International Flight Operations

This book presents what the FAA, ICAO, EASA, and others have to say on a subject and then breaks that down and explains it in an understandable way that is truly applicable to what you as the pilot need to know.

It all began with the international operations manuals I wrote for several corporate aviation management companies between 2005 and 2008. I always wanted to publish one with much more information than they would allow, so I did that in 2015. This is the 2021 update. It is 670 pages in hardcover and for the first time also available as an eBook. You will learn the basics, such as how to plot a position. You will learn some pretty advanced art too, like the ins and outs of ADS-B Out, ADS-C, CPDLC, and so on. There are things you may have never heard of but can use if the chips are down, like the true course 10-degree tables. If there is source material to back it up, it is quoted directly just so you have it.

If you have the 2015 version, here are the major upgrades: updated cited material, inclusion of latest navigation, communication, and surveillance mandates (such as PBCS), revised EU SAFA check, and the addition of "paperless" techniques.

I - Negotiate

1. Aircraft Regulatory Compliance
2. Primary Source Materials (ICAO)
3. Primary Source Materials (U.S.)
4. Primary Source Materials (Regional)

II - Aviate

1. Coordinates
2. Direction
3. Initial vs. Midpoint Course
4. Class I versus Class II Navigation
5. Plotting
6. Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM)
7. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

III - Navigate

1. Area Navigation (RNAV)
2. Required Navigation Performance (RNP)
3. Future Air Navigation System (FANS)
4. Performance Based Navigation (PBN)
5. Class A through Class G Airspace
6. Basic Area Navigation (B-RNAV)
7. North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA)
8. Performance Based Communications and Surveillance (PBCS)
9. Precision Area Navigation (P-RNAV)
10. Required Navigation Performance-1 (RNP-1)
11. Required Navigation Performance-4 (RNP-4)
12. Required Navigation Performance-10 (RNP-10)

IV - Communicate

1. Required Communications Performance (RCP)
2. High Frequency (HF) Radio
3. Voice Position Reports
4. Satellite Voice Communications
5. Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)
6. CPDLC Checklist
7. Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

V - Surveillance

1. Required Surveillance Performance (RSP)
2. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)
3. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C)
4. Transponder Modes and Codes

VI - Abnormals

1. Inflight Contingencies in Oceanic Airspace
2. Drift Down
3. Lost Communications
4. Loss of Long Range Navigation
5. Loss of RVSM Capability in Oceanic Airspace
6. Weather Deviation in Oceanic Airspace
7. Volcanic Ash

VII - Tutorial

1. Trip Preparation
2. Oceanic Departure
3. Oceanic En Route
4. Oceanic Arrival
5. A Flight Into the Unknown (using an iPad)
6. A Flight Back Home

VIII - Appendices

1. Agriculture Import
2. Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Codes
3. Altimeter Settings
4. Altimetry (Metric)
5. Altimetry (Temperature Correction)
6. Altimetry (Transition Altitude, Layer, Level)
7. Approach Ban
8. Approach Categories
9. ARINC-424 Shorthand
10. Cabotage
11. Call Signs
12. CANPASS / eTA
13. Conditional Clearances
14. Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA)
15. Course Reversals
16. Customs / Immigration / Quarantine
17. Disinsection
18. Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System
19. Equal Time Points
20. Extended Operations (ETOPS)
21. Flight Operations Checklist
22. Flight Plans
23. Fueling
24. High Latitude Operations
25. Insurance
26. Journey Logbook
27. Mach Number Technique
28. Navigation Accuracy Check
29. Navigation Worksheet
30. Oceanic Checklist and RVSM/NAV Performance Log
31. Point of Safe Return
32. Post-Position Plot
33. Reroute
34. Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA)
35. Slots (European Union)
36. Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft (TIBA)
37. Strategic Lateral Offset Procedure (SLOP)
38. Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft (TIBA)
39. True Course 10-Degree Tables
40. Visa Waiver Program
41. Wake Turbulence
42. Waypoint Symbology
43. World Geodetic System (WGS-84)
44. References
45. Index

"There is no better recommendation that I can give for operating internationally than to read this book. It’s a compendium of critical information, distilled into readable, easily usable sections - whether as a reference, refresher, or a start-to-finish course. It will be your best friend away from home base!”

“James has written the definitive book on international operations. He has taken years of experience and professional insight and shares them in a relatable style. He carefully navigates the standards and then goes above and beyond and demonstrates in detail the industry’s best practices. He has the rare talent for sharing not just how, but why we do things. Pilots at any stage of their career can enjoy and benefit from this book. I keep a copy at hand and repeatedly go back to it for reference.”

“How important is this book? If your destination is to be an excellent pilot operating internationally it is a must read and re-read. Safe international flying takes knowledge and strong procedures. In a systematic and comprehensive manner, James Albright presents herein the regulatory source guidance, concepts and procedures, and then provides the all important explanations that link the theory to practice. All international operations pilots should have this book on their iPad and bookshelf.”