-KATHMANDU
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAA Nepal) in collaboration with Helicopter Society of Nepal in response to the increasing Helicopter traffic congestion has expanded the existing Heli-Lanes.
Upon the increasing demand for Helicopter traffic day by day, the CAA Nepal has expanded the existing Heli-Lanes. To mitigate the Helicopter congestion problem from TIA, the CAA Nepal has also decided to provide a new frequency for the Helicopter traffic to contact with the ATC Tower.
The Authority had split the existing Bhakatapur and Changu Heli-Lane into two and has opened the suspended Sitapaila Heli-Lane carefully avoiding the restricted area. The Bhaktapur Heli-Lane is divided into two Bhakta Sanga and Bhakta Nala while Changu into Changu Kartike and Changu Nagarkot. The Bhakta Sanga and Changu Nagarkot are expected to be used for inbound Helicopter traffic while the other Bhakta Nala and Changu Kartike for the outbound Helicopter traffic from TIA. The authorities had also made two Holding points for the helicopters on east Mulpani and towards west Chabahil Bridge maintaining 5000 ft.
The Helicopter Society of Nepal on November 19 had already provided a briefing session at TIA ATC Tower for the Helicopter Pilots, Flight Dispatchers and ATCs in the presence of Director General from CAA Nepal and other highly ranked delegates. The authority has planned to examine the efficiency of new Heli-Lanes for a period of a month and after analyzing the reports, the new heli lanes will be laid on AIP.
The new Heli-Lanes will permit the Helicopter traffic to fly below 6500 ft. Within 5 NM from TIA the Helicopter traffic can fly at 5000 ft. maintaining and after crossing 5 NM from TIA within 10 NM Helicopter should maintain 5500 ft. within 25 NM except for North then gradually climb to cross the passes as per the given Heli-Lane altitude.
The new Heli-Lanes will allow helicopter crossing takeoff/ landing path of the runway by remaining 4800 ft. Presently, all the departing helicopters are required to maintain 4600 ft till crossing Take-Off/ landing path then follow respective Heli-Lane altitude.
Currently, there are eight Heli-lanes existing at Kathmandu named with BAGMATI (Bravo & Kilo), BHAKTAPUR, CHANGU, GOKARNA, MAIJU, SITAPAILA, THANKOT and TOKHA (Bravo & Kilo). But CAA Nepal had prohibited SITAPAILA heli-lane establishing restricted area due to Presidential Residence area (Sital Niwas) taking security as the major concern. The rotor wing aircraft following any heli-lane must maintain 4800 Ft altitude. Presently, the number of helicopters in Nepal is 35.
