ENR 1.12 INTERCEPTION OF CIVIL AIRCRAFT

1.12.1 Interception regulations and procedures

1.12.1.1 Introduction

1.12.1.1.1. Interception regulations and procedures adopted by Saudi Arabia are generally in conformity with the ICAO Standards contained in Annex 2, the Guidance Material contained in Annex 2 and Doc 9433 and the protocol ( Article 3 bis ) Doc 9436 ( see also paragraph 1.3.1.2 ), and are designed to ensure the safety of an intercepted civil aircraft.
1.12.1.1.2. The procedures to be used by the intercepting aircraft ( referred to hereinafter as the "interceptor" ) and the intercepted aircraft are listed on page ENR 1.12 and the visual interception signals are listed on page ENR 1.12 differences from ICAO regulatory material are shown in heavy black type.

1.12.1.2 Regulations

1.12.1.2.1 General

1.12.1.2.1.1. Interception of aircraft may be undertaken for the following reasons:
  1. in order to identify an aircraft which cannot be identified by other means;
  2. to investigate the behaviour and intention of aircraft acting in contravention of national regulations; or
  3. to provide navigational guidance by means of visual signals to an aircraft which has been identified and is required to act in accordance with the instructions of the interceptor's control authority.

Note : In order to reduce the need for RSAF interception for the purpose of identification, all of Saudi Arabia airspace within the Jeddah FIR , including international waters and all other Saudi Arabia territorial land and water areas is a designated area within which all flights shall file a flight plan, maintain two-way radio communications and report positions as prescribed in GEN 1.
1.12.1.2.1.2. Prior to an interception, air defense control units will, when practicable, issue verbal instructions or advice to aircraft acting in violation of national regulations through the appropriate air traffic control authority or unit. The instructions and advice will, where appropriate:
  1. specify the position and nature of the violation and obtain clarification of aircraft intentions;
  2. state the action to be taken, including:
    1. navigational instructions to regain the approved route following an inadvertent deviation;
    2. holding instructions pending confirmation of flight clearance;
  3. give clear verbal warnings to comply with instructions.
Every effort will be made to resolve the airspace violation or to effect identification prior to interception.

1.12.1.2.2 Identification manoeuvres

Visual identification manoeuvres will be in three phases.
1.12.1.2.2.1 Phase I - interception phase
The interceptor will normally approach the intercepted aircraft from astern. The interceptor will normally take up a position on the left* left (port) side of the intercepted aircraft at the same level, within view of the pilot of the intercepted aircraft and, initially, not closer to that aircraft than 300 M (1 000 FT). Any other participating aircraft will stay well clear of the intercepted aircraft, preferably above and behind. After speed and position have been established, the interceptor will, if necessary, proceed with Phase II of these manoeuvres.
 
Note : * Meteorological or terrain considerations may occasionally make it necessary for the interceptor to take up a position on the right (starboard) side of the intercepted aircraft.
1.12.1.2.2.2 Phase II - identification phase
The interceptor will begin closing in gently on the intercepted aircraft, at the same level, until no closer than absolutely necessary to obtain the information needed. The interceptor will use caution to avoid startling the flight crew or the passengers of the intercepted aircraft, keeping constantly in mind the fact that manoeuvres normal to an interceptor may be considered hazardous to passengers and crews of civil aircraft. Any other participating aircraft will continue to stay well clear of the intercepted aircraft. Upon completion of identification, the interceptor will normally withdraw from the vicinity of the intercepted aircraft, as outlined in Phase III.
1.12.1.2.2.3 Phase III - break-off phase
The interceptor will break gently away from the intercepted aircraft in a shallow dive. Any other participating aircraft will stay well clear of the intercepted aircraft and rejoin their leader.

