Updated: 1415Z / 09October

Good news–TNCM is set to reopen to commercial flights on October 10th.  ATC is 100%, and security is in place for all areas (including the perimeter fence).  The terminal is not yet fully operational, so there will be a hall set up with kiosks to support the passengers.

For daily updated status of SXM, please view our main Maria post here.   Below are photos sent to us from on the ground at TNCM/ SXM after the storm passed.

We’ve got some progress photos:

Roof Repairs are Ongoing

Passenger area set up in hangar.

Tents being set up while terminal out of service.

New Security Checkpoints

Original Photos:

Keep an eye here for any updates.

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Tropical Storm Nate is currently just off the northern coast of Nicaragua, moving NW at 8kts with sustained winds of 35kts.

It’s forecast to move on towards Louisiana over the weekend as a Cat 1 Hurricane.

Heavy rain expected across Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsular.

No airport closures anywhere yet, but keep an eye on the forecast for MMUN/Cancun, as that’s directly in the path of the storm.

Update 03Oct: The FAA has released AC_90-117, which is their updated overview of Data Link Communications.

• The United States ATC system transition to a National Single Data Authority (NSDA) is here.
• The changeover will take place on 22Oct at 0330Z
• A single CPDLC logon ID (KUSA) will be provided for domestic US airspace.
• The initial phase is set up to issue departure clearances only
• En-route CPDLC communications within US airspace will be implemented at a later time.
• More details about the transition process are found here NSDA – Data Comm Program
• We’ll post further information as it becomes available

In 2018, Switzerland will be launching their own emissions trading scheme, to integrate with the rest of the European ETS.

All domestic flights, flights from Switzerland and Basel-Mulhouse Airport into Europe, as well as flights between Switzerland and Basel-Mulhouse will apply to the new ETS.  A few exceptions:

• Government / Heads of State Flights
• Military, Customs, Police Flights
• VFR Flights
• Training Flights
• Flights operated by aircraft under 5700 kg.
• …more in attached PDF.

As of 30 September, all aircraft operators were to submit their monitoring plan, and starting January 1st, operators need to record the emissions data based on the same monitoring plan.

All monitoring plans, data reports, and enquires should be sent to:

Mail:
Federal Office of the Environment
Climate Division
“Civil Aviation Monitoring”
3003 Bern

Email:
climate@bafu.admin.ch

Full AIC from Switzerland: AIC 006 2017A CH ETS

We got a ton of useful reports in the last few days from OPSGROUP members that have been to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Because they’ll be useful to the wider Ops community, we’ll share them there.

OPSGROUP members can login to Aireport for the full reports and latest additions as we get them – just view the latest reports and scroll through to see all.

Here are the reports:

TJBQ/Aguadilla 29SEP (G550)
 
*FAA*
o   Prior to departure local POI advised we needed to request the LOA A529
o   Were advised that military is increasing presence and slot system may be set in the next couple of days

*Arrival to TJBQ*
o   Staged in Orlando the night before
o   Crossed the southern end of the MIA FIR at 17,000/squawk 1200 VFR
o   Contacted tower on published frequency with no issue
o   Runway/taxiways had no issues

*Western Aviation (WASCO)*
o   FBO is up and running on generators but have no phones/radios
o   Utilized a contact on the ground with a sat phone to arrange arrival
o   Fueler advised they have approximately 200,000 gallons of Jet A
o   Front desk accepted credit card payments (not sure when they will post)
o   Security guard at the door of FBO to ramp
o   Were able to have truck driver escorted onto ramp to load supplies
o   Some reports of supplies being confiscated but we did not have any issues

*Surrounding Areas*
o   Gas/water/basic commodities are very scare
o   Power lines are down along the roads/in the roads so be cautious

*Departure*
o   Departed later in the day VFR to 6500’
o   Issued a transponder code by center and our ATC clearance to destination airport
o   Area radar was back up and running but the terminal was not

 
 
TJIG/Isla Grande 28SEP (Falcon 900)
We didn’t get FSDO approval but then again we are Part 91. I couldn’t say for 135 folks. The tower was open at Isla Grande today which should definitely improve things. There were still some planes having to go VFR an hour out of San Juan, but we found that filing the FAA recommended routes got us all the way there IFR.

