NCAA warns pilots of unfriendly weather ahead of rainy season

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Airline pilots have been warned by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over unfriendly weather, especially during the rainy season.

This warning, according to the NCAA, is a follow up to the advisory circular with reference number AC: NCAA-AEROMET-31 addressed to all pilots and airline operators and signed by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu.

In a statement issued by the authority on Wednesday, the regulatory body noted that pilots have been cautioned over severe thunderstorms and other hazardous weather which hamper flight operations especially within the rainy season.

The statement said, “This is coming on the advent of the Seasonal Climate Prediction released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency for the year 2021.

“NIMET has predicted early/late March as the commencement of the rainy season in the Southern states, while late April/June 2021 is the commencement of the rainy season in the Central and Northern parts of Nigeria.”

Furthermore, the statement noted that the weather advisory circular was essential in managing the effects of rainy season on safety and efficiency of flight operations.

It further stated that air traffic controllers may temporarily close the airspace when the conditions warrants.

It said pilots were to exercise maximum restraint whenever adverse weather was observed or forecast by NIMET.

Pilots and flight crew members were also to obtain adequate departure, enroute and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodome Meteorological Offices prior to flight operations.

It said, “The Authority enjoins all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period of heavy downpour.”

While concluding, the statement added that strict compliance to the warning was expected from all stakeholders as maximum sanction would be imposed for non-compliance.

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