“Beware of Bad Weather Now”, NCAA Warns Pilots, Others Over Air Safety
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA has cautioned all pilots over severe thunderstorms and other hazardous weather which hamper flight operations especially now that raining is here.
This warning is a follow up to the Advisory Circular (AC) with reference no AC: NCAA-AEROMET – 31 addressed to all Pilots and Airline Operators and signed by the Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu.
This is coming on the advent of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for the year 2021.
Nuhu stated that consequently, the weather advisory circular was necessary to bring forth the evolving weather information associated with commencement of rainy season and the effects on safety and efficiency of flight operations; and to elicit cooperation of the following stakeholders to ensure safety air transport at all times.
The NCAA chief further tasked pilots, operators and air traffic controllers to observe series of responsibilities such that air traffic controllers may temporarily close the airspace when any of the conditions in (1) are observed or forecast by NIMET; flight crew/operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to ensure adherence to published aerodrome weather minima.
He stated that while the authority enjoins all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period of heavy downpour, strict compliance to this warning is expected from all stakeholders as maximum sanction shall be imposed for non-compliance.