TJRV/Ceiba 28SEP (Falcon 900)
We went into TJRV, about 30 miles SE of San Juan over the hills. There are no Jepp charts for it but Foreflight has an airport diagram. It’s a long runway with displaced thresholds. Frequency is 122.7. There’s a Millionaire there too. We thought it was uncontrolled but a Marine battalion came in and is staying at a hangar that Google has turned into a test facility. The Marines also opened up the old Naval base tower and gave us a clearance to land as we called giving us position reports so that was a bit surprising. Word is it that the military is going to use the airport to relieve stress on San Juan next week and private jets will be welcomed. Notams in the A/FD say to file TJSJ to use this airport but that backfired on us. We filed TJSJ and of course we didn’t have a PPR to go in so they held us at Ft. Lauderdale until we filed a new flight plan for TJRV. And that worked just fine. Hope this will help.

TJSJ/San Juan 28SEP (Falcon 900)
Getting the PPR for today into the international airport worked great. Very busy at Jet Aviation – but they were pretty efficient at getting us fueled.

TJBQ/Aguadilla 26SEP (G650)
Airport tower was operational on published frequencies. Full runway was in good shape. Off load was at FBO depicted on airport diagram near taxi way Charlie.Aircraft had to operate VFR reaching point ELMUC (TJZS FIR boundary) and cross it at 17000’ inbound to TJBQ. Cancellation of IFR was with MIA center once below FL180.  Aircraft inside the FIR were passing advisory position reports on 123.45 and de-conflicted using standard VFR altitudes from ELMUC. Aircraft was able to reach the airport tower about 40nm out. Departure was VFR from the airport climbing to 16500 to point SAPPO. Once in contact with MIA ON 126.45 the crew was able to activate an IFR flight plan and climb. MIA was very busy with all the traffic requesting clearances inbound to the states but we were eventually able to accommodate. Fuel plan accordingly, in case of a delay in climbing.

TJIG/Isla Grande 26SEP (MJET)
We had no delays going into TJIG, where Millionaire is doing a great job with fast service and lots of fuel. Miami Center is using a few fixes: Sappo, Idaho and Elmuc as their transition points between IFR and VFR. You must go VFR (about an hour out) at these fixes and then contact San Juan approach 80 miles north of San Juan using their tower frequency, 119.4. Isla Grande traffic was using the ground frequency of 121.7 for advisories. The taxiway on the northeast side of the field past B4 is only wide enough for Kingairs and smaller so if you have to back taxi on RWY 9, try to exit on the southside or wait past B4.”

TJSJ/San Juan 25SEP (MJET)
No major issues at TJSJ, but heads-up as there are many VFR operations below FL180.  IFR and VFR operations are occurring in close proximity.  Ground services appear to be normal. TJSJ tower was very busy this afternoon with arriving IFR and VFR traffic, transitioning shoreline traffic and local helicopters.  Be patient and vigilant and all will be well.

TJSJ/San Juan 25SEP (Falcon 7X)
To TJSJ expect to be asked to cancel IFR or remain IFR with some holding (our choice) by HARDE.  Both options seem to work equally well for operators.  San Juan TWR is operational and the airfield is in good condition.  Departed VFR, received IFR about 100NM north with NY AIRINC.  Fuel was available at Jet Aviation.

TJIG/Isla Grande 23SEP (CL30)
Airport is uncontrolled.  No lights, and no US Customs.  Expect to cancel IFR as soon as inside TJSZ FIR airspace. The TWR freq is unusable as of this morning.  CTAF alternative is 121.7 Ground frequency.

