Letter of Agreement
New York ARTCC (ZNY) & Cleveland ARTCC (ZOB)
Rev. 4 - 28 Aug 2018
- Purpose
- This agreement prescribes transfer of control procedures, radar handoff procedures, route/altitude assignments, and delegation of airspace between New York ARTCC (ZNY) and Cleveland ARTCC (ZOB).
- Scope
- The procedures contained herein must apply unless prior coordination is effected.
- Disclosure
- vZNY and any other facilities mentioned in this document are affiliated with the Virtual Air Traffic Simulation (VATSIM) network. The procedures outlined in this document are intended exclusively for use in the VATSIM flight simulation environment and must never be used for actual flight or air traffic control operations. vZNY and any other facility mentioned in this document are not affiliated with the FAA in any manner.
- General Procedures
- ZOB/ZNY ATC shall at all times:
- Coordinate and resolve, in a practical manner that provides the smoothest experience to the pilot, all deviations from, and situations not addressed by, this document (e.g., non-standard sectorization, holding, pilots unable to accept LOA routes, aircraft above/below LOA altitudes, etc.).
- Ensure that all aircraft are at a 1X simulation rate prior to initiating handoff.
- Unless otherwise stated in this document or coordinated via verbal or textual means, aircraft must be climbing to, descending to, or level at the correct altitude for direction of flight prior to any handoff.
- Ensure that aircraft on the same route segment at the same altitude (or different altitudes, but same destination airport within ZOB or ZNY) are separated by not less than 10 nm (steady or increasing) or other value specified herein unless greater MIT separation is requested real-time by ZOB/ZNY.
- NOTE: Separation of less than 10 nm is permitted provided the trailing aircraft is operating at a speed that will permit it to overtake the lead aircraft, and both are vertically separated.
- Transfer of radar identification shall be made in relation to the center-prescribed boundary. Boundaries defining lateral/vertical control jurisdiction between centers shall be defined as the Transfer Point (TP).
- Ensure that handoff requests are made at least 10nm prior to the relevant airspace boundary unless otherwise specified in this document. Handoff requests may be initiated up to 50nm without prior coordination.
- NOTE: Transfer of radio communications can be delayed no later than the lateral boundary.
- Ensure that handoff requests are made at least 10nm prior to the relevant airspace boundary unless otherwise specified in this document. Handoff requests may be initiated up to 50nm without prior coordination.
- Ensure that all conflicts, imminent situations, and MIT separation issues are resolved prior to handoff.
- Ensure that all scratchpad entries are cleared unless required to convey operational information (e.g., “M80” for assigned Mach number, “H###” for assigned heading) not coordinated by other means (e.g., private message, verbally, etc.).
- Ensure the datablock is formatted as follows:
- For aircraft climbing to an altitude lower than the flight planned altitude:
- If the altitude is consistent with an LOA procedure, no entry.
- If the altitude is non-standard or not contained within this LOA, a temporary altitude reflecting the cleared altitude.
- For aircraft descending to meet an issued crossing restriction, a temporary altitude with the applicable crossing altitude. Exception: ZNY controllers may use hard altitudes instead of temporary altitudes in these circumstances.
- For aircraft descending to an assigned altitude, no temporary altitude is used, and the filed/planned altitude is amended to the new cleared/assigned altitude.
- No scratchpad, except if specific control instructions that differ from LOA procedures have been issued. In these cases, the alternate instruction shall be verbally or textually included as well as included in the scratchpad. Scratchpad entries may include:
- Indicated speed restrictions (e.g., “210”, “270+”)
- “M” for Mach speed restrictions (e.g., “M81”, “M78+”)
- “H” for heading assignments (e.g., “H230”)
- “H” and direction for deviations (e.g., “H15L” for 15 degrees left of track)
- For aircraft climbing to an altitude lower than the flight planned altitude:
- The transferring facility shall not be required to change or issue routing to aircraft if it is satisfactory to the first fix in the receiving facility's area unless the aircraft originates in the transferring facility's area.
- Ensure that all portions of a flight plan are accurate prior to initiating a handoff.
- If an aircraft was cleared direct to a waypoint along the route of flight, then delete the route segment up to, but not including, the waypoint.
- Ensure that all portions of a flight plan are accurate prior to initiating a handoff.
- Aircraft en route between centers shall be transferred at the altitude/flight levels specified in Attachments 4 and 5.
- Each facility has control for beacon code changes on traffic within 10nm of the ZNY/ZOB boundary.
- ZOB to ZNY
- 60nm West of HAR, ZNY has control of aircraft destined KPHL / KPHL Satellites and KACY via J152, at FL240 and above, to descend to FL240, turns 20° left or right of course, and to change beacon code assignment.
