Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 270; Flight Crew Total 21000; Flight Crew Type 300
Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication
This flight operates through geopolitically challenging regions. For various reasons; usually from tensions between neighboring countries; it's often necessary to coordinate our own handoffs between air traffic control facilities. This means contacting each country approximately 10 minutes prior to entry for clearance into their airspace. The most recent version of Eurasia/Middle East EA2/ME1 has a printing error that blots out essential radio frequencies we consult for required contacts. In this case; approaching Iran; we were unexpectedly unable to acquire the necessary communication frequency. We scrambled for another chart only to find incorrect information listing 127.8 and 135.1 as Tehran stations. Those are Air Defense Radar frequencies NOT Tehran air traffic control frequencies. Flying through some of the world's most hostile regions; it's imperative that we have accurate information to avoid a territorial incident.
The reporter stated that as they approach Iran and before entering their airspace communications must be established or they have to enter holding. In this case; the first frequency box they noted was black labeled TEHRAN with two frequencies also in black. Neither of those frequencies was correct and at night Air Defense Radar radios are not always manned; as they were not this night. Fortunately; they searched the AE2 and ME1 charts and were able to locate a set of frequencies in a green box with green text containing the correct frequencies. It was a tense few minutes and in a dark cockpit locating chart information in a cluttered format is challenging.
A Captain reported ten minutes prior to entering Tehran Airspace they attempted to contact on a set of EA1/ME1 Chart frequencies in a black box with black text which turned out to be unmanned Air Defense Radar radios. Later; they found green text in a green box containing the correct frequencies.