GEN 3.5 Meteorological services

1 Responsible service

The designated meteorological authority is Civil Aviation Agency.

Post:

Georgian Civil Aviation Agency
Beginning of I Kheivani Street
0114 Tbilisi
Georgia

Tel: +995 32 294 80 27

AFS: UGGUYMYX

Email: met@gcaa.ge

The meteorological services for civil aviation are provided by SAKAERONAVIGATSIA Ltd.

Post:

SAKAERONAVIGATSIA Ltd
Meteorological Service
TBILISI/Tbilisi Airport
0198 Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel: +995 32 274 43 10

Tel: +995 577 11 44 43

Fax: +995 32 274 43 10

AFS: UGTBYMYX

Email: metoffice.tbilisi@airnav.ge

 The service is provided in accordance with the provisions contained in the following ICAO documents:
  • Annex 3 — Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation.
  • Doc 7030 — Regional Supplementary Procedures, EUR Region, Part 3 – Meteorology.

2 Area of responsibility

Area meteorological observation is provided for TBILISI FIR.

3 Meteorological observations and reports

Table GEN 3.5.3 Meteorological observations and reports
Name of station/ Location indicatorType & frequency of observation / automatic observing equipmentTypes of MET reports & Supplementary Information includedObservation System & Site(s)Hours of operationClimatological information
123456
BATUMI
UGSB		Half hourly routine
Special obs/
Vaisala		METAR, SPECIAL,
TREND, TAF		*1H24AVBL**
KUTAISI/ Kopitnari
UGKO		Half hourly routine
Special obs/
Telvent		METAR, SPECIAL,
TREND, TAF		*1H24AVBL**
TBILISI/ Tbilisi
UGTB		Half hourly routine
Special obs/
Vaisala		METAR, SPECIAL,
TREND, TAF,
GAMET,
SIGMET, AIRMET		*1H24AVBL**
MESTIA
UGMS		Half hourly routine
Special obs/
Telvent		METAR*1From HR05:00 - until HR13:00AVBL**
AMBROLAURI
UGAM		Half hourly routine
Special obs/
Telvent		METAR*1From HR05:00 - until HR13:00AVBL**

** Climatological Summary of Georgian Airports is available on the official website of Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd www.airnav.ge on MET-Office page, under Climatological Characteristics tab.

* 1 The main meteorological elements:

At BATUMI aerodrome:
  • Cloud Base SensorPressure – RWYat 12, near the landingRWY markers13;
  • Wind Sensor – RWYat 12the TDZRWY area13, at the middle, and at the RWY 31;
  • Visibility Sensor and RVR – RWYat 12the TDZRWY area13 and at the middle of the RWY;
  • Pressure SensorCeiling – RWY 12 TDZ area at the RWY 13 near the landing markers;
  • Temperature/HumidityDew SensorPoint – RWY 12 TDZ area;at the beginning of the RWY13;
  • ThunderstormLightning Sensordetector – RWYnear 12the TDZ area;RWY13.
  • Rain Gage – RWY 12 TDZ area;
  • Wind Sensor – RWY 12/30 Middle area;
  • Visibility/Present Weather Sensor – RWY 12/30 Middle area;
  • Wind Sensor – RWY 30 TDZ area.

Meteorological observations at the aerodrome and on the RWY are transmitted via AFTN during 24 hours.

At KUTAISI/Kopitnari aerodrome:
  • Cloud Base SensorPressure – RWYat 07the TDZ areameteo-garden at the middle of the RWY;
  • Wind Sensor – RWYat 07the TDZRWY area07, at the middle, and at the RWY 25;
  • Visibility Sensor – RWY 07 TDZ area and RVR – at the RWY 07, at the middle, and at the RWY 25;
  • WindCeiling - at Sensor – RWYthe 07/25RWY Middle area07 and at the RWY 25;
  • VisibilityTemperature/Dew Sensor – RWYPoint - at 07/25the Middlemeteo-garden areaat the middle of the RWY;
  • PressureLightning Sensordetector – RWYat 07/25the Middlemeteo-garden area;at the middle of the RWY.
  • Present Weather Sensor – RWY 07/25 Middle area;
  • Temperature/Humidity Sensor – RWY 07/25 Middle area;
  • Thunderstorm Sensor – RWY 07/25 Middle area;
  • Rain Gage – RWY 07/25 Middle area;
  • Wind Sensor – RWY 25 TDZ area;
  • Visibility Sensor – RWY 25 TDZ area;
  • Cloud Base Sensor – RWY 25 TDZ area.

