Maldives

Maldives at a Glance

The Republic of Maldives is a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean about 417 mi (671 km) southwest of Sri Lanka. Its 1190 coral islets stretch over an area of 35200 sq mi (90000 sq km) separated into a series of coral atolls, is just north of the Equator in the Indian Ocean. Only 200 of the islands are inhabited. Total land area is 116 sq mi (300 sq km). Capital Island is Male.

The airport first started out as a small strip of land on the then inhabited island of Hulhulé. Hulhulé Airport was opened on 19 October 1960. The first commercial flight was an Air Ceylon flight (4R-ACJ) landed on original 3000 feet runway was at 15:50hrs on 10 April 1962. The first aircraft owned by the Maldives landed on the runway of the Hulhulé Airport on 9 October 1974. The location of Maldives is a very decisive factor in long range flight planning (ETOPS).

Maldives has deep blue seas, turquoise reefs, white sandy beaches and palm trees. It is also a place full of character, where its people have long spent their days languishing in the very essence of idyll living. While it is the perfect place to sit on a beach and watch a sunset with a cocktail balanced on your hand, it is also a geographical marvel, knowing that there are thousands of fish swimming around the vivid corals just a few feet away from where you sit.

Many of these tropical atolls and islands are simply gorgeous, with swaying palms, white sandy beaches and deep-blue lagoons; none of the islands rise higher than 7.8 ft. above sea level. These low lying specs of coral are subject to erosion, and stand at the mercy of any sea level rise. Some were severely damaged during the December 2004 Tsunami. With global warming and the shrinking of the polar ice caps, the Maldives is directly threatened.

Time: GMT+5hrs (daylight saving or summer time is not applicable)

Steps

VRMM - Local Traffic Regulations

1

Scope of Change

1) The newly constructed runway is fully operational and the old runway serves as a full-length Parallel Taxiway, designated TWY C.
2) The runway and Parallel Taxiway C are connected by entry and exit intersection taxiways D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7.
3) The taxiways D1 and D2, at the end of RWY36, are not connected to the parallel taxiway [old runway] and serves as a turning loop for Heavy aircraft.

(Old Runway Charts)

Parking Procedures
1) Aircraft stands are available as per apron chart. ATC is to issue parking instructions, e.g. "Enter apron via TWY B7 and taxi to stand 9."
2) Pilot is to follow apron chart lead-in line until parking stand is in sight and then confirm the parking to ATC.

2

Taxiing to apron

ARRIVAL RWY 18
1) Heavy and Medium (Jet) aircraft should vacate the RWY via TWY D6 or D7. ATC will issue specific taxi instructions to its assigned ACFT stand.
2) Medium (turboprop) aircraft should vacate the RWY via D5. ATC will issue specific taxi instructions to its assigned ACFT stand.
3) Aircraft vacating the RWY-in-use should not stop on the exit TWY until the entire aircraft has passed the RWY holding point.
4) Due to the close proximity of the terminal and other associated building with the manoeuvring area, all aircraft are to avoid making tight turns and using excessive power for taxing to and from the main apron.

ARRIVAL RWY 36
1) Heavy and Medium (Jet) aircraft should vacate RWY via TWY D3. ATC will issue specific taxi instructions to its assigned aircraft stand.
2) If unable to vacate via TWY D3, continue the roll, vacate via TWY D1 and hold at TWY D2 RWY holding position.
3) For heavy aircraft ATC will issue specific taxi route intructions to its assigned ACFT stand.
4) Medium (turboprop) and Light aircraft should vacate the RWY by the shortest suitable route (preferably TWY D4). ATC will issue specific taxi instructions to its assigned aircraft stand.

3

Runway Operations

1) Heavy aircraft are prohibited to make 180 degree turns on RWY 18/36.
2) TWYs D1 and D2 serve as a turning loop for Heavy aircraft.

4

Procedures to ensure efficient use of runway

On push-back, aircraft may start engine on idle power.

As far as possible, cockpit and cabin checks should be completed prior to lineup.

Pilots should ensure that they are able to commence the take-off run immediately after take-off clearance is issued. Pilots not able to comply with this requirement must notify ATC prior to the commencement of taxiing.

