AGA Flashcards
What is the aerodrome traffic circuit? (ICAO)
The specified path to be flown by aircraft operating in the vicinity of an aerodrome
What is a 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.
What is the manoeuvring area?
That part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft excluding aprons
What is the 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 aprons.
What is a runway?
A defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft
What is a non-instrument runway?
A runway intended for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures
What is an instrument runway?
One of the following types of runway intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures.
Either a precision or non-precision approach.
What is 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. No vertical guidance
What is a precision approach runway?
One which has non visual aids that provided guidance in the lateral and vertical planes
What is the runway width required for a runway code 1A?
18m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 1B?
18m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 1C?
23m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 2A?
23m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 2B?
23m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 2C?
30m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 3A?
30m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 3B?
30m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 3C?
30m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 3D?
45m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 4C?
45m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 4D?
45m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 4E?
45m
What is the runway width required for a runway code 4F?
60m
For a runway code what does the number and letter mean?
No.=runway length
Letter= width requirement.
What runways are provided with runway shoulders?
Runways code D or E except where the runway is 60m or more.
What weight must the runway shoulder be capable of supporting?
The weight of the aircraft and vehicles that will be using the runway
Are runway shoulders symmetrical?
Yes
What width must a runway with shoulders be?
60m
What is the aerodrome elevation?
The elevation of the highest point on the landing area.
What is an apron?
A defined area, intended to accomodate aircraft for the purposes of loading or unloading passengers, mail or cargo, fuelling, parking or maintenance.
What is the aerodrome reference point?
The designated geographical location of an aerodrome.
Usually the centre of the longest runway.
Define taxiing
Movement of an aircraft on the surface of an aerodrome under its own power, excluding take-off and landing.
What is a taxiway?
A defined path on an aerodrome established for the taxiing of aircraft and intended to provide a link between one part of the aerodrome and another.
Includes;
Apron Taxiways
A/C stand taxilane
Rapid exit taxiway
What is an aircraft stand taxilane
A portion of an apron designated as a taxiway and intended to provide access to aircraft stands only.
What is an apron taxiway?
A portion of a taxiway system located on an apron and intended to provide a through taxi route across the apron
What is a rapid exit taxiway?
A taxiway connected at an acute angle and designed to allow landing aeroplanes to turn off at higher speeds than are achieved on other exit taxiways and thereby minimizing runway occupancy times.
What are the normal points for aircraft to receive clearances and where shall they make reports?
When can you clear another aircraft for take-off? ICAO
When the preceding aircraft has made its turn
Define a hotspot
A location on an aerodrome movement area with a history or potential risk of collision or runway incursion, and where heightened attention by pilots/drivers is necessary.
Who designates hotspots on an aerodrome?
The aerodrome operator
What is a runway strip?
An area enclosing a runway or any assocaited stopway.
It is there to reduce the risk of damage to an aircraft running off the runway by providing graded (smoothed) area meeting specified longitudinal, transvers slope and bearing strength requirements.
It should be clear of obstacles except for those that must be there eg PAPI’s
What are the dimensions of a runway strip?
Depends on the coding and the function of the runway it protects.
The more precise the function the greater the area.
Precision/instrument= Strip encompasses LDA
Visual= Narrower strip encompassing ASDA
What are the dimensions of a runway cleared and graded area?
What is a cleared and graded area?
An area within a runway strip which contains only frangible obstacles which will not aggravate an aircraft coming off the runway.
Their dimensions are determined by the function of the strip within which they lie.
What happens to a runway when temporary obstacles are on it?
It should be closed or its declared distances restricted if the obstacle is within the cleared and graded area.
Is take-off a visual maneouvre?
Yes
When would you expect an aerodrome to have taxiways?
- When they are necessary for the safe and orderly movement of a/c on the ground.
- When it is necessary for a/c to follow certain paths to avoid protected areas or surfaces.
What is the taxiway width determined by?
By the type of aircraft using the A/D
Will be wider where it curves to account for the turning characteristics of a/c
What protection are taxiways offered in terms of strip and cleared and graded areas?