Meteorological observations at the aerodrome and on the RWY are transmitted via AFTN during 24 hours.

At TBILISI/Tbilisi aerodrome:
  • Cloud Base SensorPressure – RWY 13R, at Middlethe Markermeteo-garden near the RWY 13R31L;
  • Wind Sensor – RWYat 13Rthe TDZ areaRWY 31L, at the middle and at the RWY 13R;
  • Visibility Sensor and RVR – RWYat the RWY 31L, at the middle, and at the RWY 13R (measured TDZnear areathe RWY not far from 90 M);
  • Wind Sensor – RWY 13R/31L Middle areaCeiling - at the RWY 31L and at the RWY 13R near the landing markers;
  • VisibilityTemperature/Dew Sensor – RWYPoint - at 13R/31Lthe Middle area;at the meteo-garden near the RWY 31L;
  • Present Weather Sensor – RWY 13R/31L Middle area;
  • WindLightning Sensordetector – RWYat 31Lthe TDZmeteo-garden area;near the RWY 31L.
  • Visibility Sensor – RWY 31L TDZ area;
  • Pressure Sensor – RWY 31L TDZ area;
  • Temperature/Humidity Sensor – RWY 31L TDZ area;
  • Thunderstorm Sensor – RWY 31L TDZ area;
  • Rain Gage – RWY 31L TDZ area;
  • Cloud Base Sensor – RWY 31L, at Middle Marker 31L.

Meteorological observations at the aerodrome and on the RWY are transmitted via AFTN during 24 hours.

At MESTIA aerodrome:
  • Wind SensorPressure – RWYat Middlethe areaRWY 02;
  • Pressure SensorWind – RWYat Middlethe areaRWY 02;
  • Temperature/Humidity SensorVisibility – RWYonly Middlevisual areaobservation;
  • Ceiling – only visual observation;
  • RainTemperature/Dew Gage – RWYPoint - at Middlethe area;RWY 02.
  • Visibility – visual observation only;
  • Cloud Base – visual observation only.

Meteorological observation at the aerodrome and on the RWY are transmitted via AFTN during 24 hours. Full METAR is available in daytime (from HR05:00 - until HR13:00), at night will be transmitted AUTOMETAR without the VISIBILITY, CLOUDS and WEATHER PHENOMENA groups.

At AMBROLAURI aerodrome:
  • Wind SensorPressure – RWYat Middlethe areamiddle of the RWY;
  • Pressure SensorWind – RWYat Middlethe areamiddle of the RWY;
  • Temperature/HumidityWind Sensorcone – RWYat Middlethe areaRWY 11 and at the RWY 29;
  • Visibility – only visual observation;
  • Rain GageCeiling – RWYonly Middlevisual areaobservation;
  • Visibility – visualTemperature/Dew observationPoint - at only;the middle of the RWY.
  • Cloud Base – visual observation only.

Meteorological observation at the aerodrome and on the RWY are transmitted via AFTN during 24 hours. Full METAR is available in daytime (from HR05:00 - until HR13:00), at night will be transmitted AUTOMETAR without the VISIBILITY, CLOUDS and WEATHER PHENOMENA groups.

4 Types of services

Meteorological Service of SAKAERONAVIGATSIA Ltd provides the following types of service:

  • Briefing;
  • Consultations for aircraft crews;
  • Flight meteorological documentation for different kinds of flights (completed according to the user’s request);
  • Landing/take-off meteorological service.

