Runway Surface Conditions - S2 - C7

Question 1

When can an AC performance be considered to be impacted by runway contamination?

Answer 1

whenever the coverage of any water-based contaminants on any runway third exceeds 25 per cent.

Question 2

What are the 5 elements of GRF?

Answer 2

RCR - Runway Condition Report
RCAM - Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
RWYCC - Runway Condition Code
Reporting Terms - Runway Surface Conditions
Runway Surface Condition Descriptors

Question 3

What is RCR?

Answer 3

Runway Condition Report (RCR):
Is used by pilots to inform their aircraft performance calculations and to provide them with situational awareness.

Question 4

What is RCAM?

Answer 4

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM)

The matrix is used by the aerodrome operator’s 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 (see table 4);

Question 5

What is RWYCC?

Answer 5

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 contamination
- Surface air temperature

Question 6

How do ATCOs inform aircraft of the GRF report?

Answer 6

• individually; or
• via the use of an all-stations broadcast, obtaining acknowledgement from each of the aircraft concerned.

Question 7

Runway Surface Conditions
DRY

Answer 7

The runway surface is considered dry if it is free of visible moisture and not contaminated within the area intended to be used.

Question 8

Runway Surface Conditions
WET

Answer 8

The runway surface is covered by any visible dampness or water up to and including 3 mm depth within the intended area of use.
Note: If the surface shows a change of colour due to
moisture, the runway will be reported as wet.

Question 9

Runway Surface Conditions
SLIPPERY WET

Answer 9

A wet runway where the surface friction characteristics of a significant portion of the runway have been determined to be degraded.

Question 10

Runway Surface Conditions
CONTAMINATED

Answer 10

A runway is contaminated when a significant portion of the runway surface area (whether in isolated areas or not) within the length and width being used is covered by one or more of the substances listed in the runway surface condition descriptors.
The term ‘CONTAMINATED’ is not to be used in RTF phraseology, the runway surface condition descriptors in table 2 are to be used instead.

Question 11

Runway Surface Conditions
COMPACTED SNOW

Answer 11

Snow that has been compacted into a solid mass such that aeroplanes tires, at operation pressure and loadings, will run on the surface without significant further compaction or rutting of the surface.

Question 12

Runway Surface Conditions
FROST

Answer 12

Frost consists of ice crystals formed from airborne moisture on a surface whose temperature is below freezing.
Frost differs from ice in that the frost crystals grow independently and therefore have a more granular texture.

Question 13

Runway Surface Conditions
ICE

Answer 13

Water that has frozen or compacted snow that has
transitioned into ice, in cold and dry conditions.

Question 14

Runway Surface Conditions
SLUSH

Answer 14

Snow that is so water-saturated that water will drain from it when a handful is picked up or will splatter if stepped on forcefully.

Question 15

Runway Surface Conditions
STANDING WATER

Answer 15

Water depth of greater than 3mm

Question 16

Runway Surface Conditions
WET ICE

Answer 16

Ice with water on top of it or ice that is melting.

Question 17

Runway Surface Conditions
WET SNOW

Answer 17

Snow that contains enough water content to be able to make a well-compacted, solid snowball, but water will not be squeezed out.

Question 18

Runway Surface Conditions
DRY SNOW

Answer 18

Snow from which a snowball cannot readily be made

Question 19

What information should be passed in reports?

Answer 19

Aerodrome location, time & date
(a) RWYCC for each runway third;
(b) type of contaminant;
(c) depth of contaminant;
(d) percentage coverage of contaminant;
(e) available width and/or length; and
(f) other related information.

Question 20

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
6

Answer 20

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES - DRY

Downgrade Assessment Criteria
N/A

Question 21

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
5

Answer 21

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES
- FROST & WET
up to & incld 3mm
- SLUSH
- DRY SNOW
- WET SNOW

Downgrade Assessment Criteria
Braking Action - GOOD & direction control normal

Question 22

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
4

Answer 22

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES - COMPACTED SNOW (-15’ & Colder)

Downgrade Assessment Criteria
Braking Action - GOOD to MEDIUM (directional control too)

Question 23

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
3

Answer 23

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES
- WET
- DRY SNOW or WET
- SNOW (of any depth) on top of COMPACTED SNOW
More than 3mm
- DRY SNOW
- WET SNOW
Warmer than 15’
- COMPACTED SNOW

Downgrade Assessment Criteria
Braking Action - MEDIUM
Directional control noticeably reduced

Question 24

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
2

Answer 24

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES
More than 3mm of water or slush
- STANDING WATER
- SLUSH

Downgrade Assessment Criteria
Braking Action - MEDIUM to POOR (directional control too)

Question 25

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
1

Answer 25

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES
- ICE

Downgrade Assessment Criteria

Braking Action - POOR

Question 26

Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
0

Answer 26

Assessment Criteria
RWY DES
- WET ICE
- WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
- DRY SNOW or WET SNOW ON TOP OF ICE

Downgrade Assessment Criteria
Braking Action - LESS THAN POOR