Altitude
Minimum Required Vertical Separation
Up to and including FL 290
1,000 feet (may be reduced to 800 feet when the
aircraft is within 12 miles of the ship)
Above FL 290
2,000 feet
Table 11-7 -- Vertical separation
NOTE
Carrier-based aircraft must fly Mean Sea Level (MSL)
altitudes below 18,000 feet MSL and flight levels at and
above 18,000 feet MSL unless regional supplementary
procedures as published in FLIP planning dictate otherwise.
Helicopters must be separated by 500 feet.
CATCC DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
The departure controller is responsible for the initial separation of aircraft until handed
off to CDC or the pilot is ready to proceed on departing mission (KILO). The Departure
Controller is directly involved in tanker operations.
Departure Radials
During Case II and III departures, one of the means used to provide initial separation of
airborne aircraft is the use of departure radials. When working departure control, you
must have a thorough understanding of how these radials are used by each squadron.
Assignment of Departure Radials
Departure procedures are based upon the assignment of TACAN radials to provide for
lateral separation. These radials are assigned to squadrons by the air wing and
published in carrier air operations manual or air wing doctrine. The minimum standard
separation of departure radials is 20. Normally, all departures are conducted under
advisory control with a transition to positive control when necessary, for example,
weather, emergencies, pilot request, and so forth.
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