ZBW Sector Charts

[JetScan1]

For those interested,

I noticed looking through NOTAMS that Boston Center (ZBW) has issued new Sector Charts. This is the first time I've ever seen ZBW sector charts issued in the public domain as a NOTAM. It would be nice if all Centers would do this (New York used to).

To get them search "ZBW" (then scroll to the end).

http://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/

Now if they would just put them in a format you could actually read.

The charts are dated revised May 01, 2014, although I don't see any changes from the previous ones.

On the subject of ZBW, from what I've heard the HTO 31 and Southie 49 sectors are normally combined with the controller usually simulcasting on both frequencies 124.525/132.300 with the aircraft usually only on 124.525. I've never heard these sectors split, just wondering if anyone knows what altitude they split them if they ever do ? Anyone ever hear them split these sectors ? Both frequencies are covered on LiveATC feeds here (Thanks Ron).

[RonR]

Hey Jet,

Yes, I have heard ZBW split those sectors where you have all three frequencies in operation (135.8, 124.525 and 132.3), it's rare but it does happen sometimes.  Mostly however it seems to be used as a backup in case there are ever issues with 135.8 or 124.525.  All three of these frequencies come out of CCC.  Just recently (within the past month or so) aircraft were was having reception problems on CLIPPER 135.8 so they temporarily moved everything over to 132.3.

It's interesting though looking at the new high sector map...it does show HTO and Southie frequencies but it does not show any kind of sector boundary between them.  And as far as ZBW working 124.525 and simulcasting on 132.3, I believe that is more the exception rather than the rule.  You'll hear simulcasting sometimes but for the most part 132.3 is quiet unless there's an issue with one of the other two frequencies.

Ron

[JetScan1]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the great info. !

It's interesting though looking at the new high sector map...it does show HTO and Southie frequencies but it does not show any kind of sector boundary between them.

Looking at the chart I figured it was the same sort of setup as the DNY24/RKA10 sectors, same geographic area but split vertically. When I tuned into 132.30 yesterday it was simulcasting with 124.52 but I see what you mean, on the archive from Thursday it was simulcasting with 135.80. Maybe in the rare times that Southie 39 is split off separately it covers airspace from both the HTO 31 and Clipper 32 sectors ?   

[RonR]

Ahh, I see what you're saying...DNY24 and RKA10 do cover the same lateral airspace and they are both considered high sectors.  And you are right, they are two different sectors with RKA10 on top of DNY24.  I think the floor of RKA10 (ceiling of DNY24) is FL270 but don't quote me on that.

But I'm reasonably certain that is not the case with Southie 49 and HTO 31.  It may look like it on that new chart but I've never heard it used that way.  Most of the time 132.3 is quiet.  Eastbound departures out of JFK along the south shore of Long Island always go from 135.9 (NY Dep) to 135.8 and then to 124.525; I have never heard 135.8 -> 132.3 -> 124.525.  Late at night HTO31 and CLIPPER32 combine into one sector which operates on 135.8.  At night you'll also hear ZBW 135.8 handle approaches into KPVD and you'll also hear the same controller talking to aircraft on another frequency (133.425 I think - ZBW simulcasts on both 135.8 and 133.425)...makes for interesting listening

I can't remember the last time I heard 132.3 operating by itself...an older chart I have that dates back to June 2004 shows 132.3 as a low sector north of 135.8.  Back then it was called ERICK33 and 135.8 was SARDI32.

Another weird one is PWL06 (128.1).  This low sector is almost never active by itself.  99% of the time SWF05 (134.3) covers that airspace.  And 134.3 simulcasts on 128.1 continuously (it's out of Shelton and I can hear the controller here on LI.  It's a weak signal but I can hear it).

Ron

[JetScan1]

Listening this morning Clipper 32 and HTO 31 were merged and they were simulcasting on 132.300, then around 09:00am they split the sectors and at the same time turned off 132.300.

Yeah it would make more sense if Southie 49 was used to split Clipper 32, with JFK arrivals on 132.300 and JFK departures on 135.800, the way it used to be when it was a low sector, can't see why they would need to split HTO 31 ? Need a better chart to figure it out.

I think the floor of RKA10 (ceiling of DNY24) is FL270 but don't quote me on that.

Yes, last time I checked the split was at FL275 between DNY24/RKA10, with the floor of DNY24 going down to FL180.

Another weird one is PWL06 (128.1). This low sector is almost never active by itself.  99% of the time SWF05 (134.3) covers that airspace.  And 134.3 simulcasts on 128.1 continuously (it's out of Shelton and I can hear the controller here on LI.  It's a weak signal but I can hear it).