- Aircraft on J584/FQM STAR may be cleared direct FQM if they enter ZNY airspace within 5nm of the centerline of J584/FQM STAR.
- ZNY has control for right turns of KUNV arrivals via V501 at BLINK intersection.
- Aircraft within 10nm of V12 may be cleared direct HAR.
- ZNY to ZOB
- Aircraft departing KMDT / KMDT Satellites cleared via routing South of J64, excluding J64, requesting FL260 or above shall be cleared to FL260.
- Aircraft departing KMDT/KMDT Satellites cleared via J60/J64 requesting FL300 or above shall be cleared to FL300 and handed off to the BKI (Brecksville) sector.
- Aircraft on J110/J230/Q480 may be cleared direct AIR if they enter ZOB airspace within 10nm of the centerline of J110/J230/Q480. ZNY shall ensure that this traffic does not conflict with J152.
- Aircraft on V474 may be cleared direct IHD if they enter ZOB airspace within 10nm of the centerline of V474.
- Aircraft destined to KPIT / KPIT Satellites may be cleared direct IHD if they enter ZOB airspace within 10nm North of the centerline of J110/J230/Q480. ZNY shall ensure that this traffic does not conflict with J152.
- Aircraft departing KPSB, KN96 and KUNV requesting 10,000′ or above shall be cleared to 10,000'. ZOB has control for climb and turns up to 30° either side of course subsequent to acceptance of radar handoff and frequency change.
- Aircraft within 10nm of V12 may be cleared direct JST.
- ZOB shall have control for turns of up to 20° left or right of course, at or above FL260, South of J152 and within 10nm of the ZNY/ZOB boundary on aircraft routed via J110/J230/Q480, BRNAN and PSYKO. ZOB shall be responsible for any point out requirements to adjacent facilities or other sectors within ZNY resulting from this procedure. ZOB shall ensure that any aircraft turned by ZOB within ZNY airspace on either route will not conflict with aircraft on the other route.
Attachment 1 – Cleveland Center Airspace Delegated to New York Center [Show]
Airspace delegated to New York Center from SFC to 8,000' for re-delegation to ELM Tower/TRACON. ZOB assumes control of this airspace during hours Elmira Tower/TRACON is closed.
- Airspace delegated to New York Center from SFC to 10,000'.
- Airspace delegated to New York Center from SFC and above as depicted. Portions of this airspace will be re-delegated to Harrisburg Tower/TRACON.
Attachment 4 – Route Descriptions: From ZNY to ZOB [Show]
| Arriving | Departing | Route | Restrictions | Altitudes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From ZNY to ZOB Destinations | ||||
| PIT, PIT Sats (except AGC) | BOS, BDL, JFK and Northeast | SLT CIP V226 GRACE | Non-RNAV At or above FL180 |
|
| SLT HAYNZ STAR | RNAV At or above FL180 |
|||
| ELM, ELM Sats | ULW SLT CIP V226 GRACE | Non-RNAV At or above FL180 |
At or below FL200 | |
| ULW SLT HAYNZ STAR | RNAV At or above FL180 |
At or below FL200 | ||
| All Airports | SLT | At or above FL180 | At or below FL240 | |
| THS V474 NESTO | Non-RNAV At or above FL180 |
At or below FL220 | ||
| VINSE DEMME STAR | RNAV At or above FL180 |
At or below FL220 | ||
| RDG, PHL, EWR, MDT, MDT Sats | THS V474 IHD NESTO | Non-RNAV Non-Jet Traffic |
At or below 16,000' | |
| THS V474 IHD DEMME STAR | RNAV Non-Jet Traffic |
At or below 16,000' | ||
| AGC | BOS, BDL, JFK and Northeast | ETG REC AGC | At or above FL180 | |
| ROC | All Airports | Direct GIBBE or ROC | Arriving at or North of ULW | At or below 16,000' |
| Arriving at or North of ULW ZNY unable to descend due to traffic |
At or below FL180 descending to 16,000' | |||
| Arriving south of ULW | At or below FL220 | |||
| BUF and IAG | All Airports | J220 SFK BUF | At or below FL260 | |
| ULW BENEE V164 BUF | At or below FL260 | |||
| BKL, CGF, LNN, CAK | All Airports | PSB | At or below FL300 | |
| CLE | All Airports | At or below FL340 | ||
| DTW | PHL, ABE, RDG, MDT, ACY | J110 LEJOY J518 DJB GEMNI GEMNI STAR | Non-RNAV | |
| PHL, PHL Sats, ABE | KIPPI PSYKO KOZAR LIVER DJB GEMNI STAR | RNAV | ||
| DET, YIP, PTK, ARB, YQG | All Airports | Q818 WOZEE COLTS BOREK LOPVO AXXIS GOHMA STAR | RNAV | |
| PSB LLEEO STAR | Non-RNAV | |||
| From ZNY through ZOB to Other Destinations | ||||
