International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures (SLOP)

Pilots should use the strategic lateral offset procedure (SLOP) in airspace where it is authorized. Aircraft operators and flight crews should verify its use with the State’s Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). SLOP significantly reduces the risk of collision when non-normal events occur and provides a means to avoid wake turbulence. Flight crews with automatic offset tracking capability can select lateral offsets as an option. Authorized strategic lateral offsets include centerline, and up to 2 nautical miles RIGHT of centerline. For aircraft capable of offsets in one nautical mile increments, the choices are centerline, 1 nautical mile or 2 nautical miles right. For aircraft capable of offsets in tenths of a nautical mile, the choices are centerline, and any nautical mile increment up to 2 nautical miles right. Offsets to the left of centerline are PROHIBITED. Flight crews should avoid using Heading mode to offset. Air Traffic Control or ATC clearance is not required, and it is not necessary that ATC be advised.