UCAA starts aerial survey and mapping of Entebbe Airport

Emirates plane landed at Entebbe International Airport. Photo by Eve Muganga.

What you need to know:

  • It also helps in setting up ground proximity warning systems, development of instrument flight procedures, determination of maximum take-off weights, determination of contingency procedures for use in the event of an emergency, airport planning as well as land use studies and provision of geodetic control for engineering projects.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has started conducting an aerial photography and mapping survey in an area of 65 kilometres (approximately 13,280 square kilometres) in the vicinity of Entebbe International Airport.

The exercise is which kicked off on Tuesday aims at acquiring electronic terrain and obstacle Data (eTOD) for the airport.

According to the UCAA notice issued on April 7, the three-month exercise, which is to be undertaken by Ramani Geosystems Ltd, of Nairobi, Kenya will cover 14 districts, including islands and water areas.

Four blocks of Uganda’s airspace will be specifically covered in Masaka, Gomba, Butambala, Mpigi, Wakiso, Kiboga, Nakaseke, Luwero, Kampala, Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma, and Kalangala Districts.

Mr Vianney Luggya, the UCAA public relations manager says the on-going suspension of commercial passenger operations, which has subsequently led to reduction in the number of flights at Entebbe International Airport, provides an opportunity to carry out the aerial survey with minimal disruption.

“Three people aboard the survey aircraft will collect terrain and obstacle data for three to five hours daily, according to the aerial survey plan that will be dependent on prevailing weather conditions,” said Mr Luggya on Wednesday.

He urged communities in the targeted districts not to be alarmed when they see a Cessna C208B aircraft hovering over the airspace.

“The aerial survey that is being carried out is a critical regulatory requirement to facilitate Entebbe International Airport operations as well as improve the safety and security of flight movements within the entire airspace of Uganda," he added.

Mr Luggya said the eTOD data which they will be obtained will facilitate the development of the airport and air navigation applications.

These include; setting up eTOD and aerodrome mapping databases necessary for the update of aeronautical charts and aeronautical publications required for airport certification, update of on-board databases of flight management systems, airport ground movement and control systems.

It also helps in setting up ground proximity warning systems, development of instrument flight procedures, determination of maximum take-off weights, determination of contingency procedures for use in the event of an emergency, airport planning as well as land use studies and provision of geodetic control for engineering projects.