AWSA News 5 October 2009

1. PROPOSAL TO AMEND RADIO PROCEDURES
2. CLOSURE OF RUNWAYS – FAGG and FAPE
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1. PROPOSAL TO AMEND RADIO PROCEDURES

The newly formed Standing Committee on Regulation Re-Write (SCORR) has distributed a document with proposals for amending the procedures with regard to radio communication failure.

While the document is in early draft it does contain the philosophy behind the changes. The problem that the committee is attempting to address is when aircraft routing in uncontrolled airspace, having departed IFR from an uncontrolled airspace without communications, proceeding to an aerodrome in controlled airspace and/or losing communications while IMC. They have no means of advising departure time or ETA and would arrive at the destination where they could have a stack of airplanes in the hold and no one knowing when or if they are arriving.

Concern has been expressed with the requirement for aircraft in IMC to route to an uncontrolled airfield, probably not included on the flightplan, from a safety point of view.

Comments should be forwarded to Kim Gorringe at kim@caasa.co.za

An executive summary of the procedures is as follows:

1VFR – In controlled airspace
a) If transiting exit the controlled airspace by shortest route out
b) If in the CCT to land already, completes the CCT and lands

2 VFR - Outside of controlled airspace
a) land at nearest suitable aerodrome as per STD loss comm. Proc (i.e. join overhead 1000ft above CCT join CCT on downwind etc) unless
b) Standard VMC RCF procedures have been approved and published for an aerodrome then comply with what’s published

3 IFR – Outside of Controlled airspace but in VMC conditions prevail
a) remain VMC and adjust to appropriate VFR level
b) remain outside of controlled airspace
c) do as stipulated in point 2) above

4 IFR – Outside of controlled airspace but where IMC conditions prevail
a) Remain outside of controlled airspace
b) maintain last IFR level or MSA as higher
c) route to suitable unmanned aerodrome where there is a break cloud or a VMC approach can be done
d) Land off the break cloud or comply with STD loss comm. Proc if VMC approach done

5 IFR In controlled Airspace (Oceanic Airspace)
a) maintain last level/speed etc for 20 min after failure to report over a compulsory reporting point
b) continue to adjust level/speed as per Flight plan

6) IFR in controlled airspace (Surveillance monitored i.e. Radar Coverage)
a) maintain level for 7 min
b) continue as per FPL speed/level/route

7) IFR in controlled airspace (non surveillance i.e. No radar/procedural airspace)
a) maintain level for 10 min
b) continue as per FPL speed/level/route
8) If on SID/STAR comply with relevant RCF procedure as published on the plate.

Details of the proposal can be found at http://www.awsa.co.za/newsletter/2009/awsa-news-5-october-2009
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2. CLOSURE OF RUNWAYS – FAGG and FAPE

Two runways at ACSA airports that are essential for safety have been closed. These are the secondary runway at George and the grass runway at Port Elizabeth. It is understood that the George closure is permanent but that the Port Elizabeth closure could be temporary. Both these airports house active training schools and the availability of the runways is an important safety requirement given that training flights are likely to have less experience pilots as users. Especially critical is the George secondary runway in the “Bergwind” conditions that prevail for a part of the year.

This issue was raised by GA in November 2007 when the George runway was closed for a first time. The decision was subsequently reversed by ATNS. In 2007 GA stated that “one accident, due to a student mismanaging a crosswind landing and subsequently blocking the main runway, will cost the airlines and ACSA a substantial amount. In terms of the national imperative to increase transport infrastructure this development could be seen as being inconsistent with the requirements of the national interest”. It is unfortunate that ACSA has forgotten the reasons for keeping the runways open previously.
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