How are aircraft controlled over the eastern part of the North Atlantic?

Aircraft in the eastern part of the North Atlantic are primarily controlled via aircraft position reports. This method is critical because it allows air traffic controllers to maintain situational awareness of aircraft positions over vast oceanic areas where radar coverage is limited or non-existent. Pilots communicate their location, altitude, and intentions at regular intervals, permitting controllers to separate aircraft effectively and ensure safe distances between them.

While radar tracking is extensively used in many airspaces, its utility diminishes over open waters where radar coverage may not be as comprehensive. Satellite communication is important in modern aviation, particularly for data transfer and voice communication, but it primarily supports position reporting and air-ground communication, rather than being the main control method itself. Visual flight rules rely on pilots navigating by sight, which is not practical over the ocean due to the absence of landmarks and the nature of operating at en-route altitudes. Given these considerations, position reports remain the mainstay for managing air traffic in this region.