OPERATING PROCEDURES, FLIGHT PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS AND MINIMUM FLIGHT ALTITUDES

FLIGHT PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

General

It is the Commander’s responsibility to ensure that each flight is planned to meet all the requirements of safety, legality and economy.

The Company ensures that an operational flight plan is completed for each intended flight by Company approved flight dispatcher or by Commander when a flight dispatcher is not available.

The Commander shall not commence a flight unless he is satisfied that:

• The aeroplane is airworthy;
• The aeroplane is not operated contrary to the provisions of the MEL and CDL;
• The instruments and equipment are in operable condition except as provided in the MEL;
• Those parts of the Operations Manual which are required for the conduct of the flight are available;
• The documents, additional information and forms required to be available on board;
• Current maps, charts and associated documentation or equivalent data are available to cover the intended operation of the aeroplane including any diversion which may reasonably be expected.
• This shall include any conversion tables necessary to support operations where metric heights, altitudes and flight levels must be used;
• According to the information available to him, the weather at the aerodrome and the condition of the runway intended to be used should not prevent a safe take-off and departure;
• The RVR or Visibility in the direction of take-off is equal to or better than the applicable minimum;
• The weather forecast and reports for the proposed operating area and flight duration indicate that the flight may be conducted without infringing company operating minima;
• Ground facilities and services required for the planned flight are available and adequate;
• The flight is planned along ATS routes that remain within the Company, aeroplane and the crew's operational approvals and qualifications;
• The provisions specified in the operations manual in respect of fuel, oil and oxygen requirements, minimum safe altitudes, aerodrome operating minima and availability of alternate aerodromes, where required, can be complied with for the planned flight;
• The load is properly distributed and safely secured and proper weight and balance documentation prepared;
• The weight of the aeroplane, at the commencement of take-off roll, will be such that the flight can be conducted safely;
• When applicable, safety handling instructions regarding special loads such as dangerous/hazardous goods or heavy cargo are being followed;
• De-icing/anti-icing procedures, if necessary, have been carried out adequately. A Commander shall not commence take-off unless the external surfaces are clear of any deposit, which might adversely affect the performance and/or controllability of the aeroplane, except as permitted in the Flight Manual;
• Any operational limitation in addition to those covered by above can be complied with;
• He and his crew have been provided by the Company all the relevant information in order to conduct a safe flight.

Minimum Flight Altitudes

Minimum VFR Altitude Requirements

The Company normally does not allow VFR operations for revenue flights. If VFR is required for a specific flight or part(s) of a flight, an authorisation from the Flight Operations Manager must be obtained. For VFR altitudes requirements refer to ICAO Rules of the Air - Annex 2, Chapter 4 and to any national regulations applicable to the area overflown.

Minimum IFR Altitude Requirements

When an aircraft is operated for the purpose of commercial air transport, the minimum altitude/flight level at which it is permitted to fly may be governed by national regulations, air traffic control requirements, or by the need to maintain a safe height margin above any significant terrain or obstacle en-route. Whichever of these requirements produces the highest altitude/flight level for a particular route will determine the minimum flight altitude for that route.

The procedures outlined in the following paragraphs are to be followed when calculating the minimum altitude for the safe avoidance of en-route terrain and obstacles.

Minimum Altitudes Definitions

MEA (Minimum En-Route IFR Altitude)

The lowest published altitude (or Flight Level) between radio fixes that meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes and in many countries assures acceptable navigational and radio signal coverage. The MEA applies to the entire width of the airway, segment, or route between radio fixes defending the airway, segment, or route.

MORA (Minimum Off-Route Altitude)

A route MORA provides a reference point clearance within 10 NM (18.5 km) of the route centreline (regardless of the route width) and end fixes.

MORA values clear all reference points by 1000 ft (300 m) in areas where the highest reference points are 5000 ft (1500 m) MSL, or lower.

MORA values clear all reference points by 2000 ft (600 m) in areas where the reference points are above 5000 ft (1500 m) MSL.

GRID MORA is an altitude provided by state authorities and assures terrain and manmade structure clearance within the section outlined by latitude and longitude lines as specified above. GRID MORA does not provide for NAVAID signal coverage or communication coverage. Figures are shown in thousands and hundreds of feet (omitting the last two digits so as to avoid chart congestion).

When a MORA is shown along a route as “unknown” or within a grid as “unsurveyed” a (Grid) MORA is not shown due to incomplete or insufficient information.

MOCA (Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude)

The lowest published altitude in effect between radio fixes on VOR airways, off-airways routes, or route segments, which meets obstacle clearance requirements for the entire route segment.

MSA (Minimum Safe Altitude)

Altitude depicted on instrument approach, SID or STAR charts and identified as the minimum safe altitude which provides a 1000 ft (300 m) obstacle clearance within a 25 NM (46 km) (or other value as stated) radius from the navigational facility upon which the MSAis predicated. This altitude does not necessarily guarantee NAVAID reception. When the MSA is divided into sectors, with each sector showing a different altitude, the altitudes in these sectors are referred to as Minimum Sectors Altitude.

MRVA (Minimum Radar Vectoring Altitude)

The lowest altitude at which an aircraft will be vectored by radar controller. The altitude meets IFR obstacle clearance criteria. It may be lower than the published MEA along an airway or route segment. It may be used for radar vectoring only upon the controller’s determination that an adequate radar return is being received from the aircraft under radar control.

Radar control does not relieve the Commander of the responsibility to ensure adequate terrain clearance is maintained.

MHA (Minimum Holding Altitude)

The lowest altitude prescribed for a holding pattern that assures navigation signal coverage, communications and meets obstacle clearance requirements.

MCA (Minimum Crossing Altitude)

The lowest altitude at certain fixes at which an aircraft must cross the fix when proceeding in the direction of a route section with higher minimum en-route IFR altitude (MEA).

ORTCA (Offroute Terrain Clearance Altitude)

ORTCA provide a 3000 ft terrain clearance that is shown within the boxed grid intersecting full line of longitude and latitude when grid overlays a land mass. ORTCA values will not be shown when the boxed grid area overlays water only.

Terminal area

Aircraft shall not be operated below the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) unless on:
─ Establish on Instrument arrival/departure; or
─ Establish on an Instrument approach; or
─ Under radar vectors; or
─ Fully visual with terrain.