Separation Standards

General Provision for the Separation of Controlled Traffic

Vertical or Horizontal (either lateral or longitudinal) separation will always be
provided:
a. Between controlled IFR flights
b. Between controlled IFR flights and special VFR flights.
c. Between Special VFR flights, except, for the cases under (a) and (b) above,
during the hours of daylight when flights have been cleared to climb or descend
subject to maintaining own separation and remaining in Visual Meteorological
conditions.
No clearance will be given to execute any manoeuvres that would reduce the
spacing between two aircraft to less than the separation minimum applicable in the
circumstances.
Larger separations than the specified minima should be applied whenever
exceptional circumstances call for extra precautions. This should be done with due
regard to all relevant factors so as to avoid impeding the flow of air traffic by
application of excessive separations.
Where the type of separation or minimum used to separate two aircraft cannot be
maintained, action will be taken to ensure that another type of separation or
another minimum exists or is established prior to the time when the previously
used separation would be insufficient.

Vertical Separation
Vertical separation is obtained by requiring aircraft using prescribed altimeter
setting procedures to operate at different levels.
A minimum vertical separation of 1000ft shall be applied between IFR traffic
operating below FL290. A vertical separation of 1000ft shall be applied between
RVSM approved aircraft operating between FL290 and FL410 inclusive in Nairobi
flight information region. A minimum vertical separation of 2000ft shall be applied
between non-RVSM approved state aircraft and any other aircraft operating within
Nairobi RVSM airspace. A minimum vertical separation of 2000ft shall be applied
between aircraft operating at or above FL410.

When aircraft are in flight, vertical separation will be provided between such
holding aircraft and en route aircraft whilst such en route aircraft are within 5
minutes flying time of the holding aircraft’s flight path.
When an aircraft reports vacating a level, that level may be assigned to another
aircraft except that when severe turbulence is known to exist, the first aircraft must
have reported on another level before such assignment is made. This applies to
both en route and holding aircraft.
Where necessary, an aircraft may be requested to change its level at a specified
rate.

Horizontal (Lateral) Separation

Lateral separation of aircraft at the same level is obtained by requiring operation on
different routes or in different geographical locations as determined by visual
observation or by use of navigation aid.
Means by which lateral separation may be achieved include the following:

a. Geographical Separation:
Separation positively indicated by position reports over different geographical
locations as determined visually or by reference to a navigational aid.

b. Track Separation:
By requiring aircraft to fly on specified tracks which are separated by a minimum
amount appropriate to the Navigational aid or method employed. When navigation
aid is being used for separation purposes, aircraft must be within the service range
of the facility. Should a pilot report that he is not receiving or suspects the
accuracy of indications from the navigational facility, It should not be used for
separation.
VOR
Separation is deemed to exist when:-
a. Two outbound aircraft: both aircraft have reported established on radials
which are separated by a minimum of 20 degrees and it is determined that one
aircraft is time equivalent of 15NM or 4 minutes whichever is greater from the
facility.

15NM/4 Min

VO 20°
R B

b. Two outbound aircraft: both aircraft must have passed a VOR and reported
established on radials which diverge by 45 degrees or more.

V0R
45°
c. One outbound one inbound aircraft : both aircraft have reported established
on radials which are separated by a minimum number of degrees and the outbound
aircraft is at least a minimum distance from the facility as stated below:-
i. 20 degrees and time equivalent of 30NM or 8 minutes (whichever is the greater).

30NM or 8 Mins

VOR 20º

ii. 40 degrees and time equivalent of 15NM or 4 minutes (Whichever is the greater)

15NM or 4 Mins

VOR 40º
VOR AND CO-LOCATED DME OR RADAR RANGES
Separation is deemed to exist when:-

a. Two outbound aircraft: both aircraft have reported established on radials

which are separated by a minimum of 20 degrees and one aircraft is at least 15NM
from the VOR/DME.

