The amendments proposed with this NPA are based on Amendment 18 to ICAO Annex 14 Volume I — Aerodrome Design and Operations, and on Amendments 9 and 10 to Annex 14 Volume II — Heliports.
They can be summarised as follows:
- incorporation of criteria in the design of aprons for safe ground-handling activities;
- provision of runway and taxiway lights based on a new runway visual range (RVR) threshold of 300 m;
- provision of runway distance remaining signs (RDRSs);
- clarification of serviceability level for aerodrome lighting;
- provision of visual aids to denote temporarily closed runways and temporarily closed/restricted areas;
- revision of the apron management procedures to include guidance to aircraft departing from the stand and securing of parked aircraft to prevent unintended movement;
- revised design characteristics for the final approach and take-off area (FATO), touchdown and lift-off areas (TLOF), helicopter clearways, helicopter taxiway and taxi routes, heliport lights, sign markings and markers;
- revised design specifications for the obstacle limitation surfaces related to vertical procedures and point-in-space (PinS) approach or departure procedures with or without a proceed visually instruction.
Additionally, this NPA contains proposed amendments to address the safety recommendation issued by Malta’s Bureau of Air Accident Investigation (BAAI) to EASA following a ground collision that involved two B737-800s. It also contains proposed amendments to address a discrepancy between the Aerodromes and the Air Operations requirements related to the assignment of the runway condition code when less than 25 % of a runway third is wet or contaminated (ahead of ICAO), the provision of aerodrome emergency grid maps and the allocation of aircraft to areas other than aircraft stands or apron areas and the height of signs (Amendment 15 to ICAO Annex 14 Volume I). Finally, some amendments of editorial nature are also made to ensure consistency and correctness of the requirements.
Overall, the proposed regulatory material is expected to increase the level of safety at aerodromes and collocated heliports, improve operational efficiency and ensure global interoperability of aerodrome operations and design. Furthermore, some of the proposals are expected to reduce the administrative burden for both competent authorities and aerodrome operators, as well as to provide for cost savings.