Upon lining up on the runway, when a take-off clearance is issued, aircraft shall commence take-off without delay.

For category A, B and C aircraft, ATC will propose taxiway intersection take-offs with the available TORA provided. The decision to accept or refuse such intersection take-off rests with the pilot in command.

Aircraft taxiing on the runway should maintain a preferred speed of 25 KT or more, except while turning.

5

Noise Abatement Procedure

All departures from RWY 36, shall continue on RWY heading until 3NM from MLE VOR/DME.

Due to noise sensitive area around the final approach of RWY 36, jet or heavy aircraft making visual approach RWY 36 shall extend downwind leg and join final beyond 7NM and shall not descend below the circuit altitude until established on the final.

VRMM Flight Procedures :

1

Procedures for IFR flights within Male TMA:

The inbound, transit and outbound routes shown on the charts may be varied at the discretion of ATC. If necessary, in case of congestion, inbound aircraft may be instructed to hold at one of the designated airways reporting points.

2

Procedures for VFR flights within Male TMA:

Before conducting any VFR / seaplane flight, the following details must be submitted to ATC with the flight plan.

1. Type of aircraft with callsign
2. Destination or area of operation (Ex: 25 dme, Radial 040 MLE VOR)
3. Desired altitude
4. Estimated duration of flight
5. Purpose of flight
5. Total endurance

3

VFR general information:

a] All flights (eg: photography, training, aerial survey flights etc.) may be flown at an altitude or flight level at or below FL195, with ATC approval.

b] All flights inside or outside of controlled airspace are required to maintain continuous listening watch on the controller's frequency.

c] Standard VFR / seaplane departure (Refer Fig: 1) and arrival (Refer Fig: 2) routes are to be followed, unless instructed by ATC.

d] VFR flights in level cruising flight within TMA below 6000 feet shall be conducted at an altitude specified below:

Magnetic Heading 000°- 179° > 1500ft, 3500ft, 5500ft
Magnetic Heading 180°- 359° > 500ft, 2500ft. 4500ft

Seaplane Operations in Male TMA :

1

Introduction

A large seaplane base is located at the eastern side waterfront of VRMM. (Refer below Fig. 1) The adjoining lagoon is frequently used by seaplanes for takeoff and landing. These are supplementary procedures applicable to seaplanes landing and taking off at VRMM Airport and other designated landing spots inside the TMA. Pilot in command shall adhere to all Visual Flight Rules and procedures given below.

2

Water Aerodrome at Velana International Airport

a] Three deep channels in the lagoon represent takeoff/ landing areas.(Refer below diagrams.)

i. North-Left/South-Right (NL/SR)
ii. North-Right/South-Left (NR/SL)
iii. East/West (E/W)

b] Access to the seaplane maneuvering area is subject to ATC clearance.
Note: seaplane maneouvering area comprises take-off/landing areas and adjoining channels designated for seaplane taxiing and holding.

3

Runway in-use

a] Seaplane takeoff and landing direction should as far as practicable coincide with the VRMM runway in-use.

b] Water runway North-Left shall NOT be approved for arrivals.

c] Water runway South-Right shall NOT be approved for departures.

4

Taxi and Takeoff

a] Prior to taxi pilot shall contact Male controller and submit the flight plan information, and obtain the ATC clearance.

b] After takeoff aircraft to remain well clear of the Approach / Takeoff path of VRMM runway 18/36.

Flyantics
Student Pilot: "Approach, Cessna 123, request two practice ILS approaches, followed by the published missed to the MLE VOR to hold, then a VOR approach, followed by two NDB approaches, and finally an ASR approach."
VRMM Approach: "Cessna 123 squawk 4753, and would you like fries with that, sir?
***
A heavy 747 come in for a very hot landing and thus had an exceedingly long roll out after touching down.
Colombo Tower noted: "Cargo 101, make a hard right turn at the end of the runway 22, if you are able. If you are not able, take the Katunayaka exit off Highway to Negambo, make a U turn at the lights and return to the airport."

vACC
Maldives

VRMF - Controller Files

SRM SECTOR FILE

POF FILE

ALIAS FILE

CRIB SHEET: Old Runway | New Runway

Steps

VRMM - Local Traffic Regulations