ENR 1.5.2 ARRIVING FLIGHTS

1.5.2 Arriving flights

IFR flights entering, and landing within controlled airspace will be cleared to a specific holding point and instructed to contact the Approach Control at a specified time, level, or position. The terms of this clearance shall be adhered to until further instructions are received from Approach Control. If the clearance is reached before further instructions have been received, holding procedures shall be carried out at the last level cleared.

(1) To expedite departing traffic, arriving aircraft may be required to report when leaving or passing a reporting point, or when starting a procedure turn or base turn, or to provide other information as requested by ATC.

(2) An IFR flight shall not be cleared to descend below the appropriate initial approach altitude as specified for a particular instrument approach unless:

a) The pilot has reported passing an appropriate point defined by a radio aid; or

b) The pilot reports that he/she has and can maintain visual contact with the aerodrome; or

c) The pilot is conducting a visual approach; (The limit for a visual approach 25nm from the destination aerodrome); or

d) The pilot is conducting an approach under RADAR vectors and control.

(3) All inbound aircraft to Bram Fischer (Bloemfontein), Cape Town, East London, King Shaka (Durban), Lanseria, O.R. Tambo (Johannesburg), Port Elizabeth airports not on a STAR, will comply with the following speed restrictions unless advised otherwise by ATC:

1) Within 50DME BLV/CTV/ELV/JSV/PEV/TGV: 250KIAS or less

2) Within 15DME BLV/ELV/CTV/JSV/PEV/TGV: 210KIAS or less

3) Speed limit points (SLP) will be defined per STAR procedure.

4) In addition, all aircraft at or below FL100 will fly a speed not exceeding 250KIAS. If the speed is below minimum safe operating speed, the minimum safe operating speed will be flown and ATC advised. Unless for emergency pilots are not to request cancellation of speed restrictions.

1.5.2.1 VMC AND VISUAL APPROACHES

The purpose is to define the 2 types of approach clearances and pilots are requested to note the essential difference.

1.5.2.2 VMC APPROACH

When requested by the pilot and if so prescribed by the ATSU, an arriving aircraft may be cleared to descend bewlo the initial approach ALT subject to maintaining by day;

a. own separation;

b. VMC;

c. visual contact with the aerodrome; and

d. by night – provided that there is no reduction of standard separation involved.

1.5.2.3 VISUAL APPROACH

An IFR flight may be cleared to execute a visual approach provided that the pilot can maintain visual reference to the terrain and;

a) the reported ceiling is at or above the approved initial approach ALT for the aircraft so cleared;

b) reasonable assurance exists that a visual approach and landing can be completed;

c) be within 25NM of the destination aerodrome.

1.5.2.3.1

Separation shall be provided between an aircraft cleared to execute a visual approach and other traffic within controlled airspace.

1.5.2.4 MANDATORY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

1.5.2.4.1 Radio communication failure (RCF) procedures – General

1. When an aircraft fails to establish contact with the aeronautical station on the designated frequency, it shall attempt to establish contact on another frequency appropriate to the route. If this attempt fails, the aircraft shall attempt to establish communication with another aircraft or other aeronautical stations on frequencies appropriate to the route. In addition, an aircraft shall monitor the appropriate VHF frequency for calls from nearby aircraft or aeronautical stations.

2. If these attempts fail, the aircraft station shall continue to transmit position reports and its intentions as appropriate on the designated frequencies, preceded by the phrase “Transmitting blind”. Such messages shall be transmitted twice and, if necessary, include the addressee(s) for which the message is intended.

3. If no communication is received or other indication that one-way communications are possible, the aircraft shall set its transponder to Code 7600 and proceed with the lost communication procedures.

4. In any case, whereby an aircraft having suffered a communication failure in flight arrives at an aerodrome, it shall keep watch for such instructions as may be issued by visual signals for the aerodrome control tower or other facility.

1.5.2.4.2 RCF procedures – VFR

1. If the communications failure occurs while operating in accordance with VFR, the aircraft shall continue to fly in VMC and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome using –

the standard RCF arrival procedures prescribed in Appendix 1 to this section; or

if other procedures have been published by IVAO ZA for a specific aerodrome, in accordance with such procedures.

2. The operator shall report its arrival by the most expeditious means to the appropriate ATSU.

1.5.2.4.3 RCF procedures – IFR

1. If the communications failure occurs while operating in accordance with IFR and VMC are encountered, the aircraft shall –

a. continue to fly in VMC; land at the nearest suitable aerodrome in accordance with –

i. the standard RCF arrival procedures prescribed in Appendix 1 to this section; or

ii. if other procedures have been published by IVAO ZA for a specific aerodrome, in accordance with such procedures, and

b. report its arrival by the most expeditious means to the appropriate ATSU; or

c. if unable to ensure VMC conditions exist to a suitable aerodrome, complete an IFR flight in accordance with paragraph 2 below.

2. If the communications failure occurs while operating in accordance with IFR while in IMC or, if in VMC but unable to maintain VMC, the aircraft shall –

a. in airspace where an ATS surveillance system is not used in the provision of air traffic control, maintain the last assigned speed and level, or minimum flight altitude if higher, for a period of 20 minutes following the aircraft’s failure to report its position over a compulsory reporting point and thereafter adjust level and speed in accordance with the filed flight plan;

b. in airspace where and ATS surveillance system is used in the provision of air traffic control, maintain the last assigned speed and level, or minimum flight altitude if higher, for a period of 7 minutes following –

i. the time the last assigned level or minimum flight altitude was reached;

ii. the time transponder was set to Code 7600; or

iii. the aircraft’s failure to report its position over a compulsory reporting point,

whichever is later; and thereafter adjust level and speed in accordance with the filed flight plan;

c. when being radar vectored or having been directed by ATC to proceed offset using RNAV without a specific limit, rejoin the current flight plan route no later than the next significant point, taking into consideration the applicable minimum flight altitude;

d. proceed according to the current flight plan route to the appropriate designation navigation aid or fix serving the destination aerodrome and, when required to ensure compliance with sub-paragraph (e), hold over this aid or fix until commencement of descent;

e. commence descent from the navigation aid or fix specified in sub-paragraph (d) at, or as close as possible to, the EAT last received and acknowledged or, if no EAT has been received and acknowledged, at, or as close as possible, the estimated time of arrival resulting from the current flight plan;

f. complete a normal instrument approach procedure as specified for the designated navigation aid or fix; and

g. land, if possible, within 30 minutes after the estimated time of arrival specified in (e) or the last acknowledged EAT, whichever is later.

APPENDIX 1

Standard Radio Communications Failure Procedure – VFR arrivals

1. Maintain squawk of 7600.

2. Make a relevant blind broadcast to traffic in the area advising of probability of a RCF, position and intentions.

3. Select landing lights on.

4. Approaching the aerodrome, make a relevant blind broadcast to traffic on the controlled airfield’s frequency to indicate the probability of a RCF, position and intentions.

5. Join overhead the aerodrome at a height of 1000′ above circuit altitude to ascertain which is the active runway in use.

6. Conform to the circuit pattern while joining, preferably on the downwind leg.

7. Continue to make blind broadcasts on the controlled airfield’s frequency to indicate the position in the circuit pattern.

8. Land and vacate the runway expeditiously and safely.

9. Taxi to the nearest parking area and shutdown.

10. Inform the owner or operator and ATC.

11. Make the relevant entry in the aircraft’s flight folio.

Note: This procedure is to be used in the event the aerodrome at which the landing is to take place does not have specific procedures to be followed as published in the VAIP.