Aerodrome Certification Workshop Audit, Follow up and Enforcement Eng. Mohamed Iheb Hamdi ICAO MID Regional Officer for Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA Aerodrome Certification Workshop Paris, France 18-20 Dec 2018

Session Objectives This session is designed to explain to the link between Aerodrome Auditing and Inspections How to audit the physical aspects of an aerodrome

Session Contents Airport Procedures Safety Management System Aerodrome Inspections Promulgation of Information Runway Friction Obstacle Control and Markings

Operability and Compliance Aerodrome Operability It is often easy to determine the Compliance of aerodrome infrastructure (Physical Characteristics) when they are constructed. It is much harder to establish how we can translate these into operational terms. That is – how do we ensure that the airport operates safely and efficiently 365 days a year, day and night and in all weather conditions? This can be known as the “Operability” of our airport. Auditing Compliance We therefore need to audit the Infrastructure not just in terms of compliance but how an airport operates, maintains and controls the activities on the whole aerodrome to ensure continuous compliance.

Aerodrome Manual Usually contain: SMS policy Standard Operating Procedures The SMS will influence the way you (as the Operator) and your users maintain compliance and continually enhance safety at the aerodrome

Inspection Regime A robust and continuous Inspection Regime is therefore an essential part of any SMS It should ensure that the aerodrome remains compliant or That any non-compliances are quickly identified and addressed by staff

Staff All staff must be competent A frequent internal inspection and external auditing regime should be established to ensure ongoing compliance

Non-Compliances Do staff undertaking Inspections know what they are looking for? Can they spot an Annex 14 non-compliance?

Recording Use something like a mobile phone or radio to provide scale

Independent Audit / Inspections Staff undertaking inspections sometimes miss the obvious! Someone with a "Fresh Eye" is useful

Independent Audit / Inspections Ensure that Windsocks remain in good condition and do not become faded This happens slowly over time and can easily be missed

Identification of Issues / Non-Compliances Do the duty staff have an understanding of Annex 14 Are they able to check clearances on runways and taxiways? Ongoing Training is essential

Runway Strips Example: A drainage ditch situated to the side of a runway What parameters would you need to consider when deciding on its location? Runway Strip / Clear and Graded Areas

Photometric Testing Luminance of lights can be assessed through regular Photometric Testing This provides scientific evidence of compliance to support the visual inspections which are undertaken

Obstacles – On / Off Airfield ALL Staff undertaking inspections should also remain vigilant with respect to Obstacles both on and off aerodrome Ensuring the aerodrome is SAFE is everyone’s responsibility regardless of your own key function and role If you see something you believe to be unsafe : TAKE ACTION

Temporary Obstacles Have Cranes been authorized? Have they been assessed with respect to the OLS at the Airport? Are staff trained in their assessment? Is there a process and permit system in place? Has a NOTAM been issued?

Obstacle Markings Are Obstacles on / off airfield correctly marked and lit? How would you ensure that Obstacle Lights off-airfield are maintained?

Navaids Inspections of Navaids MUST be undertaken by Qualified Personnel What procedures are in place for Regular Testing and recording of results? Flight Testing?

Navaids Who undertakes the Visual Aids Inspections such as the PAPI’s? What is the frequency of inspections? Are they suitably trained? Are records maintained? Is the process written down as part of the SMS?

Signage Inspections should also look at Signage on an Airport Is it Annex 14 compliant? Use –Day or Night? Is it Obscured?

Need for Maintenance Regular Inspections in accordance with Annex 14 are essential but... PREVENTION is better than CURE Robust Maintenance regimes MUST BE IN PLACE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR OPERATION Your Runway is your Airports PRIME ASSET Runway Preventive Maintenance should be scheduled into your operation

Civil Engineering Inspections Daily Operations Staff inspections should be supplemented with an inspection of the pavements by a qualified Civil Engineer who can recommend a maintenance programme Preferably once per annum Maintenance and Inspections Rubber Removal Painting Lighting Runway Rehabilitation

Lighting Inspections Visual Inspection Flight Inspections

Lighting All Aeronautical Lights on the Aerodrome should also be inspected on a daily basis Record the Results Have a method of reporting non-compliances Ensure staff are trained and competent for their duties Ensure that staff are available to change / maintain the lights If the lights fail –you may lose you ability to operate.... for example as an Instrument Runway?

Lighting It may be necessary to cover lenses whilst work is taking place to ensure that they do not become damaged

Lighting Maintenance Ensure that the Engineers do not leave cables from maintenance and repair works within the Strip Inspections AFTER maintenance are important

Inspections of Aerodrome Works Areas Staff Training and Competency Check by Project Manager Contractor Standards to be maintained throughout What issues have you experienced with Aerodrome Works?

Inspections of Works Areas Are works areas segregated effectively from operational areas? – ongoing inspections

Major Aerodrome Projects Project Management Team Communication and timely promulgation of information to all Stakeholders is imperative Ensure areas are inspected by knowledgeable staff Ensure that the procedures to contractors provide details of the acceptable practices during the works This is an active runway - note the strip

Redeclaring Distance during Works If redeclaring distances on a runway to facilitate repair works - or a runway extension Are staff trained? Do they understand how to mark the closed portion in accordance with ICAO Annex 14 requirements? Ongoing Inspections

Completion of Aerodrome Works Ensure adequate numbers of trained, and Competent staff to inspect and manage the clear-up operation

Documentation Do you need to construct new access routes / roads for contractors to ensure that they remain away from Operational Areas? By doing so do they introduce new Hazards? Runway Incursion? Have they been Risk Assessed?

Promulgation of Information Do you need to promulgate specific procedures to manage the works? NOTAM? AIP? Internal Notices-ATC? / Staff Training?

Inspection during Adverse Weather Of course in some areas of the world... Ice and Snow can adversely impact Runway Friction

Inspections during Adverse Weather Friction Levels may be undertaken on Compacted Snow and Ice using the values on the next slide as guidance

Inspections during Adverse Weather The value “Good” is comparative –it means that aeroplanes should not experience directional control braking difficulties, especially when landing Note: Do not confuse these values for those taken as part of the regular Fiction Monitoring on an uncontaminated runway using a self-wetting device

Inspection during Adverse Weather Procedures for Inspections during Low Visibility Category of Operations? Weather minimal for operations?

What specific issues are faced in Apron Inspections? GROUP DISCUSSION: What specific issues are faced in Apron Inspections? Spillages – impact on pavements Aircraft Turnround activity and FOD Equipment Parking

Apron Audits The airport is responsible for ensuring that all of the stakeholders have a developed SMS, and adhere to those procedures in a safe manner Introducing Aircraft Turnround Audits can help in ensuing that Turnrounds are managed safely

Records All Inspections and Audits should be recorded What needs to be included in the records The records will also need to be the subject of audit

In Conclusion Airside Operations staff should be trained and competency assessed to ensure that the procedures developed for inspections and maintenance can be implemented effectively, There should also be sufficient staff to ensure that safety can be monitored in accordance with the airport’s SMS, Accurate and comprehensive records must be maintained, Auditing of an airports SMS, SOP’s and in particular observing how it operates, maintains and controls its operational areas is fundamental to assuring continuous safe operations