The same as the runways.
What bearing strength will a strip have?
The same as the runways initially but this will decrease as you head away from the runway in order to retard the progress of any aircraft that ground swings.
If there is an obstacle in the cleared and graded area can an a/c take-off or land?
no
Where would you find the taxiway width?
In the code letter in the aerodrome reference code.
What minimum distance must holding bays and holding positions be from the centreline of the runway?
They must be no closer than the edge of the cleared and graded area, on precision runways this distance is increased to avoid;
- Interference with ILS sensitive areas
- Penetration of Obstacle Free Zone
- Holding a/c be accountable in calculation of OCH and OCA
What aircraft are accounted for in the ACN/PCN system?
A/C above a MTOM of 5,700kg
What is the PCN?
Pavement Classification Number
A system (along with the ACN) that classifies the pavement bearing strength of paved surfaces on the A/D
What is ACN?
Aircraft Classification Number
A number expressing the relative effect of an a/c load on a pavement for a specified sub-grade
Published in two values;
- MTOM
- Lower representative operating empty weight.
How is PCN coded?
A five part code consisting of;
- The Numerical Value calculated
-
The type of pavement
R= Rigid
F= Flexible -
The pavement sub-category
A= High
B= Medium
C=Low
D= ultra low -
The maximum tyre pressure authorised for the pavement
W= high, no limit
X= Medium =<217psi
Y= low, =<145psi
Z= very low =<73psi -
Pavement evaluation method
T=Techinical Evaluation
U=By experience of a/c using the pavement.
What would PCN 80/R/B/W/T mean?
80 Rigid, Medium pavement sub-category, no max tyre pressure, determined by technical evaluation
What would PCN 42/F/A/X/T mean?
42 Flexible, High pavement sub-category, medium tyre pressure, determined by technical evaluation
What would PCN 65/F/B/W/T mean?
65 Flexible, Medium pavement sub-category, no max tyre pressure, determined by technical evaluation
What would PCN 83/R/A/W/T mean?
83 Rigid, high pavement sub-category, no max tyre pressure, determined by technical evaluation
What would PCN 14/F mean?
14 Flexible
What would PCN 53/F/B/X/U mean?
53 Flexible, Medium pavement sub-category, medium tyre pressure, determined by pilot experience
What would PCN 78/R/B/W/T mean?
78 Rigid, Medium pavement sub-category, no max tyre pressure, determined by technical evaluation
What is a stopway?
A defined rectangular area on the ground at the end of the take-off run available prepared as a suitable area in which an aircraft can be stopped in the case of an abandoned take-off.
What bearing strength does a stopway need?
Lower than the runway but still needs to be able to support the weight of the aircraft using the A/D, must be the same width as the runway
What is a clearway?
A defined area on the ground under the control of the apporpriate entity, selected or prepared as a suitable area over which an aeroplane may make a portion of its initial climb to a specified height.
Basically an area cleared from obstacles for the aircraft to climb from its take-off without hazard.
Declared distances
What limits the length of a clearway?
The point where either a upstanding obstacle (excluding frangible objects less than 0.9m high) is located or the terrain projects through a 1:80 slope, whichever is first.
What is a starter extension?
An area at the start of a take-off run where an a/c can initiate the slow portion of its take-off roll
The strip is narrower around a started extension.
What is a RESA?
A runway end safety area
An area designed to minimise risks to a/c undershooting or overrunning a runway. Provided at both ends of the strip for all code 3 & 4 runways and for Instrument Code 1 & 2 runways.
What runways require a RESA?
All code 3 & 4
Instrument code 1 & 2
What is the normal length of a RESA and what normally limits it?
90m for a code 3 & 4 Runway
30m for code 1 & 2 (when instrument)
ILS localizer or boundary fence normally limits RESA, where this is too close than the declared distances must be reduced to accomodate a RESA like in the picture one runway has a longer LDA than the other because of this.
What width must a RESA be?
Twice as wide as the runway and symetrically disposed about the extended centreline
Does the RESA have to have the same bearing strength as a runway?
no.
