GEN 3.5 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES

1. RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY

The meteorological services for civil aviation are provided by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Postal Address :

Directorate General of Meteorology (DGMet)

Civil Aviation Authority

P. O. Box 1, POSTAL CODE 111

MUSCAT, Sultanate of Oman

TEL : (968) 24 354660

Telefax:(968) 24 348501

AFS : OOMSYMYX

Email : met_dir@met.gov.om

Website :www.met.gov.om

2. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Area meteorological watch is provided for the Muscat FIR.

3. TYPES OF SERVICE PROVIDED

Briefing and consultation for flight crew members is provided at Muscat International aerodrome and normally given by telephone. Personal briefing and consultation is available.

Flight documentation is provided on request for domestic flights. For international flights the flight documentation comprises a significant weather chart, an upper wind/air temperature chart and the latest available aerodrome forecast for the destination and, if required, for its alternate aerodromes.

In addition flight documentation is now available on our web site. Airline operators can access and download their flight documentation at any time they desire. However, Airline Operators will have to contact the Department of Meteorology to get their Username and Password respectively.


4. NOTIFICATION REQUIRED FROM OPERATORS

Notification from operators in respect of requirements for flight documentation is as follows:

a) International flights in excess of 1.000 NM - 2 hours prior to ETD;

b) International flights up to 1.000 NM - 1 1/2 hours prior to ETD;

c) Domestic flights - 1 hour prior to ETD.

5. OBSERVING SYSTEM AND OPERATING PROCEDURES

Surface wind is measured by Ultrasonic Wind Sensor normally located at a lateral distance of 150 M from the runway centreline.

Wind indicators are located in meteorological stations and in the appropriate ATS units (where established).

Visibility is normally estimated.

RVR is reported in steps of 25 M below 400 M. 50 M between 400 M to 800 M. Thereafter in steps of 100 M upto 1500 M.

Cloud heights are normally estimated. A ceilometer located at the ILS MM is utilized at Muscat and Salalah aerodromes.

Upper air analysis of atmospheric parameters at Muscat / Salalah aerodromes is achieved by Radiosonde stations located at Muscat and Salalah aerodromes.

Satellite images and meteorological data are received through Meteorological satellite ground receiving stations and sFTP Distribution System (SADIS) at Muscat International and Salalah aerodromes.

GTS, AFTN and Internet allows exchange of data between countries on an hourly basis.

Remotely sited sensors located as close as possible to the main runway are used to measure air temperature.

6. DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING SYSTEMS

A SADIS Workstation is used to intercept World Area Forecast System Products as well as OPMET data which is broadcast by UK Met Office.

A High Resolution Meso-Scale Regional Numerical Model has been operational since 1999. We run two domains of the Model. One is a 7 KM mesh resolution and the other one is a 2.8 KM mesh resolution. The forecast generated from the Model is up to 120 hours ahead. Beside we also run a Module Output Statistic in parallel to the output generated by the Models. The forecast generated by the Model gives a very useful guidance and early warning on occurrence of weather over Oman and Adjoining Countries as well over the surrounding Seas.

7. AIRCRAFT REPORTS REQUIRED FROM OPERATORS

Pursuant to Annex 3, 5.3.1, the making and transmission of AIREP is required at the following ATS reporting point: LOTAV.

The ATS/MET reporting points in respect of routes crossing the FIR are indicated in ENR 3.

8. APPLICABLE ICAO DOCUMENTS

The SARPS and SUPPS contained in the following documents are applied with the exceptions (Differences) noted hereunder:


Annex 3
Meteorological Service for International
Air Navigation
Doc 7030
Regional Supplementary Procedures,
Part 3

9. CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA

Climatological tables and summaries are available on request for most of the aeronautical stations.

10. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AND REPORTS

Name of station/ Location Indicator Type & frequency of observation, autom. equip. Types of MET reports Suppl. Info. incl. Observation System & Site(s) Hours of operation Climatological INFO AVBL
1 2 3 4 5 6
MUSCAT / Muscat International OOMS
Special obs, Hourly, AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION
METAR, SPECI Suppl.: NIL
Wind sensors (speed/direction) adjacent to runways 08L/26R, 08R/26L touchdown zones.
Visibility and cloud base estimated. Wind speed/direction, air temp, humidity, pressure, visibility, ground temp, sun detector, global radiation inst. 1min av.; 10 min avg, rain gauge.
H24
AVBL
SALALAH / Salalah OOSA
Special obs, Hourly, AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION
METAR, SPECI Suppl.: NIL
Wind sensors (speed/direction) adjacent to runway 07/25 touchdown zones. Ceilometer.
Wind speed/direction, air temp, humidity, pressure, visibility, ground temp, sun detector, global radiation inst. 1min av.; 10 min avg, rain gauge.
H24
AVBL
KHASAB / Khasab OOKB
Hourly, Semi-automatic
METAR, SPECI Suppl.: NIL
Wind sensors (speed/direction), air temp, pressure, humidity, global radiation, sun detector, rain gauge.
H24
AVBL

11. VOLMET

11.1 VOLMET broadcasts are prefixed by the designator VOLMET and may contain:

a) METARs, SPECI and Trend Type Forecasts (TTF) and

b) advice regarding the availability of SIGMET.

11.2 Individual VOLMET broadcasts will not exceed 15 minutes duration.

11.3 Cloud types excepting cumulonimbus, will not be included in VOLMET broadcasts.

11.4 Reference to the need to amend the current aerodrome forecasts is not included in VOLMET broadcasts of trend type forecasts.

Specific information regarding VOLMET broadcasts is detailed in the following table.


Name of Station Call Sign Frequency MHz Broadcast period Hours of Service Aerodrome included Contents and Remarks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
MUSCAT
MUSCAT VOLMET
127.400 MHz
H24
H24
Muscat and Salalah International, UAE aerodromes, Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah
METAR

12. SADIS CHARGES

12.1 All Domestic and International flights Landing and Taking off from Oman Airports will be subject to a minimal SADIS charge of USD 8 only.

12.2 IATA ATC EF Service based in GENEVA will be collecting the SADIS charges in addition to the Air Navigation charges in one bill on behalf of CAA at the following address:

Postal Address: International Air Transport
Association
Route de l“Aeroport 33
P. O. Box 416
1215 Geneva Airport
Switzerland
Telephone: (41) 22 770 2525
Email: info.ch@iata.org