Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2074
For the purpose of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:
(1) ‘Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC)’ means non-binding standards adopted by the Agency to illustrate means to establish compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its Implementing Rules;
(2) ‘accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)’ means the length of the take-off run available plus the length of the stopway, if provided;
(3) ‘aerodrome control service’ means an air traffic control (ATC) service for aerodrome traffic;
(4) ‘aerodrome equipment’ means any equipment, apparatus, appurtenance, software or accessory, that is used or intended to be used to contribute to the operation of aircraft at an aerodrome;
(5) ‘aeronautical data’ means a representation of aeronautical facts, concepts or instructions in a formalised manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing;
(6) ‘aeronautical information service’ means a service established within the defined area of coverage responsible for the provision of aeronautical information and data necessary for the safety, regularity, and efficiency of air navigation;
(6a) ‘Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC)’ means a notice containing information that does not qualify for the origination of a notice to air men (NOTAM) or for inclusion in the AIP, but which relates to flight safety, air navigation, technical, administrative or legislative matters;
(6b) ‘aeronautical information product’ means aeronautical data and aeronautical information provided either as digital data sets or as a standardised presentation in paper or electronic media. Aeronautical information products include the following:
— AIP, including amendments and supplements,
— AIC,
— aeronautical charts,
— NOTAM,
— digital data sets;
(6c) ‘Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)’ means a publication issued by or with the authority of a Member State and containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation;
(7) ‘air navigation services’ means air traffic services; communication, navigation and surveillance services; meteorological services for air navigation; and aeronautical information services;
(8) ‘air traffic services’ means the various flight information services, alerting services, air traffic advisory services and air traffic control services (area, approach and aerodrome control services);
(9) ‘air traffic control (ATC) service’ means a service provided for the purpose of:
1. preventing collisions:
— between aircraft, and
— in the manoeuvring area between aircraft and obstructions; and
2. expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic;
(10) ‘aircraft stand’ means a designated area on an apron intended to be used for parking an aircraft;
(11) ‘aircraft stand taxilane’ means a portion of an apron designated as a taxiway and intended to provide access to aircraft stands only;
(12) ‘alternative means of compliance’ are those that propose an alternative to an existing Acceptable Means of Compliance or those that propose new means to establish compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its Implementing Rules for which no associated Acceptable Means of Compliance have been adopted by the Agency;
(13) ‘alerting service’ means a service provided to notify relevant organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and to assist such organisations as required;
(14) ‘apron taxiway’ means a portion of a taxiway system located on an apron and intended to provide a through taxi-route across the apron;
(15) ‘clearway’ means a defined rectangular area on the ground or water under the control of the appropriate entity, selected or prepared as a suitable area over which an aeroplane may make a portion of its initial climb to a specified height;
(15a) ‘contaminated runway’ means a runway whose surface area (whether in isolated areas or not) within the length and width being used is covered in significant part by one or more of the substances listed under the runway surface condition descriptors;
(16) ‘dangerous goods’ means articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment and which are shown in the list of dangerous goods in the Technical Instructions or which are classified according to those Technical Instructions;
(16a) ‘decision altitude’ (‘DA’) or ‘decision height’ (‘DH’) means a specified altitude or height in a 3D instrument approach operation at which a missed approach procedure must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established;
(17) ‘data quality’ means a degree or level of confidence that the data provided meet the requirements of the data user in terms of accuracy, resolution and integrity;
(17a) ‘data set’ means an identifiable collection of data;
(18) ‘declared distances’ means:
— ‘take-off run available (TORA)’,
— ‘take-off distance available (TODA)’,
— ‘accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)’,
— ‘landing distance available (LDA)’;
(18a) ‘dry’, in respect of runway conditions, means that the surface of the runway is free of visible moisture and not contaminated within the area intended to be used;
(19) ‘flight information service’ means a service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights;
(19a) ‘foreign object debris (FOD)’ means an inanimate object within the movement area which has no operational or aeronautical function and which has the potential to be a hazard to aircraft operation;
(20) ‘human factors principles’ means principles which apply to aeronautical design, certification, training, operations and maintenance and which seek safe interface between the human and other system components by proper consideration to human performance;
(21) ‘human performance’ means human capabilities and limitations which have an impact on the safety and efficiency of aeronautical operations;
(22) ‘instrument runway’ means one of the following types of runways intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures:
1. ‘non-precision approach runway’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non‑visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type A instrument approach operation;
2. ‘precision approach runway, category I’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT I instrument approach operation;
3. ‘precision approach runway, category II’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT II instrument approach operation;
4. ‘precision approach runway, category III’: a runway served by visual aids and at least one non-visual aid, intended for landing operations following a type B CAT III instrument approach operation;
(23) ‘integrity’ means a degree of assurance that an aeronautical data and its value has not been lost nor altered since the data origination or authorized amendment.
