Development of Aviation Related Activities in the Southern Region
of Sri Lanka

1. Introduction – Progress and Development of Domestic Civil Aviation industry in Sri Lanka had been at an extreme slow pace and in reality no acknowledgeable growth had taken place compared with the progress made by many other industries resisting all odds. The security situation that existed for the last two and a half decades had been the main cause for this zero growth situation due to very restrictive operational parameters within which domestic civil aviation had to venture. Most countries in the region have taken long strides and leaps in its growth and development of domestic aviation.

In order to arrest this situation, and taking into consideration the security status across the country, it was clear that the Southern Region is more conducive for development of domestic civil aviation. The following are the contents of the proposal made by this office in July 2004. This office is now informed by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence to proceed with the launching of the project.

2. Area of Operations

The following general areas and its encompassing airspace of Southern Sri Lanka is demarcated for development of domestic civil aviation under the ‘ Ruhunu Open Skies” project also known as ‘Southern Free Skies” at the proposal stage.

a) Coastal belt from Kalutara to Arugam Bay in Pottuvil and the adjacent 200 NM Maritime Economic Zone

b) General area inland of the coastal belt described in a) above, encompassed by Kalutara, Neboda, Elpitiya, Akuressa, Panamurre, Balangoda, Kirigalpotta mountain peak, Haputale, Ella, Haliella, Lunugala, Weerawila, Yala and a line from a point of one nautical mile inland at Yala to one nautical mile inland at Potuvil to the coast. Area map>>>

Three airfields namely Katukurunda, Koggala and Weerawila are located in the Southern Sri Lanka and therefore the basic support infrastructure facility required for aviation in the south is already in place. An abandoned make shift runway is also present North - East of Hambantota, presently covered by shrub jungle and grass. The area described in 2 a) and b) can accommodate a wide range of aviation activity from flying schools, hang gliding, para gliding, para jumping, Sail Para flying, ballooning, float plane operations, micro-light and ultra light aircraft, model air craft and Kites to a major contributor to the national economy by providing a variety of helicopter services to the ships plying on the shipping lane 5 to 20 nautical miles, South of Sri Lanka which accounts for the second highest traffic flow in the world, amounting to approximately 285- 325 ships per day reaching a near 10,000 ships for a month.

3. (I) Shipping Lane operations by Helicopters

Koggala is ideally located to support the shipping lane, and well supported by the location of Katukurunda and Weerawila airfields. South Africa and many countries in the Gulf region, Malacca straits and the UK has made the International shipping lanes that are located in close proximity to their territories to be a contributor to the National economy, by providing services to the ships utilizing helicopters. The following services could be provided by helicopters through day and night operations. Almost all the operations can be conducted with specialised aircrews and helicopters with or without shipboard landing. See more details...

a. Crew Transfers
b. Medical evacuations
c. Air lift on-board the ship, Specialist and para-medics for emergency medical care.
d. Provision of emergency medicines
e. Supply of fresh food and other ration supplies
f. Supply of fresh water in an emergency situation
g. Goods transfer and supply
h. Mail/ Parcel transfers
i. Supply of spares, machinery for maintenance
j. Airlift on-board the ship maintenance specialist and repair crew and recovery on completion.

The above services would definitely contribute to the economic growth of the whole of South and the Nation and uplift the standard of living of the people of the South.

3. (II) Flying Schools

Weerawila would be an ideal location for aviation training schools. Such training schools can provide training to meet International standards from the basic stage to advanced training. The potential for such foreign investment in Sri Lanka is high due to the restrictions that exist for flying schools in USA at present. Weeerawila provides the calm, isolated environment required for flying training and hospitable terrain. Koggala is not recommended for flying training purposes as it has greater potential to accommodate recreational and commercial aviation and locating flying schools in such a place would congest the aviation environment hindering the operational, commercial and economic viability of such projects. However Koggala is not totally ruled out for flying schools until support infrastructure development is completed in Weerawila. See more details...

3. (III). Balloon Operations

The flat land area within the described area in paragraph 1 b) could be utilized for balloon operations. Sri Lanka is already accepted as a good balloon flying location. Commercial balloon operations are already in place. Area encompassed by Udawalawe, Kirinda, Koggala triangle would be ideal for this purpose. A single commercial balloon operated during the last three seasons (November – May 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006) carried over 2500 leisure tourist with very little publicity and promotion. See more details...

