NCAA warns pilots, others on inherent hazardous weather

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a weather alert cautioning pilots, airline operators and air traffic controllers on the inherent danger associated with severe thunderstorms.

These hazards include severe turbulence, microburst, low level wind shears and hail events that could affect the safety of flight operations.

A statement by the general manager public affairs NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, said, the weather alert was necessitated by the fact that rainy season, at onset, was usually accompanied with severe thunderstorms and many other hazardous weather phenomena.

“The Advisory Circular (AC) is based on the year 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). It indicates that rainy season is predicted to commence in March/April and May/June 2017 in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria respectively.”

The statement added that Air Traffic Controllers may temporarily close airspace when hazardous
weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines microburst or low level wind-shear are observed or forecast while Flight Crews/Operators and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) shall ensure adherence to aerodrome weather minima.

It further advised Pilots to exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather was observed or forecast, “Pilots/Flight Crew Members shall obtain adequate departure, en-route and destination
weather information and briefing from NiMet Aerodrome Meteorological Offices prior to flight operations.”

Adurogboye warned that NCAA will ensure strict compliance.