JO 7110.65 4-5-3

When traffic, meteorological conditions, or aircraft operational limitations prevent assignment of altitudes prescribed in paragraph 4-5-2 , Flight Direction, assign any cardinal altitude or flight level below FL 410 or any odd cardinal flight level at or above FL 410 without regard to direction of flight as follows:

NOTE-

See paragraph 2-3-10 , Control Symbology, for control abbreviations and symbols to be used in conjunction with this paragraph.

For traffic conditions, take this action only if one of the following conditions exists: Aircraft remain within a facility's area and prior approval is obtained from other affected positions or sectors or the operations are covered in a Facility Directive.

Aircraft will proceed beyond the facility's area and specific operations and procedures permitting random altitude assignment are covered in a letter of agreement between the appropriate facilities.

Military aircraft are operating on random routes and prior approval is obtained from the facility concerned.

For meteorological conditions, take this action only if you obtain prior approval from other affected positions or sectors within your facility and, if necessary, from the adjacent facility concerned.

For aircraft operational limitations, take this action only if the pilot informs you the available appropriate altitude exceeds the operational limitations of his/her aircraft and only after you obtain prior approval from other affected positions or sectors within your facility and, if necessary, from the adjacent facility concerned.

For mission requirements, take this action only when the aircraft is operating on an MTR. REFERENCE-

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-5 , Altitude Assignments.

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 9-3-2 , Separation Minima.