Local Contacts:
TJSJ/San Juan: 
Jet Aviation San Juan – (787) 791-7005 / (787) 399-3260 / fboservices@pazosfbopr.com
Airport Aviation Services – (787) 797-8500 / (787) 424-9499 / info@tjsjfbo.com

TJIG/Isla Grande:
Million Air – (787) 289-2021 / info.tjig@millionair.com
Signature Flight- (787) 721-1414/ SIG@signatureflight.com

TJBQ/Aguadilla: 
Copeca Jet Center – (787) 890-1250 / (787) 505-0256 / copeca@copecajetcenter.com
Western Aviation Service – (787) 890-2323 / ops@wascobqn.com

TJPS/Ponce:
South Puerto Rico Aero Service – (787) 844-5223 / CustomerService@SPRAeroservice.com

TJRV/Ceiba:
Million Air – (787) 289-2021 / info.tjig@millionair.com

TJVQ/Vieques:
Million Air – (787) 289-2021 . / info.tjig@millionair.com

TIST/St.Thomas: 

St. Thomas Jet Center – (877) 894 1810 / customerservice@sttjetcenter.com
Alliance Aviation – (340) 777 4646 / alliance@allianceaviation.net

St Thomas re-opens to commercial flights today.

All non-military aircraft need to use St. Thomas Jet Center. To request ops, there’s a Notam out saying you should try calling them direct on +1-340-777-9177, but we’ve heard from our local contacts that might not work. If so, you should send your request via SMS to +1-340-998-7243, but make sure you include complete info about your planned flight:

• Company name
• Tail number
• Make and model of aircraft
• Date of arrival/departure
• Local time ETA/ETD (TIST is GMT-4)
• Number of crew/pax both in and out
• Fuel requirements
• Method of payment

Airport hours are 0900-1800 local time. Only military ops allowed outside these hours.

Tower and unicom frequency is 118.8. Limited coverage from SJU Center.

ATIS, navaids, ILS, runway lights – all out of service.

No customs at the airport – if you need to clear customs then you can do so through TJIG/Isla Grande.

No internet, no ability to print out anything for flight crews, no rental cars. The only phone service that seems to work is AT&T, and that is patchy at best. SMS messages seem to work much better than phone calls.

The Iraqi CAA will ban all international flights to/from ORER/Erbil and ORSU/Sulaimaniyah starting from Friday 29th Sep. 

From then on, those airports will only be open for Iraqi carriers and domestic ops.

Tensions around the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq are rising following a referendum on independence.

The Iraqi govt has demanded that the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) hand over control of its two international airports – ORER and ORSU. Until the KRG comply with this request, the international ban on flights to these airports is set to continue.

At the request of the Iraqi govt, Iran had already closed it’s airspace to ORER/ORSU traffic earlier this week, and Turkey was considering implementing the same ban.

The KRG are now deciding whether to give up control of their airports or lose their international flights. Should it be the latter, then from now on anyone attempting to travel to the region will have to transit via Baghdad.

We will update as more information becomes available.

Update – 1700Z / 05Oct:

Each airport is dealing with PPR individually, so best to make contact locally for full requirements.

Please see our main Maria post here for individual airport and PPR requirements.

First Hand Accounts:  https://ops.group/blog/ops-reports-puerto-rico/

Local Contacts:

The fuel issue that has been affecting flights out of Auckland has been rectified and it’s back to business as usual.

NCRG/Rarotonga and NFFN/Fiji, which had also been rationing fuel have also resumed normal ops.

Hopefully that is the last that we will hear on fuel issues out of Auckland.

Images from TJIG/Isla Grande in Puerto Rico. TJIG is 6nm from TJSJ/San Juan.

Following the 19Sep earthquake in Mexico City, MMMX airport sustained damage, and forced closure:

• If you require information about your flight, get in touch with your airline.
• Access to Terminal 2 is only through the roundabout, plan ahead to arrive on time.
• The airtrain is out of service.  Bus service is available between P6 and P7 from T1 and P4 from T2.
• AICM is currently working on fixing both terminals, and this work is not risking the security the customers.

MMTO/Toluca Remained operational, did not close, no issues reported.

Any updates to MMMX operations will be posted here.