(24) ‘landing distance available (LDA)’ means the length of runway which is declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane landing;
(24a) ‘lighting system reliability’ means the probability that the complete installation operates within the specified tolerances and the system is operationally usable;
(24b) ‘Location Indicators’ means the latest effective edition of the ‘Location Indicators’ (Doc 7910), approved and published by the International Civil Aviation Organization;
(24c) ‘low-visibility operations (LVOs)’ means approach or take-off operations on a runway with a runway visual range less than 550 m or a decision height less than 200 ft;
(25) ‘low-visibility procedures’ means procedures applied at an aerodrome for the purpose of ensuring safety during low-visibility operations;
(26) ‘low-visibility take-off (LVTO)’ means a take-off with a runway visual range less than 550 m;
(27) deleted [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/208]
(28) ‘manoeuvring area’ means that part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft, excluding aprons;
(29) ‘meteorological services’ means those facilities and services that provide aircraft with meteorological forecasts, briefs and observations as well as any other meteorological information and data provided by States for aeronautical use;
(30) ‘marker’ means an object displayed above ground level in order to indicate an obstacle or delineate a boundary;
(31) ‘marking’ means a symbol or group of symbols displayed on the surface of the movement area in order to convey aeronautical information;
(32) ‘movement area’ means that part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft consisting of the manoeuvring area and the apron(s);
(33) ‘navigation services’ means those facilities and services that provide aircraft with positioning and timing information;
(34) ‘non-instrument runway’ means a runway intended for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures;
(34a) ‘notice to airmen (NOTAM)’ means a notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations;
(34b) ‘NOTAM code’ means the code contained in the latest effective edition of the ‘Procedures for Air Navigation Services – ICAO Abbreviations and Codes’ (PANS ABC – Doc 8400), approved and published by the International Civil Aviation Organization;’
(34c) ‘operation with operational credits’ means an operation using specific aircraft or ground equipment, or a combination of aircraft and ground equipment which allows any of the following elements:
(a) the application of lower than standard aerodrome operating minima for a particular classification of operation;
(b) visibility requirements can be satisfied or reduced;
(c) fewer ground facilities are required;
(35) deleted [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/208]
(36) ‘oversight planning cycle’ means a time period in which continued compliance is verified;
(37) ‘rapid exit taxiway’ means a taxiway connected to a runway at an acute angle and designed to allow landing aeroplanes to turn off at higher speeds than are achieved on other exit taxiways thereby minimising runway occupancy times;
(38) ‘runway’ means a defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft;
(38a) ‘runway condition assessment matrix (RCAM)’ means a matrix that allows the assessment of the runway condition code (RWYCC), using associated procedures, from a set of observed runway surface conditions and pilot report of braking action;
(38b) ‘runway condition code (RWYCC)’ means a number, to be used in the runway condition report (RCR), that describes the effect of the runway surface condition on aeroplane deceleration performance and lateral control;
(38c) ‘runway condition report (RCR)’ means a comprehensive standardised report relating to the conditions of the runway surface and their effects on the aeroplane landing and take-off performance, described by means of runway conditions code;
(38d) ‘runway-end safety area (RESA)’ means an area symmetrical about the runway centre line and adjacent to the end of the strip primarily intended to reduce the risk of damage to an aeroplane undershooting or overrunning the runway;
(38e) ‘runway-holding position’ means a designated position intended to protect a runway, an obstacle limitation surface, or an Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) or Microwave Landing System (MLS) critical or sensitive area at which taxiing aircraft and vehicles must stop and hold, unless otherwise authorised by the aerodrome control tower;
(38f) ‘runway strip’ means a defined area including the runway and stopway, if provided, intended to:
(a) reduce the risk of damage to aircraft running off a runway;
(b) protect aircraft flying over it during take-off or landing operations;
(38g) ‘runway surface condition’ means a description of the condition of the runway surface used in the RCR which establishes the basis for the determination of the RWYCC for aeroplane performance purposes;
(38h) ‘runway surface condition descriptors’ means one of the following substances on the surface of the runway:
