Wageslave , It's not just the military . The Air Navigation Order gives civilian pilots discretion to operate outside of the Rules of the Air for safety reasons .
In my day , out of Nairobi or Mombassa ; it was '' Positive climb '' . ''Gear up , ALL lights OFF '' , inc. cabin . Up until 15,000 ' AGL . Given that was the max height of Manpads as we understood it .
Latest Notam valid from earlier this summer , might put that height up significantly ..
Q) EGXX/QROXX/IV/NBO/W/000/999/5218N01451W999
B) FROM: 16/08/26 14:13C) TO: 16/11/11 23:59
E) HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN KENYA. POTENTIAL RISK TO AVIATION OVERFLYING KENYAN AIRSPACE AND TERRITORY FIR AT LESS THAN 25000FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) FROM DEDICATED ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY. OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THIS INFORMATION INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR OWN RISK ASSESSMENTS AND ROUTEING DECISIONS. CONTACT UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT (+44) (0)20 7944 4426 OR (+44) (0)207 944 5999 OUT OF HOURS. ON EXPIRY OF THIS NOTAM, DETAILS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE UK AIP ENR 1.1. 16-08-0395/AS6 LOWER: SFC
UPPER: UNL
rgds condor