Table 9 - Failed or downgraded equipment

Erik Lips • 3 March 2022
in community Air Operations

Hi,

Hope you can share your interpretation of EASA Air Operations AMC11 CAT.OP.MPA.110 Aerodrome operating minima (b)(1). It says:

multiple failures of runway/FATO lights other than indicated in Table 9 should not be acceptable;

So, this would imply that an ILS CAT I approach to a runway where both the RCLL and TDZL have failed is not possible, as this is a multiple failure of elements in table 9.

On the other hand, it is possible to land on a CAT I runway where RCLL and TDZL are not installed, so these cannot fail.

ICAO Annex 14 does not require RCLL and TDZL for CAT I runways. And EASA AMC5 CAT.OP.MPA.100 (a)(4)(ii) allows a CAT I with RVR less than 750 m without RTZL and without RCLL if the approach is flown with e.g. FD to a DH.

But the multiple failure restriction in table 9 seems to be limiting.

And am I correct that the only multiple failure indicated in table 9 is the line "Edge lights, threshold lights and runway end lights"?

Many thanks for your help in advance.

Erik

Comments (15)

Ricardo Pardo

Hi, Erik:
I agree that the only multiple failures indicated in table 9 are "Edge lights, threshold lights, and runway end lights."
Table 9 should consider both failures (RTZL and RCLL) unless there is a reason I cannot see.
Regards.

Erik Lips

Thanks Ricardo. Do you understand Table 9 would allow a CAT I landing on runways where both RCLL and TDZL are not installed (because these are not failed or downgraded)? And would Table 9 prohibit a CAT I landing on a runway where both RCLL and TDZL are installed but have both failed?

Ricardo Pardo

As per Table 9, if both failed (or not installed, that would be the same) landing would not be allowed.
As per ICAO, it would be allowed.
EASA is more restrictive.
I don’t see the difference between failed or not installed. Both have the same effect.
Sorry if I am wrong.

Erik Lips

Thanks again. You should be right. Point is that we have procedures, e.g. Linköping ESSL ILS CAT I RW11, showing EASA compliant minima down to 200 ft 550 m, but no RCLL nor TDZL exist.

John Flanagan

Hi John.

I have another question on Aerodrome Operating Minima. In relation to the term "Relevant RVR" which is used in the tables in Part-SPA.LVO, GM1 CAT.OP.MPA.305(f) Commencement and continuation of approach, states that ‘Relevant’ means that part of the runway used during the high-speed phase of the landing down to a speed of approximately 60 kt. However the GM does not clarify that the same applies for takeoff. I can only find the following information which relates to LVTO which considers either continuation or abandoned takeoff.

CS-AWO 400 Applicability and Terminology
(a) Subpart 4 of this airworthiness code is applicable to aeroplanes for which certification is sought to allow the performance of take-off in lower visibilities than those which are sufficient to ensure that the pilot will at all times have sufficient visibility to complete or abandon the take off safely. It is only concerned with directional guidance during the ground-borne portion of the take-off (i.e. from start to main wheel lift-off, or standstill in the event of abandoned take-off).

Hope you can assist.

John FRANKLIN

Sorry for the delay everyone. There is an update to Table 9 coming as part of the AWO update to the Air Ops Rules. This should be published in the coming days and then the full Easy Access Rules will be updated in October.

Table 9 will become Table 17 and the main part is that Para 2b will change to say this:

(2) deficiencies of approach and runway/FATO lights are acceptable at the same time, and the most demanding consequence should be applied treated separately; and..

I will post the link to the new rules when they are published.

Erik Lips

Hi John, thanks for information. Quickly checked the new information. As far as I can see it, it does not answer my question. The 'multiple failures' issue still exists...

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