(a) compacted snow: snow that has been compacted into a solid mass such that aeroplane tyres, at operating pressures and loadings, will run on the surface without significant further compaction or rutting of the surface;
(b) dry snow: snow from which a snowball cannot readily be made;
(c) frost: ice crystals formed from airborne moisture on a surface whose temperature is at or below freezing; frost differs from ice in that frost crystals grow independently and therefore, have a more granular texture;
(d) ice: water that has frozen or compacted snow that has transitioned into ice in cold and dry conditions;
(e) slush: 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;
(f) standing water: water of depth greater than 3 mm;
(g) wet ice: ice with water on top of it or ice that is melting;
(h) wet snow: snow that contains enough water to be able to make a well compacted, solid snowball, but water will not squeeze out;
(39) ‘runway type’ means instrument runway or non-instrument runway;
(40) ‘runway visual range (RVR)’ means the range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centre line of a runway can see the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the runway or identifying its centre line;
(41) ‘safety management system’ means a systematic approach to managing safety including the necessary organisational structure, accountabilities, policies and procedures;
(41a) ‘slippery wet runway’ means a wet runway whose surface friction characteristics for a significant portion of it have been determined to be degraded;
(41b) ‘SNOWTAM’ means a special series NOTAM given in a standard format, which provides a surface condition report notifying the presence or cessation of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush, frost, standing water or water associated with snow, slush, ice, or frost on the movement area;
(41c) ‘specially prepared winter runway’ means a runway with a dry frozen surface of compacted snow or ice, or both, which has been treated with sand or grit or has been mechanically treated to improve runway friction;
(42) ‘stopway’ means a defined rectangular area on the ground at the end of take-off run available prepared as a suitable area in which an aircraft can be stopped in the case of an abandoned take-off;
(43) ‘take-off distance available (TODA)’ means the length of the take-off run available plus the length of the clearway, if provided;
(44) ‘take-off run available (TORA)’ means the length of runway declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane taking off;
(45) ‘taxiway’ means a defined path on a land aerodrome established for the taxiing of aircraft and intended to provide a link between one part of the aerodrome and another, including:
— aircraft stand taxilane,
— apron taxiway,
— rapid exit taxiway;
(46) ‘Technical Instructions’ means the latest effective edition of the ‘Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air’ (Doc 9284-AN/905), including the Supplement and any Addenda, approved and published by the International Civil Aviation Organization;
(47) ‘terms of the certificate’ means the following:
— ICAO Location Indicators,
— conditions to operate (VFR/IFR, day/night),
— aeroplane operations on specially prepared winter runways,
— runway - declared distances,
— runway types and approaches provided,
— aerodrome reference code,
— scope of aircraft operations with higher aerodrome reference code letter,
— provision of apron management services (yes/no),
— rescue and firefighting level of protection;
(47a) ‘type A instrument approach operation‘ means an instrument approach operation with a minimum descent height or decision height at or above 75 m (250 ft);
(47b) ‘Type B instrument approach operation’ means an instrument approach operation with a decision height below 75 m (250 ft) categorised as follows:
1. Category I (CAT I): a decision height not lower than 60 m (200 ft) and with either a visibility not less than 800 m or a runway visual range not less than 550 m;
2. Category II (CAT II): a decision height lower than 60 m (200 ft), but not lower than 30 m (100 ft) and a runway visual range not less than 300 m;
3. Category III (CAT III): a decision height lower than 30 m (100 ft) or no decision height and a runway visual range less than 300 m or no runway visual range limitations.
(48) ‘visual aids’ means indicators and signalling devices, markings, lights, signs and markers or combinations thereof;
(49) ‘wet runway’ means a runway whose surface is covered by any visible dampness or water up to and including 3 mm deep within the area intended to be used.
ED Decision 2022/013/R
DEFINITIONS FOR TERMS USED IN THE ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF COMPLIANCE AND GUIDANCE MATERIAL
For the purpose of the Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to Regulation (EU) No 139/2014, the following definitions apply:
(1) ‘Enhanced flight vision system 200 (EFVS 200) operation’ means an operation with an operational credit in which visibility conditions require an EFVS to be used down to 200 ft above the FATO or runway threshold. From that point to land, natural vision is used. The RVR is not less than 550 m.
