Contact

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
Aeronautical Information Service Department
333/105 Lak Si Plaza, Khamphaeng Phet 6 Rd.
Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand

Tel: +662 568 8831

Fax: +662 576 1903

AFS: VTBAYOYX

E-mail: [email protected]

E-mail: [email protected]

AIC for Thailand

AIC

01/21

Effective from 04 NOV 2021

to 06 NOV 2023

Published on 08 APR 2021

  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL REPORTING FORMAT (GRF)

1  INTRODUCTION

With effective from 4 November 2021, the purpose of this AIC is to inform all concerned of implementation of the global reporting format in Thailand. The details are as follows:

2  GENERAL

2.1 The new ICAO methodology for assessing and reporting runway surface conditions, commonly known as the Global Reporting Format (GRF), enables the harmonized assessment and reporting of runway surface conditions and a correspondingly improved flight crew assessment of take-off and landing performance.

The GRF, applicable on 4 November 2021, is described through

  1. Annex 14 - Aerodromes, Volume I - Aerodrome Design and Operations;

  2. Annex 3 - Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation;

  3. Annex 6 - Operation of Aircraft;

    - Part I - International Commercial Air Transport - Aeroplanes and

    - Part II - International General Aviation — Aeroplanes;

  4. Annex 8 - Airworthiness of Aircraft;

  5. Annex 15 - Aeronautical Information Services;

  6. Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) - Aerodromes (PANS-Aerodromes, Doc 9981);

  7. Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) - Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, Doc 4444);

  8. Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) - Aeronautical Information Management (PANS-AIM, Doc 10066)

2.2 The report methodology adopted by runway inspectors in estimating the surface condition on contaminated runways, as well as the reporting format is different. Aerodromes may no longer report measured friction values (Mu-meter) or base the condition assessment on these measurements only. The report is made to the template and content of NOTAM regarding runway condition (SNOWTAM), named Global Reporting Format (GRF). ICAO Circular 355 contains information on assessment, measurements and reports on runway condition.
2.3 The outcome of the assessment from runway inspectors by using a Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) and the consequent assignment of a runway condition code (RWYCC) are transmitted using a Runway Condition Report (RCR) forwarded to air traffic services and the aeronautical information services for dissemination to pilots. The pilots will use the RWYCC to determine their aircraft’s performance by correlating the code with performance data provided by their aircraft’s manufacturer. This will help pilots to correctly carry out their landing and take-off performance calculations for wet or contaminated runways.
2.4 Regulations mandates that Pilots-in-command in commercial air transport shall make special air reports (AIREPs) whenever they observe worse runway braking action than previously reported, the pilots-in-command for International GA are also encourager to make special air reports (AIREPs) as well. It is the pilot’s assessment of the manner in which an aircraft responds to the application of wheel brake. These reports provide feedback to the aerodrome operator regarding the accuracy of the assigned RWYCCs relative to the runway surface conditions actually experienced.

3  FLOW OF INFORMATION


3.1  Collection of information

Aerodrome operator is responsible to assess the condition of the runway for each third of the runway and issue a Runway Condition Report (RCR). This report contains the RWYCC (Runway Condition Code) and information which describes the runway surface condition: type of contamination, depth, coverage for each third of the runway, etc. and other relevant information. This code is derived from the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) and associated procedures for downgrading and upgrading.


Note: Details of the Global Reporting Format is contained in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) - Aerodromes (PANS-Aerodromes, Doc 9981) and ICAO Circular 355 (Assessment, Measurement and Reporting of Runway Surface Conditions).

3.2  Dissemination of information

- Aeronautical information services (AIS) provide the information received in the RCR to end users through SNOWTAM in the new format.

Note: Details of the new SNOWTAM format is contained in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) - Aeronautical Information Management (PANS-AIM, Doc 10066). Additional information on the SNOWTAM format could be found in the CAAT Guidance on the Issuance of SNOWTAM.

- Air traffic services (ATS) provide the information received via the RCR to end users through radio, ATIS, etc. and received special air-reports.

3.3  Using the information

Aircraft operators utilize the information in conjunction with the performance data provided by the aircraft manufacturer to determine if landing or take-off operations can be conducted safely and provide runway braking action special air-report (AIREP).

4  IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

4.1  Date of implementation

- The new ICAO GRF including the new SNOWTAM format will be implemented in Thailand on 4 November 2021 at 0000 UTC.

- New ICAO Methodology for Assessing and Reporting Runway Surface Conditions (GRF) Implementation Action Plan is contained at attachment to this AIC.

4.2  National GRF implementation Team

The Thailand GRF implementation team are including Airport operators, Commercial Air Transport Operators, ATS, CAAT, AIS, etc.

4.3  Stakeholders involved

The following stakeholders in Thailand are involved in the implementation of the GRF:

  1. Public used Aerodromes

  2. Air Traffic Services (ATCOs)

  3. Aeronautical Information Services

  4. Airlines (flight operations departments, dispatchers, pilots)

  5. Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand

4.4  Coordination between aerodromes, AIS and ATS units

Aerodrome, AIS and ATS will close cooperation to ensure flow of information will reach to the end users.

4.5  Training and awareness

- Aerodrome operator personnel who respond runway condition assessment and report shall be sufficiently trained with Global Reporting Format for Runway Surface Condition Assessment and Reporting.

- Airlines (flight operations departments, dispatchers, pilots) shall be sufficiently trained with Global Reporting Format (GRF) for Aircraft Operators and Flight Crew.

- ANSPs and Air Traffic Controllers shall be sufficiently trained with the Global Reporting Format (GRF) for Runway Surface Conditions for ANSPs and Air Traffic Controllers.

- AIS personnel shall be sufficiently trained with the new SNOWTAM format.

4.6  Tests and trials

Up on CAAT notice through POC again.

5  CONTACT

For further information contact via the following:

Unit: Aerodrome Standards Department

Tel: +662 568 8826 or +666 3205 8826

E-mail: [email protected]

6  VALIDITY

This AIC will remain current until 6 November 2023.