AMC1 SECTION IV

GENERAL

(a)The significant points should, whenever possible, be established with reference to ground-based or space-based radio navigation aids. Where such ground-based or space-based radio navigation aids do not exist, significant points should be established at a location which can be determined by self-contained airborne navigation aids, or, where navigation by visual reference to the ground is to be effected, by visual observation. Specific points may be designated as ‘transfer of control’ points by agreement between adjacent air traffic control units or control positions concerned.

(b)The designator for a significant point should be marked by the site of a radio navigation aid.

(1)Plain language name for significant points marked by the site of a radio navigation aid

(i)Whenever practicable, significant points should be named with reference to an identifiable and preferably prominent geographical location.

(ii)In selecting a name for the significant point, care should be taken to ensure that the following conditions are met:

(A)the name should not create difficulties in pronunciation for pilots or ATS personnel when speaking in the language used in ATS communications. Where the name of a geographical location in the national language selected for designating a significant point gives rise to difficulties in pronunciation, an abbreviated or contracted version of this name, which retains as much of its geographical significance as possible, should be selected (for example, FUERSTENFELDBRUCK = FURSTY);

(B)the name should be easily recognisable in voice communications and should be free of ambiguity with those of other significant points in the same general area. In addition, the name should not create confusion with respect to other communications exchanged between air traffic services and pilots;

(C)the name should, if possible, consist of at least six letters and form two syllables and preferably not more than three; and

(D)the selected name should be the same for both the significant point and the radio navigation aid marking it.

(2)Composition of coded designators for significant points marked by the site of a radio navigation aid

(i)The coded designator should be the same as the radio identification of the radio navigation aid. It should be so composed, if possible, as to facilitate association with the name of the point in plain language.

(ii)Coded designators should not be duplicated within 1 100 km (600 NM) of the location of the radio navigation aid concerned, except as noted hereunder.

(iii)States’ requirements for coded designators should be notified to the Regional Offices of ICAO for coordination.

(c)The designator for a significant point not marked by the site of a radio navigation aid

(1)Where a significant point is required at a position not marked by the site of a radio navigation aid, and is used for ATC purposes, it should be designated by a unique five-letter pronounceable ‘name-code’. This name-code designator then serves both as the name as well as the coded designator of the significant point.

(2)The name-code designator should be selected so as to avoid any difficulties in pronunciation by pilots or ATS personnel when speaking in the language used in ATS communications. Examples: ADOLA, KODAP

(3)The name-code designator should be easily recognisable in voice communications and should be free of ambiguity with those used for other significant points in the same general area.

(4)The unique five-letter pronounceable name-code designator assigned to a significant point should not be assigned to any other significant point. When there is a need to relocate a significant point, a new name-code designator should be chosen. In cases when a State wishes to keep the allocation of specific name-codes for reuse at a different location, such name-codes should not be used until after a period of at least 6 months.

(5)States’ requirements for unique five-letter pronounceable name-code designators should be notified to the Regional Offices of ICAO for coordination.

(6)In areas where no system of fixed routes is established or where the routes followed by aircraft vary depending on operational considerations, significant points should be determined and reported in terms of World Geodetic System — 1984 (WGS-84) geographical coordinates, except that permanently established significant points serving as exit and/or entry points into such areas should be designated.

(d)The significant points are used for reporting purposes

(1)In order to permit ATS to obtain information regarding the progress of aircraft in flight, selected significant points may need to be designated as reporting points.

(2)In establishing such points, consideration should be given to the following factors:

(i)the type of air traffic services provided;

(ii)the amount of traffic normally encountered;

(iii)the accuracy with which aircraft are capable of adhering to the current flight plan;

(iv)the speed of the aircraft;

(v)the separation minima applied;

(vi)the complexity of the airspace structure;

(vii)the control method(s) employed;

(viii)the start or end of significant phases of a flight (climb, descent, change of direction, etc.);

(ix)transfer of control procedures;

(x)safety and search and rescue aspects;

(xi)the cockpit and air-ground communication workload.

(3)Reporting points should be established either as ‘compulsory’ or as ‘on-request’.

(4)In establishing ‘compulsory’ reporting points, the following principles should apply:

(i)compulsory reporting points should be limited to the minimum necessary for the routine provision of information to air traffic services units on the progress of aircraft in flight, bearing in mind the need to keep cockpit and controller workload and air-ground communications load to a minimum;

(ii)the availability of a radio navigation aid at a location should not necessarily determine its designation as a compulsory reporting point; and

(iii)compulsory reporting points should not necessarily be established at flight information region or control area boundaries.

(5)The designation of compulsory and on-request reporting points should be reviewed regularly with a view to keeping the requirements for routine position reporting to the minimum necessary to ensure efficient air traffic services.