ENR 1.3  Instrument flight rules

1.3.1  RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL IFR FLIGHTS

1.3.1.1  Aircraft equipment

Aircraft shall be equipped with suitable instruments and with navigation equipment appropriate to the route to be flown.

1.3.1.2  Minimum levels

Except when necessary for take - off or landing except when specifically authorized by the appropriate authority, an IFR flight shall be flown at a level which is not below the minimum flight altitude established by the State whose territory is overflown or, where no such minimum flight altitude has been established:

  1. over high terrain or in mountainous areas, at a level which is at least 2000 FT (600 M) above the highest obstacle located within 8 KM of the estimated position of the aircraft;

  2. elsewhere than as specified in a), at a level which is at least 1000 FT (300 M) above the highest obstacles located within 8 KM of the estimated position of the aircraft.

Note: The estimated position of the aircraft will take account of the navigational accuracy which can be achieved on the relevant route segment, having regard to the navigational facilities available on the ground and in the aircraft.

1.3.1.3  Change from IFR flight to VFR flight
1.3.1.3.1 An aircraft electing to change the conduct of its flight from compliance with the instrument flight rules to compliance with the visual flight rules shall, if a flight plan was submitted, notify the appropriate air traffic services unit specifically that the IFR flight is cancelled and communicate thereto the changes to be made to its current flight plan.
1.3.1.3.2 When an aircraft operating under the instrument flight rules is flown in or encounters visual meteorological conditions it shall not cancel its IFR flight unless it is anticipated, and intended, that the flight will be continued for a reasonable period of time in uninterrupted visual meteorological conditions.
1.3.1.4  Orbits on final
1.3.1.4.1 Orbits on final shall not be approved for IFR aircraft at Bahrain intl airport (OBBI)

1.3.2  RULES APPLICABLE TO IFR FLIGHTS WITHIN CONTROLLED AIRSPACE

1.3.2.1 IFR flights shall comply with the provisions of 3.6 of Annex 2 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation when operated in controlled airspace.
1.3.2.2 An IFR flight operating in cruising flight in controlled airspace shall be flown at a cruising level or, if authorized to employ cruise climb techniques, between two levels or above a level, selected from:
  1. the tables of cruising levels in Appendix 3 of Annex 2 or,

  2. a modified table of cruising levels, when so prescribed in accordance with Appendix 3 of Annex 2 for flights above FL 410.

Except that the correlation of levels to track prescribed therein shall not apply whenever otherwise indicated in air traffic control clearance or specified by the appropriate ATS authority in the Aeronautical Information Publication.

For cruising levels within the BAHRAIN FIR / BAHRAIN UIR see ENR 1.3.3.1.

1.3.2.3  Five minutes longitudinal separation

In accordance with ICAO DOC 4444 PARA 5.4.2.2.1.1 C. Within the AMMAN FIR, BAHRAIN FIR / BAHRAIN UIR, DAMASCUS FIR, JEDDAH FIR and NICOSIA FIR / NICOSIA UIR, a minimum of five minutes longitudinal separation will be applied when the leading aircraft is maintaining a TAS of 20 KTs or more faster than the following aircraft.

The application of this separation minimum may require ATC to impose speed restrictions on aircraft. When subject to speed restrictions, pilots must notify ATC immediately if at any time they are unable to comply with the restrictions.

Pilots should note that speed restrictions applied in one FIR will continue to apply in succeeding FIRs unless specifically cancelled by ATC.

1.3.3   RULES APPLICABLE TO IFR FLIGHTS OUTSIDE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE

1.3.3.1  Cruising levels

An IFR flight operating in level cruising flight outside if controlled airspace shall be flown at a cruising level appropriate to its track as specified in:

  1. the tables of cruising levels in Appendix 3 of Annex 2, except when otherwise specified by the appropriate ATS authority for flight at or below 3000 FT (900 M) above mean sea level; or

  2. a modified table of cruising levels, when so prescribed in accordance with Appendix 3 of Annex 2 for flight above FL 410. (Not used at the present in the BAHRAIN UIR)

Note: This provision does not preclude the use of cruise climb techniques by aircraft in supersonic flight.

1.3.3.2  Communications

An IFR flight operating outside controlled airspace but within or into areas, or along routes, designated by the appropriate ATS authority in accordance with 3.3.1.2 c) or d) of Annex 2 shall maintain a listening watch on the appropriate radio frequency and established two - way communication, as necessary, with the air traffic services unit providing flight information services.

1.3.3.3  Position reports

An IFR flight operating outside controlled airspace and required by the appropriate ATS authority to:

  1. submit a flight plan,

  2. maintain a listening watch on the appropriate radio frequency and establish two - way communication, as necessary, with the air traffic services unit providing flight information service, shall report position as specified in 3.6.3 of Annex 2 for controlled flights.

