SUBPART D

Operating Requirements

 

171.81 Identification codes and call signs

(a)   Each holder of aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate requiring an identification code for a radio navigation facility or call sign for a communications facility, shall submit to the ECAA the appropriate details; and

(b)   If such action is needed, the holder shall include the action in the facility exposition.

 

171.83 Facility operation manuals

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall provide an operation manual or system of manuals for the services listed in its exposition and complied by its personnel;

(b)   A holder certified to provide more than one facility, or a facility provides services from more than one location, may publish a core manual together with manual supplements specific to each service or location.

 

171.85 Shift administration

Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure to ensure that:

(a)   Adequate time is provided at the beginning and end of each shift, for the performance of those duties required:

(1)   Before start of the shift; and
(2)   After the end of the shift

(b)   A minimum of 10 minutes is provided for each transfer of duties at an operational facility.

 

171.87 Contingency plan

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish an approved contingency plan providing for the safe and orderly continuation of service in the event of a disruption, interruption, or temporary malfunction of facility equipment or related supporting service.

(b)   The plan shall be made on the equipment level, system level and operational level.

 

171.89 Communication procedures

Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall ensure that their procedures for operating the facilities listed in their exposition are in accordance with the applicable communication procedures prescribed in ICAO Annex 10, Volume II and ECAR Part 173.

 

171.91 Operating and maintenance instructions

Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall provide the operating and maintenance instructions of the manufacturer for each facility listed in their exposition, for the use and guidance of their personnel, operating and maintenance instructions of the manufacture for each facility listed in their exposition. The instructions shall be controlled by the documentation control procedures required by 171.47, and shall set out the requirements for operating and maintaining each facility. The instructions shall include a list of:

(a)      The critical performance parameters;

(b)     The test equipment required for the measurement of those parameters;

(c)      The check procedures for placing the facility into operational service; and

(d)     The inspection and test procedures for the operation and maintenance of the facility.                      

 

171.93 Periodic inspection and testing

(a)               Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures for the periodic inspection and testing of the facilities listed in their exposition to verify that they meet the applicable operational requirements and performance specifications. These procedures shall:

(1)   Cover ground inspection, ground test and flights test where it is necessary according to the manufacturer technical manual;

 (2)  Include the criteria for establishing or changing the period between the periodic tests for a facility.  The criteria shall have regard to:

(i)        Any applicable information published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), any other aeronautical authority or the manufacture;

(ii)      Any applicable reliability data for the facility; and

(iii)     The stability of the facility’s operating environment;

(3)      Ensure that the basis of establishing or changing the period between the periodic tests for a facility are documented and approved by ECAA.

(b) In addition, the applicant shall establish:

(1)   An approved program of periodic ground inspections for each facility;

(2)   An approved program of periodic ground tests for each facility;

(3)   An approved program of periodic flight tests for each radio navigation aid unless the applicant can establish from the criteria in paragraph (a) (2) that periodic ground tests can replace the periodic flight tests for a facility without affecting the safety of air navigation.

(c)    The programs required by paragraph (b)(2) and (3) for the periodic ground and flight tests shall be based on the criteria in paragraph (a) (2) and shall specify the maximum period between the tests for each facility.

(d)     The program shall have procedure to check that all equipment in the facility are properly earthen in accordance with the Standard and Recommended Practices  (SARPS ) of  ICAO Annex 10 and the technical manual for equipment earthling to prevent electrical shocks and radio interference with the operating systems;

(e)      The program shall have procedure to check that the data control cables are protected with lightening arrestors;

(f)       The program shall have procedure to check that the antennas and masts of the facilities shall be properly protected against corrosion, lightening and interference;

(g)      The certificate holder shall notify ECAA of any radio navigation aid that is not subjected to periodic flight tests.

