ENR 1.12  Interception of civil aircraft

1  General

1.1 Interception of civil aircraft in Federal Republic of Somalia is governed by national regulation on aircraft operation and rules of the air (SOMCARS part 8: Aircraft Operations and Part 12: Rules of the Air) in compliance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Chapter 3, 3.8 of the Annex 2 and Attachment A of that Annex.
1.2 In order to reduce the possibility of interception, aircraft can assist the process of identification by:
  1. Maintaining listening watch on the appropriate ATC frequency and on 121.5 MHz
  2. In the case of transponder equipped aircraft complying with the transponder operating procedures specified in ICAO Doc 8168 - OPS Vol 1, Part III, Chapter 1, Section 3. “Secondary surveillance radar (SSR) transponder operating procedures”
  3. In the absence of any ATC instructions, operate the transponder on Mode A Code 2000
1.3 In the case where an intercepted civil aircraft is required to land in the territory overflown, the aerodrome designated for the landing is to be suitable for the safe landing of the aircraft type concerned.

2  Principles Observed by the Federal Republic of Somalia¬

2.1 Interception of civil aircraft will be undertaken only as a last resort.
2.2 If undertaken, an interception will be limited to determining the identity of the aircraft, unless it is necessary to return the aircraft to its planned track, direct it beyond the boundaries of national airspace, guide it away from a prohibited, restricted, or danger area, or instruct it to effect a landing at a designated aerodrome.
2.3 Practice interception of civil aircraft will not be undertaken.
2.4 Navigational guidance and related information will be given to an intercepted aircraft by radiotelephony, whenever radio contact can be established.

3  Action by Intercept Aircraft

3.1 The Pilot in Command of an aircraft, when intercepted, shall:
  1. Immediately follow the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft, interpreting and responding to visual signals in accordance with the specifications in tables 1 and 2;
  2. Notify, if possible, the appropriate air traffic services unit.
  3. Attempt to establish radio communication with the intercepting aircraft or with the appropriate intercept control unit, by making a general call on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, giving the identity of the intercepted aircraft and the nature of the flight; if no contact has been established and if practicable, repeat this call on the emergency frequency 243 MHz.
  4. If equipped with SSR transponder, select Mode A, Code 7700, unless otherwise instructed by the appropriate air traffic services unit.
  5. If equipped with ADS-B or ADS-C, select the appropriate emergency functionality, if available, unless otherwise instructed by the appropriate ATS unit.
3.2 If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by visual signals, the PIC of the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while continuing to comply with the visual instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.
3.3 If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by radio, the PIC of the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while continuing to comply with the radio instructions given by the intercepting aircraft. Upon observing or receiving any of the signals given in table below, aircraft shall take such action as may be required by the interpretation of the signal given in that tables 1-2.

Note:see tables 1 Signals initiated by intercepting aircraft and responses by intercepted aircraft and table 2 Signals initiated by intercepted aircraft and responses by intercepting aircraft.

3.4  Table 1: Signals initiated by intercepting aircraft and responses by intercepted aircraft
SeriesINTERCEPTING Aircraft SignalsMeaningINTERCEPTED Aircraft RespondsMeaning
1

DAY or NIGHT Rocking aircraft and flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals (and landing lights in the case of a helicopter) from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft (or to the right if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter) and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left, (or to the right in the case of a helicopter) on the desired heading.

Note 1. Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the intercepting aircraft to reverse the positions and direction of turn given above in Series1.

Note 2. If the intercepted aircraft is not able to keep pace with the intercepting aircraft, the latter is expected to fly a series of racetrack patterns and to rock the aircraft each time it passes the intercepted aircraft.

You have been intercepted. Follow me.

DAY or NIGHT Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following.

Note. Additional action required to be taken by intercepted aircraft is prescribed in Annex 2, Chapter 3, 3.8.

Understood, will comply.

2 DAY or NIGHT An abrupt breakaway manoeuvre from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft.You may proceed.DAY or NIGHT Rocking the aircraft.Understood, will comply.
3DAY or NIGHT Lowering landing gear (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and overflying runway in use or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopter landing area. In the case of helicopters, the intercepting helicopter makes a landing approach, coming to hover near to the landing area. Land at this aerodrome.DAY or NIGHT Lowering landing gear, (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and following the intercepting aircraft and, if, after overflying the runway in use or helicopter landing area, landing is considered safe, proceeding to land.Understood, will comply.
3.5  Table 2: Signals initiated by intercepted aircraft and responses by intercepting aircraft
SeriesINTERCEPTING Aircraft SignalsMeaningINTERCEPTED Aircraft RespondsMeaning
4

DAY or NIGHT Raising landing gear (if fitted) and flashing landing lights while passing over runway in use or helicopter landing area at a height exceeding 300 m (1000 ft) but not exceeding 600 m (2000 ft) (in the case of a helicopter, at a height exceeding 50m (170 ft) but not exceeding 100 m (330 ft)) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle runway in use or helicopter landing area. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available.

Aerodrome you have designated is inadequate.

DAY or NIGHT If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the intercepting aircraft to an alternate aerodrome, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear (if fitted) and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.

If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.

Understood, follow me.

5

DAY or NIGHT Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights.

Cannot comply.DAY or NIGHT Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.Understood.
6DAY or NIGHT Irregular flashing of all available lights. In distress.DAY or NIGHT Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.Understood.

4  RADIO COMMUNICATION DURING INTERCEPTION

If radio contact is established during interception but communication in a common language is not possible, attempts shall be made to convey instructions, acknowledgement of instructions and essential information by using the phrases and pronunciations in the following table, transmitting each phrase twice:

Phrases for use by INTERCEPTING AircraftPhrases for use by INTERCEPTED Aircraft
PhrasePronunciation1MeaningPhrasePronunciation 1Meaning
CALL SIGNKOL SA-INWhat is your call sign? CALL SIGN (call sign)2 KOL SA-IN (call sign) My call Sign is (call sign)
FOLLOWFOL-LOFollow me WILCO VILL-KO Understood Will comply
DESCENDDEE-SENDDescend for landing CAN NOT KANN NOTT Unable to comply
YOU LANDYOU LAANDLand at this aerodrome REPEAT REE-PEET Repeat your instruction
PROCEEDPRO-SEEDYou may proceed AM LOST AM LOSST Position unknown
MAYDAY MAYDAYI am in distress
HIJACK3 HI-JACKI have been hijacked
LAND (place name) LAAND (place name) I request to land at (place name)
DESCEND DEE-SEND I require descent