| YYZ | All Airports | Via WOZEE | SFK or North of SFK | At or below FL340 |
| CVG | BDL, PVD, BOS, ABE, AVP, SWF, BGM | PSB PSB281 MAULL SLT249 KODIE CTW081 CTW | Non-RNAV | |
| PSB MAULL KODIE CTW | RNAV | |||
| IND | All Airports | KIPPI PSYKO BUBAA HIDON ROD CLANG STAR | RNAV Aircraft | Requesting FL240 and below |
| ABE | KIPPI PSYKO BUBAA HIDON ROD CLANG STAR | RNAV Aircraft | ||
| All Airports Routed via Q42 | ABE | KIPPI PSYKO BUBAA HIDON MIE DNV IRK | Must be requesting FL340 or above Except destined DTW and IND | |
Attachment 5 – Route Descriptions: From ZNY to ZOB [Show]
| Arriving | Departing | Route | Restrictions | Altitudes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From ZOB to ZNY Destinations | ||||
| LGA | All Airports | ETG MIP STAR | At or below FL330 | |
| CVG, LUK, PIT, PIT Sats, and east of PIT | PSB MIP MIP STAR | At or below FL290 | ||
| EWR | All Airports | SLT FQM STAR | Aircraft capable of 250 KIAS or greater | Jets: At or below FL310 Non-Jets: At or below FL230 |
| FQM PENNS STAR | Aircraft less than 250 KIAS | At or below 17,000' | ||
| East of PIT | PSB FQM FQM STAR | Aircraft capable of 250 KIAS or greater | Jets: At or below FL310 Non-Jets: At or below FL230 | |
| EWR Sats | All Airports | J70 LVZ LVZ STAR | Aircraft capable of 250 KIAS or greater | At or below FL350. This traffic must be in-trail with or at an altitude below JFK arrivals. |
| PIT and east of PIT | PSB J49 MAGIO J70 LVZ LVZ STAR | Aircraft capable of 250 KIAS or greater | At or below FL350. This traffic must be in-trail with or at an altitude below JFK arrivals. | |
| All Airports North of ULW270 radial | HNK V167 WEARD V489 COATE | Jets: At or below FL310 Non-Jets: At or below FL230 | ||
| TEB, CDW, MMU | All Airports | FQM MEGSS HAYED PENNS STW LVZ V613 RACKI PENNS STW |
Aircraft less than 250 KIAS | Non-Jets: At or below FL230 |
| PHL, PHL Sats, ACY | All Airports | BOJID STAR (RNAV) BUNTS STAR (Non-RNAV) |
Aircraft capable of 250 KIAS or greater | Jets: At or below FL250 Non-Jets: At or below 17,000' |
| V106 RASHE V276 RAV V170 V210 BUNTS | Aircraft less than 250 KIAS | Non-Jets: At or below 17,000' | ||
| Via J152 | Aircraft capable of 250 KIAS or greater | Jets: At or below FL250 Non-Jets: At or below 17,000' | ||
| RDG (except via ETG) | All Airports | Jets: At or below FL190 Props: At or below 17,000' | ||
| RDG, ABE, AVP | All Airports | Via ETG | Jet Aircraft | At or below FL250 |
| MDT, MDT Sats | All Airports | North of V210 | At or below 17,000' | |
| On or South of V210 | At or below 17,000' descending to 11,000' traffic permitting. | |||
| ELM, ITH, BGM | All Airports | North of J70 | At or below 17,000' | |
| South of J70 | At or below FL230 | |||
| IPT | All Airports | At or below 17,000' | ||
| JFK | All Airports | HOXIE J70 LVZ LENDY STAR | Jet Aircraft | |
| CLE, CMH, PIT | PSB V6 FJC ARD V276 ZIGGI | Non-Jet Aircraft | At or below 17,000' | |
| East of PIT | PSB J49 MAGIO J70 LVZ LENDY STAR | Jet Aircraft | ||
| SWF, SWF Sats | All Airports | Via PSB | At or below FL290 | |
| HVN, BDR, OXC | All Airports | North of SLT J190 | Descending to FL290 | |
| HPN | PIT and east of PIT | SLT J190 CFB V270 DNY V483 IGN V157 HAARP | At or below FL290 | |
| AVP | All Airports | J70 | At or below FL230 | |
| ISP, ISP Sats | All Airports | HNK NELIE STAR | Between 1400-2000 local | |
| J70 STW LENDY | All other times | |||
| From ZOB through ZNY to Other Destinations | ||||
| DCA, IAD | BUF, ROC, YYZ | PSB | At or below FL250 and in-trail as one airport | |
| IAD | All Airports | SYR | At or below FL300 | |
| BUF, YYZ | Non-Jet Aircraft | At or below 17,000' | ||
| ALB, ALB SATS | All Airports | SLT | Between 0700-2100 local | At or below FL290 Between 0700-2100 local |
| SYR | All Airports | PSB | At or below FL270 | |
| OIC | All Airports | North of PSB | At or below FL230 | |
| Over and South of PSB | At or below FL290 | |||
| BWI | All Airports | Jet Aircraft | At or below FL250 | |
NOTE: Coded Departure Routes (CDRs) may be utilized in place of preferred routes when determined to be advantageous by the ZNY or ZOB TMUs or CICs. Use of CDRs shall be coordinated as appropriate.