3. (IV) Float Plane Operations

a) Commercial small and medium float planes

Most of the water sources such as Chandrika wewa, Uda Walawe, Ridiyagama tank, Lunugamvehera reservoir, Tissa wewa, Dembara wewa, Arugam bay and Weligama bay could be prepared after surveys for float plane operations in addition to the presently available Koggala lake (water aerodrome). Further certain areas along the coastline from Kalutara to Arugam Bay provide excellent conditions for water aerodromes including estuaries. Studies have shown that floatplane operations do the least damage to the environment compared to water-borne vessels such as boats etc.

Such a network of water sources would provide excellent air travel capability within the area, and it may not be only the tourist that might use such mode of transport, but also the local people visiting the region for leisure or business might utilize after arriving by road or air transport at one of the three domestic airfields or direct float plane operations from outside the region. See more details...

b) Commercial and private Ultra Light Float Planes

The abundance of water sources in the region would also encourage ultra light floatplane operators to locate their operations in the southern region to provide not only leisure flying but also float plane flying training schools as well.

3. (V). Micro Light and Ultra Light Aerial Sports and recreation Category Operations

The varying landscape of mountains, valleys, plains, inland water sources, estuaries, the coastal belt, the ocean and immensely friendly weather conditions provides an ideal aerial Micro and ultra light sports and recreation air space in the proposed Southern region.

Micro light aircraft are flying machines below 600 KG, whilst Ultra Light Aircraft are machines below 300 kg. (See Presentation Slides 32 to 33)

a) Para Gliding and Hang Gliding

The high mountain ranges from Kirigalpoththa to Ella are ideal for para and hang gliding, Horton planes and Ella are considered ideal locations. The windward slopes, Convection currents and mountain drafts due to the hill affect provide ideal atmospheric conditions for the sport. In fact hang gliding takes place in Ella already. The weather in this area is generally dry during most part of the year. (slides 33 to35 refers)

b) Para Motor or Powered Para Gliding

The areas suitable for the categories mentioned in a) above are suitable for powered gliding and powered hang gliding as well. However this category has the added advantage of performing from any other suitable level surface such as a play ground sufficient for a short run or an airfield as it is powered by itself. Southern region, which has abundance of flat land, is an ideal location for the sport. (See the Presentation Slides 33 to 35 )

c) Para Sailing and parascending

Para Sail is operated at a water source towed by a boat. The full coastal belt of the region and all inland water sources in the Southern Region can be utilised to promote this sport.( See Presentation Slide 36 )

Parascending is where a pilot harnessed to the parachute use a “Land Rover” type of vehicle ( off road vhicle) to tow up and then descend to a selected point.

d) Micro Light Aircraft and Ultra light aircraft

Koggala will be an ideal place for location of such aircraft as most micro light operators are people who fly for leisure or as a hobby. However Weerawila also can be considered as a suitable location, or the abandoned runway located North- East of Hambantota can be developed and re-activated as a dedicated Micro and Ultra light Light Airfield in addition to Koggala.

e) Powered Parachuting/ Para Jumping

Powered parachuting where a motor powered parachute, which will take off under power, shut don the engine in the air and engage in free flight and restart the engine in the air and land with power. Koggala could be an ideal location for this type of sport.

Weerawila is an ideal location for para jumping, considering the flat terrain and vast open land. Para Jumping as a sport is very popular in many countries and certain aviation companies are dedicated for the sport. (See Presentation Slide 37 )

f) Gliding and Power assisted gliding

Gliders being airplanes without engines, have several ways of getting launched. The aero tow launch is very docile, and involves being pulled up by a light aircraft with strong rope in between. When the glider gets the required height, the glider releases the cable, and the glider is free.

Winch launching is probably the most common. This involves being attached with a long reel of wire. When the wire gets pulled in the glider gets the speed to fly into the air like a kite. When the glider is almost overhead the winch, the cable is released.

Bungy launching is also another method but not very commonly used.

This yet another popular sport where Koggala and Weerawila and the Southern open flat land can be utilised for the purpose. (See Presentation slide 38)

g) Model planes

Model plane operations for aviation enthusiasts, can be promoted in selected areas, and preferably out of airfields. (See Presentation Slide 39)

h) Kite Operations

Kites are mostly considered as kids toys. But several demanding sports are based on the use of kites. Kites allow to draw several types of figures in th sky. Kite surf use power kites to sail on water and jump on waves. Power kites can also be used to pull buggys, mostly on beaches.

Kites are used for ocean wave jumping which is a popular recreational activity in most beach resorts around the world. Kite operations also fall within the aviation spectrum of activity and regulated in certain cases, especially Kites above 5 KG weight category.

