ED Decision 2016/027/R

CS ADR-DSN - Issue 3

The objective of this Decision is to update the certification specifications for aerodromes design (CS-ADR-DSN) in line with the ICAO developments and other technical improvements, and to maintain a high level of safety of aerodrome design. EASA is proposing this re-issue of CS ADR-DSN in order to support and facilitate the aerodrome operators and airport industry together with the respective competent authorities that are currently performing a certification process following Commission Regulation (EU) No 139/2014.

This Decision amends CS ADR-DSN in accordance with the respective ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs)incorporated in ICAO State Letter AN 4/1.2.24-13/20 which includes Amendment 11-A to ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, Aerodromes. Amendment 11-A includes updates on some definitions, characteristics of surface of runways and of runway turn pads, objects on runway strips, blast pad, runway end safety areas, surface of stopways and of taxiways, enhanced taxiway centre line marking, simple touchdown zone lights, alternate taxiway centre line lights, stop bars, runway guard lights, no-entry bar, etc. This amendment incorporates reformatting of Chapter 6 of ICAO Annex 14 ‘Visual aids for denoting obstacles’, as well as siting of equipment and installations on operational areas, runway pavement overlays and visual aids, including light emitting diodes (LEDs), colours for aeronautical ground lights, markings, signs and panels, including white colour for LED lights, aeronautical ground light characteristics, including no-entry bar, integrity classifications, as well characteristics of movement area and adjacent areas and runway end safety areas.

This Decision also addresses some recommendations and comments received from stakeholders, and it encompasses corrections and some administrative changes for better clarity of the text, unification of references, etc.

The changes to the design characteristics emerging from Amendment 11-A to ICAO Annex 14 are of major significance to the aerodrome industry also in an economic sense and, besides the facilitating effect along the now on-going certification exercise, do provide better clarity and consistency with international standards. Additionally, these changes will also enable aerodrome operators to further develop their facilities within the existing infrastructure or future aerodrome extensions, and to reduce the overall costs of maintaining of existing or building new infrastructures.