NAT Oceanic Quick Question

[micstatic 4,315]

Hello Guys.  It's been a decade since I did a transatlantic vatsim flight.  I'm trying to read and youtube up on it again.  I've noticed many of the real world flights appear to not be flying a track at all.  Examples:

LHR-JFK today is filed as TAFFY ENE PARCH3

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW173/history/20191029/1135Z/EGLL/KJFK

Amsterdam to Boston.   SUPRY ALLEX SEAER AJJAY OOSHN5

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL259/history/20191029/0930Z/EHAM/KBOS

 

So are they just choosing their own route?  Just trying to make some sense out of this.  Thanks. 

 

[jon b 2,041]

They will have been filed on what’s known as a RANDOM ROUTE which is still filed with north/west waypoints at 10 degree longitude intervals, but not following a published NAT.

There is also the option of a COMPOSITE TRACK which is made up of part NAT track and part random route. 

Composite tracks can be tricky to achieve as flight planned , so a little extra fuel is a good idea.

[Skiff 9]

For whatever reason, FlightAware doesnt capture NAT tracks. Notice on both your examples that only North American data is shown. 

[downscc 1,327]

To add to Jon's reply, FlightAware doesn't capture flight routes at many non-US locations including EUControl, so what you are seeing is just the route from entry into FAA airspace.

My work around is to use the exit point such as SUPRY then look at the ground track of the flight and from where it leaves land I can usually figure which track the aircraft was taking.  Of course rebuilding the route from LHR to Wales or leaving Scotland is easy after you've done it a few time since there are only a few that are flown.  Then one must evaluate the time frame and use a website such as https://blackswan.ch/northatlantictracks and back up the TMI (date) to get the same tracks as were available at the time of the flight.

[DAH4062 45]

For what it's worth, TATL routings leaving the US towards Europe/ME etc. tend to show up in full on Flightaware. 

[micstatic 4,315]

very helpful guys.  Thanks so much.  Now I just have to figure out if anything more related to selcal i need to factor in.  I know how to put the selcal code into Vpilot.  But I need to see if I need to manipulate the VHF radio at all in the PMDG 777.  Never even touch that.  So don't know anything about it. 

[jon b 2,041]

I hope you enjoy your transatlantic flight. I’m not familiar with vatsim procedures so can’t help there ,but if you have any other real world procedure questions on crossing the pond please ask.

Incidentally  I see you’re located in Atlanta, I’ve just spent the last 4 days there on layover, flew home last night..on track U😉

[micstatic 4,315]

nice.  hope you had a good trip

[ZLA Steve 370]

2 hours ago, micstatic said:

Now I just have to figure out if anything more related to selcal i need to factor in.  I know how to put the selcal code into Vpilot.  But I need to see if I need to manipulate the VHF radio at all in the PMDG 777.  Never even touch that.  So don't know anything about it. 

Go here - https://czqo.vatcan.ca/

It's the definitive resource for flying in oceanic airspace on vatsim.

 

Selcal is a receive only process that you don't need to initiate.
The following assuming oceanic control is logged on -

You will contact Gander/Shanwick and request a selcal check. They will reply and ping you with the code you put into vpilot when you connected. 

You will hear the tones. Now you are set.

 

[micstatic 4,315]

thanks

[Evros 310]

FlightAware does not publish any segment within Europe because it is prohibited by legislative bodies. Be that either safety concern or what ever. Also, lots of routes there, especially for long haul, are pre-filed well ahead for ATC sector planning purposes. They usually get corrected and finalized some hours before the actual flight but FlightAware might not reflect that.