ENR 1 General Rules and Procedures

ENR 1.1 GENERAL RULES

1 APPLICABILITY OF ICAO ANNEX 2 RULES OF THE AIR AND ANNEX 11 - AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES, AS TRANSPOSED IN QCAR RULES OF THE AIR.

The air traffic rules and procedures applicable to air traffic in the State of Qatar airspace conform with Annex 2 and 11 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation as transposed in QCAR Rules of the air and the Procedures for Air Navigation Services and Air Traffic Management (DOC 4444 - ATM) and the Regional Supplementary Procedures (DOC 7030) applicable to the MID Region, except for the differences listed in GEN 1.7

2 MINIMUM SAFE HEIGHT

Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except by permission from the authority, aircraft shall not be flown over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or over an open-air assembly of persons, unless at such a height as will permit, in the event of an emergency arising, a landing to be made without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. The minimum heights for VFR flights shall be those specified in QCAR Rules of the air, RA.5005(f) and minimum levels for IFR flights shall be those specified in QCAR Rules of the air, RA.5015(b).

3 DROPPING OR SPRAYING

Dropping or spraying from an aircraft in flight shall only be conducted in accordance with:

  1. national legislation for aircraft operations; and
  2. as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air traffic services unit.

4 PARACHUTE DESCENTS

Parachute descents, other than emergency descents, shall only be made in accordance with:

  1. national legislation for aircraft operations; and
  2. as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air traffic services unit.

5 AEROBATIC FLIGHTS

Aerobatic flights shall only be carried out in accordance with:

  1. national legislation for aircraft operations; and
  2. as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air traffic services unit.
  3. see paragraph 10 - Air display and aerial special events.

6 FORMATION FLIGHTS

Aircraft shall not be flown in formation except by pre-arrangement among the pilots-in-command of the aircraft taking part in the flight and, for formation flight in controlled airspace, in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the authority. These conditions shall include the following:

  1. one of the pilots-in-command shall be designated as the flight leader;
  2. the formation operates as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting;
  3. separation between aircraft in the flight shall be the responsibility of the flight leader and the pilots-in-command of the other aircraft in the flight and shall include periods of transition when aircraft are maneuvering to attain their own separation within the formation and during join-up and breakaway;
  4. for State aircraft a maximum lateral, longitudinal and vertical distance between each aircraft and the flight leader in accordance with the Chicago Convention. For other than State aircraft a distance not exceeding 1 KM (0.5 NM) laterally and longitudinally and 30 M (100 FT) vertically from the flight leader shall be maintained by each aircraft; and
  5. no person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight.

7 TOWING AND ADVERTISING FLIGHTS

An aircraft or other object shall only be towed by an aircraft in accordance with:

  1. national legislation for aircraft operations; and
  2. as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air traffic services unit.

8 UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS

An unmanned free balloon shall be operated in such a manner as to minimize hazards to persons, property or other aircraft and in accordance with the conditions specified in Appendix 2 of QCAR Rules of the air.

9 PROHIBITED AREAS AND RESTRICTED AREAS

Aircraft shall not be flown in a prohibited area, or in a restricted area, the particulars of which have been duly published, except in accordance with the conditions of the restrictions or by permission of the authority.

10 Air Display and Aerial Special Events

10.1 General

With reference to Law Number 15 of 2002, Article 30, Paragraph 4, Air Display and Aerial events shall not be conducted with negligence or in difference that would jeopardize the lives or properties of others.

10.2 Minimum safe height

Air displays and Aerial Special Events are prohibited at heights of less than 1 500 FT (450 M) as well as over cities, other densely populated areas, assemblies of persons and airports.

10.3 Authorization
10.3.1 All air displays and aerial special events must obtain permission from the Air Safety Department of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).
10.3.2 Civil air displays and aerial special events must apply for Display Authorisation.
10.3.3 Air displays and aerial special events conducted in the vicinity of an aerodrome without an ATS unit require special permission from the QCAA Air Safety Department in addition to the air traffic control clearance.
10.4 Requirements
10.4.1 Application for Display Authorisation must be made, in writing, four (4) weeks in advance of the air display and aerial special event.
10.4.2 Pilots must have a copy of the Display Authorisation when conducting civil air display and special aerial events.
10.5 Exemption

QCAA may grant exemptions on individual cases.