AERODROME STANDARDS
AERODROME DESIGN AND OPERATIONS
This Manual is based on ICAO Annex 14, Third Edition – July
1999
and is fully compliant with that document.

Status of Manual Components

Editorial practices

Aerodrome Standards Page 10

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL

Introductory Note.C This document contains the Standards that prescribe the physical characteristics and
obstacle limitation surfaces to be provided for at aerodromes, and certain facilities and technical services normally
provided at an aerodrome.

To a great extent, the specifications for individual facilities detailed in this document, have been
interrelated by a reference code system, described in this chapter, and by the designation of the type of runway for
which they are to be provided, as specified in the definitions. This not only simplifies the reading of this Standard,
but in most cases, provides for efficiently proportioned aerodromes when the specifications are followed.

This document sets forth the minimum aerodrome specifications for aircraft which have the characteristics of those which are currently operating or for similar aircraft that are planned for introduction. Accordingly, any additional safe-guards that might be considered appropriate to provide for more demanding aircraft are not taken into account. Such matters are left to the CAA to evaluate and take into account as necessary for each particular aerodrome. It is to be noted that the specifications for precision approach runways categories II and III are only applicable to runways intended to be used by aeroplanes in code numbers 3 and 4.

This Standard does not include specifications relating to the overall planning of aerodromes (such as
separation between adjacent aerodromes or capacity of individual aerodromes) or to economic and other nontechnical
factors that need to be considered in the development of an aerodrome.

Aviation security is an integral part of aerodrome planning and operations and this Standard, contains
several specifications aimed at enhancing the level of security at aerodromes.

1.1 Definitions

When the following terms are used in this Standard they have the following meanings:

Accuracy. A degree of conformance between the estimated or measured value and the true value.

Note.C For measured positional data the accuracy is normally expressed in terms of a distance from a
stated position within which there is a defined confidence of the true position falling.

Aerodrome. A defined area on land or water (including any buildings, installations, and equipment) intended to be
used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface movement of aircraft.

Aerodrome beacon. Aeronautical beacon used to indicate the location of an aerodrome from the air.

Aerodrome Certificate. A certificate issued by the appropriate authority under applicable regulations for the
operation of an aerodrome.

Aerodrome elevation. The elevation of the highest point of the landing area.

Aerodrome identification sign. A sign placed on an aerodrome to aid in identifying the aerodrome from the air.

Aerodrome reference point. The designated geographical location of an aerodrome.

Aerodrome traffic density.

a) Light. Where the number of movements in the mean busy hour is not greater than 15 per runway
or typically less than 20 total aerodrome movements.

b) Medium. Where the number of movements in the mean busy hour is of the order of 16 to 25 per
runway or typically between 20 to 35 total aerodrome movements.

c) Heavy. Where the number of movements in the mean busy hour is of the order of 26 or more per
runway or typically more than 35 total aerodrome movements.

Note 1.C The number of movements in the mean busy hour is the arithmetic mean over the year of the
number of movements in the daily busiest hour.

Note 2.C Either a take-off or a landing constitutes a movement.

Aeronautical beacon. An aeronautical ground light visible at all azimuths, either continuously or intermittently, to
designate a particular point on the surface of the earth.

Aeronautical ground light. Any light specially provided as an aid to air navigation, other than a light displayed on
an aircraft.

Aeroplane reference field length. The minimum field length required for take-off at maximum certificated take-off
mass, sea level, standard atmospheric conditions, still air and zero runway slope, as shown in the appropriate
aeroplane flight manual prescribed by the certificating authority or equivalent data from the aeroplane
manufacturer. Field length means balanced field length for aeroplanes, if applicable, or take-off distance in
other cases.

Note.C Attachment A, Section 2 provides information on the concept of balanced field length.

Aircraft classification number (ACN). A number expressing the relative effect of an aircraft on a pavement for a
specified standard subgrade category.

Note.C The aircraft classification number is calculated with respect to the center of gravity (CG) position which
yields the critical loading on the critical gear. Normally the aftmost CG position appropriate to the maximum gross
apron (ramp) mass is used to calculate the ACN. In exceptional cases the forwardmost CG position may result in
the nose gear loading being more critical.

Aircraft stand. A designated area on an apron intended to be used for parking an aircraft.

Apron. A defined area, on a land aerodrome, intended to accommodate aircraft for purposes of loading or
unloading passengers, mail or cargo, fuelling, parking or maintenance.

Apron management service. A service provided to regulate the activities and the movement of aircraft and
vehicles on an apron.

