manner as new proposals.

FIG 10-4-1