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Appendix 16.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION FOR
INTERCEPTOR OPERATIONS (FAA AFIO)
EFFECTIVE: October 1. 1986.
I. AUTHORIZATION
Authority is granted for Commander in Chief,
NORAD (CINCNORAD), to operate interceptors
subject to the conditions and in compliance with the
responsibilities and standard operating procedures set
forth herein.
The Director, Air Traffic Operations Service (ATO-
1), shall modify, revise, or cancel in part or in whole
this Authorization as necessary to meet changing re-
quirements. In addition, he shall take appropriate ac-
tion to modify, revise, or cancel this Authorization
at any Air Defense Control Facility (ADCF) upon
determination that immediate action is necessary to
alleviate an unsafe condition. Notification of suspen-
sion of this Authorization shall be made by the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration, Manager, Operations
Division. ATO-100. to the Commander. COKUS
Region, and the Co Tiais^d . ^rAa s a Region, con-
cerned or higher authority. Close coordination will
be accomplished with NORAD to ensure that full
consideration is given to national defense require-
ments and the effect that modifications, revisions, or
cancellations of the Authorization may have on these
requirements.
In recognition of its statutory responsibility, the
FAA requires that ATO personnel (ADLO's) be pro-
vided access as necessary to those ADCF's operat-
ing under the scope of this authority to assist the Di-
rector, ATO-1, in determining the adequacy of re-
sponsibilities and procedures set forth herein.
II. CONDITIONS
The following conditions are prerequisite to the ex-
ercise of authority granted under this document.
A. When it is determined by competent military
authority that operations within the ATC system
would significantly derogate the mission, this au-
thority may be used for the movement of intercep-
tors under NORAD operational jurisdiction while on
an active air defense mission. This authority may
also be used for the movement of tanker aircraft
used in the support of an active air defense mission
under the jurisdiction of the Alaskan Air Command.
Appendix 16
7610.
B. NORAD shall provide an equivalent level of
safety to that required by the FAA in exercising
ATC responsibility.
C. This authority shall only be exercised by those
Air Defense Control Facilities (ADCF's) which:
1. Have been made known to the Director,
ATO, (see Supplement 1) and personnel of such fa-
cilities have:
a. Been properly examined by competent
FAA authority on:
(1) The provisions herein and appropriate
letters of agreement
(2) Additional regulations and procedures
necessary for their application.
b. Satisfactorily demonstrated their skill in
application of the requirements in Cla(l) and (2)
above.
D. Operation of interceptors shall be in accord-
ance with Instrument Flight Rules (TFR) and all
other applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR)
unless otherwise authorized by the FAA.
E. Operation of interceptors contrary to the provi-
sions of FAR 91.121(b) is authorized provided that
such operations shall be conducted only to the extent
necessary to accomplish the intercept mission.
F. Instructions issued by the ADCF are mandatory
upon interceptor pilots operating under this author-
ity.
G. NORAD shall ensure that the appropriate air-
crew and ground crew personnel have full knowl-
edge of (heir responsibilities.
H. Procedures governing the use of tanker aircraft
under this authority shall be contained in a letter of
agreement between the Anchorage ARTCC and the
Alaskan Air Command.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES AND
PROCEDURES
A. The ADCF shall:
1. Advise the ATC facilityAes in whose area the
interceptor will operate and the pilot/s whenever in-
terceptor aircraft are to be operated under the provi-
sions of this authorization.
2. Establish two-way radio communications and
radar identification of interceptors, and maintain
such radio communications and radar identification,
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regardless of weather conditions or geographical
area until jurisdiction is transferred to ATC.
3. Take the following action in event radio and/
or radar contact is lost with aircraft being controlled
by an ADCF:
a. Radar contact lost, never established, or
not considered adequate.
(1) Advise pilot/s:
(a) Radar contact lost and to remain in
