The protection of aerodrome surroundings ensures that aerodromes are safeguarded against human activities and developments that cause an unacceptable risk to aircraft operations in the vicinity of aerodromes. It encompasses the monitoring and control of obstacles, as well as of hazards related to human activities and land use, such as – but not limited to – wildlife hazard management around aerodromes, protection from laser emissions, 5G interference, glint/glare from reflective surfaces, hazardous, confusing and misleading lights, obstacle-induced turbulence, gaseous emissions and operation of drones.
The European regulatory framework regarding the protection of aerodrome surroundings has been assessed by stakeholders as being too high level, with only some basic provisions in Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and Articles 8, 9 and 10 of Regulation (EU) No 139/2014. The EASA Member States (MSs) are required to develop and implement rules at the national level. However, this has led to several differences among them.
The lack of uniform provisions in the form of detailed implementing rules, acceptable means of compliance (AMC) and guidance material (GM) regarding the protection of aerodrome surroundings does not establish a uniform safety standard to ensure safe operations of aircraft in the surroundings of an aerodrome.
In addition, the recent adoption of Amendment 18 to Annex 14 Vol. I to the Chicago Convention introduced a new concept related to the obstacle limitation surfaces and the obstacle limitation requirements.
The objective of this rulemaking task (RMT) is to ensure an adequate level of safety at aerodromes whilst striking the right balance between aviation safety and other societal needs linked to developments and human activities in the surroundings of an aerodrome.