Note: Aircraft electing to use the air traffic advisory service whilst operating IFR within specified advisory airspace are expected to comply with the provisions of 3.6 of Annex 2, except that the flight plan and changes thereto are not subjected to clearance and that two - way communication will be maintained with the unit providing the air traffic advisory service. There is no Advisory Airspace currently designated within the BAHRAIN FIR / BAHRAIN UIR.

1.3.4  OPERATIONS ON ATS ROUTES IN THE BAHRAIN FIR / BAHRAIN UIR WHERE AN RNAV TYPE IS SPECIFIED

1.3.4.1  APPLICATION OF RNAV 1 AND RNAV 5 TO ATS ROUTES IN THE BAHRAIN UIR
1.3.4.1.1 Requirements for RNAV capability and aircraft navigation accuracy meeting RNAV 1 and RNAV 5 will be progressively introduced in BAHRAIN UIR.
1.3.4.1.2 RNAV 1 and RNAV 5 requirements may be specified on a route by route basis or by designation of airspace..
1.3.4.1.3 Within BAHRAIN UIR only RNAV equipped aircraft having a navigation accuracy meeting RNAV 1 and RNAV 5 may plan for operations under IFR on those ATS routes, and within those levels bands, which have been specified as requiring RNAV 1 and RNAV 5 in ENR 1.3.4.2.
1.3.4.1.4 Aircraft operating under IFR on designated RNAV 1 and RNAV 5 routes shall be equipped with, as a minimum, RNAV equipment meeting the following requirements:
  1. A system use accuracy equal to, or better than, (2.5 NM) for one standard deviation, with a 95 % containment value of plus or minus 5 NM, thereby meeting the accuracy requirements for RNAV 5; and

  2. A system use accuracy equal to, or better than, (0.5 NM) for one standard deviation, with a 95 % containment value of plus or minus 1 NM, thereby meeting the accuracy requirements for RNAV 1; and

  3. An average continuity of service of 99.99 % of flight time.

1.3.4.2  AREA OF APPLICABILITY

Area Navigation "RNAV" will be implemented within BAHRAIN FIR / BAHRAIN UIR within designated airspace on area basis as follows:

  1. All Lower Routes of Bahrain within TMAs are RNAV 1 with requirements.

  2. RNAV 5 will be implemented from TMA levels to FL 145. At Upper Routes RNAV 1 will be implemented from FL 150 to FL 460 within TMAs.

1.3.4.3  MEANS OF COMPLIANCE

Conformance to the navigation requirement shall be verified by the State of Registry or the State of Operator as appropriate.

Note: Guidance material concerning navigation accuracy requirements is contained in the Manual on Required Navigation performance (RNP) Doc 9613, Chapter 5.

1.3.4.4  FLIGHTS PLANNING

Operators of aircraft fitted with RNAV having a navigation accuracy meeting RNAV 5 shall insert the designator "R" in item 10 of the flight plan.

1.3.4.5  PROCEDURES FOR OPERATION IN RNAV 5 ROUTES
1.3.4.5.1 Correct operation of the aircraft RNAV system shall be verified before joining and during operation on an RNAV 5 route. This shall include confirmation that:
  1. The routing is in accordance with the clearance; and

  2. The aircraft navigation accuracy meets RNAV 5.

1.3.4.5.2 If, as a result of failure of the RNAV system or its degradation to below RNAV 5, an aircraft is unable to enter an ATS route designated as RNAV 5 or to continue operations in accordance with current air traffic control clearance, a revised clearance shall, wherever possible, be obtained by the pilot.
1.3.4.5.3 Subsequent air traffic control action in respect of that aircraft will be dependent upon the nature of the reported failure and the overall traffic situation. Continued operation in accordance with the current ATC clearance may be possible in many situations. When this cannot be achieved, a revised clearance may be required to revert to VOR / DME.
1.3.4.6  ATC PROCEDURES FOR AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCING FAILURE OR DEGRADATION OF THE RNAV SYSTEM
1.3.4.6.1 If, as a result of failure or degradation of the RNAV system, detected either before or after departure, the aircraft cannot meet the requirements of ENR 1.3.4.1.4, the following ATC procedures are applicable.
1.3.4.6.1.1 Coordination messages (PANS ATM / 501 Chapter 11, 11.4.2.3)
  1. Computer - assisted coordination of estimate messages. In the case of automated messages not containing the information provided in item 18 of the flight plan, the sending air traffic control unit shall inform the receiving air traffic control unit by supplementing the ATC message verbally with the phrase "RNAV OUT OF SERVICE" after the call sign of the aircraft concerned.

  2. Verbal coordination of estimate messages. When a verbal coordination process is being used, the sending air traffic control unit shall include the phrase "RNAV OUT OF SERVICE" at the end of the message.

1.3.4.6.1.2 Pilot phraseology (PANS ATM / 501 Chapter 12)

The phrase "UNABLE RNAV DUE EQUIPMENT" shall be included by the pilot immediately following the aircraft call sign whenever initial contact on an air traffic control frequency is established.