VMC conditions if possible. If not possible !<"• main-
tain VMC, maintain last assigned altitude.
(b) Contact the appropriate ATC facility
immediately.
(2) Immediately notify the appropriate ATC
facility of the following:
(a) Call sign, type, and number of aircraft.
(b) Last known position and assigned alti-
tude/s.
(C) Assigned heading.
(d) Assigned transponder code.
(e) Flight conditions if known.
b. Radio contact lost Immediately notify the
appropriate ATC facility of the following:
(1) Call sign, type, and number of aircraft.
(2; Position and assigned altitude/s.
(3) Assigned heading."
(4) Assigned transponder code.
(5) Flight conditions if known.
(6) Estimated time of arrival at recovery
radio facility or approach fix.
4. Provide separation between interceptors and
all other aircraft except as set forth in c. below as
follows:
a. Between aircraft which are within the
SOCC system, the minimum shall be TEN NAU-
TICAL MILES; or
b. At least 1,000 feet vertical separation up to
and including flight level (FL) 290 and at least
2,000 feet vertical separation above FL 290.
c. When military authority assumes respon-
sibility for separation using lesser minima, the mini-
ma specified in a and b above need not be applied:
(1) Between interceptors, or
(2) Between interceptor and target aircraft
when positive target verification has been made.
5. Keep informed of current weather conditions
applicable to the operational areas and recovery
bases.
6. Advise interceptor pilots and ATC facilities
of the alternate airport of recovery to be used when
weather conditions may preclude landing at the in-
tended base of recovery.
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7. Notify the appropriate air traffic control facil-
ity as specified in a letter of agreement immediately
when a scramble is ordered and accomplish the fol-
lowing actions:
8. Active air defense missions shall be so
identified.
b. A flight plan containing the following in-
formation shall be filed:
(1) Can sign/s.
(2) Number of aircraft.
(3) Departure route requested.
(4) Duration of flight
(5) Other information as may be required
by the ATC facility.
c. Terminal facilities, both FAA and military,
receiving flight plans from an ADCF shall ensure
the necessary information is relayed to other affected {:•
terminal facilities and to the ARTCC if ARTCC pro-
cedures are involved.
8. Upon completion of intercept and aircraft
identification portion of the mission, the ADCF will
initiate action to transfer control to the appropriate
FAA facility for return to base. Recovery coordina-
tion will be as specified in letters of agreement
B. Thr. fligh? conat-ander and/or interceptor pilot
shall:
1. Obtain an appropriate air traffic clearance
prior to departure.
2. Adhere to the scramble procedures as con-
tained in the appropriate letter of agreement unless
otherwise cleared by ATC.
3. Adhere to all control instructions issued by
the ADCF.
4. Provide separation from the target aircraft
during visual or airborne interceptor radar contact
with the target being intercepted.
5. Advise the ADCF prior to encountering and
after leaving IMC weather conditions.
6. Effect immediate radio contact with the ap-
propriate ATC facility when radio contact has been
lost with the ADCF. If unable, follow two-way radio
communication failure procedures.
C. The air traffic control facility shall:
1. Effect expeditious handling, granting priority
to interceptors engaged in an active air defense mis-
sion and identified as such by the ADCF, on the
basis that control of conflicting traffic shall be predi-
cated on releasing the interceptor immediately upon
request with consideration for safety of flight.
2. When a delay is anticipated, issue EFC times
to interceptors.
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IV. CANCELLATION 1,1986.

The Federal Aviation Administration Authorization
For Interceptor Operations (FAA AFIO), dated Janu-

(s) John R. Ryan

JOHN R. RYAN
Director, Air Traffic Service
SUPPLEMENT 1
Air Defense Control Facilities authorized to control 3. Northwest Sector Operations Control Center
interceptors in accordance with provisions of the (SOCQ, McChord AFB, WA.
FAA AFIO: •'•"'•' 4. Southwest Sector Operations Control Center
1. Southeast Sector Operations Control Center (SOCQ, March AFB, CA.
(SOCC), Tyndall AFB, FL. 5. Alaskan Region Operations Control Center
2. Northeast Sector Operations Control Center (ROCC), Elinendorf AFB. AK.
(SOCQ. Griffiss AFB, NY.

Appendix 16 A16-3