Obstacles

Urgent Notices

 
Notice 2024/2:  Obstacle Assessment Service Providers

Refer to AIC 001-2024, effective 22 April 2024

The purpose of this AIC is to communicate and advise obstacle assessment applicants of the approved service providers under Civil Aviation Regulations Part 178, which will be responsible for the assessments of obstacle applications. 

According to the Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is mandated to regulate all aviation activities to ensure the safe, secure and environmentally compliant efficient conduct of civil aviation activities within the State. The obstacle assessments, currently being conducted by SACAA, are seen as a service provision function, which is not in accordance with the Authority’s mandate.

In compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations Part 178, the CAA has approved a service provider that will be responsible for the assessment of all obstacle applications, and it is in the process of approving more service providers under the same regulations. The current service provider has met all the requirements, as outlined in CAR Part 178, and has been duly approved to perform this function.

Note that from date of publication of this AIC, the SACAA will no longer be accepting any applications for assessment of obstacles, as it will be assuming the oversight role, of reviewing assessments conducted by Part 178 approval holders, in accordance with the applicable regulations. Therefore, all new applications must be lodged with the approved obstacle assessment service providers. The list and contact details of the approved obstacle assessment service providers are listed below:

Obstacle Notice 3/2021:  Compulsory “As Built” Obstacle Application Submissions Required

Applicants and Structure Owners are requested to take note:

  • All conditionally approved obstacles that have been constructed must submit an As-Built application.
  • All obstacle applications lodged before 2019 must resubmit their applications to the approved service provider(s).
  • All “As-Built” submission spreadsheet forms and Final Approved Building Plans are to be submitted to obstacles@caa.co.za with an email subject line titled “As-Built Submission.”
  • The documents required to apply for Final obstacle approval are as follows:
    1. The conditionally approved obstacle approval (preliminary obstacle approval) in PDF format.
    2. Final approved building plans in PDF format.
    3. As-Built Submission Spreadsheet in Excel format (downloaded from the SACAA website).
  • Visit the Forms page for the application form (As-Built Submission Spreadsheet).
Obstacle Notice 4/2020 Amending Obstacle Information

Should applicants wish to amend owner details and contact information, transfer ownership, etc., the SACAA must be informed accordingly through the approved service provider.

Obstacle Application Process

This process applies only to certified aviation obstacle assessments organisations (AOAO)

  • All obstacle application packages must be submitted to the SACAA’s obstacle email address: obstacles@caa.co.za
  • The obstacle application package must include, but is not limited to the following:
  1. CAA obstacle application forms
  2. Google Earth KMZ/KML file
  3. Annex 14 obstacle limitation surfaces assessment report if applicable
  4. PANS/OPS, CNS, ATM assessment report if applicable
  5. Other relevant documents
  • The obstacle applications will be screened and processed.
  • Once payment is received and verified, the oversight process will begin.
  • Upon completion of the oversight, the outcome will be forwarded to the applicant (AOAO).

Guidance Documents

Wind Farm Obstacle Lighting

Guidance regarding obstacle lighting on Wind Turbine Generators under construction
The turbine structure under construction is considered to be a temporary structure due to the building activity i.e. cranes etc. around it. As such an interim lighting system is required to be implemented. Temporary obstruction lighting in the form of a Type B (low intensity) 32 candela red flashing light system, situated at the highest point of the structure in progress would suffice for the construction period. This lighting system is to be provided to each turbine structure. It is recognised the interim lighting system will be flashing randomly, hence the requirement for each turbine structure to be identified.

The temporary obstruction lighting must be brought into play at 25m and continue to be displayed at the highest point, until such time as the required permanent obstruction lighting system is on line. It is understood that the wind farm site will not be connected to the national grid, until such time as it becomes operational, hence the concession of the interim lighting systems. There are solar powered systems available off the shelf, which would be adequate for the purpose.

Developers of Wind Farm Sites are reminded to advise the ATNS timeously (at least 6 weeks in advance), of construction commencing, in order for that information to be circulated into the aviation environment

Forms

NameDescriptionFile
As Built Submission Spreadsheet V1.0Spreadsheet for the bulk submission of obstacle applications. To download, right click and select “save target as”. Please note that you are required to fill out form CA 139-27 for less than five applications.Download 32 kb
CA139-27Application for approval of obstaclesDownload 760 kb
CA 178-01Application for AOA ApprovalDownload 148 kb
Bulk Submission Of Obstacle ApplicationsSpreadsheet for the bulk submission of obstacle applications. To download, right click and select “save target as”. Please note that you are required to fill out form CA 139-27 for less than five applications.Download 32 kb

Note: CA 139-27 is a fillable form!  Please download it to your computer by right clicking on the link and selecting “save link as”.  Kindly use the Adobe Reader programme to open it from your computer.  The latest Adobe Reader may be downloaded by going to https://get.adobe.com/reader/

South African Obstacle File