{"id":30227,"date":"2026-04-29T08:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T12:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/?p=30227"},"modified":"2026-04-29T08:11:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T12:11:26","slug":"nat-guide-2026-my-first-nat-flight-is-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/nat-guide-2026-my-first-nat-flight-is-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"NAT Guide 2026 – My First NAT Flight is Tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest edition<\/strong> (2026) of the NAT Guide (\u201cMy First North Atlantic Flight is Tomorrow\u201d) has now been published. This 24-page guide<\/strong> is for pilots and dispatchers, to help you understand the basics of North Atlantic flying.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Contents:<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. What\u2019s different about the NAT?<\/li>\n
  2. What\u2019s changed?<\/strong> Recent updates (2026 \u2192 2016), including datalink, tracks, comms, and procedures.<\/li>\n
  3. (Updated 2026) Circle of Entry:<\/strong> what you actually need to enter different parts of NAT airspace (now reflects current surveillance and corridor logic).<\/li>\n
  4. NAT Quick Map:<\/strong> Gander and Shanwick boundaries, plus updated routing overview.<\/li>\n
  5. Routine Flight Example:<\/strong> Brussels to JFK (step-by-step): HLA requirements, flight planning, paperwork, RCL vs clearance, oceanic entry, weather deviations, contingencies.<\/li>\n
  6. Non-Routine Flights:<\/strong> what you can do without: PBCS, RVSM, RNP4 \/ RNAV 10, HF, 1 LRNS, HLA approval, ETOPS, TCAS, datalink \u2013 including the Iceland-Greenland corridor workaround.<\/li>\n
  7. VHF Coverage Maps \u2013 FL100 \/ 200 \/ 300 across the NAT<\/li>\n
  8. Diversion Airports Guide:<\/strong> practical notes on key alternates from Keflavik and Shannon to Goose Bay and Bermuda.<\/li>\n
  9. Airport Data:<\/strong> updated list including Keflavik, Shannon, Gander, Goose Bay, plus revised Greenland options (BGGH, BGQO, etc).<\/li>\n
  10. Special NAT Procedures:<\/strong> Mach number technique, SLOP, comms, transition areas, exits, and common mistakes.<\/li>\n
  11. North Atlantic ATC Contacts:<\/strong> Shanwick, Gander, Iceland, Bodo, Santa Maria, New York, plus adjacent domestic units.<\/li>\n
  12. NAT FPL Codes and Flight Levels:<\/strong> what to file and how.<\/li>\n
  13. Contingency Procedures:<\/strong> weather deviations and in-flight emergencies.<\/li>\n
  14. Oceanic Clearance vs RCL:<\/strong> who does what now, including timing windows and differences between FIRs.<\/li>\n
  15. Common Gotchas:<\/strong> real-world mistakes and lessons from OPSGROUP members.<\/li>\n
  16. GNSS Interference \/ Spoofing:<\/strong> what to expect and what to do.<\/li>\n
  17. Links, Questions, Guidance<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There are two options to download a copy of the NAT Guide 2026:<\/p>\n

    OPSGROUP Members<\/h4>\n

    You can get it in your Member Dashboard<\/strong>, under Briefings and Guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Not a member?<\/h4>\n