(2) ‘Enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) - Approach (EFVS-A)’ means a system that has been demonstrated to meet the criteria to be used for approach operations from a decision altitude/height (DA/H) or a minimum descent altitude/height (MDA/H) to 100 ft (30 m) threshold elevation while all system components are functioning as intended, but may have failure modes that could result in the loss of EFVS capability. It should be assumed for an EFVS‑A that:
(a) the pilot will conduct a go-around at or above 100 ft threshold elevation, in the event of an EFVS failure; and
(b) descent below 100 ft above the threshold elevation through to touchdown and roll-out should be conducted using natural vision, so that aby failure of the EFVS does not prevent the pilot from completing the approach and landing.
(3) ‘Enhanced flight vision system - landing (EFVS-L)’ means a system that has been demonstrated to meet the criteria to be used for approach and landing operations that rely on sufficient visibility conditions to enable unaided roll-out and to mitigate for loss of EFVS function.
(4) ‘Obstacle clearance height (OCH)’ means the lowest height above the elevation of the relevant runway threshold or the aerodrome elevation, as applicable, used in establishing compliance with appropriate obstacle clearance criteria. Obstacle clearance height is referenced to the threshold elevation or in the case of non-precision approach procedures to the aerodrome elevation or the threshold elevation if that is more than 2 m (7 ft) below the aerodrome elevation. An obstacle clearance height for a circling approach procedure is referenced to the aerodrome elevation.
(5) ‘Special authorisation category I (SA CAT I) operation’ means a CAT I approach operation with a decision height not lower than 45 m (150 ft) and an RVR not less than 400 m and requires special authorisation.
(6) ‘Special authorisation category II (SA CAT II) operation’ means a CAT II approach operation to a runway that does not fulfil all CAT II infrastructure requirements, and which requires special authorisation.
GM1 38 (b) Runway condition code
ED Decision 2021/003/R
The purpose of the runway condition code (RWYCC) is to permit an operational aeroplane performance calculation by the flight crew.
GM1 38 (g) Runway surface condition
ED Decision 2021/003/R
The runway surface conditions used in the runway condition report (RCR) establish a common language between the aerodrome operator, the aeroplane manufacturer and the aeroplane operator.
Aircraft de-icing chemicals and other contaminants are also reported but are not included in the list of runway surface condition descriptors because their effect on the runway surface friction characteristics and the RWYCC cannot be evaluated in a standardised manner.
GM1 38 (h) Runway surface condition descriptors
ED Decision 2021/003/R
The descriptors under (a) to (h) are used solely in the context of the RCR and are not intended to supersede or replace any existing World Meteorological Organization (WMO) definitions.
GM1 38h (c) Runway surface condition descriptors
ED Decision 2021/003/R
‘Freezing’ refers to the freezing point of water (0 degree Celsius). Under certain conditions, frost can cause the surface to become very slippery and it is then reported appropriately as downgraded RWYCC.
GM1 38h (f) Runway surface condition descriptors
ED Decision 2021/003/R
Running water of depth greater than 3 mm is reported as ‘standing water’ by convention.
GM1 38h (g) Runway surface condition descriptors
ED Decision 2021/003/R
Freezing precipitation can lead to runway conditions associated with wet ice from an aeroplane performance point of view. Wet ice can cause the surface to become very slippery. It is then reported appropriately as downgraded RWYCC.
GM1 41 (a) Slippery wet runway
ED Decision 2021/003/R
A portion of runway in the order of 100 m long may be considered significant.
GM2 41 (a) Slippery wet runway
ED Decision 2021/003/R
The surface friction characteristics of the runway are considered degraded when below the minimum standards.
GM1 41 (c) Specially prepared winter runway
ED Decision 2021/003/R
‘Frozen sand’ is a method to improve the surface friction characteristics of an ice-covered surface by sand or grit fixed to the surface through a melting/freezing process. Frozen sand can be achieved using several techniques. One example is pre-wetting the material with hot water just prior to application in order to have the hot sand melting the top layer of the ice, which then immediately refreezes to fix the material to the surface. Another technique is to pre-wet the material with a suitable chemical in order to achieve a similar effect.