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        Air Navigation Directorate

Aviation Regulation Directorate

Support Service Directorate

 

A VHF link system over mount Entoto used for the extended range VHF voice communication and DVOR/DME signal link with Air port at Addis.

 

DVOR/DME Site at GWASSA

 

One of the two ILS localizers serving Addis Ababa Bole international Airport

 

Modern and State of the art digital monitoring system and facilities at the main equipment room at Bole, Serving FIR Addis

 

The New Glide path system and AWOS sensors site at Bole International Air Port.

 

The HF Transmitting station serving FIR Addis

 

A View of the G/P station and Automatic Weather observing System-AWOS Sensors at Bole International.

  

The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority's Air Navigation Services Directorate has gone through difficult and at times turbulent situations to manage to attain its present status of performance in the communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management fields.

 ICAO Eastern and Southern African Regional office today acknowledges the Air Navigation Services of Ethiopia as one of the best in terms of implementing the Regional Air Navigation Plan and so does the International Air Transport Association,IATA, although there are still some minor shortcomings to deal with.

 Presently, more than 97% of the Ethiopian Airspace is covered by means of reliable VHF remote radio communication system, linked to the main center by means of a VSAT network, with the power supply from a commercial electric generation, which is supplemented by solar systems.

In terms of navigation aids, it deserves mention of the reliable ground based NAV facilities that provide service at the existing International and domestic airports in the country. There are four VOR/DMES, a DVOR/DME, 2 Instrument Landing Systems - ILS and a number of NDBs inperfect operational status providing navigation services to the airports and for the enroute phases of flights. The service also flight checks and calibrates NAV AIDS and other landing aids with own specialists and equipment.
The department has taken early advantage of GNSS by implementing same for enroute and terminal navigation. Non-precision RNAV instrument approach procedures based on GPS have been designed, validated and put into service since December 2002. No serious issues in terms of track deviation or satellite outage and RAIM warning have been reported to date.  Exchange of Data Messages are carried out by means of a fully automated system. Addis Ababa is one of the 10 main Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) stations in the ICAO Africa and Indian Ocean Region and as such fulfilling its international obligations.

Air Traffic Management - ATM is one of the key services within the Air Navigation Directorate. The Addis Ababa Area Control Center provides positive air traffic control service to flights operating within and across the Ethiopian airspace and in the upper airspace of the Republic of Djibouti . Although non-radar (procedural) air traffic control, with surveillance based on pilots' reports has been exercised to date, provision of the services is rated as one of the best.  Approach air traffic control service is provided at Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa International Airports . Furthermore, Aerodrome air traffic control service is provided at other four Airports.  There is a short-term plan to extend similar services to additional three domestic airports.

The Air Navigation Service Directorate accomplishes it duties with the support of five specialized process Directorates : 

 1.  Air Traffic Services Directorate. 

The key functions of this Directorate is to manage the airspace over the territory of Ethiopia, which includes:
  • To grant over flight and landing authorization for civilian flights,
  • Facilitate safe economical and unorderly follow of air traffic with in Addis Flight Information Region
  • Administer air traffic services facilities;
  • Over see air traffic control services in Ethiopia;
  • Lead investigation of Air Traffic Services occurrences and take such actions as to avoid future recurrences and establish a safety management system for ATS in Ethiopia. 

2. Communication  Navigation & servilance Directorate 

The function of this Directorate  is to ensure that all communication systems voice or data, VHF and HF radios are working properly.  The task entrusted to this technical field includes. 

  • Maintenance of all ATS Communication Systems. 
  • Installation, testing putting into service of new communication facilities.
  • Preparation of detailed technical specifications for procurement to replace older systems. 
  • To study operational aspects of all Com. Equipment and determine the mean time between failures (MTBF) as well as mean time to repair (MTTR)
  • Ensuring availability of spare parts for all communication equipment to improve availability and efficiency of Com. Services.
  • Conduct routine and preventive maintenance of all NAV AIDS and instrument landing systems (ILS) 
  • Install, test and commission newly acquired NAV systems. Experts in the Division do have rich experience in this regard (e.g. Relocation of the Addis Ababa VOR/DME, installation, test and commissioning of the Mekele and Dire Dawa Airports VOR/DMEs.) 
  • Flight check and calibrate all NAV Aids, PAPI and Approach lights.
  • Prepare project profiles and technical specifications for NAV AIDS and Landing Aids.
  • Inspect and monitor the smooth operation and accuracy of NAV systems.
  • Ensure that availability of these systems has been dramatically improved. 
  • Disseminate/receive aeronautical messages relating to air traffic control service (i.e. FPL, DEP, EST, etc.) 
  • Pass meteorological observations and forecasts to regional area forecast centers. 
  • Prepare AFTN circuit performance reports and submit to the ICAO regional office and other com. Centers. 
  • Maintain message statistics, so as to work out systems capacity and demand analysis. 
  • Fully comply with the standards and recommended practices of ICAO annex. 10 volumes II in this regard. 
  • Disseminate/receive NOTAMs and forward them to the relevant AIS office for processing and preparation of pre-flight information.
  • Diligently work towards full compliance with the ICAO Regional Air Navigation Plan

The following services are available to other countries at reasonable cost..  Calibration/flight checking of NAV AIDS, landing aids and AGL and  Installation, commissioning and testing of NAV AIDS.

3.  Aeronautical Information Services( AIS) Directorate

  • Issuing NOTAMs, Circulars, AIP Supplement Monthly NOTAM summaries and check lists.
  • Publications of Aeronautical Information of a permanent character in the form an AIP and periodic amendment of same.
  • Receiving information from other sources and disseminate them to offices appropriately
  • Preparation of pre-flight information bulletins for pilot briefings.
  • Keeping AIPs of other countries current by processing their amendments duly.
  • Maintain a condusive environment to facilitate the navigation planning of pilots. (Plotting table, wall chart etc.)
  • Receiving flight plans, checking their proper entries and forwarding to Com. Operations and ATS on time.
  • Plan so as to fully automate the service locally and in accordance with the regional requirements

4.  Search and Rescue Services Directorate

  • Responsible for the conduct and coordination of aircraft search and rescue operation within the Ethiopian SAR region.
  • In conjuction with Rescue Coordination Center (RCC), locate the distressed air craft/ship in which its postion is not known
  • Provide first aid, water and food for persons in distress until the operator takes over responsibility of them.

5. Air Space Management Directorate

  • Preparation of STAR, SID and ATS route charts based on the available air navigatin facilities.
  • Design of Instrument Approach, Departure and Arrival Procedures.
  • Assessment of obstacles within the vicinity of an airport within the airspace and give the approprate decisions.
  • Giving the necessary profesional support in the event of selection of a new site for airport/air strip
  • Preparation of air traffic control services procedures based on the ICAO rules and regulations