ICAO Aerodrome Safety Workshop Almaty, Kazakhstan – 18 to 22 November 2002 The use of military aerodromes by civil aircraft

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Introduction ( 1 ) QArea of common interest of States QA harmonised approach would be beneficial in order to improve the level of safety QThe words “military aerodromes” also include government owned facilities not regulated by CAA QTwo different branches of administration with two different and conflicting sets of objectives and regulations QThere is no evidence that military aerodromes have a worse safety record

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Introduction ( 2 ) QThe civil use of military aerodromes is small in comparison with the volume of civil aerodrome operations QThere are persistent and delicate safety issues associated with the civil use of military aerodromes that need to be addressed and may require safety regulation solutions

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Aim The purpose of this lecture is: Qto examine some aspects of the use of military aerodromes from a CAA viewpoint Qto identify areas of regulatory difficulty Qto highlight potential vulnerabilities Qto recommend solutions

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Current position ( 1 ) QCivil aviation is based on interdependence of the ICAO SARPS QThese SARPS do not differentiate between various ownerships QAnnex 14 shall apply to all aerodromes open for civil aviation   The standards should be the same !!!

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Current position ( 2 ) QCompliance with the SARPS of ICAO Annex 14 varies among States QFrom full compliance to sometimes no compliance QAlso there is a lack of visibility and traceability in the regulatory process QEven when standards are similar, interpretation may differ due to the different culture

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Current position ( 3 ) QFor some operations military regulations are more demanding (FOD, access control) QMilitary aerodromes are designed to meet national or other requirements QThey are often optimised for fighter operations rather than large aircraft

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Current position ( 4 ) Military aerodromes can be divided into three categories, depending on the level of civil involvement: QStrictly military aerodromes - managed and operated by a military organisation QMilitary aerodromes with commercial air transport infrastructure and operations - part of the aerodrome is dedicated to commercial operations QJoint aerodromes - regular civil aerodrome with scheduled passenger operations coexists with a military aerodrome

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Potential safety issues ( 1 ) There are two safety regulation problems: Qmilitary aerodromes that do not meet civil standards Qmilitary aerodromes that are not accountable to CAA There are three areas with potential safety issues: Qdesign Qaerodrome operations (incl. ATM & CNS) Qaccountability

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Discussion The problem is approached by considering the parties involved, their responsibilities and interests: QMilitary authorities commanding the aerodrome QCivil operators QCAA AGA/ATM Divisions QCAA OPS Division QMilitary aviation authority/flight safety authority QPublic interest/opinion QCivil aerodrome operators QGovernment

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 1 ) Military authorities: Qare not accountable to CAA Qby accepting civil use may have committed themselves legally to offer some minimum safety level Qin case of an accident caused by negligence or failure to meet the standards, may be found responsible in civil court Qusually benefit both economically and operationally from civil use (interest) Qsome civil operations may be vital

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 2 ) The civil operators: Qare often bound by OPS requirements to define the safety level of the military aerodrome in Operations Manuals Qare expected to specify requirement for RFF and visual aids effecting minima Qthe fact that other facilities do not meet the requirements may not be an important issue Qif an accident is caused because the aerodrome did not meet the standards, the aircraft operator is not necessarily responsible

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 3 ) CAA AGA/ATM/OPS Divisions: Qare responsible for the safety regulation and inspecting of civil aerodromes and normally for the civil part of military aerodromes Qthis jurisdiction is given in national legislation Qif military aerodromes are not exempted specifically from licensing this may imply that the CAA has responsibility and powers Qin the case of foreign operators violating common operating regulations, CAA OPS can inform their counterpart in the State of the operator

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 4 ) The military aviation authority/flight safety authority: Qis the military counterpart of CAA Qis expected to understand the issues of civil use of military aerodromes Qoften has powers to require corrections of the deficiencies endangering the operations

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 5 ) Public interest/opinion: Qoften sees a military aerodrome as an under- utilised asset Qa local community may regard the military aerodrome as its civil aerodrome Qthe community often acquires funds for the development Qmilitary aerodromes are often seen as a partial solution to the capacity problems at larger airports

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 6 ) The civil organisation operating on a military aerodrome: Qmay have similar responsibilities to operators of civil aerodromes Qthe civil part should be certified and there are regulations to that end

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Parties involved ( 7 ) The Government: Qis at least responsible for approval of instrument approach procedures and contents of AIP’s Qis empowered to determine for which type of air services an aerodrome may be used for civil operations Qof some contracting States restrict operations to only aerodromes that conform to Annex 14 regulations Qmay have to subsidise the aerodrome investment and operating costs

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Options ( 1 ) QAny military aerodrome offering its services to civil aviation should be licensed and all facilities should be approved by CAA - legislative amendments may be required QWithout legislative change, the military cannot be obliged to accept a civilian aerodrome operator - the CAA could open the discussion and take appropriate actions

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Options ( 2 ) QIf a comprehensive solution is not possible, military aerodromes could be transferred to civil operations on a case-by-case basis - voluntary co-operation might be the way to proceed QAs there are many parties interested in continuing civil use, parties could find a solution. CAA is the appropriate body to initiate. A key to this is financing QAn alternative is to leave the situation unchanged, based on the premise that the military authorities have responsibility for meeting Annex 14 requirements in relation to civil aviation

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Conclusions ( 1 ) QCurrently many military aerodromes do not meet civilian standards QThe military authorities are not normally accountable to CAA QThis situation contravenes some basic principles of the safety regulation of civil aviation

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Conclusions ( 2 ) QThe situation could be resolved by requiring certification and accountability to CAA QWhere this is not possible other options should be considered: - make available only those aerodromes that meet Annex 14 requirements - have audited and identified differences - certification by the military as equivalent to civil standards QWhen comprehensive solutions are not possible use different partial solutions to alleviate pressing problems

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November Recommendations It is recommended that States: Qreview, and where necessary redefine, their policy on the use of government aerodromes Qdetermine how best to address safety and liability concerns using the outlined options Qformulate and introduce legislative amendments, if required, to implement that policy

Aerodrome Safety Workshop - Almaty, Kazakhstan - 18 to 22 November