FLYING IN ANTIGUA

EXTRACTS FROM THE AIP EASTERN CARIBBEAN  TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY    01/01 17 MAY 01

ENR 1. GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES     [back].[top]

1.    Minimum Safe Height     [back].[top]

Aircraft shall not be flown below the minimum safe height except when necessary for 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 (1 000ft) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 5NM, and elsewhere at least 150m (500ft) above ground or water. Aircraft shall not be flown below bridges and similar constructions nor below overhead lines and antennas. For flights conducted for special purposes, the local aeronautical authority may grant exemptions.

2.    Dropping of objects

The dropping or spraying of objects or other substances out of or from aircraft is prohibited. This does not apply to crop spraying, ballast in the form of water or fine sand, fuel, tow ropes, 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 exists.

3.   Acrobatic Flying

Acrobatic flights are only permitted in visual meteorological conditions and with the explicit consent of all persons on board. The local aeronautical authority may grant exception in individual cases. Acrobatic flights require special permission from the Civil Aviation Administration of the respective states.

4.   Towing and Advertising Flights

Advertising flights with towed objects require permission from the Aeronautical Administration of the respective states.

6.   Airspace Structure     [back].[top]

For the performance of Flights Information Service and Alerting Service, the Fight Information Region (FIR) is established and is published in the Aeronautical Information Publication, Eastern Caribbean.

6.1    The airspace of all States and Territories of the Eastern Caribbean Islands including adjacent international waters comprise a single FIR (Piarco FIR). Air traffic control is exercised:

6.2    Flight information service and alerting service within the FIR and air traffic control service in the control area is provided by Piarco Area Control Centre (ACC). This service is also provided by the relevant Aerodrome Control Tower in coordination with Piarco ACC for arriving and departing flights at the Eastern Caribbean Aerodromes. The air traffic services route pattern within the control area comprises controlled routes, the axis of which is constituted by a line joining reference points identified as a rule by radio navigational facilities.

6.3    The classification of the controlled and uncontrolled airspace according to the extent of air traffic services maintained there, are based on the classification described in subsection ENR 1.4. 

All airspace in the Antigua TMA is class E.  There is a control zone (class E) from surface to 3000' of radius 20 Nm on the ZDX NDB.  Outside this area is the Antigua TMA (Class E) up to FL 195.

 7.   Prohibited Areas and Flight Restrictions     [back].[top]

7.1     Prohibited, Restricted and Danger areas are established within Piarco FIR for the prevention of danger to public safety or order, especially for the safety of air traffic.  The areas are published in the AIP.

7.2    Activation of areas subject to intermittent activity is notified well in advance by NOTAM giving reference to the area only by its identification.

There are flight restrictions over the southern exclusion zone of Montserrat Island.

ENR 1.2 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES     [back].[top]

1.   Except when operating as a special VFR flight, VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft is flown in conditions of visibility and distance from clouds equal to or greater than those specified below.

Class E:  

2.   Except when a clearance is obtained from an air traffic control unit, VFR flights shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone or traffic pattern:

3.    VFR flights between sunset and sunrise, or such other period between sunset and sunrise as  may be prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority, shall be operated in accordance with the conditions prescribed by such authority.

4.    Unless authorized by the appropriate ATS authority, VFR flights shall not be operated: a)  above FL 200  b)  at transonic and supersonic speeds.

5.   Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from the appropriate  authority, a VFR flight shall not be flown:

a)  over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons at a height less than 300 m (1000 ft) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 m from the aircraft;  or

b)  elsewhere than as specified in 5 a), at a height less than 150 m (500 ft) above the ground or water.

6.   Except where otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearances or specified by the appropriate ATS authority, VFR flights in level cruising flight when operated above 900 m (3 000 ft) from the ground or water, or a higher datum as specified by the appropriate ATS authority, shall be conducted at a flight level appropriate to  the track as specified in the tables of cruising levels.

Transition Altitude in Antigua is 2500'         [back].[top]

8.  Conspicuity transponder code is A1200.

2.2  Taxiway - Limitations

Insufficient safety distances restricts large aircraft's use of certain taxiways when using their own power. Further information will be given to each aircraft from the TWR or GND.

3.1  Parking area for small aircraft/Helicopters (General Aviation)

General aviation aircraft/helicopters shall be directed by the TWR/GND to the parking area for small aircraft.

ANTIGUA AIRPORT PROCEDURES     [back].[top]

NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES

1. Instructions for departing aircraft

1.1  All aircraft departing RWY07.   Unless otherwise instructed or authorized by ATC, all aircraft departing from RWY07 will climb to 500Ft as soon as practicable after take-off and immediately initiate a left or right turn, depending upon destination, at a bank angle of at least 15 degrees in order to avoid passage directly over Long Island.

1.2  Aircraft on northerly track.  Aircraft proceeding on a northerly track should initially maintain a heading not more easterly than 027 degrees MAG until the aircraft is north of a bearing (QDR) of 072 degrees MAG from NDB 'ZDX'.

1.3  Aircraft on southerly track.   Aircraft proceeding on a southerly track may continue with course intercept provided the requirement at 1.1 above has been achieved.

FLIGHT PROCEDURES     [back].[top]

1.2  Positions for holding of VFR traffic.

In order to avoid conflicts with aircraft within V.C. Bird Traffic Circuit, the following positions are established for the holding of VFR aircraft during periods of congestion:

Aircraft will be cleared to hold at positions as required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION     [back].[top]

1.   Bird concentrations in the vicinity of the airport

During grass cutting activities on airfield, egrets are normally in the vicinity of the grass cutter.

As far as practicable, Aerodrome/Approach Control will inform Pilots of this bird activity and estimated heights.

During the above periods pilots of aircraft are advised, where the design limitations of aircraft installations permit, to operate landing lights in flight, within the Control Zone and during take-off, approach-to-land and climb and descent procedures.

2. Other Information

CODRINGTON, Barbuda AIRPORT PROCEDURES     [back].[top]

Located on the west side of Barbuda island, right in the heart of Codrington Town.  This runway is very short and has much loose gravel on the surface.  Before landing and after take off, contact V.C.Bird App.