VABB/Mumbai Heavy rain is affecting flight ops at Mumbai airport for the second day in a row. The main runway (09/27) remains closed after a Spicejet aircraft skidded off last night and got stuck in mud, and it’s not expected to be open again until later today – once the aircraft can be recovered.

In the meantime, the other smaller runway is in use. Expect delays until the weather improves!

As of 2100Z today 19 September Hurricane Maria was located about 80 miles SE of the island of St. Croix and 175 miles SE of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The category 5 storm is slowly moving WNW at 10 mph. This movement and speed will place the cyclone right over the whole island of Puerto Rico by Wednesday 20 September at around 1800Z.

All Puerto Rican coastal areas are under hurricane warning and all airports in the island are expected to close at some point tomorrow. The East and North coasts of the Dominican Republic are expected to be hit by the storm in the early hours of Thursday 21 September; these coastal areas are also under hurricane warning mainly affecting Punta Cana (MDPC) and Puerto Plata (MDPP), which will most likely stop operations sometime tomorrow.

Last update: 20September at 2000Z

Note: some airports in the Caribbean are closing for the expected arrival of Hurricane Maria. 

Due to damage and weather caused by Hurricane Irma below is the most recent information on Airports affected.

FLORIDA

• KEYW/Key West: GA flights have resumed 18SEP with limited amenities in the area due to damage (Hotac, transportation, catering) Airline flights resume 20SEP with some cancellations. Advised only people who live or are assisting with relief should be traveling to the area for now
• KMTH/Marathon: open and operating as normal
• KMKY/Marco Island: Open and operating as normal
• KTMB/Tamiami: Open and operating as normal
• KMIA/Maimi: Open with minor delays
• KFLL/Ft. Lauderdale: Open with minor delays
• KFXE/Ft. Lauderdale Executive: Open and operating as normal
• KPBI/Palm Beach: Open and operating as normal
• KMLB/Melbourne: Open and operating as normal
• KJAX/Jacksonville: Open and operating as normal
• KTLH/Tallahassee: Open and operating as normal
• KTPA/Tampa: Open with operating as normal.
• KPIE/St. Petersburg: Open and operating as normal
• KSRQ/Sarasota: Open and operating as normal
• KRSW/Ft. Myers: Open with as normal
• KFMY/Ft. Myers: Open and operating as normal
• KAPF/Naples:  Open with some limited services (monitor Notams) as of 18SEP.
• KMCO/Orlando: Open and operating as normal
• KSFB/Orlando Sanford: Open and operating as normal

Antigua & Barbuda

• TAPA/St. Johns: Open and operating as normal from 0800-1700LCL as of 20 SEP
• TAPH/Codrington: Closed until further notice due to serious damage to the airport. TAPA will be used as the hub and aid will be ferried by boat and helicopter to Barbuda

Anguilla

• TQPF/The Valley: Closed for Hurricane Maria until 22SEP1000Z

British Virgin Islands

• TUPJ/Roadtown: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria until at least 20SEP 1800Z
• TISX/St.Croix: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria until 21SEP 1100Z

Cuba

• MUHA/Havana: Open and operating as normal
• MUVR/Varadero: Open and operating as normal
• MUCM/Camaguey: Closed expected to open 28SEP due to extensive damage in the Camaguey Archipelago area.
• MUCC/Cayo Coco: Closed until further notice due to extensive infrastructure damage
• MUSC/Santa Clara: Closed until further notice

Dominican Republic

• MDSD/Santo Domingo: Open and operating as normal
• MDLR/La Romana: Open and operating as normal
• MDPC/Higuey Punta Cana: Closed due to passing of Maria until 21SEP 1200Z

Guadeloupe

• TFFR/Pointe-a-Pitre: Open but accepting Humanitarian, Military and State flights only. ATC is operational 20SEP

Dominica

• TDPD/Roseau: Closed to all flights apart from relief/humanitarian. Runway and Apron have been determined usable, flights operate at their own risk. Unicom frequency active, no ATC – 118.9.
• TDCF/Canefield: Open Emergency flights only as of 20SEP