Details of meteorological briefing at the aerodromes are given in the individual aerodrome subsection AD 2.

SAKAERONAVIGATSIA Ltd provides meteorological service at the TBILISI/Tbilisi, KUTAISI/Kopitnari, BATUMI, MESTIA and AMBROLAURI aerodromes.

Meteorological OfficeTelephoneE-mail
123
TBILISI(+995 32) 274 43 10sinoptik.tbilisi@airnav.ge
KUTAISI(+995 32) 274 43 37
(+995 32) 274 44 77 (303)		meteo.kopitnari@airnav.ge
BATUMI(+995 577) 11 44 92meteo.batumi@airnav.ge
MESTIA(+995 32) 274 43 29
(+995 32) 274 44 77 (173)		meteo.mestia@airnav.ge
AMBROLAURI(+995 32) 274 43 08
(+995 32) 274 44 77 (701)		meteo.ambrolauri@airnav.ge

Meteorological Office at TBILISI/Tbilisi aerodrome provides consultations for crews in English. Flight meteorological documentation is provided for international and domestic flights. The documentation comprises Significant Weather Chart, Upper Wind and Upper Air Temperature Chart, latest available aerodrome forecasts for the destination and for the alternate aerodromes, latest current weather for the destination and for the alternate aerodromes, and such additional meteorological information as SIGMET and AIRMET. All WAFS products, VAACs and TCACs are available from SADIS receiving system and available from secured meteorological web-site https://www.aviationweather.gov/.

Meteorological Office at KUTAISI/Kopitnari aerodrome provides consultations for crews in Russian. Flight meteorological documentation is provided for international and domestic flights. The documentation comprises Significant Weather Chart, Upper Wind and Upper Air Temperature Chart, latest available aerodrome forecasts for the destination and for the alternate aerodromes, latest current weather for the destination and for the alternate aerodromes, and such additional meteorological information as SIGMET and AIRMET. All WAFS products, VAACs and TCACs are available from SADIS receiving system and available from secured meteorological web-site https://www.aviationweather.gov/.

Meteorological Office at BATUMI aerodrome provides consultations for crews in English. Flight meteorological documentation is provided for international and domestic flights. The documentation comprises Significant Weather Chart, Upper Wind and Upper Air Temperature Chart, latest available aerodrome forecasts for the destination and for the alternate aerodromes, latest current weather for the destination and for the alternate aerodromes, and such additional meteorological information as SIGMET and AIRMET. All WAFS products, VAACs and TCACs are available from SADIS receiving system and available from secured meteorological web-site https://www.aviationweather.gov/.

5 Notification required from operators

Notifications from operators in respect of briefing consultation, flight documentation and other meteorological information needed by them (ref. ICAO Annex 3, 2.3) is normally required for intercontinental flights of more than 3500 KM. Such notifications should be received at least 6 hours before the estimated time of departure.

6 Aircraft reports

Observations and aircraft reports are conducted in accordance with ICAO Appendix I Doc 4444 RAC /501/12.

7 VOLMET service

NIL.

8 SIGMET and AIRMET service

Table GEN 3.5.8 SIGMET service
Name of MWO/ location indicatorsHoursFIR or CTA servedValiditySpecific SIGMET
procedures		AIRMET proceduresATS unit servedAdditional information
12345678
TBILISI
UGTB		H24TBILISI FIRSIGMET/4 HR
AIRMET/4 HR		SIGMET
VA/TC:
Validity 6 HR		Issued during daytime onlyTBILISI TWR, APP, ACC, BATUMI TWR, APP
KUTAISI TWR, APP		NIL
8.1 Area meteorological watch service
8.1.1 SIGMET

Information is issued in the form of SIGMET messages about occurrence or possible occurrence of one of several of the following significant meteorological phenomena:

  1. thunderstorm:
    • obscured;
    • embedded;
    • frequent;
    • line squall;
    • obscured with heavy hail;
    • embedded with heavy hail;
    • frequent with heavy hail;
    • line squall with heavy hail.
  2. turbulence:
    • severe turbulence.
  3. icing:
    • severe icing;
    • severe icing due to freezing rain.

