JO 7210.629E

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ORDER FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION JO 7210.629E Air Traffic Organization Policy Effective date: 12/26/2024 SUBJ: Precipitation Altitude Layer Filter Adjustments in En Route and Oceanic Automation Platforms 1. Purpose of This Order. This order provides policy for requesting and implementing precipitation altitude layer changes at Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Center Radar Approach Control (CERAP) facilities where En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), Micro En Route Automation Radar Tracking System (MEARTS), or Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) are deployed.

2. Audience. Air Traffic Organization, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, all ARTCCs, and all CERAPs.

3. Where Can I Find This Order. This order is available on the MyFAA employee website at https://employees.faa.gov/tools_resources/orders_notices / .

4. What This Order Cancels. This order cancels FAA Order JO 7210.629D, Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) Weather and Radar Processor (WARP) Selectable Mosaic Generator (SMG) and the process to change an En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), Micro En Route Automated Radar Tracking System (MEARTS), and Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) precipitation altitude strata and the corresponding Weather Filter Setting key label, effective February 1, 2017.

5. Abbreviations. As used in this order, the abbreviations listed below have the following meanings indicated.

TBL 5-1 Abbreviations Abbreviation Meaning ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center ATM Air Traffic Manager ATOP Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures CERAP Combined Center Radar Approach Control CSS - Wx Common Support Services - Weather ERAM En Route Automation Modernization MEARTS Micro En Route Automation Radar Tracking System PO Program Office POFM Program Office Field Manager SLE Second Level Engineering SMG Selectable Mosaic Generator WARP Weather and Radar Process or Distribution: Electronic Initiated By: AJV-P

12/26/2024 JO 7210.629E 6. Explanation of Policy Changes. On a facility-by-facility basis, the CSS-Wx precipitation mosaic is replacing WARP, which will soon be decommissioned. Procedures for requesting and implementing precipitation altitude layer changes at facilities using WARP are unchanged.

Procedures for requesting and implementing precipitation altitude layers now apply to facilities using CSS-Wx. The CSS-Wx mosaic, just as the WARP SMG mosaic it replaces, will provide one fixed altitude layer (000–600), and three layers with floors and ceilings that can be adjusted in 1,000’ increments.

7. Guidance.

a. Facilities must implement local procedures to conduct dual operations where both WARP SMG mosaic and CSS-Wx mosaic are used until the transition from WARP SMG to CSS-Wx is complete.

b. The following table lists precipitation altitude layers provided by both the WARP SMG and CSS-Wx. Currently, facilities can request to change the floor and ceiling of the 000–240 layer, 240–600 layer, and 330–600 layer, but the floor and ceiling altitudes for the 000–600 layer are fixed and cannot be changed. The transition from WARP SMG to the CSS-Wx precipitation mosaic does not change the availability of selectable altitude layers. If a facility does not request to change the floor and ceiling altitudes of one or more altitude layers, the default altitude layers listed in the table below remain in effect.

TBL 7-1 Precipitation Altitude Layer Filters Altitude Layer Floor/Ceiling Altitude Layer Layer Effective Mosaic Latency in Default Label Options Label Range Seconds Altitude Layer Selectable Match selected Decreases as 000–240 000–240 30–300 floor & ceiling floor & ceiling ceiling lowers¹ Selectable Match selected Decreases as 240–600 240–600 30–300 floor & ceiling floor & ceiling ceiling lowers¹ Selectable Match selected Decreases as 330–600 330–600 30–300 floor & ceiling floor & ceiling ceiling lowers¹ Fixed floor & 000–600 000–600 000-600 248 NM 30–300 ceiling Maximum coverage range is 248 nautical miles. As the altitude layer ceiling is lowered, effective range decreases due to radar beam angle and curvature of the earth.

c. ARTCC and CERAP ATMs can request floor and ceiling altitudes for up to three of the four WARP SMG or CSS-Wx mosaics be changed to better align with their facility’s airspace.