 

171.95 Certification of facility performance

Each holder of aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure to ensure that no facility listed in their exposition is placed into operational service unless:

(a)   The person placing the facility into operational service is authorized and is assessed as competent under the procedures required by 171.41 (b);

(b)   The appropriate checks have been carried out to verify the performance of the facility under the procedures required by 171.93; and

(c)   The facility record has been completed in accordance with the procedures required by 171.49.

 

171.97 Inspection measuring and test equipment

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall ensure that appropriate inspection, measuring and test equipment is available for their personnel to maintain the safe operation of each facility listed in their exposition.

(b)   The applicant shall establish a procedure to control, calibrate and maintain all of the applicant’s inspection, measuring and test equipment to ensure that each item of equipment has the precision and accuracy that is necessary for the measurements and tests to be performed.

(c)   The procedure shall ensure that each item of test equipment required for the measurement of critical performance parameters is:

(1)   Calibrated before use or at prescribed intervals against certified equipment having a known valid relationship to nationally recognized standards.  Where no such standards exist, the basis used for the calibration shall be documented.  records of such calibrations and the standards used shall be maintained in accordance with the procedures required by 171.49;

(2)   Identified with a suitable indicator to show its calibration status;

(3)   Controlled to:

(i)        Safeguard against adjustments that would invalidate the calibration setting;

(ii)      Ensure that the handling, preservation and storage are such that the accuracy and fitness for use is maintained. 

(d)   Where hardware and software systems are used as an alternative form of facility performance testing, the functions of the systems shall be checked before being released for use in order to establish that they are capable of verifying the performance of the facility.  These functions shall be checked at prescribed intervals.  Records of these checks shall be maintained as evidence and verification of adequate performance of the test system.  

 

171.99 Deviations

(a)   Subject to compliance with 171.103, the holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate may deviate from any requirement of this Part to meet an emergency situation if there is a need to take immediate action for the protection of life or property involving carriage by air.

(b)   A certificate holder who deviates from a requirement of this Part under paragraph (a) shall provide a written report to ECAA as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 7 days after the emergency. The report shall cover the nature, the extent and the duration of the deviation.

 

171.101 Limitations on certificate holder

(a)   The holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall not operate a facility if there is any cause to suspect the integrity of the information being provided by the facility.  A cause to suspect the integrity of the information being provided by a facility includes the infringement of any critical site area of the facility until performance checks on the facility verify that the infringement does not and will not affect the performance of the facility.

(b)   A certificate holder shall not operate a radio transmitting facility on an aeronautical radio frequency except pursuant to a written radio apparatus license granted by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunication subject to the provisions of ICAO Annex 10 Volume V.

(c)   Except where a deviation under 171.99 is required or a site test is carried out under the procedures required by 171.31 (b), a certificate holder shall not operate a facility unless:

(1)   The facility is listed in the holder’s exposition;

(2)   The performance of the facility meets the applicable facility published information;

(3)   The performance of the facility meets the applicable facility requirements in 171.95;

(4)   Any integrity monitoring system for the facility is fully functional;

(5)   All the periodic tests for the facility are completed in accordance with the programs established under 171.93(b)(2) and (3);

(6)   The facility is included in the holder’s airways security program, if the destruction, damage, or interference of the facility is likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft in flight;

(7)   The provisions of the holder’s airways security program for the facility are being complied with.

 

171.103 Notification of facility information

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure to notify the users of the facilities with the operational information for each facility.

(b)   The procedure shall ensure that:

(1)     The operational information on any facility that supports an air traffic service or the Egyptian air navigation system is forwarded to an aeronautical information service (AIS) for publication in the country’s aeronautical information publication (AIP);

(2)     The users of a facility are notified without delay of any updates in the facility information that if updated, may affect the safety of air navigation.  For those facilities published in the Egyptian AIP the information concerning any change to their information shall be forwarded to the aeronautical information service for the issue of a NOTAM if so required.

171.105 Notification of facility status

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to notify users of its facility of any changes in the operational status of each facility or service listed in the applicant’s exposition.

(b)   The procedures shall ensure that:

(1)   The change of status for each of the holder's units is forwarded to the holder of the air traffic service certificates under ECAR Part 172 and aeronautical information service certificate issued under ECAR Part 174 for ECAA AIP service; and
(2)   The users of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility are notified without delay of any change in operational status of the facility or service that may affect the safety of air navigation, and, except where the change is temporary in nature, information concerning any change in operational status of the facility is forwarded to the holder of the aeronautical information service certificate for the NOTAM service.

 

171.107 Facility check after accident or incident

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure to check and record the operating condition of any facility listed in their exposition that may have been used by an aircraft or an air traffic service involved in an accident or incident.

(b)   The procedure shall ensure that:

(1)   The checks are carried out as soon as practicable after notification to the applicant’s organization of such an accident or incident; and

(2)   The record of the facility’s operating condition as checked and the past recorded history are kept in a secure place for possible use by any subsequent investigation.

 

171.109 Facility malfunctions

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure to record, investigate, and rectify any detected or reported malfunction of any facility listed in their exposition.

(b)   The procedure shall ensure that a report is forwarded to ECAA whenever a facility malfunction investigation reveals that:

(1)   The facility has been operating outside the allowable tolerances; or

(2)   The facility had the potential to operate outside the allowable tolerance; or

(3)   There appears to be a recurring cause for the facility malfunction reports.

(c)   The report required in paragraph (b) shall be forwarded within 7 days of malfunction being detected or reported and shall include full details of the malfunction, the findings of the investigation and the corrective action taken to prevent a recurrence.

 

171.111 Changes to certificate holder’s exposition

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall ensure that their exposition is amended so as to remain a current description of the holder’s organization and facilities.

(b)   The certificate holder shall ensure that any amendments made to the holder’s exposition meet the applicable requirements of this Part;

(c)   The certificate holder shall provide ECAA with a copy of each amendment to the holder’s exposition as soon as practicable before its incorporation into the exposition.

(d)   ECAA may prescribe conditions under which a certificate holder may operate during or following any of the changes specified under paragraph(c).

(e)   A certificate holder shall comply with any conditions prescribed under paragraph(d).

(f)    Where any of the changes referred to in this rule requires an amendment to the certificate, the certificate holder shall forward the certificate to ECAA as soon as possible.

(g)    The certificate holder shall make such amendments to the holder’s exposition, as ECAA may consider necessary in the interest of aviation safety.

171.113 Information flow requirements

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures for the receipt of information on the following activities when the activity could affect air traffic services within the holder’s area of responsibility:

(1)     A technical supervisor shall be available to monitor the status of all en route facilities or receive them either through the air traffic control supervisor or through the facility technical staff;

(2)     A Technical Supervisor shall be available to receive all status of all radio navigation aids facility and report the status to the AIS or to the ATC  supervisor depending on the particular case; and

(3)     A technical supervisor shall be available to receive all status reported at the airdromes and take necessary actions including reporting the status to the appropriate authorities.

(b)               The holder shall establish systems and procedures to ensure that each facility, appropriate to the applicant’s intended area of responsibility, is kept informed of the operational status and the existence of temporary hazards of:

(1)   All navigation aids in the system;
(2)   All surveillance radar in the system;
(3)   All air/ground and ground/ground communication facilities in the system;
(4)   All automation facilities in the system; and
(5)   All environmental facilities in the system.

 

171.115 Aeronautical telecommunication facilities

Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(a)   The International Standard and Recommended Practices of ICAO Annex 10 volume II, III and V as amended are complied with;

(b)   All radio communication services listed in the AIP of Cairo FIR are being served by physical facilities identified in the holder’s exposition;

(c)   All radio equipment is fully redundant to ensure service reliability that are required by the system specifications;

(d)   All remote radio sites are easily accessible to the maintenance personnel to allow on time arrival for them in case of emergencies;

(e)      All voice switches and position control panels are maintained to guarantee continuity of service according to the specifications; 

(f)    Fully uninterrupted power supply units are available at each separate radio site;

(g)   Availability of a bypass to the equipment providing the service in case a full failure of voice switching system should occur; and

(h)      Maintain High Frequency (HF) aeronautical telecommunication facilities (selective calling systems) as an alternative means of communication to aircraft or as main means of communication to aircraft for areas that may not be covered by VHF A/G communications.

(i)        When two or more ATS frequencies are being used by a controller, consideration should be given to provide facilities to allow ATS and aircraft transmissions on any of the frequencies to be simultaneously retransmitted on the other frequencies in use thus permitting aircraft stations within range to hear all transmissions to and from the controller.

(j)       All aeronautical telecommunication stations, including end systems and intermediate systems of the aeronautical telecommunication network (ATN), shall be protected from unauthorized direct or remote access.

(k)     No contracts shall be issued with Satellite Service Provider unless it fulfills min requirements of Annex 10, Volume III, Chapter 4.

(l)        The VHF Air-ground Digital Link (VDL) requirements and system characteristics shall be according to Annex 10, Volume III, Chapter 6.

(m)    Technical provisions relating to circuits used in the AFTN shall be according to Annex 10, Volume III, Chapter 8.

(n)      Service via satellite for the dissemination of aeronautical information point-to-multipoint telecommunication service shall be based on full-time, non pre-emptible, protected services as defined in the relevant CCITT Recommendations.

(o)     Reserved.

(p)     HF data link system requirements and system characteristics shall be according to Annex 10, Volume III, Chapter 11.

(q)     Air-Ground VHF Communication System Characteristics and requirements shall be according to Annex 10, Volume III, Part II, Chapter2.

(r)       HF Communication System / Single Sideband (SSB) Characteristics and requirements shall be according to Annex 10, Volume 3, Part II, Chapter 2, item 2.4.

(s)      The use of circuit switching and signaling to provide speech circuits to interconnect ATS units not interconnected by dedicated circuits shall be by agreement between the Administrations concerned.

(t)       The application of aeronautical speech circuit switching and signaling shall be made on the basis of regional air navigation agreements.

(u)      Technical provisions relating to international aeronautical speech circuit switching and signaling for ground-ground applications shall be according to Annex 10, Volume 3, Part II, Chapter 4.

 

171.117 Ground telecommunication facilities

(a)   Each holder of aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish systems and procedures to communicate between the en route (area) control centers and remote air/ground communication stations or en route radar stations or military control centers. The systems and the procedures should be established and maintained to guarantee continuity of service according to the system specifications;

(b)   The applicant shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(1)   All service interruptions to the ground telecommunication services are promptly reported and acted upon according to the standard corrective maintenance procedures;

(2)   The standard preventive and periodic maintenance procedures are applied to the ground telecommunication facilities to minimize the probability of service interruption; and

(3)   Alternative means to ground communications are identified in case of service interruption of the main means of ground communications.  Alternative means of ground telecommunications could include direct connections from the telephone company, satellite communications, microwave links and HF single side band systems.

 

171.119 Radio navigation aids facilities

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish systems and procedures to:

(1)   Ensure compliance with the International Standards and Recommended Practices of Annex 10 volume I chapters 2 for provisions and chapter 3 for the specification and volume V for frequency management of the following types of radio navigation facilities:

(i)        Instrument landing system (ILS) CAT I and/or CAT II at aerodromes;

(ii)      VHF omni-directional radio range (VOR) for en route and terminal radio navigation services;

(iii)     Non directionnel  radio beacon (NDB) for en route radio navigation;

(iv)    UHF distant measuring equipment (DME) for en route and terminal services; and

(v)      Application for GNSS should be considered in the near future.

(2)   Conform to the requirements of the critical and sensitive areas surrounding ILS installation as in attachment C of Annex 10, volume I;
 (3)  Ensure that the minimum distance from the runway center line to holding position may need to be increased to avoid interference with radio navigation aids as in attachment of Annex 10, volume I;
 (4)  Ensure that VOR sitting selection requirements for check-points:

(i)            The signal strength of the nearby VOR has to be sufficient to ensure satisfactory operation of a typical aircraft VOR installation. In particular, full flag action (no flag showing) must be ensured. The check-points should, within the limits of operating convenience, be located away from buildings or other reflecting objects (fixed or moving) which are likely to degrade the accuracy or stability of the VOR signals;

(ii)          The observed VOR bearing at any selected point should ideally be within plus or minus 1.5 degrees of the bearing accurately determined by survey or chart plotting; and

Note: The figure of plus or minus 1.5 degrees has no direct operational significance in that the observed bearing becomes the published bearing; however, where a larger difference is observed, there is some possibility of poor stability.

(iii)         The VOR information at a selected point should be used operationally only if found to be consistently within plus or minus 2 degrees of the published bearing. The stability of the VOR information at a selected point should be checked periodically with a calibrated receiver to ensure that the plus or minus 2-degree tolerance is satisfied, irrespective of the orientation of the VOR receiving antenna; and

Note: The tolerance of plus or minus 2 degrees relates to the consistency of the information at the selected point and includes a small tolerance for the accuracy of the calibrated VOR receiver used in checking the point. The 2-degree figure does not relate to any figure for acceptance or rejection of an aircraft VOR installation, this being a matter for determination by ECAA and users in the light of the operation to be performed.

(iv)        Checkpoints, which can satisfy the foregoing requirements, should be selected in consultation with the operators concerned. Provision of checkpoints in holding bays, at runway ends and in maintenance and loading areas, is usually desirable.

(5)   Ensure that each VOR checkpoint must be distinctively marked. This marking must include the VOR bearing which a pilot would observe on his aircraft instrument if his VOR installation were operating correctly;
(6)   Ensure that radio navigation aids shall be provided with suitable power supplies and mains to ensure continuity of service appropriate to the needs of the service provided; and
(7)   Ensure that the height of the ILS reference datum must be considered, when studying the location of a threshold as mentioned in Annex 10 volume 1 attachment C.

(b) The procedures required by paragraph (a) (1) shall ensure that:

(1)     All service interruptions to the radio navigation services are promptly reported and acted upon according to the standard corrective maintenance procedures.  Notification for the navigation aid systems should take place through at least remote monitoring unit (RMU) Systems at the towers or the en route (area) centers;

(2)     The standard preventive and periodic maintenance procedures are applied to the radio navigation facilities to minimize the probability of service interruption; and

(3)     Alternative means to radio navigation are identified in case of service interruption of the main radio navigation aids services:

(i)          In case of ILS failures, normally an alternative means needed to take effect such as reducing the system from CAT II to CAT I unless failure is related to equipment. In this case a redundant system and efficient logistic support need to be maintained; and

(ii)        In case of VOR failures, normally an alternative means may involve the use of overlapping VOR coverage or use of other operational means unless failure is related to the equipment.  In this case a redundant system and efficient logistics support need to be maintained

(4)     A list of no redundant (main equipment only) radio navigation aid facilities need to be prepared and reported to the head of the technical and operational supervisor to take appropriate operational measures in case of their failure

(5)     In localities and along routes where conditions of traffic density and low visibility necessitate a ground based short–distance radio aid to navigation for the efficient exercises of air traffic control, or where such short–distance aid is required for the safe and efficient conduct of aircraft operations, the standard aid shall be the VHF omni directional radio range  (VOR) of the continuous wave phase comparison type conforming to the standards contained in chapter 3.3.3.

(c) Aerodrome control towers and units providing approach control service shall be provided without delay with information on the operational status of radio navigation aids essential for approach, landing and takeoff at the aerodrome(s).

(d) It is permissible to replace  non-visual aid with an alternative non-visual aid on the basis of regional air navigation agreement.

 

171.121 Radar surveillance facilities

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish systems and procedures to:

(1)     Ensure compliance with the international standards and recommended practices of Annex 10 volume IV chapters 2 and 3 for the Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems; and
(2)     Ensure that all systems are provided with monitoring facilities to ensure service continuity.
(3)     The monopulse secondary surveillance radar (MSSR) shall be modified to the application of S-Mode.
(4)     A precision approach radar system conforming to the standards contained in Annex 10 Volume 1 Chapter 3 should be installed and operated as a supplement to a non-visual aid.

(b)   The applicant shall establish a procedure to ensure that:

(1)      All service interruptions to the radar surveillance services are promptly reported and acted upon according to the standard corrective maintenance procedures;

(2)      The standard preventive and periodic maintenance procedures are applied to the radar surveillance services facilities to minimize the probability of service interruption;

(3)      Alternative operational means to radar surveillance services are identified in case of service interruption of the main radar surveillance services facilities according to the ATC ECAR Part 172 and associated procedures;

(4)      All radar services are provided in accordance with procedures published in document 4444 or Document 7030 (as applicable to the Middle East/Asia Region); and

(5)      Full information is made available to air traffic control administration on:

(i)        The nature and extent of the radar services provided; and

(ii)      Any significant limitations regarding such radar service.

 

171.123 Data automation facilities

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(1)     All automation systems that serve the en route, the approach and the tower facilities are maintained according to the maintenance manual of the manufacturer of each system;

(2)     The ATS message service of the ATS (air traffic services) message handling service (ATSMHS) application shall be used to exchange ATS messages between users over the aeronautical telecommunication network (ATN) internet;

(3)     The inter-center communications (ICC) applications set shall be used to exchange ATS messages between air traffic service users over the ATN internet;

(4)     When ATN applications and communication services are implemented, it shall be established according to Annex 10, volume III, Chapter3;

(5)     Accounting management. An ATN systems management facility to monitor users for use of network resources and to limit the use of those resources;

(6)      Terminals staffed either by the technical or the operational supervisors continuously monitor the automation systems functions.  Data monitored by the technical supervisor are normally complemented by the data monitored by the operational supervisor to form a complete data monitoring and control system of the facility;

(7)      Automatic dependent surveillances (ADS) application shall establish it’s procedure according to Annex 10, volume, Chapter3; and

(8)      Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Application shall establish it’s procedure and requirements according to Annex 10, volume II, Chapter8.

(b)   The holder shall establish a procedure to ensure that:

(1)      Inputs and outputs to the central processors of the automation system are properly interfaced with each other;

(2)      All power supplies of the processor are redundant, properly adjusted and tested; and

(3)   Ability to upload and download programs to the central processor in case of modifications in the system.

 

 171.125 Clocks and time recording devices

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure:
(1)     Compliance with ECAR Part 172, regarding the clocks and time recording system of the ATC communications;
(2)      Coordinated universal time devices that express time in hours and minutes of the 24-hour day beginning at 0000 UTC are available and properly maintained;
(3)      Facility is checked as necessary to ensure the correct time within 5 seconds of UTC as determined by reference to a standard time station or GPS time standard.
(b)   Wherever data link communications are utilized, the holder shall establish a procedure to ensure that all clocks and time-recording devices be checked as necessary to ensure correct time to within 1 second of UTC.
(c)   The holder shall establish a procedure to ensure that the correct time, to the nearest half minute, is provided:
(1)     In respect of any aerodrome control service or aerodrome AIS, to IFR aircraft prior to taxiing for take-off; and
(2)     To any aircraft on request.

 

171.127 Record of communication 

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure to ensure:

(1)     Compliance with the international standards and recommended practices of Annex 10, volume II, section 3.5 regarding the recording system of the ATC communications, and
(2)     Compliance with ECAR Part 172, regarding the recording system of the ATC communications.

(b)   The holder shall establish a procedure to ensure:

(1)      The recording systems capacity and quality are according to the international standards, and

(2)      The recording system maintenance and recording tapes handling system is in accordance to the best international practices.