15NM

VOR/DME 20º

b. One inbound and one outbound aircraft: both aircraft have reported
established on radials which are separated by minimum of 20 degrees and the
inbound aircraft is at least 30NM or the outbound aircraft is at least 20NM from
the VOR/DME.

c. Two inbound aircraft: both aircraft have reported established on radials which
are separated by a minimum of 20 degrees and one aircraft is at least 30NM from
the VOR/DME

30 NM

VOR/DME
20º
Horizontal (Longitudinal) Separation
Aircraft at the same level Aircraft flying on the same track from
a. 10 minutes or greater when circumstances require, on internal airways.
b. 10 minutes if navigational aids permit frequent determination of position and
speed.
c. 5 minutes in the following cases, provided that in each case, the preceding
aircraft is maintaining a true air speed of 20KTs or more, faster than the
succeeding aircraft:

i. Between aircraft that have departed from the same aerodrome;

ii. Between en route aircraft that have reported over the same exact reporting point;
iii. Between departing and en route aircraft, after the en route aircraft has reported
over a fix that is so located in relation to the departure point as to ensure that 5
minutes’ separation can be established at the point, the departing aircraft will join
the air route; or
d. 3 minutes in the cases listed under (c) provided that in each case the preceding
aircraft is maintaining a true airspeed of 40Kts or more, faster than the succeeding
aircraft.

Aircraft climbing or descending

Traffic on the same track:
a. 20 minutes at the time levels are crossed or greater when circumstances require.
b. 10 minutes or greater when circumstances require on internal airways.
c. 10 minutes at the time the level is crossed, if navigational aids permit frequent
determination of position and speed.
d. 5 minutes at the time the level is crossed, providing that the level change is
commenced within 10 minutes of the time the second aircraft has reported over an
exact reporting point

Traffic on Crossing Tracks

i. 20 minutes, at the time levels are crossed or greater when circumstances require.
ii. 10 minutes if navigational aids permit frequent determination of position and
speed.
Aircraft on reciprocal tracks
Where lateral separation is not provided, vertical separation shall be provided for at
least 10 minutes prior to and after the time the aircraft are estimated to pass or are
estimated to have passed. If reports are received that the aircraft have passed each
other, this minima need not apply.

Minimum Longitudinal Separation between Departing Aircraft.

One minute separation if aircraft are to fly different tracks and lateral separation
of at least 45° is provided immediately after take-off.
Two minutes between take-off: The preceding aircraft is 40 knots or more faster
than the following aircraft and both aircraft propose to follow the same track.
5 minutes separation at the time cruising levels are crossed: if a departing
aircraft will be flown through the level of a Preceding departing aircraft, and both
aircraft propose to follow the same track. Action will be taken to ensure that the 5
minutes separation will be maintained or increased when cruising levels are
crossed.

Separation minima using DME

Aircraft at the same cruising level
Aircraft on the same track:
a. 20 nautical miles or greater when circumstances require, provided:
i. Each aircraft utilizes “on track” DME stations; and
ii. Separation is checked by obtaining simultaneous DME readings from the
aircraft at frequent intervals to ensure the minimum will not be infringed.
b. 10 nautical miles provided:
i. The leading aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 20 knots or faster than the
succeeding aircraft.
ii. Each aircraft utilizes “on track” DME stations; and
iii. Separation is checked by obtaining simultaneous DME readings from the
aircraft at such intervals as are necessary to ensure the minimum is established and
will not be infringed.

Aircraft on crossing tracks:

The separation prescribed above shall apply provided that each aircraft reports
distance from the station located at the crossing point on the tracks.

Aircraft climbing or Descending on the same track

10 nautical miles at the time the level is crossed, or greater when circumstances
require; provided:
i. Each aircraft utilizes “on track” DME station;
ii. One aircraft maintains a level while vertical separation does not exist; and
iii. Separations is established by obtaining simultaneous DME readings from the
aircraft.
Note: Where a considerable change of level is involved, aircraft should be cleared
to a level below or above the conflicting aircraft and a further check made to
ascertain the separation that will be obtained when the level is crossed.
Aircraft on reciprocal tracks:-
Aircraft utilising on track DME may be cleared to climb or descend to or through
the levels occupied by other aircraft utilising on track DME, provided that it has
been positively established that the aircraft have passed each other and are at least
10 nm apart.
Note: “On track” means that an aircraft is either flying toward or away from the
station.

Reduction in Separation Minima

The separation minima detailed above may be reduced only in the following
circumstances:
a. When in association with rapid and reliable communication facilities, radar
derived information of an aircraft’s position is available to the appropriate air
Traffic Service Unit.
b. In the vicinity of Aerodromes if, in the opinion of the unit providing approach
control services:-
i. Adequate separation can be provided by the aerodrome controller when each
aircraft is continually visible to this controller; or
ii. Each aircraft is continuously visible to pilots in command of other aircraft
concerned and the pilots thereof report that they can maintain their own separation.
iii. In the case of one aircraft following another, the pilot- in-command of the
succeeding aircraft reports that he has the other aircraft in sight and can maintain
separation.

Radar Separation
The horizontal radar separation shall be 5 NM or greater where circumstances
require.