Corporación Peruana de Aeropuertos y Aviación Comercial S.A.
Área de Información Aeronáutica
Apartado / PO BOX 680 LIMA 100 - PERÚ
Teléfono / (511) 2301409 / 2301412
Dirección telegráfica / AFTN: SPJCYGYJ
e-mail: aisperu@corpac.gob.pe
 
  AIC
A 06/2024
05 FEB 2024
 
 
FIR LIMA (SPIM)

06/24 GUIDELINES FOR COORDINATION BETWEEN METEOROLOGICAL RADIOSONDE STATIONS AND AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES IN LIMA FIR AIRSPACE

The content of this Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) becomes effective from the date of its publication.
 

Definiciones y abreviaturas / Definitons and abbreviations   

 
Término / Term Abreviaturas /
Abbreviations 		Definición / Definition
Circular de Información Aeronáutica /
Aeronautical Information Circular 		AIC Aviso que contiene información que no requiere la iniciación de un NOTAM ni la inclusión en la AIP, pero que está relacionada con la seguridad del vuelo, la navegación aérea, o asuntos de carácter técnico, administrativo o legislativo. /
A notice containing information that does not qualify for the origination of a NOTAM or for inclusion in the AIP, but which relates to flight safety, air navigation, technical, administrative or legislative matters.
Aviso al personal aeronáutico / Notice to Airmen NOTAM Aviso distribuido por medios de telecomunicaciones que contiene información relativa al establecimiento, condición o modificación de cualquier instalación aeronáutica, servicio, procedimiento o peligro, cuyo conocimiento oportuno es esencial para el personal encargado de las operaciones de vuelo. /
A notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
Publicación de Información Aeronáutica /
Aeronautical Information Publication 		AIP Publicación expedida por cualquier Estado, o con su autorización, que contiene información aeronáutica, de carácter duradero, indispensable para la navegación aérea. /
A publication issued by or with the authority of a State and containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation.
Región de Información de Vuelo /
Flight Information Region 		FIR Espacio aéreo de dimensiones definidas, dentro del cual se facilitan los servicios de información de vuelo y alerta. /
An airspace of defined dimensions within which flight information service and alerting service are provided.
Servicios de Tránsito Aéreo /
Air Traffic Service 		ATS Expresión genérica que se aplica, según el caso, a los servicios de información de vuelo, alerta, asesoramiento de tránsito aéreo, control de tránsito aéreo (servicios de control de área, control de aproximación o control de aeródromo). /
A generic term meaning variously, flight information service, alerting service, air traffic advisory service, air traffic control service (area control service, approach control service or aerodrome control service).
Organización Meteorológica Mundial /
World Meteorological Organization 		OMM
WMO 		Organismo especializado de las Naciones Unidas para la meteorología (el tiempo y el clima), la hidrología operativa y las ciencias geofísicas conexas, integrado por 193 Estados y Territorios Miembros. /
Specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences, composed of 193 Member States and Territories.
Tiempo Universal Coordinado / 
Coordinated Universal Time 		UTC Principal estándar de tiempo por el cual el mundo regula los relojes y el tiempo. /
Primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time.

1 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this AIC is to guide stakeholders in the execution of meteorological radiosonde operations in the Lima FIR , ensuring operational safety.

2 APPLICATION

This AIC applies to SENAMHI servers and other organizations conducting radiosonde launches for meteorological purposes, as well as to aeronautical meteorology and air traffic services specialists of CORPAC involved in radiosonde launches and aircraft traffic in Lima FIR operations.

3 SCOPE

Lima FIR Airspace

Lateral Limits:
03°24’00"S - 090°00’00"W, point on the Peru-Ecuador border coast, Peru-Ecuador border, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile, point on the Peru-Chile border coast, 18°21’00"S - 090°00’00"W, to 03°24’00"S - 090°00’00"W.

Vertical Limits:
From ground level to unlimited airspace.

4 INTRODUCTION

The Peruvian State establishes the “Ley del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (National Meteorological Service  of Peru) – SENAMHI” Law No. 24031, designating to this institution as a specialized public body to plan, organize, coordinate, regulate, direct, and supervise meteorological, hydrological, and related activities through scientific research, studies, projects, and services within its competence.

Based on its legislation, SENAMHI conducts meteorological radiosonde procedures from various stations across the country to obtain data on the vertical structure of the atmosphere, providing essential tools for meteorological forecasts used in various sectors and activities of Peruvian society.

The Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (General Directorate for Civil Aviation) – DGAC, exercising its authority as the Civil Aviation Authority established in the Civil Aviation Law, Law No. 27261, has delegated to the Corporación Peruana de Aeropuertos y Aviación Comercial S.A. (Peruvian  Corporation of Commercial Airports and Aviation) –  CORPAC S.A, the administration and operation of air navigation services, includifng air traffic services such as air traffic control, flight information, alerting service, search and rescue service, as well as support services such as aeronautical meteorology, aeronautical communications, information and aeronautical cartography, navigation aids, and civil air surveillance systems.

Meteorological radiosonde is a globally standardized procedure by the WMO. The radiosonde in an instrument intended to be carried by a balloon, equipped with devices to measure one or several meteorological variables (pressure, temperature, humidity, etc.), and provided with a radio transmitter for sending this information to the observing station during its ascent through the atmosphere. (Source: Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods – WMO No. 8)

This AIC establishes general guidelines to ensure proper coordination between organizations conducting meteorological radiosonde procedures and air traffic services operated by CORPAC S.A., aiming to prevent adverse effects on in-flight aircraft that may pose operational safety risks.

5 GENERAL GUIDELINES

  1. The characteristics of the radiosonde used, regarding size, weight, and density, should prioritize air traffic safety in the launch area and during its trajectory. The radiosonde should not cause significant damage if absorbed by an aircraft engine or in the event of a collision.
     
  2. Before establishing a new launch station, the involved parties must agree on procedures to avoid collisions with aircraft.
     
  3. Air traffic service units within the influence area should maintain an official record of radiosonde launch stations, launch timetable, and its location, to consider them in operational planning or tactical decision-making.
     
  4. Air traffic services must ensure voice recording of communications established with radiosonde launch stations.

6 PROCEDURES FOR RADIOSONDE LAUNCH

  1. Before commencing daily launch operations, balloon flight clearance must be requested on terms agreed with the local air traffic service unit of the airport located within the radiosonde operations area.
     
  2. The WMO recommends radiosonde launches at 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 UTC, with priority given to 0000 and 1200 UTC for a single daily radiosonde, with a preference for the 1200 UTC time.
     
  3. Continuous monitoring of the balloon's trajectory, recording horizontal and vertical deviations from the launch point, and timely transmission of this information to air traffic services when required is essential
     
  4. Prompt notification to air traffic services when the balloon's trajectory concludes or no longer poses a risk to air traffic is recommended. Additionally, timely notification to the air traffic service unit of any variations in established procedures is advised.

7 INITIAL CONTACT

General Directorate for Civil Aviation
Jr. Zorritos 1203 CP. 15082 - Peru
Email:
dgacnavegacion@mtc.gob.pe; hrosado@mtc.gob.pe

8 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCE

  • RAP 315 “Aeronautical Information Service”, New edition, amendment 2.
  • RAP 311 “Air Traffic Service“, Third edition.
  • WMO N° 8 “Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation”, Volume I – Measurement of Meteorological Variables, 2021 edition.