Haiti

• MTCH/Cap Haitien: Open and operating as normal
• MTPP/Port-au-Prince: Open and operating as normal

Puerto Rico

• TJSJ/San Juan: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria as of 20SEP
• TJBQ/Aguadilla: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria as of 20SEP
• TJPS/Ponce: remains closed until further notice

St. Kitts & Nevis

• TKPK/Basseterre: Planned to open at 1600Z today, not yet confirmed operating
• TKPN/Nevis Island: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria until 20SEP

Turks & Caicos

• MBGT/Grand Turk: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria as of 20SEP. Due to flooding during Hurricane Irma the airport is expected to open 25SEP
• MBPV/Providenciales: Closing for passage of Hurricane Maria as of 20SEP0230Z. Estimating to remain closed until 24SEP

St. Maarten

• TNCM/ St. Maarten: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria as of 19SEP.  ATC is expect to be operational again by end of the month. Still no internet and water but electricity is slowly recovering. Flights will possibly start beginning of October or mid-October at the latest. Ship with fuel should arrive soon for local flights.

St. Thomas

• TIST/St. Thomas: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria until 21SEP

St. Barthelemy

• TFFJ/St. Jean: Open with daily charter evacuation services. No status update as of 20SEP

Montserrat

• TRPG/Gerald’s: Closed for passage of Hurricane Maria as of  20SEP

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SOOO/Cayenne FIR:  French Guiana ATC has finally given up the ghost – they’ve now implemented their contingency plan for their airspace, due to continued strike action.

If you want to cross this bit of airspace, there are now very specific routes and levels you have to fly at. Once you’re inside the airspace, don’t change your sped or level. All the details have been published in the Notams – check these carefully!

Just the Facts:

On September 15th, North Korea launched another missile, for the first time crossing over Japanese landmass. This one flew for 19 minutes, flew 2300 miles, and was likely a variant of the Hwasong-12 missile.

With the extended range, it puts more airspace at risk from debris fields.  Once can reasonably exclude quite a bit of this airspace, as all launches are easterly.

This launch passed over the airways below off the coast of Japan:

Continued caution should be taken in oceanic airspace west of North Korea.

For more reading, read our post on the missiles specific to the Sea of Japan:
https://ops.group/blog/heres-why-north-korean-missiles-are-now-a-real-threat-to-civil-aviation/

Typhoon Talim, the equivalent of a category 4 hurricane, is now headed straight for Japan.

On Miyako-Jima Island in Okinawan island chain in the far south-west of Japan, Talim has already brought destruction: winds of over 100mph, power cuts, and the highest recorded rainfall in more than 50 years. The typhoon its expected to progress up towards the Japanese mainland over the weekend.

Forecasters had previously predicted it would pass over Taiwan’s northern cities before continuing on towards the Chinese coastline. A few flights were cancelled, more than 200,000 people were evacuated from Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, and flow restriction Notams were issued for both countries airspace (RCAA/Taipei FIR & ZSHA/Shanghai FIR) – although airports in the region remained open as the typhoon’s progress was closely monitored.

However, now it seems likely that Japan will bear the worst of the impact. If you’re operating anywhere in this region over the next few days, best keep an eye on the Japanese Met Agency’s dedicated webpage for Typhoon Talim… just in case it decides to change course again.

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/1718.html

TIST/St. Thomas Airport is closed except for military and hurricane relief ops until 16SEP at the earliest. A contingency ramp has been set up to support hurricane Irma disaster response and recovery missions. All flight operations requiring services from this contingency ramp must get prior permission and a slot from the Irma flight operations coordination center (IFOCC) at 001-850-282-0236. [more in Aireport]

VIDP/Delhi Delays likely as one of the longer runways (RWY28) will be closed for landings until mid-October. [more in Aireport]

EINN/Shannon The overnight closures at Shannon will be extended until at least 01OCT. [more in Aireport]

EIDW/Dublin The long runway (RWY 10/28) will be closed for repair again this week overnight from 2200-0400z. The other shorter runway will remain open though (RWY 16/34, 2702m). [more in Aireport]

LBSF/Sofia Starting at the end of September, any aircraft code B or above will not be able to park at Sofia for more than 72hrs.