Barrette. Three or more aeronautical ground lights closely spaced in a transverse line so that from a distance they
appear as a short bar of light.

Certified aerodrome. An aerodrome whose operator has been granted an aerodrome certificate.

Capacitor discharge light. A lamp in which high-intensity flashes of extremely short duration are produced by the
discharge of electricity at high voltage through a gas enclosed in a tube.

Clearway. A defined rectangular area on the ground or water under the control of the appropriate authority,
selected or prepared as a suitable area over which an aeroplane may make a portion of its initial climb to a
specified height.

Cyclic redundancy check (CRC). A mathematical algorithm applied to the digital expression of data that provides
a level of assurance against loss or alteration of data.

Data quality. A degree or level of confidence that the data provided meet the requirements of the data user in
terms of accuracy, resolution and integrity.

Declared distances.

a) Take-off run available (TORA). The length of runway declared available and suitable for the
ground run of an aeroplane taking off.

b) Take-off distance available (TODA). The length of the take-off run available plus the length of the
clearway, if provided.

c) Accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA). The length of the take-off run available plus the
length of the stopway, if provided.

d) Landing distance available (LDA). The length of runway which is declared available and suitable
for the ground run of an aeroplane landing.

Dependent parallel approaches. Simultaneous approaches to parallel or near-parallel instrument runways where
radar separation minima between aircraft on adjacent extended runway centre lines are prescribed.

Displaced threshold. A threshold not located at the extremity of a runway.

Effective intensity. The effective intensity of a flashing light is equal to the intensity of a fixed light of the same
colour which will produce the same visual range under identical conditions of observation.

Ellipsoid height (Geodetic height). The height related to the reference ellipsoid, measured along the ellipsoidal
outer normal through the point in question.

Fixed light. A light having constant luminous intensity when observed from a fixed point.

Frangible object. An object of low mass designed to break, distort or yield on impact so as to present the minimum
hazard to aircraft.

Geodetic datum. A minimum set of parameters required to define location and orientation of the local reference
system with respect to the global reference system/frame.

Geoid. The equipotential surface in the gravity field of the Earth which coincides with the undisturbed mean sea
level (MSL) extended continuously through the continents.

Note.C The geoid is irregular in shape because of local gravitational disturbances (wind tides, salinity,
current, etc.) and the direction of gravity is perpendicular to the geoid at every point.

Geoid undulation. The distance of the geoid above (positive) or below (negative) the mathematical reference
ellipsoid.

Note.C In respect to the World Geodetic System C 1984 (WGS-84) defined ellipsoid, the difference
between the WGS-84 ellipsoidal height and orthometric height represents WGS-84 geoid undulation.

Hazard beacon. An aeronautical beacon used to designate a danger to air navigation.

Heliport. An aerodrome or a defined area on a structure intended to be used wholly or in part for the arrival,
departure and surface movement of helicopters.

Holding bay. A defined area where aircraft can be held, or bypassed, to facilitate efficient surface movement of
aircraft.

Holdover time. The estimated time the anti-icing fluid (treatment) will prevent the formation of ice and frost and the
accumulation of snow on the protected (treated) surfaces of an aeroplane.

Human Factors principles. Principles which apply to aeronautical design, certification, training, operations and
maintenance and which seek safe interface between the human and other system components by proper
consideration to human performance.

Human performance. Human capabilities and limitations which have an impact on the safety and efficiency of
aeronautical operations.

Identification beacon. An aeronautical beacon emitting a coded signal by means of which a particular point of
reference can be identified.

Independent parallel approaches. Simultaneous approaches to parallel or near-parallel instrument runways
where radar separation minima between aircraft on adjacent extended runway centre lines are not prescribed.

Independent parallel departures. Simultaneous departures from parallel or near-parallel instrument runways.

Instrument runway. One of the following types of runways intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument
approach procedures:

a) Non-precision approach runway. An instrument runway served by visual aids and a non-visual aid
providing at least directional guidance adequate for a straight-in approach.

b) Precision approach runway, category I. An instrument runway served by ILS and/or MLS and
visual aids intended for operations with a decision height not lower than 60 m (200 ft) and either a
visibility not less than 800 m or a runway visual range not less than 550 m.

c) Precision approach runway, category II. An instrument runway served by ILS and/or MLS and
visual aids intended for operations with a decision height lower than 60 m (200 ft) but not lower
than 30 m (100 ft) and a runway visual range not less than 350 m.

d) Precision approach runway, category III. An instrument runway served by ILS and/or MLS to and
along the surface of the runway and:

A C intended for operations with a decision height lower than 30 m (100 ft), or no decision
height and a runway visual range not less than 200 m.

