1 GENERAL
1.1 The holding, approach and departure procedures in use throughout the Singapore FIR are developed in accordance with the criteria contained in ICAO DOC 8168-OPS/611: Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Operations (PANS-OPS).
1.1.1 To ensure conformity with associated procedures, this section should be read in conjunction with section ENR 1.
1.1.2 An aircraft approaching an aerodrome under IFR for the purpose of making a landing shall conform to the holding and instrument approach procedures for the radio navigational aid employed as prescribed in the appropriate Instrument Approach charts AD-2-WSSS-IAC-1 to AD-2-WSSS-IAC-11.
1.1.3 Pilots will be expected to know the correct holding, approach and departure procedures.
Note: Due to military operations above, below and adjacent to controlled airspace within the Singapore/Johor Airspace Complex, pilots unable to remain within 500ft of the vertical limits, or within the lateral limits of the controlled airspace are required to advise ATC immediately.
1.2 HOLDING PROCEDURES
1.2.1 Initial approach tracks and holding patterns associated with Singapore Airports are detailed in charts ENR 3.6-5, ENR 3.6-7 and ENR 3.6-9. Holding patterns for other airfields are indicated on the applicable approach charts.
1.3 LOW LEVEL HOLDING AREAS
1.3.1 The holding areas for procedural traffic landing at Singapore Changi Airport or Seletar Airport depend on the runway in use at Singapore Changi Airport and are as follows:
- RWY 02L/02C - SAMKO Holding Area (SHA) - Lower/Upper limits - 3,500ft / FL140.
- RWY 20R/20C - NYLON Holding Area (NHA) - Lower/Upper limits - 2,500ft / FL140.
1.3.2 Details of these holding areas and those mentioned in paras 1.3.3 and 1.3.4 are given in sub-section ENR 3.6. They are also shown in charts ENR 3.6-7 and ENR 3.6-9.
1.3.3 An intermediate holding area - HOSBA Holding Area (HHA) - is also established. The lower/upper limits are 7,000ft/FL140.
1.3.4 A bad weather holding area - SINJON Holding Area - is established for Seletar bound commercial traffic. The lower/upper limits are 4 500ft/FL140.
1.4 HIGH LEVEL HOLDING AREAS
1.4.1 High Level Holding Areas are also established at NHA, SHA and HHA. The lower/upper limits are FL150/FL250. Details of these areas are given in sub-section ENR 3.6.
1.5 HOLDING SPEEDS
1.5.1 The maximum holding speed for all low level holding areas is 230kt.
1.5.2 The maximum holding speed for all high level holding areas is 265kt.
1.5.3 During conditions of turbulence, pilots could request ATC clearance to hold at speeds up to 280kt for both high and low level holding areas.
1.6 STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE (SID) AND STANDARD INSTRUMENT ARRIVAL (STAR)
Pilots departing from and landing at Singapore Changi Airport should refer to the procedures in charts AD-2-WSSS-SID-1 to AD-2-WSSS-STAR-21.
2 ARRIVING FLIGHTS
2.1 INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES
2.1.1 Pilots making instrument approaches to Singapore Changi Airport should refer to the procedures in charts AD-2-WSSS-IAC-1 to AD-2-WSSS-IAC-11.
2.2 CATEGORY I ILS APPROACHES
2.2.1 Category I ILS approaches are generally available on RWY 02L/20R and RWY 02C/20C at Singapore Changi Airport. Pilots making Category I ILS approaches to Singapore Changi Airport should refer to the procedures in charts AD-2-WSSS-IAC-1 to AD-2-WSSS-IAC-11.
2.3 CATEGORY II ILS APPROACHES
(refer to WSSS AD 2-22 for details)
2.4 VISUAL APPROACH PROCEDURES
2.4.1 An IFR flight operating into Singapore Changi Airport may be cleared for a visual approach subject to the following conditions:
the pilot has the aerodrome in sight and can conduct his approach with visual reference to terrain;
the flight will not cause delay to other traffic;
there is no conflicting tall vessel movement;
the cloud ceiling at the aerodrome is 4,000ft or more for landing on RWY 20 and 3,000ft or more for landing on RWY 02; and
the visibility at the aerodrome is 5km or more.
2.4.2 Notwithstanding para 2.4.1(d) and 2.4.1(e), if the pilot reports that he has the aerodrome in sight and can conduct his approach with visual reference to terrain, the flight may be cleared for a visual approach.
2.4.3 Pilots may expect radar vectoring for separation and sequencing with other traffic prior to being cleared for a visual approach.
2.5 INSTRUMENT APPROACHES TO SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT - MAXIMUM VESSEL HEIGHT
2.5.1 There are possible tall vessel movements in waters around Singapore Changi Airport. As these mobile vessels vary in height and location, they are only indicated as “possible vessel" obstacles in the instrument approach charts.
2.5.2 Information on the heights of these tall vessels are relayed to ATC by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for ATC to decide on whether it should allow a particular instrument approach to Singapore Changi Airport.
