KATHMANDU AIRPORT SOP

STANDARD OPERATING

PROCEDURE – KTM/VNKT KINGFISHER AIRLINES

Issue: 00 Revision: 00 05 NOV 2009 Page 1 of 15

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

KATHMANDU (KTM)

The airfield is named as TRIBHUVAN International Airport. It is situated 5·56 km

East of Kathmandu City. The airfield is situated on a table-top & is surrounded by

hills and mountain ranges. Adequate terrain clearance is available for Departures

& Arrivals in the South-East, North-West and the South directions. The airport is

under control of DCA-NEPAL. Within Kathmandu FIR, only the airspace classes

“C” & “G” are used.

IATA code: KTM ARP Lat: N 27 41 48

ICAO code: VNKT ARP Long: E 085 21 30

Elevation of the airfield: 4390 ft

The vicinity chart of Kathmandu Airport is as below:

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Runway

RWY Elev TORA TODA ASDA LDA AVG

SLOPE

WIDTH

FT

FT

(m)

FT

(m)

FT

(m)

FT

(m) (%) FT

02 (022°M) 4313 10,700

(3050)

10,794

(3290)

10,700

(3050)

10,700

(3050) +0.74 150

20 (202°M) 4387 10,700

(3050)

10,499

(3200)

10,700

(3050)

9613

(2930) -0.47 150

Standard markings and high intensity centerline lighting is available.

Runway PCN : RWY 02/20 BITUMEN 54 /F / A / W / T

PAPI : 02 PAPI (angle 3·0°) / 20 PAPI-L (angle 3·0°)

Transition altitude : 13500 ft. AMSL

Transition Level : F 150

Local Time : UTC + 05:45

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Schematic of airfield

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Navigational Facility

Type of Aid Indent FREQ/CO-ORD

VORDME KTM 122.3 MHz

N 27 40·5 E085 21·0

NDB KAM 318 KHz

N 27 41·6 E085 21·2

LCTR DHARKE LDK 358 KHz

LCTR THECHO LTH 230 KHz LCTR NALINCHOWK LNC 252 KHz

Communication Facility

Service Designation Frequency Call Sign

GROUND 121·9 MHz GROUND

TOWER 118.1 MHz KATHMANDU TWR

APPROACH 120·6 MHz 125·1 MHz KATHMANDU APP

CONTROL 126·5 MHz 124·7 MHz

2923 KHz / 6607 KHz KATHMANDU CTR

ATIS 127·0 MHz 112·3 MHz ---

Meteorological Facility & details

Standard MET services on H24 basis are provided. Occasional thunderstorm activity

is encountered during fore noon hours in the vicinity of the airport. Extra fuel for

holding due to weather is recommended during monsoon period. Surface winds are

generally light, with occasional gusts of up to 15 kt. The airport is prone to FOG in

winter months during morning hours. The reference temperature is 27·8° C

Bird Activity

Bird activity is seen between July & December months. Crew is advised to keep a

sharp look out for birds at all times.

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Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility

CAT VIII available.

Fueling Facility (Fuel/Oil)

Aviation Turbine fuel, Kerosene type Jet A1

Taxiway

Width of Taxiway is 75 feet (23 m)

Operational Hours

The airport is available for Day & Night operations.

Apron

The apron can accommodate nine medium & wide body aircraft. Parking bays are

numbered 1 to 7. Power-in pushback is available for all bays. Please refer airport

schematic above.

Contact Information (Civil Aviation Department, Tribhuvan Intel Airport)

General Manager +977-1-4477161

Flight Operations +977-1-4498775

Fax: +977-1-4474180

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Route Details

Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi

VIDP KABGU ALI R460 LLK G598 SMR G336 KTM DCT VNKT

VNKT DCT KTM B345 LLK R594 SSB SSB5B DPN DCT VIDP

Mumbai-Kathmandu-Mumbai

VABB A347 AMVIG G472 BODAR G590 KKJ W40 LLK G598 SMR G336 SIMARA KTM

DCT VNKT

VNKT DHAR1B D270T BHP B345 LLK W40 KKJ G590 BPL W10S SG IGBA1B VABB

Terminal Alternate

Adequate Terminal Alternates for Kathmandu are Varanasi & Delhi/Lucknow.

