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4/20/23 

AIM 

REFERENCE

 

AIM, Para 5

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2, Position Reporting. 

3. 

At times controllers will ask pilots to verify that they are at a particular altitude. The phraseology used 

will be: “VERIFY AT (altitude).” In climbing or descending situations, controllers may ask pilots to “

VERIFY 

ASSIGNED ALTITUDE AS (altitude)

.” Pilots should confirm that they are at the altitude stated by the controller 

or that the assigned altitude is correct as stated. If this is not the case, they should inform the controller of the 

actual altitude being maintained or the different assigned altitude. 

CAUTION

 

Pilots should not take action to change their actual altitude or different assigned altitude to the altitude stated in the 

controllers verification request unless the controller specifically authorizes a change. 

c.  ARTCC Radio Frequency Outage. 

ARTCCs normally have at least one back-up radio receiver and 

transmitter system for each frequency, which can usually be placed into service quickly with little or no 

disruption of ATC service. Occasionally, technical problems may cause a delay but switchover seldom takes 

more than 60 seconds. When it appears that the outage will not be quickly remedied, the ARTCC will usually 

request a nearby aircraft, if there is one, to switch to the affected frequency to broadcast communications 

instructions. It is important, therefore, that the pilot wait at least 1 minute before deciding that the ARTCC has 

actually experienced a radio frequency failure. When such an outage does occur, the pilot should, if workload 

and equipment capability permit, maintain a listening watch on the affected frequency while attempting to 

comply with the following recommended communications procedures: 

1. 

If two-way communications cannot be established with the ARTCC after changing frequencies, a pilot 

should attempt to recontact the transferring controller for the assignment of an alternative frequency or other 

instructions. 

2. 

When an ARTCC radio frequency failure occurs after two-way communications have been established, 

the pilot should attempt to reestablish contact with the center on any other known ARTCC frequency, preferably 

that of the next responsible sector when practicable, and ask for instructions. However, when the next normal 

frequency change along the route is known to involve another ATC facility, the pilot should contact that facility, 

if feasible, for instructions. If communications cannot be reestablished by either method, the pilot is expected 

to request communications instructions from the FSS appropriate to the route of flight. 

NOTE

 

The exchange of information between an aircraft and an ARTCC through an FSS is quicker than relay via company radio 

because the FSS has direct interphone lines to the responsible ARTCC sector. Accordingly, when circumstances dictate a 

choice between the two, during an ARTCC frequency outage, relay via FSS radio is recommended. 

d. 

Oakland Oceanic FIR. 

The use of CPDLC and ADS

C in the Oakland Oceanic FIR (KZAK) is only 

permitted by Inmarsat and Iridium customers. All other forms of data link connectivity are not authorized. Users 

must ensure that the proper data link code is filed in Item 10a of the ICAO FPL in order to indicate which satellite 

medium(s) the aircraft is equipped with. The identifier for Inmarsat is J5 and the identifier for Iridium is J7. If 

J5 or J7 is not included in the ICAO FPL, then the LOGON will be rejected by KZAK and the aircraft will not 

be able to connect. 

e.  New York Oceanic FIR.

 The use of CPDLC and ADS

C in the New York Oceanic FIR (KZWY) is only 

permitted by Inmarsat and Iridium customers. All other forms of data link connectivity are not authorized. Users 

must ensure that the proper data link code is filed in Item 10a of the ICAO FPL in order to indicate which satellite 

medium(s) the aircraft is equipped with. The identifier for Inmarsat is J5 and the identifier for Iridium is J7. If 

J5 or J7 is not included in the ICAO FPL, then the LOGON will be rejected by KZWY and the aircraft will not 

be able to connect. 

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2.  Position Reporting 

The safety and effectiveness of traffic control depends to a large extent on accurate position reporting. In order 

to provide the proper separation and expedite aircraft movements, ATC must be able to make accurate estimates 

of the progress of every aircraft operating on an IFR flight plan. 

En Route Procedures 

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