3.3.1   Responsible Service

NAV Portugal, E.P.E. is the authority responsible for the provision of air traffic services, within the area indicated under 3.3.2, except for those aerodromes specified below.

For the aerodromes; LPCR, LPGR, LPPI and LPSJ the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is SATA Gestão de Aeródromos S.A.

For the ATZ and aerodrome LPBG the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Bragança.

For the ATZ and aerodrome LPCB the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Castelo Branco.

For the ATZ and aerodrome LPCH the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Chaves

For the aerodrome LPCO the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Coimbra.

For the ATZ and aerodrome LPEV the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Évora.

For the aerodrome LPSO the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Ponte de Sor.

For the ATZ and aerodrome LPPM the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Portimão.

For the ATZ and aerodrome LPVR the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Vila Real.

For the aerodrome LPVZ the authority for provision of air traffic services (AFIS only) is Município de Viseu.

The services are provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) Nº 923/2012, of 26 September 2012 (SERA IR Regulation), as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) Nº 2016/1185, of 20 July 2012 (SERA Part C).

3.3.2   Area of Responsibility

Air traffic services are provided for entire territory of Portugal, including its territorial waters as well as the airspace over the high seas within the Lisboa and Santa Maria FIR.

In some cases, in accordance with regional air navigation agreement, air traffic services are provided, under the delegated authority, in the airspace within another bordering FIR. Details of such services are provided in section ENR 2.

3.3.3   Types of services

With the exception of services provided at certain military areas the following types of services are provided:

• Flight Information Services (FIS), Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) and Alerting Service (ALRS),
• Approach Control (APP)
• Area Control (ACC); and
• Radar

With the exception of services provided at military air bases, the following types of services are provided at aerodromes:

• Aerodrome Control (TWR)
• Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS); and
• Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS), at certain aerodromes.

Provision of Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS)

Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) is the term used to describe the provision of information useful for the safe orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic on the vicinity of an aerodrome and on the manoeuvring area, including assisting pilots in the prevention of collisions, where the provision of aerodrome control service is not justified.

However, it shall be noted, that the pilot-in-command is therefore wholly responsible to decide the appropriate course of action to be taken to ensure the safety of flight, as well as to maintain proper spacing in conformity with the rules of the air.

Information to be provided by AFIS Operator:

• the runway-in-use and occupancy;
• traffic information;
• the surface wind direction and speed, including significant variations there from;
• the visibility;
• the QNH altimeter setting or, if so requested by the pilot, the QFE altimeter setting;
• instructions to vehicles and persons on the manoeuvring area;
• information about MET hazards for the safe and efficient conduct of flights;
• information of essential aerodrome status (current runway surface conditions, taxiways, aprons and other facilities and/or installations;
• provision of an alerting service;
• activation and closure of flight plans;
• coordination with adjacent flight information services or ATC units;
• other relevant information.

Provision of flight information service within Lisboa FIR below FL195

A Flight Information Service (FIS) is a non-radar service provided, either separately or in conjunction with other services, for the purposes of supplying information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights.

Under a FIS the following conditions apply:

1. Provision of the service includes information about weather, changes of serviceability of facilities, conditions at aerodromes and any other pertinent information.
2. The controller may attempt to identify the flight for monitoring and coordination purposes only. Such identification does not imply that a radar service is being provided or that the controller will continuously monitor the flight. Pilots must be left in no doubt that they are not receiving a radar service.
3. Controllers are not responsible for separating or sequencing aircraft.

In addition to the above, controllers will, subject to workload, provide pilots with information concerning collision hazards to aircraft operating in Class “ G “ airspace when self evident information from any source indicates that the risk of collision may exist. It is accepted that this information may be incomplete and the controller cannot assume responsibility for its issuance at all times or for its accuracy.

At ACC’s, controllers will provide FIS on request to aircraft both along with and, where necessary, separate to other service provision. This service is provided on ATC sector with its associated frequency.

Warnings of proximity hazards should be issued when, from aircraft reports, they are self evident but decision to make any alteration to the flight remains with the Pilot.

Warnings are issued at the discretion of the controller and take the form of traffic information passed to each involved flight.

3.3.4   Co-ordination between the operator and ATS

Co-ordination between the operator and air traffic services is effected in accordance with 2.17 of ICAO Annex 11, as transposed to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) NR 923/2012, of 26 September. SERA 7005 - Coordination between the aircraft operator and air traffic services. To accomplish with the ICAO Standards, Operators shall contact the entities specified in GEN 3.3.6 ATS units address list, taking into consideration the relationship between the information required and Unit providing service.

3.3.5   Minimum flight altitude

The minimum flight altitudes on the ATS routes, as presented in section ENR 3, have been determined so as to ensure a minimum vertical clearance of 1000 FT (300 M) above the highest obstacle (or 2000 FT / 600 M in mountainous terrain), or permanent military danger or restricted area. The width of ATS routes is in conformity with Annex 11 of ICAO in the VOR ATS routes.

The minimum IFR holding altitudes as listed in the table Holding Areas in ENR 3.6 have been determined so as to ensure at least 1000 FT (300 M) vertical clearance above the highest obstacle (or 2000 FT / 600 M in mountainous terrain) within the holding and buffer areas.

The navigation performance accuracy necessary for operation on air routes within Lisboa FIR is expressed as a RNAV specification. The navigation specification is a containment value expressed as a distance in NM from the intended position within which flights would be for at least 95 per cent of the total flying time. For operation on the Lisboa FIR, aircraft other than State aircraft, operating on the ATS routes above FL 195 shall be equipped with, as a minimum, RNAV equipment meeting RNAV 5 in accordance with the requirements set out in of ICAO DOC 7030 Regional Supplementary Procedures (EUR RAC).