Airport Operating Minimums

Airport Operating Minima are as listed in company AOM folder. These are based on

DGCA Operations Circular No. 6/1999 which follows the ICAO Manual of All Weather

Operations (Doc 9365-AN/910)

STANDARD OPERATING



Arrival Procedure

For landing RWY 02 is the preferred runway. However, in case of strong tail-

winds, VOR DME RWY 02 followed by a circle to land approach for RWY 20 may

be carried out. Pilots must exercise caution while carrying-out the circling

approach for RWY 20 and ensure that aircraft remains within D4.0 arc KTM.

Visual ground and terrain contact should be maintained at all times during the

approach. Performance calculations for dispatch to Kathmandu will be based on

landing with CONFIG FULL. However in case of potential wind shear condition /

gust / sink etc. CONFIG 3 landing at KATHMANDU may be carried out.

Notes:

1. Prior to TOD, check approach / landing climb restrictions, if any. Plan to

arrive at SIMARA or ROMEO by FL 150 or as advised by ATC

2. Put a SPEED CONSTRAINT of 250 kt at SMR

3. Normally, ATC gives clearance to descend below F150 before crossing

SIMARA/ROMEO. In such a case, remove the +15000’ CONSTRAINT so as to

get a better descent profile.

4. Select MKR receiver switch to ON. The Airway marker is at 8.0 DME KTM.

The aircraft is clear of obstacles after crossing the marker.

5. PF is to select Weather Radar display & PNF is to select TERRAIN display on

respective ND.

6. Hold at 170 kt if required due traffic or to lose altitude. Do not descend

below MSA unless cleared for the approach and established on the inbound

radial.

7. Expect higher than normal rate of descent / FPA due to the approach

profile.

STANDARD OPERATING



Approach Procedure VOR DME RWY 02

Follow the profile as published in Jeppesen Approach plate 13-1

Aircraft configuration at various DME distances is as shown on next page:

ROD MAY BE INCREASED TO 2000’ (MAX) TILL CROSSING 08 NM & THEREAFTER UP

TO 2200’ IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN DESCENT PROFILE. IN CASE HIGH, THEN

CONSIDER RETRACTING FLAP TO CONFIG 3 BEFORE TAKING SPEED BRAKES

BETWEEN 10 & 08 DME MONITOR RADIO ALTIMETER. MAX DROP SHOULD BE

1500’. IN CASE OF DROP BELOW 1000’ IMMEDIATELY EXECUTE GO ROUND.

Note: PNF is to give actual Altitude Call outs at each VORDME check point. This

call out should include whether HIGH or LOW & by how much feet after

comparing with the published crossing altitude.

1

2

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Approach Procedure RWY 20 (VOR DME RWY 02 Circle to Land 20)

Circle to Land RWY 20 is authorized on both sides i.e. LEFT/RIGHT Downwind at

the appropriate circling minima. Advise ATC of intentions for using RWY 20

earlier during approach and preferably prior to VOR SMR inbound. Cross NOPEN

at 11,500 ft on QNH

At D1.0 KTM and runway in sight, in case of RIGHT downwind for RWY 20, avoid

overflying VN(R)-KATHMANDU (Lat N274300, Long E0851900) appx. 2.5 NM on

R-330.

Prior to turning base select CONFIG FULL and adjust profile to be fully stabilized

by 500 ft AGL.

NOTE

• Be prepared for possible downdrafts.

• Aircraft must be stabilized before reaching MDA.

• At times KTM VOR scallops between D9.0 and D6.0.

• In IMC immediately respond to EGPWS as appropriate.

Go Around Procedure

In case of missed approach, with all engines operating, follow procedures as per

Jeppesen. For missed approach with single engine, follow one engine inoperative

procedure for takeoff for that runway.

With all engines operating, CONFIG 2 is to be maintained during Missed Approach

to ensure that aircraft remains within 4 DME arc under strong tailwind conditions.

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Departure from KATHMANDU

1. Modify ACCL ALT to 9500’ on PERF TAKE-OFF page so as to get SRS mode till

9500’

2. Max speed during turns is 180 kt.

3. PF is to select Weather Radar display & PNF is to select TERRAIN display on

respective ND.

4. Do not select APU bleed OFF in case of one engine out. APU bleed is to be

selected OFF only after selecting MCT on live engine.

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Takeoff from RW 20

Take off is to be in CONFIG 1+F. SIDs requiring Left turn after Take off are not

permitted.

