8-2-1 Section 2. Coordination

8-2-1 General

 ARTCCs shall:
 a. Forward to appropriate ATS facilities, as a flight progresses, current flight plan (CPL) and control information.
 b. Coordinate flight plan and control information sufficient time to permit the receiving facility to analyze the data and to effect any necessary additional coordination. This may be specified in a letter of agreement.
 c. Coordinate with adjacent ATS facilities when airspace to be protected will overlap the common boundary.
 d. Forward revisions of estimates of 3 minutes or more to the appropriate ATS facility.
 e. Coordinate with adjacent facilities on IFR and VFR flights to ensure the continuation of appropriate air traffic services.

8-2-2 Transfer of Control and Communications

 a. Only one air traffic control unit shall control an aircraft at any given time.
 b. The control of an aircraft shall be transferred one control unit to another at the time the aircraft is estimated to cross the control boundary or at such other point or time agreed upon by the two units.
 c. The transferring unit shall forward to the accepting unit any changed flight plan or control data which are pertinent to the transfer.
 d. The accepting unit shall notify the transferring unit if it is unable to accept control under the terms specified, or it shall specify the changes or conditions required so that the aircraft can be accepted.
 e. The accepting unit shall not alter the clearance of an aircraft that has not yet reached the transfer of control point without the prior approval of the transferring unit.
 f. Where nonradar separation minima are being applied, the transfer of air-ground communications with an aircraft shall be made 5 minutes before the time at which the aircraft is estimated to reach the boundary unless otherwise agreed to by the control and/or communication units concerned.

8-2-3 Air Traffic Services Interfacility Data Communications (AIDC)

{New-98-3 Added February 26, 1998}

 Where interfacility data communications capability has been implemented, its use for ATC coordination should be accomplished in accordance with regional Interface Control Documents, and supported by letters of agreement between the facilities concerned.