1 Radio_procedures Radio Procedures
User Manual: radio_procedures
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NAMIBIAN RADIO LICENSE VALIDATION
Introduction
This procedure is provided as a guide for applicants wishing to complete a Namibian
Radio license validation, a requirement of a Namibian Pilot License Validation.
Further to thee requirements below the applicant should be familiar with the airspace
in Namibia, which can be found on the latest topographical maps, or by way of a
briefing with an instructor or ATC
General Information on Radio communication
Namibia is an ICAO state and radio procedures do not vary greatly from other ICAO
countries or from any standard international aeronautical radio phraseology. The
following information for radio validation details the required local knowledge. This
has been compiled from the Namibian AIP, some of which is repeated in the Jeppesen
and Aerad flight guides.
It is important to remember that Namibia mainly comprised of large areas of
uncontrolled airspace with flight information provided through relay stations where
available. The controlled portions of airspace around the main airports is procedural
control (ie without radar). Manned and unmanned broadcasts of intentions plays a
vital role in air traffic control and traffic separation.
Namibia is an IATA blacklisted country meaning the airspace is considered unsafe
and therefore requires broadcasts on 126.9. These broadcasts are generally only given
by aircraft operating at higher levels due to the complications of monitoring two
frequencies by the lower flying traffic where conflict already arises with transition
between 124.8, 124.7 and the assigned aerodrome frequencies (123.5 etc).
RADIO VALIDATION
Although the candidate is the holder of a foreign radiotelephony certificate, he/she is
required to have the radiotelephony certificate validated in terms of the Namibian AIC
30.9. Candidates will be examined amongst others on the following but not restricted
to:
1. Altimeter Setting Procedures
1.1 The altimeter setting procedures in-use generally conform to those contained
in ICAO 8168 Vol. 1, Part 6 and are given in full below. Differences are
shown in quotation marks.
1.2 Transition Altitudes (TA) for Namibia are as follows:
Hosea Kutako International Airport (FYWH) 10 000 feet
Eros Airport (FYWE) 10 000 feet
Walvisbay International Airport 4000 feet
Swakopmund Airport 4000 feet
Keetmanshoop Airport 5500 feet
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1.3 QNH reports and temperature information, for the use in determining adequate
terrain clearance, are provided in MET broadcasts and are available on request
from the Meteorological Office in Windhoek or any Air Traffic Service Unit
(ATSU). QNH values are given in hectopascals (hPa).
1.4 QNH values in inches (INS) and QFE settings are available on request.
1.5 All aircraft operating at level flight, at or above 1500 feet above the ground or
water, irrespective of the weather conditions or whether the flight is operating
on a VFR or IFR flight plan, shall observe these altimeter setting procedures.
2. Basic Altimeter Setting Procedures
2.1 A Transition Altitude (TA) is specified for each aerodrome. The TA for all
points of departure and arrival within 25 NM of any aerodrome listed in the
AIP or AIC, shall be the same as that listed for the relative aerodrome.
2.2 In VMC, flights departing or arriving at points beyond 25 NM from any of the
aerodromes listed shall observe a height of 2000 feet above the ground or
water as the TA.
2.3 In IMC, flights departing from or arriving at points beyond 25 NM from any of
the aerodromes listed shall observe the lowest safest cruising level as the TA.
2.4 The Transition Level (TL) is that level at which the change in reference from
‘flight level’ used while en-route to ‘altitude’ used in the vicinity of an
aerodrome, is made.
2.5 The TL will vary with variations in the barometric pressure so that the TL will
never be less than 1000 feet above the TA within 25 NM of an aerodrome with
an ATSU.
2.6 The vertical position of an aircraft when at or below the TA is expressed in
terms of altitude, whereas such position are at or above the TL is expressed in
terms of flight level (FL).
2.7. While passing through the transition layer, the vertical position of an aircraft is
expressed in terms of altitude when descending and in terms of flight level
when ascending.
2.8 All heights below the TL and outside 25 NM from the points of departure or
from the destination, are expressed in flight levels on a standard atmospheric
pressure of 1013, 25 hPa.
3. Take-off and Climb
3.1 A QNH altimeter setting will be made available to an aircraft when given taxi
instructions by ATC.
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3.2. The vertical position of an aircraft during climb is expressed in terms of
altitude until reach the TL, above which the vertical position is expressed in
terms of flight level.
4. Vertical Separation En-route
4.1 Vertical separation during en-route flight shall be expressed in terms of flight
levels.
4.2. IFR and VFR flights, when in level cruising flight, shall be flown at such flight
levels corresponding to the magnetic tracks and Semi-circular Rule.
5. Approach and Landing
5.1. A QNH altimeter setting will be made available, by ATC in the approach or
descent clearances and also during instructions to enter a traffic circuit.
5.2. The vertical position of an aircraft during the descent phase is expressed in
terms of flight level until reaching the TL, below which the vertical position is
expressed in terms of altitude.
6. Flight Plans
The filling of flight plans is compulsory for the following flights:
a) All flights conducted in controlled or advisory airspace.
b) All flights in the public transport of passengers / cargo category.
c) All international flights.
d) All flights for which alerting service (SAR) are required.
e) All flight between two manned airfields.
