Impact of the Kumamoto Earthquake on Aviation Operations as Seen from NOTAMs
Although Tokyo is far away, watching the daily news reports about the Kumamoto Earthquakes, one cannot help but be concerned. Regarding how Kumamoto Airport (RJFT) is doing, one can only check the NOTAMs. Some abbreviations were seen for the first time, but the AIM-J (Aeronautical Information Manual Japan) on hand was very helpful.
170057 RJAAYNYX
(0188/16 NOTAMR 0175/16
Q)RJJJ/QLJAS/IV/BO/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604170057 C)UFN
E)A PART OF RLLS(NR.15,NR.16) FOR RWY 25-U/S DUE TO TROUBLE)
LJ stands for Runway alignment indicator lights, AS stands for Unserviceable. Everything below is IV, meaning both IFR and VFR are included. RLLS is short for runway lead-in lighting system; let’s translate it as Runway Lead-in Lighting System, meaning lights No. 15 and No. 16 for Runway 25 are unusable due to trouble.
160922 RJAAYNYX
(0185/16 NOTAMR 0157/16
Q)RJJJ/QFMAH/IV/BO/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160922 C)1604232100
E)REF AIP PAGE GEN 3.5-14
TEMPO CHANGE
1 LOCATION KUMAMOTO/RJFT
2 METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS(UTC)
H
S
INSTEAD OF
1 LOCATION KUMAMOTO/RJFT
2 METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS(UTC)
H(22-12)
S(ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DAY 2100-1230)
S ASTERISK(IN THE OTHER DAY 2100-1230))
FM stands for Meteorological service, AH means Hours service are now, which means meteorological reports are now issued every hour.
160659 RJAAYNYX
(0184/16 NOTAMR 0156/16
Q)RJJJ/QFAAH/IV/NBO/A/000/999/3250N13050E040
A)RJFT B)1604160659 C)1604232230
E)REF AIP RJFT AD2
RJFT AD2.3 OPERATIONAL HOURS
4 AIS BRIEFING OFFICE
7 ATS
RJFT AD2.18 ATS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
APP,ASR,DEP,TWR,GND,ATIS
RJFT AD2.19 RADIO NAVIGATION AND LANDING AIDS
ILS-LOC 07,ILS-GP 07,ILS-DME 07,IM 07
TEMPO CHANGE
H24
INSTEAD OF
2230-1230)
FA stands for Aerodrome, meaning the airport’s AIS (Aeronautical Information Service) and ATS have also changed from daytime-only operations to 24-hour service.
160656 RJAAYNYX
(0183/16 NOTAMR 0155/16
Q)RJJJ/QFAAH/IV/NBO/A/000/999/3250N13050E025
A)RJFT B)1604160656 C)1604232300
E)REF AIP RJFT AD2
RJFT AD2.18 ATS COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
TCA
TEMPO CHANGE
H24
INSTEAD OF
2300-1030)
This is similar as well, TCA is also available 24 hours.
The following are a series of reports on lighting systems: LX is Taxiway centre line lights, meaning the Taxiway center line lights are unusable. LR is All landing area lighting facilities. LY is Taxi edge lights. OL is Obstacle lights on.
160112 RJAAYNYX
(0182/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLXAS/IV/M/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160112 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:8
TWY-CL-LGT FOR TWY P6-U/S)
160112 RJAAYNYX
(0181/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLXAS/IV/M/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160112 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:7
TWY-CL-LGT FOR TWY P5-PARTLY U/S)
160111 RJAAYNYX
(0180/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLRAS/IV/NBO/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160111 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:5
RWY-GUARD-LGT FOR TWY T2-U/S)
160109 RJAAYNYX
(0179/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLRAS/IV/NBO/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160109 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:4
STOP-BAR-LGT FOR TWY T2-U/S)
160109 RJAAYNYX
(0178/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLYAS/IV/M/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160109 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:3
TWY-EDGE-LGT FOR TWY T2-PARTLY U/S)
160108 RJAAYNYX
(0177/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLXAS/IV/M/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160108 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:2
TWY-CL-LGT FOR TWY T2-U/S)
160107 RJAAYNYX
(0176/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QLXAS/IV/M/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604160107 C)1607292200
E)REF AIP SUP 035/16 ITEM TWY:1
TWY-CL-LGT FOR TWY T7-PARTLY U/S)
152336 RJAAYNYX
(0171/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QOLAS/IV/M/E/000/026/3254N13058E005
A)RJFT B)1604152336 C)1604300800
E)OBST LGT ON WIND TURBINE-U/S DUE TO TROUBLE
1.PSN:325429.0N1305803.0E HGT:2460FT AMSL
2.PSN:325425.0N1305809.0E HGT:2583FT AMSL
(ASO-SHI IN KUMAMOTO)
F)SFC G)2583FT AMSL)
151651 RJAAYNYX
(0158/16 NOTAMN
Q)RJJJ/QSTLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/3250N13051E005
A)RJFT B)1604151651 C)UFN
E)TWR-CLSD DUE TO EARTHQUAKE EVACUATION)
This is the earliest entry. ST is Aerodrome control tower, LC means closed, and it was issued at 1:51 AM on April 16th.
The earthquake first occurred at 21:26 on April 14th, but the strongest main shock occurred at 1:25 AM on April 16th. You can see that the airport Tower was closed due to evacuation just 26 minutes after the main shock.
In the face of natural disasters, humanity is always so fragile. I can only pray for the safety of the people in the affected areas and hope that reconstruction can begin soon.