1.12.1.2.3 Guidance manoeuvres

1.12.1.2.3.1. When an aircraft has been intercepted and identified as acting in contravention of Saudi Arabian regulations the interceptor may be ordered to intervene in the intercepted aircraft's navigation in order to:
  1. turn it away from sovereign airspace; or
  2. return it to an authorized route; or
  3. force it to land at a designated aerodrome.

Instructions may be given by RTF, by visual signals or by a combination of RTF and visual signals.
1.12.1.2.3.2. An aircraft which has violated sovereign or other prohibited airspace may be pursued over international waters and forced to return and land at a designated aerodrome.

1.12.1.2.4 Visual guidance manoeuvres

When guiding an intercepted aircraft, care will be taken that the aircraft is not led into conditions where the visibility may be reduced below VMC and, also, that the manoeuvres do not constitute a hazard to the intercepted aircraft.

1.12.1.2.5 Radio communication with intercepted aircraft

1.12.1.2.5.1. The intercept control unit and the interceptor will, when necessary, attempt to establish two-way RTF communication with the intercepted aircraft using either VHF 121.500 MHZ or UHF 243.000 MHZ emergency frequencies; all intercept control units in Saudi Arabia are so equipped, in compliance with ICAO Annex 10, Volume I. Call signs and phraseologies are given in paragraph 3.
 

1.12.1.3 Procedures

1.12.1.3.1 General

1.12.1.3.1.1. The following procedures and visual signals apply in the event of the interception* interception of an aircraft over the territory and territorial waters of Saudi Arabia, and over international waters in the event that the intercepted aircraft is pursued after violating the territory, territorial waters or published regulations of Saudi Arabia.
 
Note : The word "interception" used in this context does not include intercept and escort service provided on request to an aircraft in distress in accordance with the ICAO Search and Rescue Manual (Doc 7333).
1.12.1.3.1.2. In respect of intercepted aircraft not taking remedial action as instructed nor acknowledging the interceptor's signals, Saudi Arabia will use any appropriate means necessary to compel the intercepted aircraft to comply with such instructions.

1.12.1.3.2 Procedures for an intercepted aircraft

An aircraft which is intercepted by another aircraft shall immediately:
  1. follow the instructions given by the interceptor, interpreting and responding to the visual signals listed on page ENR 1.12; and
  2. notify, if possible, the appropriate air traffic services unit; and
  3. attempt to establish radio communication with the interceptor or with the appropriate intercept control unit, by making a general call on the emergency frequency 121.500 MHZ, giving the identity of the intercepted aircraft and the nature of the flight; and, if no contact has been established and if practicable, by repeating this call on the emergency frequency 243.000 MHZ; and
  4. if equipped with SSR transponder, select Mode A/3, Code 7700, unless otherwise instructed by the appropriate air traffic services unit.

1.12.1.3.3 RTF phraseologies

1.12.1.3.3.1 For intercepted aircraft
If radio contact with the interceptor is established but communication in a common language is not possible, attempts shall be made to convey essential information and acknowledgment of instructions by using the following phrases and pronunciations:
 
Phrase Pronunciation Meaning
WILCO VILL-KO Understood. Will comply
CAN NOT KANN NOTT Unable to comply
REPEAT REE-PEET Repeat your instruction
AM LOST AM LOST Position unknown
MAYDAY MAYDAY I am in distress
HIJACK** HI-JACK I have been hijacked
LAND
(place name) 		LAAND
(place name) 		I request to land at (place
name)
DESCEND DEE SEND I require descent


Note : ** Circumstances may not always permit, nor make desirable, the use of the phrase "HIJACK".
1.12.1.3.3.2 For interceptor aircraft
The following phrases will be used by the interceptor in the circumstances described in paragraph 1.2.1.
 
Phrase Pronunciation Meaning
FOLLOW FOL-LO Follow me
DESCEND DEE-SEND Descend for landing
YOU LAND YOU LAAND Land at this aerodrome
PROCEED PRO-SEED You may proceed
 

1.12.1.3.4 Conflict of instructions

1.12.1.3.4.1. If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the interceptor by visual signals, the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while continuing to comply with the visual instructions given by the interceptor.
 
1.12.1.3.4.2. If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the interceptor by radio, the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while continuing to comply with the radio instructions given by the interceptor.
 

1.12.1.3.5 Call signs

When an interception is being made, and if it becomes necessary for the intercept control unit and/or the interceptor to communicate directly with the aircraft being intercepted, the following call signs should be used:
 
  Intercept control unit - INTERCEPT CONTROL  
  Interceptor - INTERCEPTOR (Call sign)  
  Intercepted aircraft - INTERCEPTED AIRCRAFT  

1.12.1.3.6 Visual signals

The signals for use in the event of interception must be complied with.
SIGNALS FOR USE IN THE EVENT OF INTERCEPTION
 
Signals initiated by intercepting aircraft and responses by intercepted aircraft
 
Series INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals Meaning INTERCEPTING Aircraft Responds Meaning
1 DAY - Rocking wings from a position slightly above and ahead of and, normally, to the left of the intercepted aircraft and, after acknowledgment, a slow level turn, normally to the left, on to the desired heading.

NIGHT - Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals.

Note 1 : Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the interceptor to take up a position to the right of the right of the intercepted aircraft and to make the subsequent turn to the right.
Note 2 : If the intercepted aircraft is not able to keep pace with the interceptor, the interceptor is expected to fly a series of race track patterns and to rock its wings each time it passes the intercepted aircraft 		You have been intercepted.
Follow me. 		AEROPLANES:
DAY - Rocking wings and following.

NIGHT - Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals.

HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT - Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following.

Note : Additional action to be taken by intercepted aircraft is prescribed in paragraph 1.3.2 on page ENR 1.12. 		Understood,
will comply.
2 DAY or NIGHT - An abrupt break-away manoeuvre from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft. You may
proceed. 		AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT - Rocking wings.
HELICOPTERS :
DAY or NIGHT - Rocking aircraft. 		Understood,
will comply.
3 DAY - Circling aerodrome, lowering landing gear and overflying runway in direction of landing or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopter landing area.
NIGHT - Same and, in addition, showing steady landing lights. 		Land at this
aerodrome. 		AEROPLANES :
DAY - Lowering landing  gear, following the interceptor and, if after overflying the runway landing is considered safe, proceeding to land.

NIGHT - Same and, in addition, showing steady landing lights (if carried).

HELICOPTERS : 
DAY or NIGHT - Following the interceptor and proceeding to land, showing a steady landing light (if carried). 		Understood,
will comply.
 
Signals initiated by intercepted aircraft and responses by interceptor
 
Series INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals Meaning Meaning INTERCEPTING Aircraft Responds Meaning
4 AEROPLANES :
DAY - Raising landing gear while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 1 000 FT (300 M) but not exceeding 2 000 FT (600 M) above the aerodrome  level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome.

 
Aerodrome you have designated is inadequate. 		DAY or NIGHT - If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the interceptor to an alternate aerodrome, the interceptor raises its landing gear and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for interceptors.

  		Understood,
Follow me.


 
 
 
 
 
 

 
NIGHT - Flashing landing lights while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 1 000 FT (300 M) but not exceeding 2 000 FT (600 M) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the interceptor uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for interceptors. Understood,
You may proceed.
5 AEROPLANES :
DAY or NIGHT - Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights. 		Cannot comply DAY or NIGHT - Rocking wings.
  		Understood.
 
 
If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the interceptor uses Series 2 signals prescribed for interceptors. You may proceed.
6 AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT - Irregular flashing of all available lights.
HELICOPTERS :
DAY or NIGHT - Irregular flashing of all available lights. 		In distress DAY or NIGHT - Rocking wings.
  		Understood.
 
 
If assistance is not required, and if it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the interceptor uses Series 2 signals prescribed for interceptors. You may proceed.