7. Search and Rescue
There are five types of SAR:
Type of SAR For Which
Flights
How Indicated
on FPL
Example When Will SAR
Be Initiated
Normal Between 2 manned
aerodromes
SAR/NML SAR/NML 1. Non arrival at
destination.
2. Missed
position report
inside
controlled
airspace.
3. In emergency
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SAR Normal En-
Route
Between 2 manned
airfields and also
during the en-route
phase of a flight
SAR/NML/EN-
ROUTE
SAR/NML/EN-
ROUTE
1. Non arrival at
destination.
2. Missed
position report
inside
controlled
airspace.
3. Missed
position reports
outside
controlled
airspace.
4. In emergency.
SAR with a
specified ATSU
after a specified
time
Flights to unmanned
aerodromes
SAR/ATSU/
TIME
SAR/FYWH/
ETA + 1 HR
1. Non arrival at
destination.
2. Missed
position report
inside
controlled
airspace.
3. Non
cancellation of
SAR.
4. In emergency.
SAR with a
specified ATSU
after a specified
time and en-route
Flights to unmanned
aerodromes
SAR/ATSU/
TIME/EN-ROUTE
SAR/FYWH/
1400/EN-ROUTE
1. Non arrival at
destination.
2. Missed
position report
inside
controlled
airspace.
3. Missed
position report
outside
controlled
airspace.
4. Non
cancellation of
SAR.
5. In emergency.
No SAR required Flight to unmanned
aerodromes
SAR/NIL SAR/NIL 1. Missed
position report
inside
controlled
airspace.
2. In emergency.
8. Unmanned Procedures used in the Windhoek FIR
Once released by FYWH INFORMATION, the pilot need to comply with unmanned
procedures by reporting his intentions, altitudes and estimates on the specified
frequency. It is the responsibility of the pilot-in-command to obtain the frequencies, to
be used during the intended flight, during the pre-flight briefing. It is also the
responsibility of a pilot to obtain all necessary information from the published
Namibia AIP and AIC’s.
The unmanned procedures consist of a number of transmissions, to indicate intentions,
altitudes and positions.
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1. 10 minutes from the unmanned airfield - Listen out on the specified
frequency.
2. 10 – 15 NM from the unmanned airfield - 1st transmission consisting of:
a) “Airfield” Traffic Tsumeb Traffic
b) Call Sign V5-ATC
c) Aircraft Type Cessna 172
d) Point of Departure From Eros
e) Destination To Tsumeb
f) Position and Altitude 15 NM from the field at 8000 feet
g) ETA Estimating Tsumeb at 1000
h) Next Position Next call overhead the Field
3. Overhead the airfield. From this position onwards the pilot should then report
on all position in the traffic circuit i.e. a) Downwind
b) Base Leg
c) Final Approach
d) Runway Vacated
The airspace around an unmanned airfield should be considered as a 5 NM radius and
from ground level up to 2000 feet above ground level (agl), unless otherwise stated in
the AIP.
9. Traffic Information Broadcast by Aircraft (TIBA)
Any aircraft operating outside controlled airspace shall follow the following procedures
a) Aircraft operating at or below 1500ft AGL outside the lateral limits of
all promulgated General Flying Areas should maintain a listening watch
and broadcast regular position reports on frequency 124.8 MHz
b) Aircraft operating within 5 NM of an unmanned aerodrome and
where no specific frequency has been allocated should make
regular position reports relative to the aerodrome on frequency
124.8 MHz. Where a specific frequency has been allocated,
regular position reports shall be made on the appropriate
frequency (see page 74)
c) Aircraft operating above 1500ft AGL outside the areas mentioned
in sub para a) above, shall maintain a listening watch and shall
make regular position reports on the appropriate air traffic
control/ flight information service frequency allocated for that
area.
d) En-route position reports shall be made at regular intervals
containing information useful for collision avoidance, i.e.
identification, heading, position/time level/altitude and next
position and estimate.
Manned Airports
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Eros 118,7 MHz
Windhoek Tower 118,1 MHz
Windhoek Approach 120,5 MHz
Windhoek FIS 124,7 MHz
Windhoek GFA 124,4 MHz
Walvisbay Approach +Tower 122,5 MHz
Swakopmund Tower 126,3 MHz
Katima Mulilo Tower 125,6 MHz
Ondangwa Tower 125,6 MHz
Keetmanshoop Tower 118,3 MHz
Grootfontein Tower 123,3 MHz
Unmanned Airfields
General Unmanned 124,8 MHz
Gliding 123,4 MHz
Bitterwasser (Gliding) 123,6 Mhz
Pokweni (Gliding) 123,5 MHz
Rostock Ritz Lodge 123,1 MHz
Arandis 123,5 MHz
Mokuti Lodge 123,5 MHz
Oranjemund 123,5 MHz
As previously stated, it still remains the responsibility of the pilot-in-command of an
aircraft to complete a thorough pre-flight briefing. This will not just ensure that you
collect the correct information, but will also ensure that you are a safe pilot.
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