What is the TORA?
The Take-Off Run Available
This is the length of runway available and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane taking off. In most cases it will correspond to the length of the runway pavement.
What is the TODA?
The Take-Off Distance Available
TORA+ Clearway
If no clearway than obviously the TODA will equal the TORA
What is the ASDA?
Accelerate Stop Distance Available
TORA+ Stopway
What is the LDA?
Landing distance available
This is the length of the runway which is available and suitable for the ground landing run of an a/c
Example of RESA
Pilots of visiting aircraft report here.
Taxi only in accordance with ATC instructions
Runway in use is.
Area, normally grass, reserved for landing & take off of a/c
Area for dropping of tow-ropes or similar objects
Portion of runway unfit for use by a/c
Portion of taxiway unfit for use by aircraft
Boundary or area unfit for use by aircraft
Area unfit for use
Displaced threshold both sides
Mandatory signage
Taxiway signage
Runway signage with associated CAT
What colour are runway markings?
White
What colour are taxiway markings?
Yellow
When should centreline markings be provided on a runway?
For all paved runways and they must be 30m apart throughout the length of the runway.
What runway length is indicated by the absence if threshold markings as illustrated?
Visual runway less than 1200m
What runway length is indicated by the absence if threshold markings as illustrated?
Visual runway greater than 1200m
Touchdown zone markings on a precision runway
Rectangular markings must be symmetrical about the runway centreline with the number of pairs indicating the LDA.
Pairs must be 150m apart
How many pairs of Touch Down Zone marking pairs indicate a runway less than 900m?
1
How many pairs of Touch Down Zone marking pairs indicate a runway 900-1199m?
2
How many pairs of Touch Down Zone marking pairs indicate a runway 1200-1499m?
3
How many pairs of Touch Down Zone marking pairs indicate a runway 1500-2399m?
4
How many pairs of Touch Down Zone marking pairs indicate a runway 2400m or more?
6
Holding position A ie the closest to the runway
Holding position B- ie there is another closer holding point.
Intermediate holding position
Edge marking- lower strength
Taxi way ground markings
Paved runway markings
What type of runway is this judging on the threshold markings and position of the runway identifier?
Non instrument runway or a non-precision runway with a width of 45m or more.
What type of runway is indicated in the picture?
A precision runway
When are runway side strip markings included as Shown?
Should always be provided on a precision approach runway
other runways shall have them if the contrast between runway edge and shoulders/terrain isnt good enough
What do these mean?
Permanently displaced threshold
What does this mean?
Temporarily displaced threshold
What does this mean?
Temporarily displaced threshold
How are tall structures lit?
In general these will have one red light at the top and other red lights for every 45m of height
How are large buildings lit?
Vertically in each end of the building is lit at the top and with extra lights for every 45m of height, additionally lights must be displayed for every 45m of lateral dimensions
What are the purposes of approach lighting?
To provide the pilot with information on;
- Alignment
- Roll guidance
- Limited distance to go
What are the two types of aerodrome lighting we get?
High intensity (HI)
Low intensity (LI)
On what sorts of fittings can we find aerodrome lights?
Elevated
Flush
What types of portable lights are there?
Glim Lights
Goosenecks
What sort of directions can aerodrome lights be set to?
Uni-directional (one direction)
Bi-Directional
Omni-Directional
Omni-Directional + Bi-Directional
What is the definition of a Precision Approach CAT 1 runway?
An instrument runway served by non-visual aids and visual aids
Intended for operations with a DH of not lower than 200ft and either a vis of not less than 800m or an RVR of not less than 550m
What is the definition of a precision approach CAT II runway?
An instrument runway served by non-visual aids and visual aids
Intended for operations with a DH lower than 200ft but not lower than 100ft and a RVR of not less than 300m
What is the definition of a precision approach runway CAT IIIa?
An instrument runway served by non-visual and visual aids to and along the surface of the runway and
Intended for operations with a DH of lower than 100ft, or no DH and a RVR not less than 175m
What is the definition of a precision approach runway CAT IIIb?
An instrument runway served by non-visual and visual aids to and along the surface of the runway and
Intended for operations with a DH of not lower than 50ft, or no DH and a RVR less than 175m but not less than 50m
What is the definition of a precision approach runway CAT IIIc?
An instrument runway served by non-visual and visual aids to and along the surface of the runway and
Intended for operations with no DH and no RVR
What is the definition of 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.
What lights can a non-precision runway have?
LI, however the lights should be adequate for all viz conditions
Describe the dimensions included in a single cross bar of a simple approach lighting system
Define an instrument runway
Means one of the following types of runway intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures CAT I, CAT II or CAT III
How long is a High intensity approach lighting system?
900m
High intensity five bar approach lighting system
High intensity five bar approach with supplementary approach lights
Describe the layout of a typical CAT I approach and runway lighting system
Describe a typical CAT II/III approach and runway lighting system
What CAT of runway is this?
CAT II/III
What CAT of runway is this?
Cat I
What are the types of approach slope indicators?
- PAPIS (Precision Approach Path Indicators)
- VASIS (Visual Approach Slope Insicator System)
- T-VASIS and AT-VASIS
What is the normal angle of a glide slope?
3°
What is a PAPI’s coverage?
out to 15nm 15° either side of the runway centreline
How does a Pilot see a PAPI?
What is MEHT?
Minimum Eye Height above Threshold
The height the aircraft will cross over the threshold if correctly following the glidepath
h= Pilot’s eye to lowest wheel height in normal landing configuration
When will an aerodrome provide an Aerodrome Beacon?
If aerodrome will be used at night if any of the following exists
- A/c navigate by visual means
- Reduced visibility is frequent
- It is difficult to locate the aerodrome from the air due to surrounding lights or terrain.
What colour are aerodrome beacons?
White flashes only or couloured flashes alternating with white flashes
- Land aerodromes= green
- Water aerodromes= yellow
When will an aerodrome provide an identification beacon?
If the aerodrome will be used at night and cannot be easily identified from the air by other means.
What colours are identification beacons?
- Civil land aerodrome= Flashing green
- Military Aerodrome= Flashing red
- Water aerodrome= flashing yellow.
Runway lighting
How far from the end of the runway will the lights begin to alternate red and white?
900m
How far from the end of the runway will the centreline lights turn solid red?
300m
What colours are taxiway lights?
Green= centreline
Blue= Edge (including turning and holding areas)
What colour will taxiway centreline lights be if they take you into the Localizer Sensitive Area?
Green and yellow alternating
How will taxiway lights indicate to an aircraft of the runway how to vacate or line up?
Green taxiway lights can lead off and on to the runway with a series of green lights beside the runway centreline lights (at least 75cm between them)
What are stopbars?
A row of red lights across a taxiway
Can be uni or bi-directional (provided they show red on the side on which the a/c holds)
When lit the associated green taxiway lights beyond the stop bar are usually turned off.
How far apart are runway centreline lights?
30m
How far apart are runway edge lights?
60m
What is a taxiway guidance system?
At complex CAT 2/3 aerodromes GMC will have a selective switch system for taxiway lights where the appropriate route can be selected ahead of the a/c.
When must AGL be switched on?
Shall be displayed for an appropriate time before ETA and after ATD of a/c as follows;
- By day= HI systems whenever the vis is less than 5km and/or the cloud base is less than 700ft
- By night= all the time.
It can also be displayed if requested by ACC, required by MATS 2 or the controller considers it necessary.
Where will you find instructions on the operation of AGL?
In your units MATS 2
What are Wig-Wags officially known as?
Runway guide lights.
What are wingbars?
The green lights displayed at the threshold of the runway
For what type of operations are aerodromes required to have runway lighting?
Should be provided for all public transport ops carrying pax on scheduled journeys or for ops carried out by a/c with a MTOM of more than 5,700kg
L4 Visual approach runway
L3 non-precision approach runway lighting
L2 CAT I Approach runway
L1 CAT II & III Approach Runway
Displace Threshold lighting
Starter Extension Lighting
Do displaced thresholds always have to have wingbar lights?
Yes
What settings can HI lights have?
100%
30%
3%
1%
What settings do LI lights have?
recommended 100%
30%
What sophistication do taxiways have to have?
Depends on the runway
What colour are taxiway edge lights?
Blue
What colour are taxiway centreline lights?
Green
Taxiway lighting scale L3
Taxiway lighting for L4
Holding bay or edge and centreline lights on corners
Taxiway lighting L2
Taxiway lighting L1
Name some runway contaminants
- Water
- Ice
- Snow
- Slush
What does dry mean in terms of runway contamination?
Surface not affected by water, slush, snow or ice
What does Damp mean in terms of runway contamination?
When the surface shows a change of colour due to moisture
What does wet mean in terms of runway contamination?
When the surface is soaked but no significant patches of standing water are visible
What does water patches mean in terms of runway contamination?
When significant patches of standing water are visible (ie. more than 25% of the runway surface is covered by water more than 3mm deep)
What does flooded mean in terms of runway contamination?
When extensive standing water is visible (more than 50% of the runway surface is covered by water more than 3mm deep)
When can you pass unofficial information regarding changes in the runway state?
only when conditions get worse,
never do report them as better than they are.
What is the phraseology for the passing of unofficial reports of runway state?
Unofficial observation from the control tower/pilots report. The runway surface condition appears to be damp, damp, damp
What effects can water have on aircraft operations?
- Additional drag
- Possibility of power loss or system malfunction due to spray impingement
- Reduced wheel-braking performance
- Directional Control problems
- Possibility of structural damage.
Define dry snow
Snow which can be blown losoe or, if compacted by hand, will fall apart again
Define wet snow
Snow which if compacted by hand will stick together in a snowball
Define compacted snow
Snow compresses into solid mass resists further compression, either holds together or breaks up if picked up
Define slush
A water saturated snow which, with a heel toe slap down, will be displaced with a splatter.
What changes to runway contaminents are condsidered significant?
- Any change in surface deposit eg snow to slush, or water to ice
- Changes in depth greater than;
20mm for dry snow
10mm for wet snow
3mm for slush - Any change in available length or width of runways of 10% or more
- Any change which requires reclassification in item F of a Snowtam
- Any change in the distances apart of snow banks.
When must measurements of runway contaminent be commenced?
As soon as the presence of snow, slush, ice and associated standing water is detected or observed and is expected to be operationally significant.
How frequent are runway measurements of contaminents?
Whenever it appears that there is a significant change in conditions.
How is braking action assessed?
With a MU meter
How is braking action reported?
- Snowtam- values for each third of the runway
- METAR- one mean value for the whole length.
What braking action does 95 represent?
Good
What braking action does 94 represent?
Medium/good
What braking action does 93 represent?
Medium
What braking action does 92 represent?
medium/poor
What braking action does 91 represent?
Poor
What braking action does 99 represent?
Reading is unreliable
How would braking action be transmitted over the radio?
Runway 26 braking action good, medium, poor
How is the depth of contaminent measured?
With a depth guage eitherside of the runway centreline where the a/c’s wheels will actually contact the runway
How are runway surface conditions disseminated?
By SNOWTAM over the AFTN which will contain an 8 figure code group
What is included in a SNOWTAM?
- Runway cleared length/width
- Runway contamination including depth
- Runway braking action (thirds)
- Snow banks
- Runway lighting situation
- Taxiway and apron situation
- Further planned clearance of the runway
- Next obs
What is the maxiumum validity period for a SNOWTAM?
24hrs
When do we issue a new SNOWTAM?
Whenever a significant change occurs
How is contamination disseminated in a METAR?
As an 8 figure opmet code
- & 2. is Runway designator, 3= Runway deposits, 4 runway contamination as a %, 5 and 6 depth of deposit, 7 & 8 braking action
How will snowbanks be notified?
In a SNOWTAM
Who is responsible for creating and implementing a snow plan?
The aerodrome operator.
