Characteristics Physical - Aerodromes 19

19.5Basic Layout. All aerodromes complying with the SARPs of Annex 14 have a movement area, a manoeuvring area and an apron. The ‘real estate’ of an aerodrome is generally covered by the requirements of the licence but certain safety features associated with large aerodromes may fall outside the control of the licensing authority and be devolved to the local civil planning authority. For instance the erection of a 30 storey block of flats half a mile from the end of runway 27R at Heathrow would not be permitted by the local planning authority. At a controlled aerodrome there must be an ATC control tower which has a visual control room (VCR). If the aerodrome accepts non-radio traffic, there must be a signals area laid out on the ground so that it is visible from the air within a defined distance and height from the aerodrome. The omission of a signal square implies that the aerodrome cannot accept nonradio traffic. The signals used have already been covered in the Rules of the Air. The physical construction of an aerodrome will depend upon the requirements of the aeroplanes using it and the required availability (utilization) of the aerodrome and its services.

19.6Movement Area. This is defined as: that part of an aerodrome intended for the surface movement of aircraft including the manoeuvring area, aprons and any part of the aerodrome provided for the maintenance of aircraft. Effectively, this is all the ‘real estate’ of the aerodrome. It may include grass areas where these are specified for aircraft use, but clearly does not include buildings and other constructed facilities.

19.7Manoeuvring Area. This is defined as: that part of an aerodrome provided for the take-off and landing of aircraft and for the movement of aircraft on the surface, excluding the apron and any part of the aerodrome used for the maintenance of aircraft. The manoeuvring area will include runways (grass and paved), the taxiways (grass and paved) and any defined stop way or pre take-off areas before the threshold of a runway.

19.8Apron. The apron is a legally defined portion of the aerodrome where passengers, mail and cargo are loaded on to an aeroplane. It is commonly called the ‘ramp’ in the US. It is also the place where the pilot is required to check the accuracy of the altimeter(s). At busy commercial aerodromes, ATC delegates the safe movement of aircraft on the apron to the Apron Management Service. This is usually provided by an organization contracted to the aerodrome authority specializing in the provision of baggage handling, refuelling, and marshalling and associated transportation requirements.

19.9Aeronautical Part. This again is a legal definition of that portion of the aerodrome, this time including buildings and facilities, which are not accessible without security control. A commonly used term is ‘air-side’.

19.10Failure or Irregularity of Systems and Equipment. ATCUs shall immediately report - in accordance with local instructions - any failure of irregularity of communication, navigation and surveillance systems which could adversely affect the safety or efficiency of flight operations and/or the provision of air traffic control service.

Aerodrome Reference Code

19.11 Use. The reference code, which is used for aerodrome planning and construction purposes, is a simple method of inter-relating the specifications concerning the characteristics of aerodromes, so as to provide aerodrome facilities that are suitable for the aeroplanes that are intended to operate at the aerodrome. It is not intended to be used for determining the runway length or pavement strength requirements for aeroplanes or to specify a minimum or maximum length for a runway. In the discussion of aerodrome characteristics, reference will be made to the code elements where the learning objectives require it. Historically, questions have been asked in the exam concerning the code elements.

19.12 Elements. The code is composed of two elements which are related to aeroplane performance characteristics and dimensions. Element 1 is a number based on the aeroplane reference field length and element 2 is a letter based on the aeroplane wing span and the outer main gear wheel span (the distance between the outside wheels of the undercarriage). A particular specification is related to the more appropriate of the two elements of the code or to an appropriate combination of the two code elements. The code letter or number selected for design purposes is related to the critical aeroplane characteristics for which the facility is provided. In aerodrome design and operations, the aeroplanes which the aerodrome is intended to serve are first identified and then the two elements of the code. The following table defines the aerodrome code.

Aerodrome Reference Code

Figure 19.2 Aerodrome reference code

19.13 Aeroplane Reference Field Length. This is defined as the minimum field length (takeoff distance) required for take-off at max certificated take-off mass, at sea level, with standard atmospheric conditions, still air and runway slope, as shown in the appropriate AFM prescribed by the certifying authority or equivalent data from the aeroplane manufacturer.

Aerodromes - Physical Characteristics 19

19

Characteristics Physical - Aerodromes 19

Aerodromes - Physical Characteristics

Glossary of Terms

19.14 Knowledge Requirement. The learning objectives require the student to be able to recall the definitions contained in the following table. Most of them will already be familiar and the remainder will be used in the ensuing discussions concerning aerodromes.