NCAA warns pilots & airlines on strict compliance
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has alerted airline operators and pilots of occurrence of thunderstorm phenomenon over Nigerian airports since the beginning of the rainy season in the country. The regulatory body in a statement signed by Capt. Musa Nuhu, its Director-General said that it expected strict adherence to safety standards and regulations during the period, warning that any violation may be meted with sanction.
This was contained in weather Advisory Circular (AC) to airlines and pilots by NCAA. Nuhu said that the objective of this AC was to bring pilots and operators up-to-date on the occurrence of thunderstorm phenomenon in Nigeria, stressing that the statistics from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) so far indicated that most of the airports have recorded quite a number of thunderstorms between March and July 2020.
In the month of July 2020 for instance, Nuhu said NiMET data indicated that Abuja recorded 23 thunderstorms, Ikeja; eight, Kano; 24, Port Harcourt; 11, Owerri; 17 and Benin with 11 within the same period. The statement hinted further that in the same month, gustiness range between 22Kt and 42Kt at the listed airports.
Nuhu declared that the purpose of this AC was also to bring forth the evolving weather information, which could adversely affect safe and efficient flight operations post Covid-19 pandemic. The statement added: “Severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena such as severe turbulence, microburst, low level wind shear and hail events that could affect the safety of flight operations are possible during the rainy season; therefore, all stakeholders are expected to perform their roles as stated below in order to ensure safety of flight operations.”
He added that by this circular, Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) may temporarily close airspace when hazardous weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms squall lines microburst or low-level wind-shear were observed or forecast by NiMET, stressing that flight crews/operators and ATC should ensure adherence to aerodrome weather minima during the period.
He advised pilots to exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather was observed or forecast by NiMET, adding that pilot/flight crewmembers should obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination weather information and briefing from NiMET Aerodrome Meteorological offices prior to flight operations. Nuhu warned that violation to the advisory circular by any stakeholders, especially pilots and airline operators would be viewed seriously.
