Objective of AIS

The objective of AIS is to ensure the flow of information necessary for safety, regularity and efficiency of air navigation in Lesotho.

1. Area of coverage

Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) covers the whole airspace of Lesotho, including part of South Africa, which falls within the Maseru Terminal Control Area (TMA).

A. Maseru/Moshoeshoe 1 International Airport
The TMA has been established above and around Moshoeshoe 1 Airport. Its parameters are as follows: Lower limit - Altitude 7000 & Upper limit - FL145, a circle with radius 25 nautical miles, centered on DVOR ‘MZV'’ Frequency 117,2 MHZ.

Other areas include the Maseru/Moshoeshoe 1 Airport Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) and Control Zone (CTR), which have the following lateral and vertical limits:

• Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ):
  Vertical Limits:
  Ground (Lower Limit) - 7000 Altitude (Upper Limit)
  
  Lateral Limits:
  Five (5) Nautical Miles radius of circle, centered on DVOR 'MZV' Frequency 117,2 MHZ at position - 29°30'02"S 027°32'26"E, elevation 1734 metres.
• Control Zone (CTR):
  Vertical Limits:
  Ground (Lower Limit) - 7000 Altitude (Upper Limit)
  
  Lateral Limits:
  Ten (10) Nautical Miles radius of circle, centered on DVOR 'MZV' Frequency 117,2 MHZ at position - 29°30'02"S 027°32'26"E, elevation 1734 metres. The area excludes a portion of the South African territorial airspace.

B. Maseru/Mejametalana Airport

Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ):

Vertical Limits:
Ground (Lower Limit) - 6000 Altitude (Upper Limit)

Lateral Limits:
Five (5) Nautical Miles radius of a circle, centered on NDB 'MU' Frequency 317 KHZ at position - 29°18'10"S 027°30'20"E. The area excludes a portion of the South African territorial airspace.

C. Regional Airports

(i) Mokhotlong

International aerodrome meant for international departures only. All the arrivals to this aerodrome must be from within Lesotho, otherwise operators must apply for a special permission from the Director of Civil Aviation.

The aerodrome is situated in the north-eastern border with South Africa falling within the Eastern Sector of Johannesburg Flight Information Region (FAJS FIR - East). It has three (3) runways - 04/22, 13/31 and 16/34. All traffic operating in and around the aerodrome must broadcast and keep a listening watch on frequency 122.8 MHZ.

(ii) Qacha's Nek

International aerodrome meant for international departures only. All the arrivals to this aerodrome must be from within Lesotho, otherwise operators must apply for a special permission from the Director of Civil Aviation.

The aerodrome is situated in the south-eastern border with South Africa falling within the Eastern Sector of Johannesburg Flight Information Region (FAJS FIR - East). It has one (1) runway - 14/32. All traffic operating in and around the aerodrome must broadcast and keep a listening watch on frequency 122.8 MHZ.

(iii) Semonkong

Domestic aerodrome situated in the central range of mountains, south-east of the main international airport. All the arrivals to this aerodrome must be from within Lesotho, otherwise operators must apply for a special permission from the Director of Civil Aviation.

The aerodrome falls within the Eastern Sector of Johannesburg Flight Information Region (FIR). It has two (2) runways - 08/26, 12/30. All traffic operating in and around the aerodrome must broadcast and keep a listening watch on frequency 122.8 MHZ.

D. Rural airfields

Though uncontrolled, all rural airfields are covered by aeronautical information services for any changes that occur, as published by the Aerodrome Operations section of the Department of Civil Aviation.

E. States and Flight Information Regions

Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) provides information for the Lesotho territory, falling within Eastern sector of Johannesburg Flight Information Region (FAJS FIR - East). The information is provided according to the Air Navigation Plan (ICAO - ANP).

The Lesotho airspace comprises forty-three (43) aerodromes/airfields. Lesotho being a mountainous country, most places are not accessible by road transport.

2. AIS units and services provided


a) International NOTAM Office (NOF)

Collection, verification, registration, formatting, transmission and distribution of temporary changes (valid for less than three months) to basic or permanent information on civil aviation in Lesotho; and changes intended to be published in either AIP, AIP-AMD or AIP-SUPP requiring advance notification to recipients by issuing System NOTAM/Trigger NOTAM.

b) Briefing Office

Using information contained in Integrated Aeronautical Information Package (IAIP) of Lesotho and other States, to provide Pre-Flight Information Service related to the route stage;

Acceptance, checking, verification, registration and transmission/submission flight movement data to Air Traffic Services Units;

Acceptance, verification and transmission of weather reports and forecasts through the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN/VSAT);

c) Publications

Collection, registration, processing/formatting and distribution of basic or permanent information concerning civil aviation in Lesotho Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP-Lesotho)

Collection, registration, processing/formatting and distribution of information concerning permanent changes to the basic or permanent data on civil aviation in Lesotho Aeronautical Information Publication – Amendment (AIP-Amd);

Collection, registration, processing/formatting and distribution of information concerning temporary changes (valid for three months or more) to basic or permanent information on civil aviation in Lesotho Aeronautical Information Publication – Supplement (AIP-Supp);

Collection, registration, processing/formatting and distribution of information of regulatory, advisory/explanatory and administrative nature concerning civil aviation in Lesotho Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC).

d) Technical Library

Acceptance, registration, display/storage, maintenance and distribution of aeronautical Manuals, Maps/Charts, Notices and Publications from foreign aeronautical information providers, International NOTAM Offices, Military organizations, International Organizations and States.

e) Communication Operations (AERONAUTICAL FIXED TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK - AFTN)

Aeronautical message capturing/retrieval, editing/processing, storage and delivery through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).

g) Contact information: