The Natraks

Eastbound from New York, approaching sunrise on Track X-Ray.

This image is unique in that it displays not only the condensation trail from the heat of the exhaust gas, but also the spiralling wing tip vortices which causes wake turbulence.

The North Atlantic Organised Track System (NAT-OTS) is designed to assist the 2,000 aircraft crossing between the USA and Europe every day.

Originally, five tracks were spaced 60 nautical miles apart laterally, and thirteen vertical levels were spaced 1,000 feet apart, between 29,000 feet to 41,000 feet. And planes were fired along them every ten minutes or so.

There are now extra tracks with closer-spacing of just 30 nautical miles.

The system reverses every twelve hours to take advantage of the fluctuating westerly winds, and the morning and evening peaks.

If you have the stomach for it, check out these videos. Be warned, you may never be able to sleep in an aircraft again when you see how many planes there are.

Visual depiction : HERE

Detailed Explanation: HERE