NCAA Alerts Airlines On Atmospheric Hazards

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has alerted all pilots and airline operators over atmospheric hazard associated with rainy season in flight operations at this period of the year.

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) released for the year 2018 said that March/ April and May/ June 2018 are the onset for rainy season in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria respectively.

According to the news release by the General Manager (public relations), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Sam Adurogboye, the Advisory Circular was approved by the Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman.

Adurogboye Pointed out that the rainy season which is usually accompanied with severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena such as turbulence, microburst, low level wind shear and hail events are known to pose obvious threat to aircraft operations.

According to the NCAA-AEROMET -25, he said “Pilots, Operators and Air Traffic Controllers should take note of their responsibilities as follows to the effect that:

“Air traffic Controllers may temporarily close airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines, microburst or low level wind shear are observed or forecast by Nimet”

“Night Flights/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) shall ensure adherence to aerodrome weather minima.

“Pilots shall exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by Nimet.

“Pilots/Flight crew members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from Nimet Aerodrome Meteorological officer prior to flight operations.”

He said that operators were therefore advised to ensure necessary measures are put in place to manage effects of flight delays or cancellations on their passengers.

While all stakeholders were required to ensure strict compliance with the Circular as violations would be viewed seriously.