B C intended for operations with a decision height lower than 15 m (50 ft), or no decision
height and a runway visual range less than 200 m but not less than 50 m.

C C intended for operations with no decision height and no runway visual range limitations.

Note.C Visual aids need not necessarily be matched to the scale of non-visual aids provided. The criterion
for the selection of visual aids is the conditions in which operations are intended to be conducted.

Integrity (aeronautical data). A degree of assurance that an aeronautical data and its value has not been lost nor
altered since the data origination or authorized amendment.

Intermediate holding position. A designated position intended for traffic control at which taxiing aircraft and
vehicles shall stop and hold until further cleared to proceed, when so instructed by the aerodrome control
tower.

Landing area. That part of a movement area intended for the landing or take-off of aircraft.

Lighting system reliability. The probability that the complete installation operates within the specified tolerances
and that the system is operationally usable.

Manoeuvring area. That part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft, excluding
aprons.

Marker. An object displayed above ground level in order to indicate an obstacle or delineate a boundary.

Marking. A symbol or group of symbols displayed on the surface of the movement area in order to convey
aeronautical information.

Movement area. That part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft, consisting of
the manoeuvring area and the apron(s).

Near-parallel runways. Non-intersecting runways whose extended centre lines have an angle of
convergence/divergence of 15 degrees or less.

Non-instrument runway. A runway intended for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures.

Obstacle. All fixed (whether temporary or permanent) and mobile objects, or parts thereof, that are located on an
area intended for the surface movement of aircraft or that extend above a defined surface intended to protect
aircraft in flight.

Obstacle free zone (OFZ). The airspace above the inner approach surface, inner transitional surfaces, and balked
landing surface and that portion of the strip bounded by these surfaces, which is not penetrated by any fixed
obstacle other than a low-mass and frangibly mounted one required for air navigation purposes.

Orthometric height. Height of a point related to the geoid, generally presented as an MSL elevation.

Pavement classification number (PCN). A number expressing the bearing strength of a pavement for unrestricted
operations.

Precision approach runway, see Instrument runway.

Primary runway(s). Runway(s) used in preference to others whenever conditions permit.

Road. An established surface route on the movement area meant for the exclusive use of vehicles.

Road-holding position. A designated position at which vehicles may be required to hold.

Runway. A defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft.

Runway end safety area (RESA). An area symmetrical about the extended runway centre line and adjacent to the
end of the strip primarily intended to reduce the risk of damage to an aeroplane undershooting or overrunning
the runway.

Runway guard lights. A light system intended to caution pilots or vehicle drivers that they are about to enter an
active runway.

Runway-holding position. A designated position intended to protect a runway, an obstacle limitation surface, or
an ILS/ MLS critical/sensitive area at which taxiing aircraft and vehicles shall stop and hold, unless otherwise
authorized by the aerodrome control tower.

Runway strip. A defined area including the runway and stopway, if provided, intended:

a) to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft running off a runway; and

b) to protect aircraft flying over it during take-off or landing operations.

Runway visual range (RVR). The range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centre line of a runway can see
the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the runway or identifying its centre line.
Safety Management System. A system for the management of safety at aerodromes including the organizational
structure, responsibilities, procedures, processes and provisions for the implementation of aerodrome safety
policies by an aerodrome operator, which provides for control of safety at, and the safe use of, the aerodrome.

Segregated parallel operations. Simultaneous operations on parallel or near-parallel instrument runways in which
one runway is used exclusively for approaches and the other runway is used exclusively for departures.

Shoulder. An area adjacent to the edge of a pavement so prepared as to provide a transition between the
pavement and the adjacent surface.

Sign.

a) Fixed message sign. A sign presenting only one message.

b) Variable message sign. A sign capable of presenting several pre-determined messages or no message, as
applicable.

Signal area. An area on an aerodrome used for the display of ground signals.

Slush. Water-saturated snow which with a heel-and-toe slap- down motion against the ground will be displaced
with a splatter; specific gravity: 0.5 up to 0.8.

Note.C Combinations of ice, snow and/or standing water may, especially when rain, rain and snow, or snow is
falling, produce substances with specific gravities in excess of 0.8. These substances, due to their high water/ice
content, will have a transparent rather than a cloudy appearance and, at the higher specific gravities, will be readily
distinguishable from slush.