LOWW/Vienna Want to remind operators that they need to put their arrival and departure slot ID numbers in section 18 of their filed ATC flight plans. If you don’t do it in the proper format, your flight plan will be automatically rejected by CFMU. See Austrian AIP SUP 019/13 for full details of how to do it! [more in Aireport]

EPWW/Poland No data link services will be provided in Polish airspace between now and next FEB, as they will be testing their systems during this time.

TNCM/St. Maarten Airport is non-operational, probably the worst hit of all airports in the path of Hurricane Irma. [more in Aireport]

UZZZ/Russia Eruption of Volcano Shiveluch in Kamchatka, East Russia. Ash cloud reported from SFC to FL330.

RJZZ/Japan According to information emerging on 5 September 2017, the Japanese government is working to establish a four-tier emergency evacuation plan in preparation for a potential escalation in the situation with North Korea. Each tier will escalate according to the severity of the situation; the tiers include discouraging unessential travel to South Korea, discouraging all travel to South Korea, urging Japanese citizens to evacuate South Korea, and urging Japanese citizens to shelter in place. Cited as an example in the implementation of the plan, if skirmishes were to occur between the two Koreas, the Japanese government would discourage all new travel to South Korea and urge citizens to evacuate using commercial flights. Japan would implement the fourth tier in the event an attack prompted the closure of South Korean airport facilities. South Korea has reportedly agreed to give Japanese nationals access to safe zones — such as subway stations — in the event of a shelter-in-place directive. Japan is also coordinating with U.S. forces to transport evacuees by sea from Busan in the event of an evacuation.

OIZZ/Iran Iranian FARS news agency has reported that Iran has now banned US and Saudi aircraft (including commercial airlines) from entering its airspace. Still no official statement from the CAA or Notam yet…

UIBB/Bratsk Prior permission required until the end of September, due to limited fuel availability.

LDZA/Zagreb Airport’s only runway closed to all traffic (including emergency diverts) at various different times overnight until 17SEP. [more in Aireport]

UMMS/Minsk Airport closed most nights throughout September from 2100-0200z.

SOCA/Cayenne Take note when flying here, lots going on between 0000-0300 and 0630-1100 daily from now and 30NOV. Issues with staff shortages. The lower space FIR of SOCA will be unavailable to IFR traffic except state and emergency flights and you cannot file as an alternate unless you are based in SOCA, a state flight or emergency. [more in Aireport]

EGCC/Manchester You should uplift additional fuel before departing for Manchester. With Runway 05L/23R closed there is a high potential for holding delays. [more in Aireport]

EDDH/Hamburg Airport is closed from from 2159-0330 daily from 13-16SEP. [more in Aireport]

EETN/Tallinn PPR required for parking longer than 3hrs. Email to  ad.apron.control@tll.aero from now until 02OCT. [more in Aireport]

GVBA/Boa Vista Aerodrome Closed on Wed 1700-1900 and Thurs 0900-1000 from now until 31OCT due to runway works.

HEAX/Alexandria Only available to domestic flights for private aircraft, Helicopters, Petroleum Air Service and Egyptian Air Force from now until 28NOV. [more in Aireport]

USHH/Khanti-Mansi Check before flying here. The airport is closed sporadically right through September.

WSSL/WSSS/Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix is on soon, making Singapore busy and slots difficult to obtain. Arrange well in advance. Busiest dates expected 13-19SEP. [more in Aireport]

OMAE/United Arab Emirates All traffic routing M318 leaving the Emirates FIR towards MEVDO, plan on exiting VIA M550 – RIBOT

EGZZ/United Kingdom The UK has added North Korea to airspace warnings in their AIP ENR 1.1. They are warning of the area between 1200000E and 140000E due to the unannounced missile tests in the area of the Sea of Japan.  See NOTAM V0012/17 for full text.