Thanks for the info. on 128.100. We used to have excellent coverage of SWF05 here on LiveATC, but that feed has been down for the last 50 days now.

[dave]

Thanks for the info. on 128.100. We used to have excellent coverage of SWF05 here on LiveATC, but that feed has been down for the last 50 days now.

It should be back up today or tomorrow.  We had to replace some hardware and it took a while.

[JetScan1]

It should be back up today or tomorrow.  We had to replace some hardware and it took a while.

Thanks for the info. !

[Bob2]

re: format you can read,  right-click, save image as, on each image to save it on your computer.  Still low resolution, but better than the Notam page.

[JetScan1]

right-click, save image as, on each image to save it on your computer.  Still low resolution, but better than the Notam page.

Yes I did save it as a separate image. It was the low resolution of the actual image I was commenting on, not the NOTAM itself. Perhaps I was being a bit too harsh. I'm not complaining, at least they issue something.

[ATCWanAaB]

The DNY/RKA split is FL270 with DNY owning FL180-FL270, RKA owning FL280 up to FL600

HNK/DNY are almost always combined.

PWL splits off from SWF on an almost daily basis (during summer), usually when there is a LGA push or holding.

I believe the HTO/Southie split is FL240/250 but I'll get back to you on that.

When sectors are combined up, the controller will make sure that he is broadcasting and monitoring all frequencies, even if he plans on only using one. Some areas will specifically ask the surrounding controllers to use a single frequency, while other don't.

Example: With HNK/DNY combined up, a EWR arrival coming from ZOB 31 will be put on DNY 127.37, while a EWR arrival from SYR APPCH will be on the HNK 133.25. This is because SYR APPCH does not even know the DNY sector exists, and just ships the A/C the only freq they know (IE the HNK Freq)

Other areas would call the APCH and tell them which freq to use to ensure all A/C are on the same freq.

[ATCWanAaB]

HTO is FL280-310 and Southie is FL320-600

[JetScan1]

ATCWanAaB,

Thanks for the reply, appreciate the info. !

HNK/DNY are almost always combined.

Interesting, I didn't know that.

HTO is FL280-310 and Southie is FL320-600

I still have yet to hear them split these sectors. 

[RonR]

I echo Jetscan's comment regarding HTO and Southie. Southie's frequency is 132.3 and the only time I've heard this frequency in use is when it's used in place of either 135.8 (CLIPR) or 124.525 (HTO).

Sent from my Galaxy S4

[ATCWanAaB]

HTO and Southie might get split 5 times a year....so you're gonna have to listen constantly to catch that...

[NHaviator]

HTO31 (Hampton) is primarily FL200-FL310 for the majority of the airspace (center of the sector), this is why CLIPPER32 will climb all aircraft looking for FL200 and above to FL190 and then change them to 124.525.  On the southern part of the airspace (bordering ZDC59 (Sea Isle)),  HTO's airspace is FL240-FL310 with ZNY Sector 66 (Manta) underlying up to FL230.

SOUTHIE49 is the same lateral boundaries at FL320 & above with the addition of the shelf of airspace over BDR where they own FL280 & above with DXR19 under it.

As was previously mentioned, most of the time SOUTHIE is combined up with HTO on 124.52, but if the North Atlantic tracks are south, or is weather is pushing traffic over J174/J121 that would normally be farther west it will be opened up.  SOUTHIE would primarily handle the overflights while HTO would handle the JFK & PHL departures as well as PHL/PHL Sat arrivals as well as PVD and Cape Cod/Island arrivals.  It is a little more effective use of a position now than it was previously with the extra low-altitude sector (ERICK & SARDI) since there aren't as many props flying around and generally there is either a JFK arrival push or a JFK departure push but not both.

As far as the use of 132.3 when Southie is not open, it is normally monitored by the HTO controller but there has been a fair amount of frequency issues and interference on 135.8 so the CLIPPER controller will use it as needed.  

[RonR]

Thanks NHaviator for clearing that up!  Now it all makes sense.

Ron

[JetScan1]

Thanks for the info. NHaviator !

For those interested I've updated my notes on the High Altitude Chart attached below.

Any corrections or further updates always apreciated.

[AeroBill]

JETSCAN,


 Do you have a chart for the rest of the East Coast down to and including Florida that you can post?
These charts are great for flight following along the East Coast. I print the chart and then draw on
the N/S Jet Routes. With flight plan and planned altitude of a flight you know which frequencies will
usually be used along the flight path.

Thanks for all your work on these charts.