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Chapter
7. ESCORT OF HIJACKED AIRCRAFT
Section
1. GENERAL
7-1-1. PURPOSE
The FAA hijack coordinator (the Director or his designate of the FAA
Office of Civil Aviation Security) on duty at Washington headquarters
will request the military to provide an escort aircraft for a confirmed
hijacked aircraft to:
a. Assure positive
flight following.
b. Report unusual
observances.
c. Aid search and
rescue in the event of an emergency.
7-1-2. REQUESTS FOR SERVICE
The escort service will be requested by the FAA hijack coordinator by
direct contact with the National Military Command Center (NMCC).
Normally, NORAD escort aircraft will take the required action.
However, for the purpose of these procedures, the term "escort
aircraft" applies to any military aircraft assigned to the escort
mission. When the military can provide escort aircraft, the NMCC
will advise the FAA hijack coordinator the identification and location of
the squadron tasked to provide escort aircraft. NMCC will then
authorize direct coordination between FAA and the designated military
unit. When a NORAD resource is tasked, FAA will coordinate through
the appropriate SOCC/ROCC.
7-1-3. HANDLING PRIORITY
When the situation requires an expedited departure of the escort
aircraft, the aircraft shall be afforded priority consideration over
other departing aircraft.
7-1-4. CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR U.S. AIRSPACE
a. When hijacked
aircraft is within FAA radar coverage, escort aircraft shall be
controlled by the appropriate FAA facility.
b. When a hijacked
aircraft is not within FAA radar coverage but within military radar
coverage, escort aircraft may be controlled by the military for the
escort phase only.
c. When escort
aircraft are under military control, separation between the escort
aircraft/hijacked aircraft and other IFR traffic is the responsibility of
the FAA. Separation shall be provided through the application of
appropriate altitude reservations as required.
d. When escort
aircraft is under FAA control, standard air traffic control separation
shall be applied. In no case shall any clearance or instruction to
the aircraft compromise ATC standards.
e. When tanker
aircraft are employed, the designated tankers and escort aircraft shall
be under FAA control, and appropriate aerial refueling procedures shall
apply.
7-1-5. CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Escort aircraft entering Canadian airspace from the U.S. shall be
transferred to NORAD control
in accordance with FAA/NORAD procedures prior to the aircraft entering
Canadian airspace. Escort aircraft entering U.S. airspace from
Canada will be transferred from NORAD control in the same manner when
transfer of control is effected. When the hijacked aircraft is not
within the coverage of the NORAD surveillance system in Canada, the
escort mission will be discontinued.
7-1-6. AIR/GROUND COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY
Except when specifically directed otherwise by FAA headquarters, every
precaution shall be taken to prevent the hijacker/s from gaining
knowledge that an escort is being conducted. When communicating
with escort aircraft, ensure that transmissions are made on a different
frequency from the one being used to communicate with the hijacked aircraft
and are not simultaneously broadcast on a frequency which can be
overheard by the hijacked aircraft.
7-1-7. WEATHER/FLIGHT SAFETY LIMITATIONS
If weather conditions or other flight safety factors make the escort
mission impractical, the mission shall be terminated by the controller or
the pilot, and the FAA headquarters hijack coordinator shall be advised
immediately. The pilot of the escort aircraft will keep the
controller advised of adverse weather or any other hazardous
conditions. The pilot will immediately terminate the mission if
radio contact with the control facility is lost, maintaining the last
assigned altitude and/or radio failure procedures unless the pilot has
received specific instructions to the contrary.
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