This recreational aerial activity can be promoted in many parts of the Southern region, and developed to a stage where international Kite festivals are conducted in the region.
(See Presentation Slide 40 )

4. Location of General Aviation Companies

General aviation companies should be encouraged to establish their home bases in Koggala and Weerawila as much as practicable, this would immensely contribute to the growth of aviation in the region as well as the economic growth and technological advancement in the region. Also would reduce the congestion at Ratmalana and Katunayake.(See Presentation Slide 4)

5. Civil Control of airfields

It is important that Administrative control of the airfields of Koggala and Weerawila are vested with the Civil Authority in time to come, in order to facilitate the growth of civil aviation in the region. It is difficult to foresee civil operations grow into its real potential in a military administered and controlled environment due to the reluctance of investment by foreigners and flow of assistance from foreign donors within a military frame work. Operational control could be maintained by the SLAF as the civil authorities lack the infrastructure for such control at present and SLAF presence would be essential to address security coordination issues as applicable to certain operations. (See Presentation Slide 42)

6. Refueling and Fire Services

It is important that the Petroleum Corporation establish Aviation refueling facilities and the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd establish fire services with time to meet civil aviation standards at Koggala and Weerawila and the Sri Lanka Air Force provide such facilities until such time the civil sector is capable of taking over the responsibilities. (See Presentation Slide 43)

7. Regulating Operations

In order to facilitate the development of aviation in the region CAA-SL would have to locate a regulatory sub office in the region.

The regulatory requirements for Helicopter, Balloon and Float Plane operations are already established to a great extent. In the absence of regulations at CAA to the wide range of aviation activity in the Ultra light and micro light categories, as an interim measure CAA could adopt time tested and established regulations of other States until it develops its own regulations or adapt regulations of other States to local conditions. The following resources are available with the CAA for regulatory guidance. ( See Presentation Slide 44)

Pakistan air navigation Orders - Air Navigation Order 90.0010
Federal aircraft Regulations Part 103
CAA- New Zealand Regulations
CAA- Australia Regulations
Joint Aviation Regulations – European Union
CAA-UK Regulations

8. Control and Monitoring

All types of flying devices which need to be regulated will have to be registered with the CAA-SL, as applicable to regulations and considering safety and security factors involved.

Control and Monitoring system for Helicopter, Balloon and Floatplane operations are already established for an Island wide operation. The Regional operations control and co-ordination mechanism can be established through control and co-ordination of the three ATC centres, or with a localised mechanism catered for the local air field, which can be formulated by CAA-SL in close co-ordination of the SLAF. Most operations being localised, every endeavor must be made for such activity to be controlled and coordinated by the local ATC due to its simplicity of the operation.

The helicopter International shipping lane operation, which is also a localised operation for a specific purpose, which could immensely contribute to the National Economy and Regional Development, should be locally controlled giving due regard to its nature of operation and locality rather than generalising with inland helicopter operations.

In case of certain sports such as Para Jumping will need information to be passed to the Colombo Control, ATC Ratmalana and Central operations room of the SLAF, for the purpose of air space coordination due to traffic inbound to the area concerned and security concerns.

Hang glider, Para Glider, Powered Hang gliding, Para sailing, model planes and kites has no need for a control and co-ordination mechanism in most cases. Such operations can be conducted in pre designated areas unless otherwise it is a big event, falling into the category of an air show, Regulatory formalities as and if applicable to micro and ultra light categories can be applied by CAA as practiced world wide. The ultra and micro categories described can operate in localities designated for such purposes, away from airfields as much as possible, with certain operating limitations in place for safety and security. This type of activity need reasonable amount of freedom of operation if there is to e a growth, by its nature this type of aerial activity does not pose a security hazard or cause a flight safety concern as far as operated in the given localities and universally accepted limitations for flight safety.

9. Conclusion

The wide spectrum of aviation activity dedicated to the Southern Region of Sri Lanka, discussed could be taken in its entirety as a basic framework to develop aviation in the region.

The direct and indirect economic advantages to the State and the region, with sustainable employment of quality, of which the southern rural population is very much deprived of at present, as well as technological advancement and the development of the quality of life of the people of the Southern region will be the 'hall mark' objective that is achieved via the medium of aviation.

The proposed aviation activity for the Southern region would no doubt be quite a unique feature due to a wide spectrum of aviation activity being created in a relatively small air and land space. Therefore the area as a whole would draw the wide attention of the foreign up- market tourist, foreign investors in leisure activity as well as pleasure, recreation and adventure seekers. This unique aviation panorama will no doubt be a local tourist (Sri Lankan) attraction as well.