Subpart A

General

172.1 Applicability

This Part prescribes rules governing:

(a)    The certification and operation of organizations providing an air traffic service in the Egyptian flight information region;
(b)    The operating and technical standards for the provision of air traffic services operated by those organizations; and

(c)    The regulation shall be amended when deemed necessary.

 

172.3 Definitions and abbreviations

(a) Definitions

Accepting unit: Air traffic control unit next to takes control of an aircraft.

Accuracy: A degree of conformance between the estimated or measured value and the true value.

Note: For measured positional data the accuracy is normally expressed in terms of a distance from a stated position within which there is a defined confidence of the true position falling.

Aerodrome traffic: All traffic on the maneuvering area of an aerodrome and all aircraft flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome.

Note: An aircraft is in the vicinity of an aerodrome when it is in, entering or leaving an aerodrome traffic circuit.

Air-ground communication. Two-way communication between aircraft and stations or locations on the surface of the earth.

Air traffic control unit. A generic term meaning variously, area control center, and approach control unit or aerodrome control tower.

Air traffic flow management (ATFM). A service established with the objective of contributing to a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic by ensuring that ATC capacity is utilized to the maximum extent possible and that the traffic volume is compatible with the capacities declared by the appropriate ATS authority.

ALERFA. The code word used to designate an alert phase.

Applicant: A responsible manager acting on behalf of a company, capable of providing ATS under this ECAR, for the purposes of obtaining a certificate for a designated ATC unit.

Area navigation route. An ATS route established for the use of aircraft capable of employing area navigation.

Area of responsibility: The airspace, and in the case of an aerodrome, the maneuvering area, within which a particular operating position is responsible for the provision of an air traffic service.

ATS Letter of Agreement: A document formalizing matters of operational significance between ATS units.

ATS messages: Emergency messages, movement and control messages, and AIS messages as described in Part IX of Document 4444.

Base turn. A turn executed by the aircraft during the initial approach between the end of the outbound track and the beginning of the intermediate or final approach track. The tracks are not reciprocal.

Note. — Base turns may be designated as being made either in level flight or while descending, according to the circumstances of each individual procedure.

Changeover point. The point at which an aircraft navigating on an ATS route segment defined by reference to very high frequency Omni-directional radio ranges is expected to transfer its primary navigational reference from the facility behind the aircraft to the next facility ahead of the aircraft.

Note: Change-over points are established to provide the optimum balance in respect of signal strength and quality between facilities at all levels to be used and to ensure a common source of azimuth guidance for all aircraft operating along the same portion of a route segment.

Clearance limit. The point to which an aircraft is granted air traffic control clearance.

Conference communications. Communication facilities whereby direct speech conversation may be conducted between three or more locations simultaneously.

Data link-automatic terminal information service (D-ATIS).

The provision of ATIS via data link.

Declared capacity. A measure of the ability of the ATC system or any of its subsystems or operating positions to provide service to aircraft during normal activities. It is expressed as the number of aircraft entering a specified portion of airspace in a given period of time, taking due account of weather, ATC unit configuration, staff and equipment available, and any other factors that may affect the workload of the controller responsible for the airspace.

DETRESFA. The code word used to designate a distress phase.

Downstream clearance. A clearance issued to an aircraft by an air traffic control unit that is not the current controlling authority of that aircraft.

Essential traffic: Any controlled or non-controlled traffic that is not separated by the prescribed minima in relation, and which may constitute a hazard to other controlled flights where separation is required.

Filed flight plan: The flight plan as filed with an ATS unit by the pilot or a designated representative, without any subsequent changes.

Flight information center. A unit established to provide flight information service and alerting service.

Flow control: Measures designed to adjust the flow of traffic into a given airspace, along a given route, or bound for a given aerodrome, to ensure the most effective utilization of the airspace.

Fly-by way points. A way point which requires turn anticipation to allow tangential interception of the next segment of a route or procedure, or Fly over way point. A waypoint at which a turn is initiated in order to join the next segment of a route or procedure.

INCERFA. The code word used to designate an uncertainty phase.

Printed communications. Communications, which automatically provide a permanent, printed record at each terminal of a circuit of all messages, which pass over such circuit.

Rated air traffic controller: An air traffic controller holding a current license, and a rating, or ratings, validated for the particular location, issued by ECAA.

Reporting point. A specified geographical location in relation to which the position of an aircraft can be reported.

SARTIME: The time nominated by the pilot, for the initiation of alerting action if a report has not been received by that time.

SIGMET information. Information issued by a meteorological watch office concerning the occurrence or expected occurrence of specified en-route weather phenomena, which may affect the safety of aircraft operations.

Strayed aircraft: An aircraft that has deviated significantly from its intended track or reports that it is lost.

Taxiing. Movement of an aircraft on the surface of an aerodrome under its own power, excluding take-off and landing.

Terminal control area. A control area normally established at the confluence of ATS routes in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes.

Track. The projection on the earth’s surface of the path of an aircraft, the direction of which path at any point is usually expressed in degrees from North (true, magnetic or grid).

Traffic avoidance advice. Advice provided by an air traffic services unit specifying maneuvers to assist a pilot to avoid a collision.

Traffic information. Information issued by an air traffic services unit to alert a pilot to other known or observed air traffic, which may be in proximity to the position or intended route of flight, and to help the pilot avoid a collision.

Transfer of control point. A defined point located along the flight path of an aircraft, at which the responsibility for providing air traffic control service to the aircraft is transferred from one control unit or control position to the next.

Transferring unit. Air traffic control unit in the process of transferring the responsibility for providing air traffic control service to an aircraft to the next air traffic control unit along the route of flight.

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(b) Abbreviations

VFR. The symbol used to designate the visual flight rules.

VFR flight. A flight conducted in accordance with the visual flight rules.

Visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling, equal to or better than specified minima.

VMC. The symbol used to designate visual meteorological conditions.

Voice-automatic terminal information service (Voice-ATIS).

The provision of ATIS by means of continuous and repetitive voice broadcasts

Way point. A specified geographical location used to define an area navigation route or the flight path of an aircraft employing area navigation. Way points are identified as either:

ACC: Area Control Center

ACAS: Airborne collision avoidance system.

AGATSC: Applicant for the Grant of ATS Certificate

AIC: Aeronautical Information Circular

AIP: Aeronautical Information Publication

AIS: Aeronautical Information Service

ATC: Air Traffic Control

ATCL: Air Traffic Controller License

ATS: Air Traffic Services.

CPDLC: Controller- pilot data link communications.

DOD: Department Of Defense

ECAA: Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority

ECAR: Egyptian Civil Aviation Regulations

FIC: Flight Information Center

FIR: Flight Information Region

IFR: Instrument Flight Rules

QNH: An altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground

RCC: Rescue Coordination Center

SOC: Statement of Compliance

SSR: Secondary Surveillance Radar

STO: Standard and Training Officer

TCAS: Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System

UTC: Coordinated Universal Time

VFR: Visual Flight Rules

 

172.5 ICAO references

Annex 2

Annex 11

Document 4444

Document 7030

Document 9432

 

172.7 Requirement for certificate

(a)    No ATS activity shall commence without a ministerial authorization is granted; and

(b)   A national registered organization shall provide an air traffic service for the Egyptian FIR including landing areas except under the authority of, and in accordance with the provisions of, an air traffic services certificate issued under this Part.

 

172.9 Application for certificate                               

 Each applicant for the grant of an air traffic service certificate shall complete and submit appropriate application form to the ECAA with:

(a)    The exposition required by 172.33; and

(b)   A payment of the appropriate application official fees associated with the documents required.. 

 

172.11 Issuance of certificate

An applicant is entitled to an air traffic service certificate if the ECAA is satisfied that: satisfied that:

(a)    The applicant meets the requirements of this Part;

(b)   The applicant, and the applicant’s senior person or persons required by                    172.49 (a)1,2 are fit and properly qualified persons; and

(c)    The granting of the certificates not contrary to the interests of aviation safety.

 

172.13 Privileges of certificate

The certificate holder is authorized to provide aeronautical information services under the terms of authorization granted.

 

172.15 Duration of certificate

(a)    An air traffic service certificate may be granted or renewed for a period of up to 4‑years.

(b)   An air traffic service certificate remains in force until it expires or is withdrawn, suspended, or revoked.

(c)    The holder of an air traffic service certificate that expires‑or is revoked shall promptly surrender the certificate to the ECAA.

(d)   The holder of an air traffic service certificate that is suspended shall promptly produce the certificate to the ECAA for appropriate endorsement.

 

172.17 Renewal of certificate

(a)    An application for the renewal of an air traffic service certificate shall be made using the appropriate application form.

(b)   The application shall be submitted to the ECAA 60‑days before the certificate expires.

(c)    The certificate holder shall comply with any additional conditions specified by the ECAA to renew the certificate.

 

172.19 Change in level of service

(a)   Each holder of an air traffic service certificate who intends to reduce or increase the hours of operation of an ATS shall provide to the ECAA at least 90‑days in advance a notice stating the reason for the proposed increasing or reducing.,

(b)   A new schedule of the proposed hours of services for the next 12‑months of operation; and

(c)   A prior written approval from the ECAA must be received before the certificate holder starts his new schedule.

 

172.21 Withdrawal of service

(a)   Each holder of an ATS certificate who wishes to permanently withdraw an ATS shall give the ECAA at least 90‑days notice of the proposal and included in that notice a summary of factors considered in arriving at this decision; and

(b)   This outgoing provider of an ATS certificate shall not hinder the preparations and execution of transitional arrangements.

 

172.23 Enforcement issues

(a)   Penalties

(1)     ECAA may impose a penalty (according to the  Civil Aaviation Law N.28 item No. 157), or reduce some privileges to the certificate holder if:

(i)        It finds that the certificate holder does not comply with the requirements of this Part and such holder failed to remedy such non‑compliance within 60‑days after receiving notice in writing from ECAA to do so;

(ii)      Such action is necessary in the interest of safety;

(iii)     Its inspector is prevented by the provider from carrying out a safety inspection when his report recommends such action; and

(iv)    The certificate holder failed to provide the service in the required standard level, which is confirmed to ECAA by receiving reports from the users of the service and proved by a legal investigation.

(2)     When proposing a penalty, ECAA will state the reasons for such action and will furnish them to the certificate holder.

(b)   Suspension of certificate this is a subsequent procedure to impose a penalty:

(1)      ECAA may suspend for a defined period, an ATS unit certificate issued under this Part if:

(i)        Subject to item 172.23 Paragraph 1 (a), ECAA is satisfied that the certificate holder still unable to remedy any of these non‑compliant areas with the specified time frame of 60‑days;

(ii)      The investigation, in case of an accident, proves that it was caused due to the faulty procedures and/or the malfunction or failure of ATC equipment or system;

(iii)     The certificate holder failed to perform the action plan stated in the certificate in the exact period of time if so stated; and

(iv)    Such actions still necessary in the interest of aviation safety.

(2)     When proposing a suspension, the ECAA will state the reasons for such action and furnish them to the certificate holder;

(3)     The certificate holder may appeal against such notice within 30‑days or receipt;

(4)     The appellant shall furnish to ECAA any documents, records, or other pertinent information supporting the appeal; and

(5)     ECAA may confirm, modify or set aside the proposed suspension based on the appeal.

(b) Revocation of certificate this is a subsequent procedure to suspension.

(1)     ECAA may permanently revoke an ATS unit certificates issue under this Part if:

(i)        It is verified that the certificate holder will not be able termed non‑compliant areas; or

(ii)      The certificate holder stops providing the service concerned without a convincing argument.

(2)     ECAA has decided for the interest of safety to terminate services provided at this aerodrome;

(3)     The Ministerial Order issued for the certificate holder is revoked; and

(4)     The revoked certificate cannot be renewed, it has to be reissued not less than one year after the revocation date.

(c) Provisional approval

(1)      ECAA may, if it is considered in the interest of safety, grant an existing certificate holder a provisional approval to act as a substitute air traffic service provider in respect to a certificate that has been withdrawn suspended or revoked.

(2)      The substituting provider shall follow the specified conditions and responsibilities stated in the certificate.

 

172.25 Trial operational testing

(a)    The ECAA may, upon application in writing form the holder of an air traffic service certificate, approve subject to such conditions on that certificate as the ECAA considers necessary in the interests of aviation safety, the conduct of trials regarding­:

(1)     Separation minima;

(2)     Standard phraseology; and

(3)     Radar procedures.

(b)   A trial may be approved by the ECAA for a single period of no longer than 3‑months, and upon further application in writing by the certificate holder, be extended by the ECAA for a single period of no longer than 3­ months; and

(c)    The ECAA may terminate a trial approved under this Part at any time.

 

172.27 Transfer of service

Each applicant for the grant of an air traffic service certificate intending to assume responsibility for providing any air traffic service from an existing certificate holder, shall include with the application, full details of transitional arrangements endorsed by the air traffic managers of both organizations.

 

172.29 Display of certificate

Each air traffic service unit certificate holder shall display the certificate in a prominent place. Generally, accessible to the public at the holder's principal place of business, if a copy of the approval is not displayed, then they shall produce the original approval to an ECAA inspector if so requested by such inspector.

 

172.31 Continued compliance

Each holder of an air traffic service certificate shall:

(a)   Hold at least one complete and current copy of its exposition at each ATS unit listed in its exposition, except those manuals relating solely to a particular location, need only be held at principal locations, and the unit concerned;

(b)   Comply with all procedures and standards detailed in its exposition;

(c)   Make each applicable part of its exposition available to personnel who require those parts to carry out their duties;

(d)   Continue to meet the standards and comply with the requirements prescribed for certification under this Part; and

(e)   Promptly notify the ECAA of any change of address for service, telephone number, e-mail or facsimile number.