1.3.4.6.1.2.1 All military formation flights are considered NON-RVSM within Bahrain UIR, Regardless of the RVSM status of individual Aircraft in the formation. These Aircraft’s shall not be permitted in RVSM Airspace except in exceptional circumstances. These exceptions may be accommodated, subject to prior approval, on a workload or traffic-permitting basis.

1.3.4.7  ATC PROCEDURES FOR STATE AIRCRAFT NOT EQUIPPED WITH RNAV EQUIPMENT MEETING RNAV 5 REQUIREMENTS
1.3.4.7.1 Instructions for the completion of the flight plan (PANS ATM / 501 Appendix 2, A 2 - 3)
1.3.4.7.1.1 Operators of state aircraft not equipped with RNAV equipment meeting RNAV 5 shall not insert "S" or "R" in item 10 of the flight plan.
1.3.4.7.1.2 Since such flight require special handling by air traffic control, "STS / NORNAV" shall be inserted in item 18 of the flight plan.
1.3.4.7.2 Air traffic control clearances (PANS ATM / 501 Chapter 4, 4.5.7)
1.3.4.7.2.1 Within TMAs, state aircraft not equipped with RNAV approved for RNAV 5 should be routed via non - RNAV SIDs and STARs.
1.3.4.7.2.2 Such aircraft operating en - route should be routed via VOR / DME - defined ATS routes.
1.3.4.7.2.3 When the above procedures cannot be applied, the air traffic control unit shall provide the aircraft with radar vectors until the aircraft is capable of resuming its own navigation.
1.3.4.7.3 Coordination messages (PANS ATM / 501 Chapter 11,11.4.2.3)
  1. Computer - assisted coordination of estimate messages. In case of automated messages not containing the information provided in item 18 of the flight plan, the sending air traffic control unit shall inform the receiving air traffic control unit by supplementing the ATC message verbally with the phrase "NEGATIVE RNAV" after the call sign of the aircraft concerned.

  2. Verbal coordination of estimate messages. When a verbal coordination process is being used, the sending air traffic control unit shall include the phrase "NEGATIVE RNAV" at the end of the message.

1.3.4.7.4 Pilot phraseology (PANS ATM / 501 Chapter 12)

The phrase "NEGATIVE RNAV" shall be included by the pilot immediately following the aircraft call sign whenever initial contact on an air traffic control frequencies established.

1.3.4.8  EQUIPMENT, REQUIREMENT AND CERTIFICATION

RNAV 5 defines RNAV operations which satisfy a required track keeping accuracy of plus or minus 5 NM for at least 95 % of the flight time in accordance with the requirements set out in ICAO Document 7030 - Regional Supplementary Procedures for the Middle East region, as amended, and ICAO Document 9613 - Manual on RNP.

RNAV equipped aircraft operating on designated RNAV 5 routes in designated RNAV 5 routes airspace must be certified for RNAV 5 operations by the State of Operator or the State of Registry of the aircraft. Conformance to the navigation requirement shall be verified by the State of Registry or the State of Operator, as appropriate.

Foreign air carriers operating within BAHRAIN UIR shall ensure their operations specifications are updated to reflect RNAV 5 approvals.

The address for information regarding RNAV 5 certification is:

Post:

Aviation Safety Section
Air Transport Directorate
Civil Aviation Affairs
P.O. Box 586
Kingdom of Bahrain

Tel:+973 17321006

Fax:+973 17321061

SITA:BAHAPYF

1.3.4.9   Formation Flights
1.3.4.9.1   General Rule for Formation Flights

In general, a formation flight shall operate as a single aircraft in regard to navigation and position reporting and clearances issued by ATC.Sufficient safety distance between the aircraft comprising a formation flight shall be the responsibility of the formation leader and the individual pilots-in-command at all phases of the flight, which includes take-off and landing, join-up, break-up and all parts of the Enroute flight.Upon each initial report on a new radio frequency, the formation leader shall indicate to ATC that the flight is a formation, including standard or non- standard formation type and the number of aircraft the formation flight consists of. (E.g. Callsign/ Standard Formation Flight of 4).

1.3.4.9.2   Standard Military Formation

In a standard military formation, each aircraft/element of this formation shall remain within 1 NM horizontally and 100 ft. vertically from the formation leader.Only the lead aircraft (formation leader) shall squawk as directed by ATC.

1.3.4.9.3   Non-standard Formation

Aircraft/elements of a formation flight that are outside the horizontal and/or vertical limits as described in 1.3.4.9.2 are considered a non-standard formation.Only the lead aircraft (formation leader) shall squawk unless otherwise directed by ATC.

Non-standard Formation flights represent an unusual aerial activity. It is an ATC decision to approve or disapprove a non-standard formation and to determine special conditions for the conduct of a non-standard formation flight.