Labels that match altitude layer floors and ceilings are local ERAM, MEARTS, or ATOP adaptations that the POFM is responsible for changing. While the WARP SMG configuration adaptation is maintained by the WARP Prime Contractor (L3Harris), the Weather Systems Operations Center (WSOC) can change layer altitudes and labels with WARP SLE authorization.

Changes to WARP SMG altitude labels must be made simultaneously with changes to layer floor and ceiling altitudes to prevent a mismatch between actual layer altitudes and layer labels.

12/26/2024 JO 7210.629E Procedures for requesting, changing, and implementing WARP SMG or CSS-Wx precipitation layer floor and ceiling altitude changes and their corresponding labels are as follows: (1) The ARTCC or CERAP ATM must email a request to change one or more precipitation altitude layers to the WARP or CSS-Wx PO, as appropriate and identify: (a) The WARP SMG or CSS-Wx altitude layer(s) to be changed.

(b) Requested new layer floor(s) and ceiling(s).

(c) Existing altitude layer label(s).

(d) Desired timeframe for new layer altitude implementation.

(2) The WARP and CSS-Wx PO require a minimum 30-business-day advanced notice.

(3) When the WARP or CSS-Wx PO notifies the facility ATM of approval, the ATM will submit an adaptation request to the POFM.

(4) The WARP or CSS-Wx PO will coordinate the change with WARP or CSS-Wx SLE and L3Harris.

(5) WARP or CSS-Wx SLE will issue a System Support Directive (SSD) that identifies the new precipitation altitude layers and authorizes L3Harris to configure those layers. WARP SLE must schedule changes with L3Harris and the POFM.

(6) The facility ATM is responsible for identifying appropriate labels for all altitude layers and ensuring that controllers are properly briefed prior to working an operational position effected by those changes.

8. Safety Risk Management. In accordance with ATO Safety Management System (SMS) Manual, no further analysis is required.

For Michael R. Beckles Director, Policy, AJV-P Air Traffic Organization 12/26/2024 JO 7210.629E Appendix A Appendix A. Administrative Information 1. Distribution. This order is distributed to the Air Traffic Organization, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, all NAS ARTCCs, and all NAS CERAPs.

2. Authority to Change This Order. The issuance, revision, or cancellation of the material in this order is the responsibility of AJV-P.

3. Suggestions for Improvements. Please forward all comments on deficiencies, clarifications, or improvements regarding the contents of this order to the AJV-P Correspondence Mailbox at 9 - AJV-P-HQ-Correspondence@faa.gov .

Your suggestions are welcome. FAA Form 1320-19, Directive Feedback Information, is located in Appendix B of this order for your convenience.

4. Records Management. Refer to FAA Order 0000.1, FAA Standard Subject Classification System ; FAA Order 1350.14, Records Management ; or your office Records Management Officer (RMO)/Directives Management Officer (DMO) for guidance regarding retention or disposition of records.

A-1 12/26/2024 JO 7210.629E Appendix B Appendix B. Directive Feedback Information Please submit any written comments or recommendation for improving this directive, or suggest new items or subjects to be added to it. Also, if you find an error, please tell us about it.

Subject: Order JO 7210.629E, Precipitation Altitude Layer Filter Adjustments in En Route and Oceanic Automation Platforms To: 9-AJV-P-HQ-Correspondence@faa.gov (Please mark all appropriate line items) ☐ An error (procedural or typographical) has been noted in paragraph _______ on page _______.

☐ Recommend paragraph _______ on page _______ be changed as follows: (attach separate sheet if necessary) ☐ In a future change to this order, please include coverage on the following subject: (briefly describe what you want added.)

☐ Other comments: ☐ I would like to discuss the above. Please contact me.

Submitted by: __________________________________ Date: __________________ Telephone Numb/er: __________________ Routing Symbol: _________________ FAA Form 1320-19 (08/21) Supersedes Previous Edition B-1