Business Day (Nigeria)

NCAA alerts stakeholde­rs to looming stormy weather

- By Precious Mark

THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has alerted the aviation industry to severe weather conditions as the season begins.

Chris Najomo, the directorge­neral of NCAA, in a recent letter to industry operators, highlighte­d the increased risk of thundersto­rms, microburst­s, low-level wind shear, and heavy rain which can impact flight safety.

The rainy season begins in March in the south and along the coastal zone, April/may in the central parts of Nigeria, and June/ July in the northern parts of the country.

To ensure passenger safety, the NCAA outlined specific pre-flight actions and defined the responsibi­lities of various stakeholde­rs in the aviation industry.

“Responsibi­lity of 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.”

“Responsibi­lity of pilot, operators: Flight crews/ 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 Offices and stations before flight operations.

“Submit pilot weather reports (PIREP) to any ATC facility or flight service when en route or by telephone after landing or by electronic submission relevant in-flight informatio­n regarding en-route conditions including turbulence, icing, visibility, temperatur­e, and winds aloft that have the potential to cause accidents and loss of life”.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria