ENR 5.3  Other activities of a dangerous nature and other potential hazards

5.3.1  Other activities of a dangerous nature

5.3.1.1 Safety issues potentially posing hazard to air operations in the Czech Republic are identified and described in the State Plan for Aviation Safety (https://www.caa.cz/safety-provozni-bezpecnost/statni-plan-bezpecnosti-letectvi/).
5.3.1.2  UAS geographical zones

The Civil Aviation Authority may establish a UAS geographical zone by a general measure based on Act No. 49/1997 Coll., on Civil Aviation.

5.3.1.2.1  Restriction or prohibition of unmanned aviation in a UAS geographical zone

A UAS geographical zone may be established to restrict or prohibit unmanned aircraft operations.

5.3.1.2.2  Exemption from unmanned aviation requirements in a UAS geographical zone

UAS geographical zone may be established for the operator's own activities or for joint activities by several operators, or for public use. In such a zone, unmanned aircraft are exempt from one or more of the 'open' category requirements as specified in the Implementing Regulation for unmanned aircraft operations.

5.3.1.2.3  Publication of information on UAS geographical zones

UAS geographical zones established by a general measure irrelevant to manned aircraft operations can be found on the Civil Aviation Authority´s website: https://www.caa.cz/provoz/bezpilotni-letadla/zemepisne-zony/.

UAS geographical zones that are relevant to manned aircraft operations are published in Section ENR 5.1 of the AIP.

5.3.2  Other potential hazards

5.3.2.1  Meteorological sounding balloons

Over the territory of the Czech Republic CHMI, Upper Air Department Praha-Libus and Military Geographic and Hydrometeorological Office (MGHO), Section of Radio Sounding and Meteorology Prostejov, carry out routine soundings of the atmosphere by means of meteorological sounding balloons.

According to specifications given in ENR 5.3 para 2.1.1 below used meteorological balloons and respective sondes fall into the “light” category of unmanned free balloons. These balloons, used exclusively for meteorological purposes, are perceived by ICAO as posing little risk to aircraft and therefore notification and coordination between operator of meteorological balloons and the appropriate ATS authority is not required.

5.3.2.1.1   Sites of release, vertical limit, schedule (standard times of releases), specifications of sondes and balloons

Station Name:

Praha-Libuš

Latitude:

50° 00' 29" N

Longitude:

014° 26' 50" E

Elevation:

304,24 m

Vertical limit:

circa 100 000 ft (30 km)

Schedule:

  1. radiosounding - 0530, 1115, 2315 UTC - daily, 1730 UTC occasionally as needed

    (if necessary, re-launch is possible within 90 minutes after standard time of each term)

  2. radiosounding with additional technical equipment


    - 1115 UTC Monday, Wednesday and Friday from January to April
    (if necessary re-launch 1115 UTC - Tuesday, Thursday from January to April)

Radiosonde (standard)

Dimensions:

280 x 65 x 105 mm

Mass:

up to 100 g

Radiosonde with additional technical equipment

Dimensions:

up to 190 x 190 x 260 mm

Mass:

up to 600 g

Balloon:

hydrogen-filled, off-white, 800 - 1200 g

Station Name:

Prostějov

Latitude:

49° 27' 09" N

Longitude:

017° 08' 05" E

Elevation:

216,00 m

Vertical limit:

circa 100 000 ft (30 km)

Schedule:

  1. radiosounding - 1115, 2315 UTC - daily


    (if necessary, re-launch is possible within 90 minutes after standard time)

  2. - radioactivity sounding - 1115 UTC - the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October or as required

Radiosonde (standard)

Dimensions:

220 x 80 x 75 mm

Mass:

circa 250 - 290 g

Radioactivity sonde:

Dimensions:

220 x 90 x 95 mm

Mass:

circa 305 - 345 g

Balloon:

hydrogen-filled, off-white, 350 - 800 g

5.3.2.1.2  Procedures concerning special cases of releases of sounding balloons

Special cases of releases of sounding balloons, e.g. when making special observations, are notified by NOTAM.