SPJC/Peru Strikes are taking place in the historic centre of Lima and some other parts of the country, leading to temporary transport disruption. You should monitor the news and follow local advice. [more in Aireport]

ESMX/Kronoberg PPR required for all non-scheduled ops MON-FRI, 0500-1600 unitl 27October, and again from 30-31Oct.

TKPK/St Kitts All Private pax must process through the YU lounge, not through the main terminal.  Use a handler to get access to the lounge.

ORBB/Baghdad 20 aircraft per hour accepted into Baghdad FIR from TASMI and RATVO.

There are some new rules at ZBAA about how to go about getting clearance to depart. The new guidance doesn’t seem to have been officially published anywhere yet, but ground handling agents have been handing out a bit of paper translated from Chinese. Check out the image below for original version, which shows what you need to do. Here’s the short version:

1. Make sure your tow tug is in position.
2. Contact the delivery frequency for ATC clearance. Tell them you’re ready to go.
3. Next, contact the ground frequency to apply for clearance to push-back and start-up. (This clearance can only be given by controllers on the ground frequency, not the delivery frequency.)

Also, it’s been reported by an Opsgroup member that if you do not then push-back within 5 minutes of getting your clearance, you will get bumped to the bottom of the pile. Same thing happens if your EOBT is more than 15 minutes early or late from the filed time in the FPL.

Remember, slots are required at ZBAA, and GA aircraft are not permitted to arrive/depart between peak hours 0700-0900 local. There’s also only 24 hours maximum parking time allowed at ZBAA for foreign GA.

A TCO is an authorization issued by EASA to any third-country operator wishing to perform commercial air transport in any of the following European countries:

• 28 EU Member States
• Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland

Plus the following territories:

• Gibraltar, Aland Islands, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Saint-Martin, Mayotte

Applications are made directly to EASA using their application form.

https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/application-forms/fotco00160

You will need to provide the following documentation:

• AOC
• Operating Specifications
• Insurance

Contact details for applications are made to:

European Aviation Safety Agency
Applications Handling Department
Postfach 10 12 53
D-50452 Köln
Germany

Fax: +49 (0)221 89990 ext. 4461
E-mail: tco.applications@easa.europa.eu

Should EASA deem the application in order the operating authorization process is completed in approximately 30 days.  Some flights can avoid this requirement, such as Air Ambulance or Humanitarian flights.

Please note:

• Overflights of the above states do not require a TCO permit.
• EU member states cannot issue a permit for their country if the operator does not already hold a TCO operating authorization.

If you plan to operate to these areas, we’d suggest getting your TCO right away, even if you don’t have a planned flight at the moment.  They can take some time to obtain.

ZZZZ/Worldwide One of our primary missions at FSB is to monitor the world’s airspace and report on new risks to civil aviation. When enough changes occur, we update our “Unsafe Airspace Summary“ (PDF download). Last week, we published a new summary effective 16AUG2017 – version “INDIA” … Read the article.

KZZZ/USA Operating under Part 119 and performing operations under part 121 and/or part 135 under the jurisdiction of the FAA? If that’s you then you need to know that you can no longer rely on the FAA to provide flight or engineer examiners. There is a requirement for those organisations operating under this rule part to have a training and checking program. It looks like this requirement hasn’t been enforced in the past. That will be changing. Expect your local inspector to be in touch in the next few weeks.

HAZZ/Ethiopia On 21 August, the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress called for a general strike throughout the Oromo region, which surrounds the capital Addis Ababa, for the next five days. Travelers should expect disruptions to business activities throughout the region during the strike.

KASE/Aspen The FAA recently published a letter to airmen outlining a VFR climb procedure at Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) that may enable business aircraft crews to avoid delays following suspension of the “Wrap” departure procedure from ASE’s Runway 33 earlier this year. More from NBAA. While ATC will not ask pilots to depart under VFR climb, crews may request the procedure. More here.

OLZZ/Lebanon On Monday Lebanese military forces announced that they had uncovered a cache of anti-aircraft missiles among other arms caches abandoned by militants in Ras Baalbek. The other weapons include anti-personnel mines, mortars and machine guns. There were no reports indicating that the anti-aircraft weapons were connected to any terror plot; rather, they were likely for battlefield use, given that they were seized along with other weapons.

MMZZ/Mexico The US updated its travel warning for Mexico yesterday, warning about the risk of traveling to certain parts of Mexico due to the activities of criminal organizations in those areas. Travelers been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states.

TXKF/Bermuda radar is out of action Thursday 4-10Z, usual advice – operate above FL320, or avoid the airspace. See Notam KZNY A0231/17 for the details.

BIKF/Keflavik Tower continues to have some staffing issues, keep an eye on their Notams the day of your operation, and consider another NAT fuel stop if needed.

LLZZ/Israel National Holiday Sept 18-19. They shut up shop at 1100 on the 18 Sep, and aren’t back at work until over 32 hours later at 1930 on the 19 Sep. First departure won’t be until 2030. It’s an important religious holiday in Israel. This is in addition to the closure for works on 7 Sep from 1500-1955, and the daily closures and block outs of GA aircraft due congestion. If you are planning a stop in Tel Aviv pick your time carefully. The FIR (LLLL) has the same closure on the 18-19 Sep.

MUCF/Cienfuegos will have no tower controller at 26th – 31st Aug, if you need to operate and require ATC, they say a controller can be arranged with 24 hrs notice.

EGAE/Derry is open again after flooding closed the terminal building on Tuesday night.

LPZZ/Portugal All airports – Immigration officers are planning strike action for 24th and 25th, high potential for delays.

FQZZ/Mozambique Visa on arrival is now available as an exception only. If visas are available from your home country they should be applied for prior to travel.

UUZZ/Russia On 21 August, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow announced that U.S. missions across Russia would suspend non-immigrant visa operations starting on 23 August. These operations will resume on 1 September but on a significantly smaller scale. The U.S. cited Russia’s decision to drastically reduce U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia as the reason for the reduction in non-immigrant visa operations. Beginning 1 September, non-immigrant visa interviews will be conducted in Moscow only.

VVZZ/Vietnam There has been a sharp increase in the number of Dengue fever cases from Vietnam. The only form of prevention for Dengue is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.

DFZZ/Burkina Faso Updated travel advisory, following the recent terrorist attack on a restaurant in the capital Ouagadougou which killed 19. “Avoid non essential travel due threat of terrorism.” Multiple sources.

PLCH/Christmas Island Fuel is listed as available only for scheduled flights until mid-October due to supply issues.

EGMC/Southend Airport closed overnight between 2200-0500 04-08 Sept for all but scheduled flights.

LDPL/Pula Congestion going on, you’ll need PPR until August 27th.  Email them at operations@airport-pula.hr

ZSXX/China Couple of airports here are publishing daily not to file them as an alternate. So check before filing if you are looking to use any of these airports ZGGG, ZGHA, ZHCC, ZSXZ.

With the worst of Typhoon Hato now past the Pearl River Delta, some incredible footage has been seen showing the storm in action.

The worst affected airports were VHHH/Hong Kong, VMCC/Macau, and ZGSD/Zhuhai, with winds up to 105 knots.

Hato is now tracking away to the west.

A little while ago, Russia stopped sending out METAR and TAF weather updates on the international wires for a whole bunch of airports.

This made life difficult for international operators, especially airlines and business jet operators that use Siberian alternates. If you don’t have the weather reports, you can’t use it.

In OpsGroup, one of our members reported that they now had issues getting weather for places like
UHHH/UHMA/UHMM/UHPP/UIBB/UIII/ULAA/ULLI/UNAA/UNKL/UNNT/USCC/USNN.

Then, another member pointed us at this official site – http://metavia2.ru/index.php?lng=en. But to register, you need to send an email, and nobody got replies.

So, the mystery remains unsolved. What do you know? Comment below, or email us at bulletin@fsbureau.org.