 

171.129 Aeronautical radio frequency spectrum utilization

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure:

(1)      Compliance with the international standards and recommended practices of Annex 10 volume V chapters 2 and 3 for the aeronautical radio frequency spectrum utilization;

(2)      Compliance with frequency allocations of the navigation aids according to Annex 10 volume I and V;

(3)      Compliance with frequency allocations of the aeronautical telecommunications spectrum (VHF and UHF) according to Annex 10 volume V; and

(4)      Compliance with frequency allocations of surveillance radar contained in Annex10 Volume I.

(b) The applicant shall establish a procedure to ensure:

(1)      Frequencies allocated for services outside those in items (a) 1 through 4 above are  coordinated with the Egyptian National Frequency coordination board, and

(2)      Compliance with frequency allocation protection procedures contained in Annex 10 volume V attachments A, B and C and Volume II Part 2 regarding VHF frequencies.

 

171.131 Environmental facilities

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(1)      All power supply systems AT/RN facilities shall have a main feed power and UPS system;

(2)      The power supply switchover time for AT/RN facilities shall comply with the following table:

 

Type of runway

Aids requiring power

Maximum

Switch – over times

( seconds )

Instrument approach

 

 

 

Precision approach, Category I

 

 

 

 

Precision approach, Category II

 

 

 

 

Precision approach, Category III

SRE

VOR

NDB

D/F facility

ILS Localizer

ILS glide path

ILS middle maker

ILS outer maker

PAR

ILS localizer

ILS glide path

ILS inner maker

ILS middle maker

ILS outer maker

(same as Category II)

15

15

15

15

10

10

10

10

10

0

0

1

1

10

(same as Category II)

 

(3)     The power supply voltage stability shall comply with the manufacturer of the  specific equipment specifications;

(4)     All AT/RN facilities equipment rooms environmental condition including room temperature and humidity are within the recommended values by the specific AT/RN equipment manufacturer;

(5)     All AT/RN facilities equipment rooms are shielded and insulated against leakage of air and dust.  All exit doors and windows shall be closed to ensure the environmental conditions meet the requirements of paragraph 171.131; and

(6)      All AT/RN facilities are provided by a diesel powered electrical generators even when the facility is supplied by the commercial electric power.  In the latter case, the diesel powered electrical generator is considered stand-by source of power.

(b) Each holder shall establish a procedure to ensure that:

(1)      All water supply is adequate to provide the water required for fire fighting equipment and other purposes by ensuring proper operation of water pumps; and

(2)      All ventilation systems in the AT/RN facilities are maintained according to the general standards.

(c)   The holder shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(1)      All services interruptions to the environmental facilities are promptly reported and acted upon according to the standard corrective maintenance procedures; 

(2)      The standard preventive and periodic maintenance procedure are applied to the environmental facilities to minimize the probability of service interruption;

(3)      Alternative means to environmental facilities are identified in case of service interruption of the main means of environmental facilities.

(4)      Each holder of environmental facility certificate shall establish systems and procedures to communicate between environmental facilities.

 

171.133 Protection of facilities from radio interference and structural obstacles

(a)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(1)      All radio navigation aids are protected from radio frequency interference in accordance with ICAO Annex 10 volume I recommendations 3.1.4;

(2)      All aeronautical telecommunications facilities are protected from radio frequency interference in accordance to the following procedures:

(i)        Where the protection heights determined are less than that operationally desirable, separation between facilities operating on the same frequency should not be less than that necessary to ensure that an aircraft at the limit of the functional service range and the operationally desirable protection height of one facility does not come above the radio horizon with respect to adjacent facilities.

(ii)      The problem of inter-State interference on frequencies allotted worldwide or on a regional basis to national services, should be resolved by consultation between the administrations concerned.

