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Oceanic Control Information

Oceanic control on VATSIM is handled in a joint operation between the West Coast ARTCC's to cover the KZOA_FSS position.

If you require staffing for a trans-pacific event, please contact a member of our senior staff for coordination information.

The Oakland Oceanic Flight Information Region (FIR) is the world's largest, covering 18.7 million square miles, or approximately 9.7% of the earth's surface. The Oakland FIR consists of two sectors with radar coverage and 8 sectors of oceanic control. The FIR extends well beyond the Hawaiian Islands and includes Guam and American Samoa. Three radar control areas (Honolulu, Guam and Bucholz Auxiliary Airfield) are surrounded by the Oakland Oceanic FIR. This creates interfaces with 14 different foreign and domestic air traffic control facilities, including Tokyo, Manila, Mexico, Tahiti, Auckland, Nadi, Port Moresby, and Biak. Figure 3.11-1 depicts the Oakland FIR.

Oakland Oceanic Flight Information Region

The bulk of Oakland oceanic traffic flows over a complex and varied Pacific route system. A number of routes connect the continental U.S. and Hawaii with the Pacific Rim, including Japan, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. Another set of routes traverses the westernmost portion of Oakland airspace connecting Japan and Korea on the north with Australia and New Zealand to the south. The Pacific Organized Track System (PACOTS) provides fuel-efficient routes for long distance transpacific flights. These routes are adjusted every 12 hours in response to upper level wind conditions. The most northerly routes are grouped in the North Pacific Composite Route System (NOPAC), whereas the traffic between the continental U.S. and Hawaii flies on the six Central East Pacific Composite Route System.

Users and Equipment

Over 560 flights are handled on a daily basis by the Oakland Center FIR. Thirteen of the top 25 busiest routes in the world are in the Asia/Pacific region. Oakland Center is projected to have three of the top five busiest routes: Guam-Tokyo, Honolulu-Tokyo, and North America-Toyko.

Seattle Oceanic Routes

A331 Seattle Center Honolulu Center  
Seattle Center     (dist to next fix)
SEDAR N 45 30.43 W 126 43.05  
ZANNG N 44 05.60 W 129 58.70 162.7
ZEFER N 41 51.73 W 134 28.60 238.5
ZIBUD N 38 37.82 W 140 00.00 318.6
ZOLTR N 35 10.80 W 145 00.00 316.8
ZAALE N 31 11.21 W 150 00.00 347.0
ZURIC N 26 01.94 W 155 35.35 426.9
ZIGIE N 24 18.82 W 157 17.12 138.3
Honolulu Center      
A332 Seattle Center Honolulu Center (Merges with R463 at ABSOL)
Seattle Center     (dist to next fix)
HEMLO N 43 18.14 W 126 40.84  
HUMOR N 39 35.00 W 134 00.00 397.5
36N140W N 36 00.00 W 140 00.00 356.5
HAWWS N 33 40.08 W 143 17.18 213.9
HERZO N 30 55.88 W 146 47.47 242.0
ABSOL N 27 18.23 W 150 59.19 309.4
ANELE N 25 09.70 W 154 33.80 231.5
APACK N 24 02.62 W 156 19.17 117.0
TOADS N 22 46.16 W 156 41.76 79.2
Honolulu Center