Aerodromes Flashcards
- What is the minimum RFFS category required?
A319/320: 6
A321: 7
OM A 8.1.2.1
What are the acceptable Downgrades of RFFS for Planning purposes for DEP/DEST aerodromes?
2 categories below the published aerodrome RFFS category ( in case of temporary downgrade notified by ATC, NOTAM, ATIS etc. for a period of time not exceeding 72 hours).
RFFS Category 5 may be permitted for certain aerodromes which experience low volumes of commercial air transport traffic. This will be indicated on the OFP when permitted.
What are the acceptable Downgrades of RFFS for Planning purposes for Take-off Alternate, Destination Alternate and Enroute Alternate?
Non UK Aerodromes – RFFS 4.
UK Aerodromes – RFFS 5.
What happens if an RFFS downgrade occurs in flight?
The Commander may decide to land at an aerodrome regardless of RFFS category if it is considered safer to do so than to divert.
What is a Category A aerodrome?
An aerodrome that meets all the following conditions:
- A straight-in 3D instrument approach procedure with a glide path angle of not more than 3.5 degrees to each runway expected to be used for landing;
- At least one runway with no performance-limited procedure for take-off and/or landing, such as no requirement to follow a contingency procedure for obstacle clearance in the event of an engine failure on take-off from any runway expected to be used for departure; and
- Night operations capability.
What is a Category B aerodrome?
An aerodrome that does not meet the Category A conditions or which requires extra considerations due to:
- Non-standard approach aids and/or approach patterns, such as restrictions on the availability of straight-in instrument approach procedures;
- Unusual local weather conditions, such as environmental features that can give rise to turbulence, windshear or unusual wind conditions;
- Unusual characteristics or performance limitations, such as unusual runway characteristics in length, width, slope, markings or lighting that present an atypical visual perspective on approach;
- Any other relevant considerations, including obstructions, physical layout, lighting, etc., such as restrictions on circling in certain sectors due to obstacles in the circling area.
What is a Category B Restricted aerodrome?
- Training or flight crew experience requirements stipulated by the competent authority responsible for the aerodrome that do not include instruction in an FSTD or visiting the aerodrome.
- Complexity and threat levels requiring specified restrictions but not requiring an aerodrome visit or not requiring specific FSTD training.
What is a Category C aerodrome?
- Requires additional considerations to those of a Category B aerodrome; or
- For which flight crew experience or qualification requirements stipulated by the competent authority responsible for the aerodrome include instruction in an FSTD or visiting the aerodrome.
- Special crew qualification required which can be achieved by an aerodrome visit or specific training.
Where do you find out the effect of failed or downgraded equipment at an airfield?
LIDO GEN Part section 1.5.7.16.2 “Failed or Downgraded Ground Equipment”
When do we NOT need a destination alternate?
OM A 8.1.2.2.2.5
At least 1 usable destination alternate aerodrome must be selected for each IFR flight UNLESS:
* Dispatched under the Alternative Flight Planning Procedures (OM A 8.1.7.6.5)
* Flight time (or when in-flight re-planning does not exceed 4 hours) does NOT exceed 6 hours
* 2 separate runways available and usable at DEST (where the risk of a single event such as an aircraft accident or meteorological deterioration at that single aerodrome will not eliminate safe landing options)
* Weather +/- 1h ETA Ceiling ≥ 2000ft or circling height +500ft whichever is higher, and vis ≥ 5km
* Additional fuel is carried
When do we require two destination alternates?
OM A 8.1.2.2.2.3
2 suitable destination alternates must be selected when:
* The appropriate weather forecasts for the destination will be below the applicable planning minima;
* No meteorological information for the destination is available,
* The landing performance requirements cannot be assured at a destination aerodrome due to dependence on a specific wind component or runway state.
* If it becomes foreseeable at planning stage, applying reasonable calculated flight time, that the destination may not be reached before the night ban becomes effective, the flight must be planned with two suitable destination alternates aerodrome (OM A 8.3.7.1.5)
When planning for an alternate, the TAF indicates a PROB TEMPO that the weather will be below limits at ETA +/- 1h. Can this alternate be used?
LIDO GEN
* Deterioration may be disregarded.
* Improvement should be disregarded including mean wind and gusts.
What are the planning minima for a takeoff alternate?
OM A 8.1.2.2.2.2 & OM.B 5.1
* Required if performance or meteorological conditions preclude a return to departure aerodrome (below the applicable minima for the instrument approach in use)
* Weather Reports or forecasts for the takeoff alternate shall be at or above the applicable minima for the expected instrument approach.
* Ceiling shall be considered for a type A or a circling operation as well as RVR or VIS requirements
* Any limitation related to OEI operation or dispatch under MEL conditions shall be taken into account.
* The selected takeoff alternate shall be located within 1h still air flight time at the OEI cruise speed in ISA conditions based on the actual takeoff weight.
* Take off alternates, if required must be within 320nm for all types (A319/20/21)
Within what distance must an Adequate Aerodrome be?
OM B 5.1
An adequate aerodrome must be available at any point along the planned route within a distance defined as 1h flight time based on OEI cruise speed at ISA conditions in still air. This distance is:
A319 – 380nm
A320 – 400nm
A321 – 400nm
What is the difference between Commercial and Fuel Alternates?
Fuel alternates should only be chosen when the weather and operational conditions at the destination make a diversion unlikely (low risk).
Commercial alternates are selected according to numbered priority, unless already selected as fuel alternate.
Consider the risk of a diversion when considering the Commercial alternate. The following factors should be evaluated in order to determine if a diversion is considered likely:
1. Thunderstorms are forecast at the destination aerodrome.
2. Weather conditions close to operational minima at the destination.
3. Winds exceeding crosswind limits.
4. FZRA/DZ and SN removal during winter operations.
