Holding, approach and departure procedures

ENR 1.5 Holding, approach and departure procedures

1.5.1. General

1.5.1.1 The holding, approach and departure procedures in use are based on criteria contained in ICAO Doc 8168 (PANS/OPS) Volume II.

1.5.1.2 A standard rate of descent of 1000 FT per minute in en-route holding patterns will be used unless otherwise instructed by ATC.

1.5.2. Arriving flights

1.5.2.1 IFR flights entering and landing within a Control Area will be cleared to a specified holding point and instructed to contact Approach Control at a specified time, level or position. If the clearance limit is reached before further instructions have been received, the holding procedure shall be carried out at the last level authorised.

1.5.2.2 Due to the limited airspace available, it is important that pilots inform ATC if for any reason the approach and / or holding cannot be performed as required.

1.5.2.3 For Category I ILS approaches the localiser is not to be used below 200 FT AGL.

1.5.2.4 Special procedures applicable to all weather operations

1.5.2.4.1 Facilities

ILS facilities available at UAE Airports are as follows:

OMAA:	RWY 31L CAT IIIB, RWY 31R CAT IIIB, RWY 13L CAT IIIB, RWY 13R CAT I
OMAD:	RWY 31 CAT I
OMAL	RWY 01 CAT I
OMDB:	RWY 12L CAT IIIB, RWY 30R CAT IIIB, RWY 12R CAT IIIB, RWY 30L CAT IIIB
OMDW:	RWY 12 CAT IIIB, RWY 30 CAT IIIB, RWY 31 CAT I
OMFJ:	RWY 29 CAT I
OMRK:	RWY 34 CAT I
OMSJ:	RWY 12 CAT I, RWY 30 CAT I

Notes: Equipment performance values published in the AD section do not necessarily indicate approach category available.

Current information concerning surface wind and RVR is immediately available from ATC and significant changes will be reported in accordance with the provisions of Doc 4444 PANS - ATM.
Any changes in the operational status expected to last more than one hour will be promulgated by NOTAM and pilots will be advised accordingly by ATIS or on initial contact with ATC .

1.5.2.4.2 Pilot / ATC procedures

Pilots who intend to carry out a CAT II/III approach will use the phraseology “REQUEST CAT II/III APPROACH” on initial contact with the appropriate approach unit.
Low visibility procedures will be applied by ATC during CAT II/III operations. A clearance to carry out a CAT II/III approach implies solely that these procedures have been implemented and that the ground based equipment meets the requirements for the cleared category of ILS approach. The approach clearance does not imply the authorisation required in accordance with ENR 1.5.2.4.3.
While low visibility procedures are in force the applicable ATIS will broadcast the following message :
“LOW VISIBILITY OPERATIONS IN FORCE, USE CAT II/III HOLDING POINTS”
Pilots carrying out practice CAT II/III approaches are cautioned that ILS critical and sensitive areas are not protected to CAT II/III standards unless low visibility procedures are in force.

1.5.2.4.3 All Weather Operations

1.5.2.4.3.1 All Air Operators (commercial and private) may conduct Low Visibility Operations (Take off, Approach and Landing) if the Air operator is in possession of authorisation / approval from the Aeronautical Authority of the state of Operator.

1.5.2.4.3.2 The air operator certificate (AOC) and its operations specifications issued by the state of Operator, containing aircraft type, conditions and limitations of Low Visibility Operations shall be submitted prior to exercise any Low Visibility Operations to:

Post:	Flight Operation Department Foreign Operators Affairs General Civil Aviation Authority P.O. Box 30500 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Email:	foa@gcaa.gov.ae

1.5.2.4.3.3 As long as permission has not been submitted to the GCAA and receipt acknowledged, all weather operations may be conducted according to CAT I only.

1.5.2.4.4 Minima

Procedures and ground aids are applicable to intended operations down to the minima specified in ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, Chapter 1.
Note: Additional information and/or requirements, if any, are specified in the relevant AD sections.
Applicable minima for all weather operations at airports shall be as specified in the Approval to conduct Low Visibility Operations by the Aeronautical Authority of the state of Operator.
Note: In no case shall the Air Operator conduct Low Visibility Operations (Take off, Approach and Landing) to a minima less than the minima described in the Certificates of Competency issued by the Aeronautical Authority of the State of Operator or the applicable minima of the intended airport whichever is higher
The UAE enforces an approach ban policy which states that an aircraft on final approach may not descend below 1000 FT above the aerodrome if any relevant runway visual ranges are at the time less than the specified minima contained in the LVO approval for the aerodrome operator.

Please note that all foreign operators wishing to conduct Low Visibility take-off and landing in the UAE no longer require GCAA approval. However, the above procedures are required to be complied with.

1.5.2.5 Instrument Approach Charts publish the applicable Obstacle Clearance Altitude (OCA) for the procedure. This should not be confused with the Decision Altitude (DA) established by the operator in accordance with the provisions of Annex 6. However, in accordance with ICAO standards the DH for ILS approaches shall in no case be lower than:

ILS CAT I 200 FT Above THR ELEV
ILS CAT II 100 FT Above THR ELEV

1.5.2.6 Standard Instrument Arrivals (STAR)

1.5.2.6.1 IFR flights arriving at ABU DHABI / INTERNATIONAL, ABU DHABI / AL BATEEN EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, AL AIN / INTERNATIONAL, DUBAI / INTERNATIONAL, DUBAI / AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL, FUJAIRAH / INTERNATIONAL, RAS AL KHAIMAH / INTERNATIONAL and SHARJAH / INTERNATIONAL airports shall be issued a STAR prior to entering the CTA. STAR details are published in the appropriate AD 2.22 section and co - ordinates for significant points in section ENR 4.4.

1.5.2.7 Baro VNAV/LNAV (GNSS) and GPS Approaches

1.5.2.7.1 Published Baro VNAV/LNAV (GNSS) and GPS approaches are available for operational use.

1.5.2.7.2 Operators shall only be permitted to conduct these approaches if they are legally authorised by their own State of registry / operator.

1.5.3 Departing flights

1.5.3.1 IFR flights departing from controlled aerodromes will receive initial ATC clearance from the local aerodrome control tower. The clearance limit will normally be to the aerodrome of destination. IFR flights departing from uncontrolled aerodromes will obtain ATC clearance from EMIRATES AREA CONTROL CENTRE before departing or joining civil airspace as applicable.

1.5.3.2 Standard Instrument Departures (SID)

IFR flights departing from ABU DHABI / INTERNATIONAL, ABU DHABI / AL BATEEN EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, AL AIN / INTERNATIONAL, DUBAI / INTERNATIONAL, DUBAI / AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL, FUJAIRAH / INTERNATIONAL, RAS AL KHAIMAH / INTERNATIONAL and SHARJAH / INTERNATIONAL airports shall be issued a SID prior to departure. SID details are published in the appropriate AD 2.22 section and co - ordinates for significant points in section ENR 4.4.

Note: The Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah CTAs are designated as RNAV airspaces. The provisions of GEN 1.5.5 apply.