NCAA alerts pilots, airline operators of hazardous weather in dry season
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has advised Pilots and Airline Operators to exercise caution over hazardous weather in the dry season.
This warning was contained in an Advisory Circular (AC) with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 34 initiated by the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS) addressed to all Pilots and Airline Operators and signed by the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu dated 19th December 2022.
The agency said the Advisory Circular is a sequel to the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) which reported the cessation of rainfall and weather associated with the dry season in Nigeria from late December 2022 to March/April 2023.
It added that the AC was intended to alert pilots about the nature of weather associated with the dry season in Nigeria ranging from light/moderate to severe dust haze and sometimes early morning fog which can sometimes reduce the horizontal visibility to below the aerodrome operating minima.
“With the issuance of this circular, Advisory Circular AC: NCAA – AEROMET 33 is accordingly cancelled. Enumerated below are the effects of this hazardous weather on flight operations:
“There would be Air-to-ground visibility reduction due to haze dust or fog; aerodrome visibility may fall below the prescribed operating minima and in severe conditions, dust haze can blot out runways, markers and airfield lightings over wide areas making visuals navigation extremely difficult or impossible; and flights are bound to be delayed, diverted or cancelled where terminal visibility falls below the prescribed aerodrome operating minima,” disclosed NCAA.
In view of the above, AC advised all Pilots, Operators and Air Traffic Controllers to abide by recommended safety requirements, which include the closure of the airspace by Air Traffic Controllers when any of these conditions in (3) are observed or forecast by NIMET; there should be strict adherence to published aerodrome weather minima by Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC).
Other requirements are that Pilots/Flight Crew Members should obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Offices and Stations prior to flight operations and exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather is observed, and Operators should ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to cushion the effects of delay or cancellations on their passengers.
The agency cautioned that while all passengers are advised to exercise patience and understanding during this period as their safety is of utmost importance, stakeholders should ensure strict compliance with this Advisory Circular as violations would be viewed seriously.