(iii)     For ground VHF facilities which provide service beyond the radio horizon,   any spurious or harmonic radiation outside the band ±250 kHz from the assigned carrier frequency should not exceed an effective radiated power of 1 mW in any azimuth.

(3)     No radio interfering devices shall be established in the proximity of the AT/RN facilities utilizing radio reception without prior approval from ECAA.

(b)   Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that all radio navigation aids systems, radio telecommunication systems and radar systems that are using transmit or receive antennas shall not be obstructed by buildings towers structures that would impact their performance. The ICAO Annex 17 recommendations on rules for structural obstacle avoidance should be followed.

 

171.135 Safety management system

(a)      Each certificate holder shall establish, implement, maintain and adhere to a safety management system that is appropriate to the size, nature and complexity of all activities authorized to be conducted under the certificate and in accordance with EAC 00-11.

 (b) That system shall as a minimum:

 (1)  Identify safety hazards;

 (2) Ensure that remedial action necessary to maintain an acceptable level of safety is implemented;

 (3)  Provide for continuous monitoring and regular assessment of the safety level achieved; and

 (4) Aim to make continuous improvement to the overall level of safety.

(c)       The results of this system and related audits and corrective actions shall be made available to the ECAA upon request.

 

171.137 Reporting service disruptions

(a)      Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to:

(1)     Advise the ECAA of any planned disruption of equipment that will result in disruption of air traffic services that could have an impact on safety;
(2)     Report to ECAA within 48 hours of the occurrence, the circumstances surrounding any unplanned disruption of equipment resulting disruption of air traffic services when the disruption affected, or could have affected, the safety of air traffic including development of a list of such disruptions of equipment that are reportable.  All other disruptions that are not affecting the continuation of air traffic services are reportable internally only; and
(3)     Investigate any unplanned disruption to the provision of air traffic services and send a report of the investigation to ECAA.

(b)     Disruptions reportable under paragraph (a) shall include, but are not limited to, any:

(1)      Any interruption, of greater than 10 minutes, to the normal provision of an air traffic service;
(2)      Any interference on the air/ground telecommunications channel that may affect the service greater than 10 minutes;
(3)     Failure of any radar coverage to areas that are declared as covered in the Cairo FIR AIP for greater than 10 minutes;
(4)     Failure of any radio navigation aids covered by Cairo FIR AIP for more than 10 minutes;
(5)     Routine maintenance of equipment that will have impact on the service when service brought off air;
(6)     New installations or additions on established services that require the service to be off-air; and
(7)     Any services that affect the air traffic services without having a contingency plan for operation.

 

171.139 Reporting unsafe conditions

(a)      Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a policy encouraging the reporting of unsafe conditions or practices observed by facility personnel;

(b)     Shift personnel shall have a checklist to report at the beginning of each shift the conditions of equipment in the facility where unsafe condition exists. Unsafe conditions reportable under paragraph (a) may include, but are not limited to:

(1)     Radar signal of fixed targets are not present on the screen;

(2)     Unstable performance of navigation aid;

(3)     Simultaneous failure of radar on d voice signals;

(4)     Failure of air conditioning of the facility to operate;

(5)     Failure of the UPS to function when the main power supply is interrupted;

(6)     Persistent power failures without adequate alarms or failure of UPS systems to function in case of power failure;

(7)      Persistent failures of main or standby equipment in the facility;

(8)     Problems with shift administration;

(9)     Failure to comply with aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation Facility instructions;

(10) Significant equipment reading deviations; and

(11) Procedural errors or inconsistencies that may affect the safety of air navigation services.

 

171.141 Operation of facility for conducting temporary tests

(a)      Each holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish a procedure for the operation of the facility for conducting temporary test to:

(1)      Advise ECAA of a plan to conduct the temporary test;

(2)      Include the time frame for conducting the test;

(3)      The plan shall include the type and class of the facility that the test will be conducted;

(4)      The plan shall indicate the purpose of the test, and

(b)     The holder of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall not operate the facility for temporary tests unless the ECAA approval is obtained.