UPS-Management Crew Taking Directs
A UPS management crew recently submitted an ASAP report for an event involving two flights through airspace that was not authorized by UPS Operations Specifications.
Background:
The Icelandic volcanic eruption resulted in many modifications to normal UPS operations. The MD11 management flight crew involved in this event was called out to fly a non-standard city pairing as a result of the volcanic activity. They were scheduled to fly ANC – CGN and then CGN – ANC in order to accommodate service demand. In preparation for this anomalous pairing, Flight Control constructed a routing which was restricted by MD11 OPSPECS. The MD11 does not currently have authority to fly through the Canadian AMU and the southerly track of both planned flights reflected this.
Failure:
Prior to the first leg, the acting IRO made a phone call to the dispatcher in order to determine why their flight was filed on such a southerly route. The call was made from the aircraft by cell phone and was completed as the Captain and First Officer were finalizing preparations for push back. The dispatcher stated that the flight was filed as such due to the Area of Magnetic Unreliability and also added that only the 747-400 was approved for this airspace. Thinking that AMU was synonymous with Polar Operations, the IRO dispelled any concerns as irrelevant and never communicated his conversation with dispatch to the other two pilots.
History Repeating Itself?
Shortly after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, we had a management B767 captain take a direct routing over Iran. He ended up in CGN an hour early and was patting himself on the back for saving time and fuel. He had no idea that UPS was not authorized to fly over Iran's airspace.
Incidentally, the dispatcher was written up for this. Unfortunately ASAP didn't exist at the time.
Summary:
When you sign a flight release, you are agreeing that the flight/route can be conducted safe and legal. If you take a direct without knowing the OPSPECS, you're on your own and don't blame the dispatcher if you break the rules.