CIVIL AVIATION RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
Act · Transport
Regulations establish rules for aircraft operations in Nigerian airspace, including Visual Flight Rules and Instrument Flight Rules. They target pilots, aircraft operators, air traffic controllers, and oversight officers. This ensures safe and orderly use of the airspace.
CIVIL AVIATION RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
What Is This Policy?
Regulations establishing the rules all aircraft must observe when flying in Nigerian airspace, including Visual Flight Rules (VFR), Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), right-of-way rules, and ATC phraseology.
Who Does It Target?
All pilots and aircraft operators in Nigerian airspace Air traffic controllers at Nigerian airports and ATC centres NAMA as the air navigation service provider NCAA safety oversight officers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Ensure safe and orderly use of Nigerian airspace by prescribing uniform rules of flight, standard ATC communications, and separation procedures that all airspace users must follow.
Key Features
VFR and IFR Rules: Prescribes conditions under which flights may be conducted under visual or instrument rules. Right of Way: Defines priority rules when aircraft converge to prevent mid-air collisions. ATC Communications: Prescribes standard ICAO phraseology for all pilot-ATC communications. Altimeter Settings: Specifies altimeter setting procedures for different flight levels.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All Nigerian airspace Beneficiaries: Aviation safety; all airspace users Funding: NCAA / NAMA
How to Access
All pilots must be trained on Nigerian Rules of the Air before flying in Nigerian airspace ATC clearances are mandatory in controlled airspace Flight plans must be filed for all IFR and many VFR flights Application method: Compliance is mandatory for all aircraft operations in Nigerian airspace.
Important Terms
Deviating from ATC clearances without authorisation is a serious safety violation In VMC, see-and-avoid responsibility applies to all pilots TCAS resolution advisories override ATC instructions in emergency scenarios
Official Resources
Website: https://www.ncaa.gov.ng Contact: Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) / NAMA
Legal Framework
Issued under the regulatory powers of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) pursuant to the Civil Aviation Act 2006 and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR). Implements ICAO Annex 2 (Rules of the Air) and ICAO Annex 11 (Air Traffic Services) under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. Administered by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) under the NAMA Act.