Engine Out Escape Procedure RWY 20

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� CLB STRAIGHT AHEAD TO KTM OR 250’ AGL (whichever is earlier) TURN RIGHT

& INTERCEPT 4.0 DME ARC (KTM) MAX BANK 15°

� ACC ALT 9500’. MAINTAIN FLAP UP MANOEUVERING SOPEED

� LEAVE KTM AT OR ABOVE 7500’. INTERCEPT R-289° KTM & PROCEED TO LCTR

LDK (IF BELOW 7500’ REMAIN IN 4.0 DME ARC TILL ALT IS ACHIEVED)

� IF BELOW 10,500’ AT LDK ENTER PUBLISHED HOLD & CONTINUE CLIMBING

AT FLAPS UP MANOEUVERING SPEED TO 10,500’ & THEN TO 11,500’ (FOR

NOPEN)

� FROM LDK PROCEED ON TRK 239°. CROSSING R-270/D-20.0 KTM FLY ON A 20

DME ARC TILL CROSSING LEAD RADIAL 214° & 20 DME KTM. THEN TURN LEFT

TO INTERCEPT FINAL APPROACH R-202° (INBOUND 022°) BY D16.0 KTM

(NOPEN) AT 11,500’

� CARRY OUT VORDME RWY 02 PUBLISHED APPROACH

STANDARD OPERATING



Takeoff from RWY 02

With all engines operating, follow SID. All Engines Operating, no turns before D2.3

KTM. SIDs requiring RIGHT turn after takeoff not permitted.

Engine Out Escape Procedure RWY 02

STANDARD OPERATING



� CLIMB STRAIGHT AHEAD TO D2.5 KTM. AT D2.5 KTM TURN LEFT &

INTERCEPT D4.0 ARC KTM. MAX BANK ANGLE 15°

� ACC ALT 9500’. MAINTAIN FLAPS UP MANOEUVERING SPEED

� LEAVE VOR KTM AT OR ABOVE 7500’. INTERCEPT R-289° KTM &

PROCEED TO LCTR LDK (IF BELOW 7500’ REMAIN IN 4.0 DME ARC TILL

ALT IS ACHIEVED)

� IF BELOW 10,500’ AT LCTR LDK ENTER PUBLISHED HOLD & CONTINUE

CLIMB AT FLAPS UP MANOEUVERING SPEED TO 10,500’ (MHA) & THEN

TO 11,500’ WHICH IS THE MINIMUM CROSSING ALTITUDE AT NOPEN

� FROM LCTR LDK PROCEED ON TRK 239°. CROSSING R-270°/D-20.0

KTMFLY 20 DME ARC TILL CROSSING LEAD RADIAL 210° KTM & 20 DME.

THEN TURN LEFT TO INTERCEPT FINAL APPROACH R-202° (INBOUND

022°) BY 16 DME KTM (NOPEN) AT 11,500’

� CARRY OUT VORDME RWY 02 PUBLISHED APPROACH

NOTES

1. Assisted takeoff and landings not permitted

2. Due to hill shadows, pilots should be vigilant to apparent loss of depth

perception and optical illusion

3. Entry requirements and emergency procedures specific to NEPAL are

available in Jeppesen Route Guide placed on board

4. As number of turbo-propeller and small aircraft operate out of KATHMANDU,

pilots must exercise caution to avoid jet blast during taxi.

5. Circling Approach for Rwy 20, at night, is not permitted.

6. Max holding speed within Kathmandu TMA is 230 kt.

Noise Abatement Procedures: NIL

LVP Operations

Minima for LVTO is VIS 800m

STANDARD OPERATING



Special Aircrew Qualifications

1. Experience Qualification:

a. The Pilot-in-Command will have minimum 300 hours PIC ‘on type’ experience

b. The First Officer will have minimum 200 hours ‘on type’ experience

2. Ground/SIM Training:

a. Class room briefing by TRE b. 2 Hour SIM sessions for a Crew compliment of P1 & P2. Session will

include the following: • VOR DME APP for RWY 02

• Go Around and Missed Approach procedure followed by circle to land for RWY 20

• Take off RWY 02 – Engine failure. EOSID procedure followed

by VOR DME APP for RWY 02 (COMM failure briefing will be given to Pilots during SIM session)

3. On Line Training:

a. All PIC’s will undergo one route check for enroute and Airport Qualification on Flights to and from Katmandu**

(** One route Check shall be done by night when night operations are approved/required)

b. All First Officers will undergo one observation flight for route and Airport Qualification on flights to and from Katmandu.

c. Pilots who have earlier operated to Katmandu on A320 Family will be

subjected to a Recency Route Check

Documents

KATHMANDU AIRPORT SOP