ENR 1  GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES

ENR 1.1  GENERAL RULES

The air traffic rules and procedures applicable to air traffic in SAL OCENIC FIR / UIR conform to ICAO Annexes 2 and 11 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and to those portions of the Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Management applicable to aircraft and of the Regional Supplementary Procedures applicable to the SAM Region, except for the difference listed in GEN 1.7.

1.1.1.  Minimum Safe Heights

Aircraft shall not be flown below the minimum safe height except when necessary for the take - off and landing. The minimum safe height is the height at which neither an unnecessary noise disturbance nor unnecessary hazards to persons and property in the event of an emergency landing are to be feared; however, over cities, other densely populated areas and assemblies of persons, this height shall be at least 300 M (1000 FT) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 M, and elsewhere at least 150 M (500 FT) above ground or water. Gliders and balloons may be operated below a height of 150 M is necessary for the kind of operation and if danger to persons and property id not to be feared. Aircraft shall not be flown below bridges and similar constructions nor below overhead lines and antennas. For flight conducted for special purposes, the local aeronautical authority may grant exceptions.

1.1.2.  Dropping of objects

The dropping or spraying of objects or other substances out or from aircraft is prohibited. This does not apply to ballast in the form of water or fine sand, fuel, tow ropers, tow banners and similar objects if dropped or discharged at places where no danger to persons or property exists. The local aeronautical authority may grant exemptions to the interdiction if no danger to persons or property exist. The dropping of mail is controlled by the Postal Authority or by the designated unit, in agreement with the aeronautical authority.

1.1.3.  Acrobatic flights

Acrobatic flights are only permitted in visual meteorological conditions and with the explicit consent of all persons on board. Acrobatic flights are prohibited at heights of less than 450 M (1500 FT) as well as over cities, other densely populated areas, assemblies of persons, and airports. The local aeronautical authority may grant exemptions in individual cases. Acrobatic flights conducted in the vicinity of aerodromes without an ATS unit require special permission in addition to the air traffic control clearance.

1.1.4.  Towing and advertising flights

1.1.4.1 Advertising flights with towed objects require permission from the local aeronautical authority in the area in which the applicant is a resident. Permission shall be granted only if:

  1. The pilot holds the rating for towing;

  2. The aircraft is equipped with a calibrated barograph for recording altitudes during flight;

  3. During the proposed flight not more than three aircraft are flying in formation, in which case a distance of at least 60 M shall be maintained both between the towed object of the preceding aircraft and the following aircraft, as well as between the aircraft;

  4. The legal liability insurance also explicitly covers the towing of objects.

1.1.4.2 The above applies to the towing of objects for other than advertising purposed and subparagraph does not apply to aerial work of rotorcraft. Towing gliders does not require permission, as the rating for towing will suffice. For reasons of public safety or order and in particular for noise abatement, the authority granting permission may impose conditions. This authority may assign higher minimum safe heights and impose time limitations.
1.1.4.3 Advertising flights, where advertising consists only of inscriptions on the aircraft, do not require permission. Flights for advertising with acoustical means are prohibited.

1.1.5.  Times and units of measurement

Co - ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the prescribed units of measurement shall be applied to flight operations. ASA - Aeroportos e Seguranca Aerea - S.A. - EP acting under delegated authority of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport (Ministerial Resolution from 13th November 1995 published in "Boletim Oficial n° 45 - 1 serie" on 29th December 1995) will establish the units of measurement to be used and they will be published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

1.1.6.  Airspace structure

For the performance of the flight information service and the alerting service, ASA - Aeroportos e Seguranca Aerea - S.A. establishes flight information regions which are published in the AIP. Within the flight information regions, ASA - Aeroportos e Seguranca Aerea - S.A. establishes the controlled and uncontrolled airspace according to the extent of air traffic service maintained there, on the basis of classification described in section ENR 1.4. Within controlled airspace, VFR flights may be prohibited completely or partly by the air traffic services with regard to the limitations of space and time if urgently required by the degree of intensity of air traffic subject to air traffic control.

1.1.7.  Prohibited areas and flight restrictions

ASA - Aeroportos e Seguranca Aerea - S.A., acting under delegated authority of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, establishes prohibited and restricted areas, if necessary, for the prevention of danger to public safety or order, especially for the safety of air traffic. The areas will be published in the AIP.

1.1.8.  Cloud flights with gliders

Cloud flights with gliders may be permitted by the air traffic services if the safety of air traffic can be maintained by appropriate measures. Conditions may be attached to the permission.

1.1.9.  Take - offs and landings of aeroplanes, rotorcraft, airships, powered gliders, gliders and parachutists outside aerodromes admitted for them

1.1.9.1 For take - offs and landings of aeroplanes, rotorcraft and airships, permission from the local authority is required. For take - offs of powered gliders and gliders outside designated aerodromes, permission from the local aeronautical authority is required; however, for landings of powered gliders and gliders on a cross - country flight, permission is not required. This is to be applied analogously to landings of parachutists outside designated aerodromes.
1.1.9.2 The authority granting permission may ask the applicant to produce evidence of the consent of the terrain owner or other entitled parties.

1.1.10.  Ascents of balloons, kites, self - propelled flying models and flying bodies

1.1.10.1 The ascent of a manned free balloon outside aerodromes admitted for balloon ascents requires permission from the local aeronautical authority.
1.1.10.2 The ascent of captive balloons is permitted only with the content of the local aeronautical authority. For kites, this consent is required if they are held by a rope of more than 100 M (300 FT) in length. Kite ascent within the construction restricted zone of airports as well as within a distance of less than 3 KM from the boundary of airfields and gliding sites are prohibited. The local aeronautical authority may grant exemptions.
1.1.10.3 The mooring rope of captive balloons and kites, the ascent of which requires permission, shall be marked, at spacings of 100 M (300 FT) by red / white flags during the day, and by red and white lights at night, in such a manner that it is recognisable to other aircraft from all directions.
1.1.10.4 The ascent of flying models of less than 5 KG total weight requires no permission, with the exception of rocket - propelled models. The operation of flying models with combustion engines within a distance of less than 1.5 KM from housing areas is permitted only with the consent of the local aeronautical authority. The same applies to flying models of all types within a distance of less than 1.5 KM from the boundary of aerodromes. The operation of all types of flying models on aerodromes is permitted only with the consent of the air traffic services.

1.1.11.  Clearance before entering Class C airspace

Within the SAL OCENIC FIR / UIR, all aircraft operating in Class G airspace intending to enter Class C airspace shall contact ATC and obtain clearance prior to enter Class C airspace.

1.1.12.  Requirements for read back of ATC clearance

The flight crew shall read back to the air traffic controller safety related parts of ATC clearances and instructions which are transmitted by voice. The following items shall always be read back:

  1. ATC route clearances;

  2. Clearances and instructions to enter, land on, take - off from, hold short of, cross and back track on any runway;

  3. Runway in use, altimeter settings, SSR code, level instructions, heading and speed instructions, weather issued by controller or contained in ATIS broadcast and transition levels.