First, we have the 'Blue Spruce' Routes — Page 130, Lesson 209

I want to walk you through the other routes that exist within NAT MNPS Airspace, and then the route structures that sit adjacent to it. Let's start with those other routes inside the airspace itself. First, we have the 'Blue Spruce' Routes. These are special routes established specifically for aircraft that are equipped with only one serviceable LRNS — that's a Long-Range Navigation System. Normally, MNPS airspace requires two serviceable LRNS, but the Blue Spruce routes give a limited access option. However, to fly along these routes, you need State approval for MNPS operations. That's a formal authorization from your state of registry or operator's state. Next, there are routes between Northern Europe and Spain/Canaries/Lisbon FIR. These are designated as T9, T13, and T16. These are specific route identifiers that connect northern Europe down to the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. Then we have routings between the Azores and the Portuguese mainland, and between the Azores and the Madeira Archipelago. These are point-to-point routes within the NAT region that still fall under MNPS requirements. There are also routings between Iceland and Constable Pynt on the east coast of Greenland, and between Kook Islands on the west coast of Greenland and Canada. These are more northern connections that cross MNPS airspace. Finally, there are special routes of short stage lengths where aircraft equipped with normal short-range navigation equipment — things like VOR, DME, and ADF — can still meet the MNPS track-keeping criteria. These routes are designated G3 and G11. Again, State approval for MNPS operations is required to fly these routes. Now, there's a very important note attached to the routes marked with an asterisk — that's sub-paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4). Those routes may be flight planned and flown by approved aircraft equipped with normal short-range navigation equipment — VOR, DME, ADF — and at least one approved fully operational LRNS. So the asterisk routes give a bit more flexibility: you don't need two LRNS, but you do need at least one fully operational LRNS plus the standard short-range nav kit, and the aircraft must be approved for MNPS operations. Let's move on to the Route Structures Adjacent to NAT MNPS Airspace. First up: North American Routes, or NARs. These consist of a numbered series of predetermined routes that provide an interface between NAT oceanic airspace and North American domestic airspace. The NAR System is designed to accommodate major airports in North America. These routes are subject to occasional changes and are re-published on a 56-day cycle. So every 56 days, the NARs get updated. Next, within Canada there are three track systems: the Northern Control Area tracks (NCAs), the Southern Control Area tracks (SCAs), and the Northern Organized Track System (NOROTS). These provide links for NAT traffic operating between Europe and North America to reach central and western North American airports. Then we have the North Atlantic European Routing Scheme, or NERS. This exists to provide an interface between NAT oceanic and European domestic airspace. The scheme is similar in concept to the NARs. It consists of a numbered series of predetermined routes designed to accommodate eastbound traffic exiting the NAT en route to a number of major European airports. The NERS valid for a particular day will be published in the NAT track message, but it will only be published when the traffic density warrants their use. They are not expected to be published every day — only when needed. Finally, we have the Shannon Oceanic Transition Area (SOTA) and the Northern Oceanic Transition Area (NOTA). These are parts of the Shanwick OCA — that's the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area. In both SOTA and NOTA, MNPS Airspace requirements are still applicable from FL285 to FL420. So even though these are transition areas, the same navigation performance standards apply within that vertical band. Both NOTA and SOTA have the same vertical extent as the Shanwick OCA. Air Traffic Services in these areas are provided by Shannon ACC using the call sign SHANNON CONTROL.