US military flights ex Germany

[LPL]

Anyone know why US military flights out of Germany go the scenic route to the US?

There is a C5 (85-0010) doing exactly that ex Ramstein where they avoid France and Belgium by heading west and then northwest, over Holland and then over Suffolk/Norfolk. Usually they head over towards southwest England but this one is looks to be going over Birmingham.

[radiostationx]

Today the only westbound NAT-track available is track A which for the 26/6/20 is GOMUP to URTAK @ FL330,350,370 AND 390
entry point GOMUP is here

opennav.com/waypoint/UK/GOMUP

[LPL]

That one isnt a good example.

I have watched a number of them that never fly over Belgium or France.

[LPL]

This is a better example now. RCH171 (USAF 767 16-46023) flew over south Wales from the southwest, across the country and over Suffolk and again avoiding Belgium/France before turning southeast over towards Germany.

[LPL]

There is a USAF C17 (06-6164) thats just taken off from Ramstein just now, see which route this takes.

[LPL]

The C17 is now going east.

[radiostationx]

Jun 27, 2020 12:01:00 GMT 1 LPL said:

This is a better example now. RCH171 (USAF 767 16-46023) flew over south Wales from the southwest, across the country and over Suffolk and again avoiding Belgium/France before turning southeast over towards Germany.

Todays eastbound track is track Z, Entry RIKAL, exit ELSOX

opennav.com/waypoint/IE/ELSOX

Going across France into Germany would use more fuel due to 120kt + southerly winds coming from Bay of Biscay area @ FL320-FL390

I can count on one hand the number of times the most southerly Shanwick-Gander-New York Center exit/entry BEDRA has been used in the last 4-5 years. Jetstream winds would have to shift significantly for that one to be put into play.

opennav.com/waypoint/IE/BEDRA


ETIKI or SEPAL even more unusual as they are in reserve by Santa Maria Oceanic for South Atlantic entry/exit.

opennav.com/waypoint/FR/SEPAL

opennav.com/waypoint/FR/ETIKI



By the way,Ian northbynorthwest @ Delta Ops any idea How long are they going to use single tracks or when they will open up 3 or more each way ? Perhaps you could have a look on your arinc console :0)

[northbynorthwest]

Basically, there is so little traffic on the NAT tracks that a reduced number of tracks are being used in either direction until any significant uptick in traffic. No guestimates from anyone at this point, maybe next year. Eastbound, you may see from one to three tracks, and westbound one or two. We can now file flights that can cross the track(s), which was basically unheard of in the past because of the shear volume. The limitation to this is that you have to file at a non planned flight level for crossing the track(s). In the past, you would be used to seeing a thousand foot separation in altitudes on most tracks in both directions. Now, you will see two thousand foot separation in each direction - so if the eastbound altitudes are Fl320/340/360/380 on the track(s), you can now plan a random route that crosses the track(s) at Fl330/350/370/390. This can result in decent fuel savings and gives us a lot more flexibility. You will see flights actually flying at altitudes that conflict with the planned altitudes on the track message - those altitudes are for planning purposes, and ATC will use one thousand foot separation traffic permitting. It is great for fuel saving, as flights are not limited to one altitude all the way across the ocean due to aircraft stacked above them. Incidentally, the tracks are typically based on fastest time enroute between London and New York. They are planned westbound by Shanwick in consultation with the airlines, and eastbound by Gander. One big problem is that they are planned paying little attention to enroute weather. As a consequence, I often plan flights off tracks to avoid areas of forecast turbulence. Just have to make sure they enter and exit oceanic airspace over an approved fix and domestic routing.