2.6 MAXIMUM VESSEL HEIGHT
2.6.1 The vessel’s maximum height allowed for each instrument approach procedure and its closest distance to runway threshold used in the design of the procedure are given in the following table:
| Instrument Approach | North of Singapore Changi Airport | South of Singapore Changi Airport |
|---|
| MAX HGT AMSL | DIST from THR | MAX HGT AMSL | DIST from THR |
| a) RWY 02L - ICW ILS/DME | 131m | 5 290m | 300m | 13 100m |
| b) RWY 02L - ICW GP INOPERATIVE | 131m | 5 290m | 300m | 13 100m |
| c) RWY 02C - ICE ILS/DME | 131m | 6 630m | 270m | 9 730m |
| d) RWY 02C - ICE GP INOPERATIVE | 131m | 6 630m | 270m | 9 730m |
| e) RWY 20R - ICH ILS/DME | 50m | 1 290m | 390m | 16 360m |
| f) RWY 20R - ICH GP INOPERATIVE | 50m | 1 290m | 390m | 16 360m |
| g) RWY 20C - ICC ILS/DME | 70m | 2 630m | 320m | 13 730m |
| h) RWY 20C - ICC GP INOPERATIVE | 50m | 2 630m | 320m | 13 730m |
| i) RWY 20C - VTK DVOR/DME | 50m | 2 630m | 350m | 13 730m |
3 DEPARTING FLIGHTS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The Instrument Departure Procedures are only applicable for aircraft with all engines operating. It remains the responsibility of the operator to develop contingency procedures for the individual type of aeroplane and to conduct the necessary examination of obstacles throughout the areas concerned in relation to the certificated performance of the individual aeroplane type. It is also the responsibility of the operator to ensure that contingency procedures comply fully with the aeroplane performance requirements of ICAO Annex 6.
The specific routes to be followed are depicted in SID charts AD-2-WSSS-SID-1 to AD-2-WSSS-SID-18. Altitude restrictions at fixes and/or DME specify ATC/airspace requirements.
Minimum net climb gradient specifies obstacle clearance requirements.
In the event that the minimum net climb gradient cannot be achieved pilots shall inform ATC. ATC shall hold departures if pilots indicate that they are unable to meet the required net climb gradient.
3.2 RUNWAY 02L
When there are no reports of vessel movement along the northern shipping channel or where the reported vessel height is less than 35m AMSL, the aircraft minimum net climb gradient shall be at 3.3%.
Where the reported vessel height is 35m or higher, ATC shall advise departing pilots of the vessel height. Pilots on receipt of this information shall apply the minimum net climb gradient in accordance with the following table:
HGT OF VESSEL
(metres AMSL) | Gradient
(%) | MINIMUM CROSSING ALTITUDE OVER VESSEL |
|---|
| (metres) | (feet) |
|---|
| 35 | 3.4 | 44 | 142 |
| 40 | 3.9 | 49 | 158 |
| 50 | 4.8 | 59 | 191 |
| 60 | 5.8 | 69 | 224 |
| 70 | 6.8 | 79 | 257 |
| 80 | 7.8 | 89 | 290 |
| 90 | 8.8 | 99 | 322 |
| 100 | 9.7 | 109 | 355 |
| 110 | 10.7 | 119 | 388 |
| 120 | 11.7 | 129 | 421 |
| 130 | 12.7 | 139 | 454 |
| 140 | 13.7 | 149 | 486 |
After the aircraft has reached or passed the minimum crossing altitude over vessel, the minimum net climb gradient shall be 3.3%.
3.3 RUNWAY 02C
When there are no reports of vessel movement along the northern shipping channel or where the reported vessel height is less than 70m AMSL, the aircraft minimum net climb gradient shall be at 3.3%.
Where the reported vessel height is 70m or higher, ATC shall advise departing pilots of the vessel height. Pilots on receipt of this information shall apply the minimum net climb gradient in accordance with the following table:
HGT OF VESSEL
(metres AMSL) | Gradient
(%) | MINIMUM CROSSING ALTITUDE OVER VESSEL |
|---|
| (metres) | (feet) |
|---|
| 70 | 3.4 | 89 | 292 |
| 80 | 3.8 | 99 | 325 |
| 90 | 4.3 | 109 | 358 |
| 100 | 4.7 | 119 | 390 |
| 110 | 5.1 | 129 | 423 |
| 120 | 5.5 | 139 | 456 |
| 130 | 6.0 | 149 | 489 |
| 140 | 6.4 | 159 | 522 |
After the aircraft has reached or passed the minimum crossing altitude over vessel, the minimum net climb gradient shall be 3.3%.
3.4 RUNWAYS 20C AND 20R
3.4.1 All departures on Runway 20C shall be on a minimum net climb gradient of 7% until reaching or passing 2,500ft. Thereafter, the minimum net climb gradient shall be 3.3%.
3.4.2 All departures on Runway 20R shall be on a minimum net climb gradient of 6% until reaching or passing 2,500ft. Thereafter, the minimum net climb gradient shall be 3.3%.
(Please also refer to charts AD-2-WSSS-SID-1 to AD-2-WSSS-SID-18: Standard Instrument Departures for Runway 20C and Runway 20R).
3.5 DETERMINATION OF CLIMB GRADIENT BY OPERATORS
3.5.1 The minimum net climb gradients specified above need not apply to operators who wish to calculate their own climb gradients based on actual lift-off point, provided the calculation ensures the following:
The most penalising obstacle is taken into account under both all engines operating procedures as well as one engine out procedures; and
The required minimum obstacle clearance (MOC) is met under all engines operating procedures.
3.5.2 For the above calculations, operators shall use the following information:
The most penalising obstacle is a tall vessel which is on the extended centre line of the runway. (ATC shall advise pilots of the height of the tall vessel).
The required MOC in 3.5.1 (ii) is 0.8% of the distance d from the departure end of runway (DER) to the obstacle, in accordance with Vol II of ICAO Doc 8168: Procedures for Air Navigation Services Operations (PANS-OPS) where, in the case of Singapore Changi Airport, the DER is defined as the end of the clearway.
The distance d for departure Runways 02L and 02C is measured from the DER to the shipping channel north of Changi. The distance d for departure Runways 20C and 20R is measured from the DER to the boundary of the restricted waters south of Changi wherein tall vessels of height above 49m AMSL are not permitted. The distance d for the various departure runways is as follows:
| DEP RWY | 02L | 02C | 20C | 20R |
| Distance d | 1 020m | 2 360m | 9 730m | 13 100m |