M1, S2, C7 - Runway Surface Conditions Flashcards
Who is responsible for assessing aerodrome surface conditions and disseminating such information?
Aerodrome operator.
However, special arrangements may be made at some aerodromes for the assessment and dissemination of aerodrome surface conditions to be delegated to the ATSU.
Aeroplane performance can be considered to be impacted whenever…
…the coverage of any water-based contaminants on any runway third exceeds 25%.
There are 5 fundamental elements of the methodology for the reporting and assessment of runway surface conditions, these are:
A) runway condition report (RCR) - is used by pilots to inform their aircraft performance calculations and to provide them with situational awareness. The data contained within the RCR originate from the elements below.
B) Runway condition assessment matrix (RCAM) - the matrix is used by the aerodrome operators personnel conducting runway surface assessments to determine the appropriate runway condition codes (RWYCC) for each third of the runway, and for pilots to decode the RWYCC into meaningful performance information
C) runway condition code (RWYCC) - the RWYCC is determined through the assessment of the following aspects:
- percentage of coverage of contamination in each runway third
- type of contaminant (selected from the runway surface conditions and runway surface condition descriptors)
- depth of the contaminant
- surface air temperature
D) runway surface conditions
E) runway surface condition descriptors
In terms of information provided to pilots via RT…
…only the runway condition code, runway surface conditions and runway surface condition descriptors are of interest
Reporting in compliance with the runway condition report, shall commence when…
…a significant change in runway surface condition occurs due to water, snow, slush, ice or frost.
Reporting of the runway surface condition should continue to reflect significant changes until the runway is no longer contaminated.
When this situation occurs, the aerodrome will issue a runway condition report that states the runway is wet or dry as appropriate.
When the presence or otherwise of surface contaminants on each third of a runway is brought to the attention of the ATSU…
…this information, together with any other related information, is to be reported on the ATIS.
If ATIS is not available or significant changes occur, this information must be reported by the controller to aircraft concerned in plaint language on RT, either:
A) individually
or
B) via the use of an all-stations broadcast, obtaining acknowledgment from each of the aircraft concerned.
It is important to consider the sequence in which the information should be transmitted, using the following reporting terms, runway surface condition descriptors, other related information and runway condition codes.
See tables in SI
Descriptions of surface contamination will include, where applicable…
…the depth of deposit
When reported, the presence or otherwise of contaminants on the surface of a runway will be assessed over…
…the most significant portion of the runway is the area most likely to be used by aircraft taking off and landing.
The assessed area may be different on runways with a displaced threshold or other unusual configuration eg starter extension.
Reports of the runway condition, to be used on ATIS or RT for each third shall be given…
…in the direction of take off or landing.
Information on the runway surface condition shall include:
- the aerodrome location
- date and time of assessment
- runway in use designator
- RWYCC for each runway third
- type of contaminant
- depth of contaminant
- percentage coverage of contaminant
- available width and/or length
- other related info
Pilot reports of braking action are to be passed to…
…the AO ASAP.
Such reports enable the AO to consider reassessing the RWYCC in accordance with the RCAM
Pilots of aircraft may report, or observations from the tower may indicate, that the amount of contaminant water present or runway surface condition is different from that being reported.
Under no circumstances…
…is a controller to pass pilots information which suggests that the runway surface condition is better than the official report.
However, when a pilots report or an observation from the VCR indicates a worse runway surface condition, this information is to be passed.
Unofficial observations from the VCR or pilot reports are to be prefixed by the words:
“Unofficial observation”
In this case, the runway surface conditions will be advised using a single term for the entire runway