SIGMETs are issued in English in abbreviated plain language and are numbered consecutively for each day commencing at 0001. Their period of validity is generally limited to less than 4 hours from the time of issuance.

8.1.2 AIRMET

AIRMET is prepared relating to the TBILISI FIR (one or more from 5 different areas: A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. See chart AIRMET/GAMET AREAS which is available on the Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd official website www.airnav.ge on MET-OFFICE page) from surface up to FL150, concerning the occurrence and/or expected occurrence of specified weather phenomena as follows:

  • strong surface wind and gusts above 30 KT;
  • surface visibility to less than 5000 M on the widespread areas;
  • thunderstorms: ISOL TS, OCNL TS, ISOL TSGR, OCNL TSGR;
  • cloud:
    • widespread areas of broken or overcast cloud with height of base less than 1000 FT;
    • ISOL, OCNL or FRQ cumulonimbus (CB) or towering cumulus (TCU);
  • moderate turbulence - MOD TURB;
  • moderate icing - MOD ICE;
  • moderate mountain wave - MOD MTW.

AIRMETs are issued in English in abbreviated plain language and are numbered consecutively for each day commencing at 0001. Their period of validity is generally limited to less than 4 hours from the time of issuance.

8.1.3 GAMET

GAMET area forecasts contain two sections: Section I related to information on en-route weather phenomena hazardous to low-level flights (below FL150), prepared in support of the issuance of AIRMET information, and Section II related to additional information required by low-level flights. The content and order of elements in a GAMET area forecast are in accordance with the template shown in Table A5-3 of ICAO Annex 3. Elements which are already covered by a SIGMET message are omitted from GAMET area forecast.

Section I

1. Surface wind speed - SFC WSPD group.
2. Horizontal surface visibility - SFC VIS group.
3. Significant weather phenomena - SIGWX group.
4. Mountain obscuration - MT OBSC group.
5. Cloud - SIG CLD group.
6. Icing - ICE group.
7. Turbulence - TURB group.
8. Mountain wave - MTW group.
9. SIGMET - SIGMET applicable.
10. AIRMET - AIRMET applicable.

The numbers of SIGMET messages applicable to the Tbilisi FIR, for which a GAMET forecast is valid.
The numbers of AIRMET messages applicable to the Tbilisi FIR, for which a GAMET forecast is valid.

Section II

11. Pressure centres and fronts - PSYS group.
12. Surface wind - SFC WIND group.
13. Upper winds and temperatures - WIND/T group. Mean values of wind direction and speed are provided.
14. Cloud - CLD group.
15. Freezing level - FZLVL group.
16. Sea surface temperature - SEA group.

All heights in forecasts are expressed as altitudes above mean sea level (AMSL) or in flight levels (FL).

The validity period of GAMET forecasts is 6 hours (from 06:00 till 12:00; from 12:00 till 18:00 UTC), these forecasts are prepared and published twice per day for the following areas: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 (according to chart AIRMET/GAMET AREAS which is available on the Sakaeronavigatsia Ltd official web-site www.airnav.ge on MET-OFFICE page).

Amendments to GAMET

When a weather phenomenon hazardous to low-level flights has been included in the GAMET area forecast and the phenomenon forecast does not occur, or is no longer forecast, a GAMET AMD is issued, amending only the weather element concerned.

8.2 Aerodrome Warning service

Aerodrome warning is provided by all MET offices at the aerodromes. Warnings for the protection of parked and fastened aircraft or other equipment at the aerodrome will be issued by all MET offices, if one or several of the following phenomena are expected to occur at the local aerodrome:

  • strong surface wind and gusts (more than 30 KT);
  • thunderstorms;
  • squall;
  • freezing precipitation;
  • snow during more than 2 hours;
  • air temperature falls –30°C and below and increases up to +40°C and over (those criteria may vary from aerodrome to aerodrome).

9 Other automated meteorological services

NIL.
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