Attachment 6 – ZNY Satellite Airports [Show]
| Area | Abbreviation | Satellite Airport Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Elmira Area | ELM | ELM, BGM, ITH, SYR |
| Harrisburg Area | MDT | MDT, CXY, LNS, MUI, SEG, THV, ZER, N68, N71, N79, N94, 58N, 74N, 9D4 |
| Islip Area | ISP | ISP, HWV, 23N |
| Islip Area East | ISPE | FOK, HTO, MTP, 03NY, 1N2, 21N, 87N |
| Islip Area North | ISPN | BDR, HVN, JSD, OXC, SNC, 42B |
| Kennedy Area | JFK | JFK, FRG |
| LaGuardia Area | LGA | LGA |
| LaGuardia Area North | LGAN | DXR, HPN |
| Liberty Area | LIB | SWF, POU, MGJ, MSV, NY35, N45, N69, N72, N82, N89, 06N, 20N, 44N, 46N, 5NY5 |
| McGuire Area | WRI | WRI, NEL, BLM, MJX, N12, N14, N73, N81, N87, NJ20, NJ24, NJ46, NJ59, NJ60, NJ69, NJ72, NJ75, NJ87, 19N, 2N6, 2N8, 3N6, 3N7, 46NJ, 6NJ0 |
| Newark Area | EWR | EWR |
| Newark Area North | EWRN | CDW, FWN, MMU, TEB, N05, N07, 1N7, 12N, 13N, 3N5, 4N1 |
| Newark Area South | EWRS | LDJ, SMQ, N51, 39N, 47N |
| Philadelphia Area | PHL | PHL |
| Philadelphia Area North | PHLN | CKZ, DYL, LOM, PNE, PTW, TTN, UKT, N10, N47, 3NJ6, 9N1 |
| Philadelphia Area South | PHLS | EVY, ILG, MQS, OQN, N57, NJ74, 17N, 58M, 7N7 |
| Wilkes-Barre Area | AVP | AVP, HZL, MPO, WBW, N13, N30, 70N, 76N, 8N4, 9N3 |
Attachment 7 – ZOB Satellite Airports [Show]
| Area | Abbreviation | Satellite Airport Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Area | PIT Sats | AGC, AFJ, BVI, BTP, FQW, HLG, PJC, 02G, 2G2, 3G9, 4G0, 5G8, 9G1 |
Attachment 8 – ZNY Sector Splits [Show]
| Two Center Operation (SW/NE split) | Two Center Operation (E/W split) |
|---|---|
|
|
| NY_SW_CTR (A, D): Controls PHL TRACON when offline NY_NE_CTR (B, C, E, F): Controls N90 TRACON when offline |
NY_W_CTR (A, C, D): Controls PHL TRACON when offline NY_E_CTR (B, E, F): Controls N90 TRACON when offline |
| Three Center Operation | Four Center Operation |
|
|
| NY_E_CTR (B, E, F): Controls N90 TRACON when offline NY_SW_CTR (A, D): Controls PHL TRACON when offline |
NY_E_CTR (B, E, F): Controls N90 TRACON when offline NY_A_CTR: Controls PHL TRACON when offline |
Attachment 9 – ZOB Sector Splits [Show]
| Two Center Operation (HIGH/LOW Split) | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Cleveland High Center Controls from FL240 and above. |
Cleveland Low Center Controls from Surface to FL230. |
| Four Center Operation (HIGH/LOW and E/W Split) | |
|
|
| Cleveland High Center Controls from FL240 and above. |
Cleveland Low Center Controls from Surface to FL230. |
| Max Center Operation | |
|
|
| Cleveland High Center Controls from FL240 and above. |
Cleveland Low Center Controls from Surface to FL230. |