Air Traffic Control in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Note: We have made a request of the Venezuelan government for civil ATC information and financial support. We hope to be able to provide an in-depth study of civil ATC in Venezuela very soon. In the mean time, please find a brief description below.

Thank you,

Dave Diamon, JD
CEO and Director
The Museum of Air Traffic Control

Links:

• Excerpt from Maiquetia ACC high altitude chart (H2)
• Excerpt from Maiquetia TCA low altitude chart (L8)
• Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil (INAC)
• NOTAMS for Caracas' Simon Bolivar International (SVMI) (May not be Current: Not for Navigation)

Brief Update:

ATC in Venezuela has is enjoying nothing short of a renaissance. For example, over the past two years the government has worked with Atech, a Brazilian air traffic systems supplier, to modernize the Maiquetia Area Control Center’s (ACC) Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, and purchased a new Raytheon Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) for the Maiquetia terminal area. Four existing Texas Instruments ASRs nationwide are also slated to be replaced.

Radios at the Maiquetia ACC have also been upgraded and coverage is now reported to be excellent. High speed digital voice and data circuits have also been installed or upgraded, facilitating better and more reliable communication between the Maiquetia ACC and other regional ACCs and terminal facilities. Radar data sharing, new ILS installations, and a number of new DVOR/DMEs are supporting Venezuelan and regional aviation, and progress has been made in the area of satellite communication. What’s more, Venezuela has now joined COSPAS-SARSAT, the international satellite system for search and rescue, and has received three Russian helicopters which are dedicated to search and rescue.

The US FAA gives Venezuela a Category 1safety rating. A Category 1 rating means that the civil aviation authority of Venezuela has been assessed by FAA inspectors and has been found to license and oversee air carriers in accordance with ICAO aviation safety standards.

Basics:

This infomation may contain errors. Do not rely upon it.

ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES: Standard.
VERTICAL SEPARATION: Semi-circular.
POSITION REPORTING: Standard.
VISUAL FLIGHT RULES: Standard.
INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES: Standard.
RVSM RULES: Standard CAR RVSM.

Narrative updated 30 March 2007