Afghanistan Overflight Question

[Sky_Captain]

Good Morning all and Happy Apocalypse,

Quick question to the long haul regulars regarding Afghanistan and communicating with Kabul. Have a flight coming up soon passing through, and just wondered if there is anything special I need to know regarding radio procedures.

Admittedly I have not taken the charts off the aircraft yet as I just found out about this flight, but I'm sure there's probably a usual contact 15 mins before the border? Should I know anything more that would be of benefit? I would greatly appreciate your valid feedback.

Kind regards,

S.C.

[Dave Clarke Fife]

Hi Sky Captain

This is from our route briefing info thingy hope it's of use. I'm sure others will be along with other titbits soon.


Kabul FIR, Pakistan and India are RVSM.

 Kabul FIR is non-radar airspace and uses RNP-10 airspace (refer to FCOM 2.04.46 P3/4 for aircraft requirements). Kabul FIR regulations also specify TCASmust be operative.

 Kabul requires pilots to call 10 minutes before entry to their airspace; VHF 128.5 MHz, HF 5658 / 10018 KHz. NB. VHF contact is generally only possible from close to the border crossing points, and HF is shared with Mumbai. Compliance with this requirement is therefore difficult prior to the border! They will require Departure/Destination/Type/Reg'n.

 Lowest assignable level within Kabul FIR is FL310 within the high-level route structure. (A low-level route structure does exist, refer to Aerad Asia Supplement and charts if required.)

 Air-to-Air frequency within Kabul FIR when not under positive ATC contact is “Afghan Advisory” on 126.325 MHz. Blind position reports can be made on this frequency similar to IFBP format.

 There are no ETOPS considerations required.

[Sky_Captain]

Hello Dave,

Thank you very much for the posting, valuable info there. I just want to be certain of no extra procedures or calls to be made with a US military presence!

Still, fingers crossed for VHF, because dealing or sharing with Mumbai HF can sometimes be :ugh:

Appreciate the help,

Merry Christmas,

S.C

[Dave Clarke Fife]

Never ever used HF with the American controllers in Kabul always got through easily on VHF. Frequency is very busy most of the time and sometimes he (or she) but mostly he can be working aircraft you can't hear as well as the ubiquitous 'Shell' tankers out of Manas. Give him your estimate for his boundary entry and exit and if there's a heading change and subsequent level change required then be ready with a positive call of what level you want and don't dither.....like I said very busy and the super hot American controllers don't suffer fools gladly

[Sky_Captain]

Understood Dave,

Never messed around with them before and won't start tomorrow.

Thanks again,

S.C :ok:

[dallas]

Can anyone shed any light on how to pay Afghan overflight fees please?