Supporting material for ICAO Aerodrome Mapping Data Sets
v1.0.4
Introduction
Surface contamination management includes those activities to be undertaken when hazardous conditions on the aerodrome/heliport movement areas exist due to surface contamination. These conditions mostly result from adverse weather conditions, runway usage, or incidents/accidents on the movement areas. The surface contamination may but also may not affect movement area availability based on size and characteristics of an area of contamination and therefore surface contamination can trigger a change of operational status of the movement areas.
Use of aerodrome mapping data
Surface contamination may affect features or parts thereof on the aerodrome movement area. Traceability and monitoring of surface contamination are important in order to maintain movement areas fit for operations. Surface contamination is temporal and spatial in nature. Determining and sharing surface contamination information requires geo-temporal capabilities. Typically, this enables shared situational awareness when using AMD to encode and visualize surface contaminations as an overlay on the AMD.
The ATM Information Reference Model (AIRM) defines surface contamination: http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#SurfaceContamination
AMD features affected
AicraftStand, Runway, Apron, Taxiway, TouchDownLiftOff, AirportHeliport
Example taxiway surface contamination:
Figure 1: Overlay of taxiway surface contamination overlay on AMD
Example aircraft stand surface contamination:
Figure 2: overlay of aircraft stand surface contamination on AMD
Encoding Surface Contamination data
The use of aerodrome mapping data facilitates the encoding of surface contamination data. Surface contamination data support the geo-temporal and visual representation of surface contamination. Surface contamination data should support surface contamination information sharing for the whole or parts of the contaminated AMD feature.
AIXM 5.1 supports these requirements natively and is used to encode surface contamination as aeronautical information. The “section” notion supports the more fine-grained indication of actual surface contamination, e.g. runway section contamination, taxiway section contamination.
Understanding the landscape of surface contamination data:
The AIXM 5.1 UML provides a logical representation of the main surface contamination data when encoded as aeronautical information:
http://www.aixm.aero/sites/aixm.aero/files/imce/AIXM51HTML/AIXM/Diagram_SurfaceContamination.html
Examples of feature data involved:
The purpose of the coloured cells in the tables is to highlight properties which enable the operational change as part of the use case.
AicraftStand
http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#AircraftStand
In AIXM 5.1 the following set of attributes are used to capture its data:
attribute | Guidance |
designator | It captures the textual designator of the gate/stand. |
type | Identifies the characteristics, role of a stand. Examples: parking position on the apron, isolated aircraft stand or terminal building gate. |
visualDockingSystem | Defines a device used at the aircraft stands in order to help the pilot align and position the aircraft. |
association via | Role | To | Guidance |
hasSurfaceDescribedBy | surfaceProperties | SurfaceCharacteristics | Captures surface characteristics of the gate/ stand. As enabled by the property SurfaceCharacteristics it is possible to enter Composition, Preparation, Surface conditions, PCN, LCN, SIWL, AUW. |
hasPosition | location | ElevatedPoint | Defines the location of the gate/stand with all the sub-properties of the property ElevatedPoint. Captures the SRS, Horizontal Accuracy, Elevation, Geoid Undulation, Vertical Datum, Vertical Accuracy, and Coordinates of the single point. |
isLocatedOn | apronLocation | ApronElement | Associates the gate/stand with an ApronElement or more accurately location on an ApronElement. |
| hasExtent | extent | ElevatedSurface | Defines the boundaries of the gate/stand with all the sub-properties of the property ElevatedPoint. Captures the SRS, Horizontal Accuracy, Elevation, Geoid Undulation, Vertical Datum, Vertical Accuracy, and Coordinates of the points. |
| isContaminated | contaminant | AircraftStandContamination | Creates a possibility to define information about the contaminant. Observation Time, Depth, Friction and all the sub-properties of the property AircraftStandContamination. |
| hasAnnotations | annotation | Note | Captures annotation, translated notes, and their purpose. |
| isOperationalBy | availability | ApronAreaAvailability | Defines the operational status of the AircraftStand. Daily, Date or Weekday schedules and their properties where the user defines the status, warning (the reason why the status has been changed), usage, special date authority, and separate annotations of the change. |
Runway
http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#Runway
In AIXM 5.1 the following set of attributes are used to capture Runway data:
attribute | Guidance |
designator | It captures the unique textual designator of the runway. |
type | Identifies the type of the runway. Examples: runway for airplanes or FATO area specific for helicopters. |
nominalLength | The length of the runway, a longitudinal extent of the runway used for operational calculations. |
| lengthAccuracy | Enables to enter the accuracy value of the length of the runway. |
| nominalWidth | Captures the width of the runway, its transversal extent used for operational calculations. |
| widthAccuracy | Defines the accuracy value of the width of the runway. |
| widthShoulder | The user is allowed to enter the runway shoulder width. |
| lengthStrip | It allows the entry of the length of the strip, where a strip is a defined area including the runway, if applicable the stopway. |
| widthStrip | It allows the entry of the width of the strip, where a strip is a defined area including the runway, if applicable the stopway. |
| lengthOffset | Captures the value which specifies the longitudinal offset of the strip, when it is not symmetrically extended beyond the two runway edges. Where a strip is a defined area including the runway, if applicable the stopway. |
| widthOffset | Specifies the lateral offset of the strip, when it is not symmetrically extended beyond the two runway edges. Where a strip is a defined area including the runway, if applicable the stopway. |
| abandoned | Indicates if the runway is still in operational use, or is in a physically degraded state, abandoned. |
association from Runway | Role | To | Guidance |
| isSituatedAt | associatedAirportHeliport | AirportHeliport | The approach and take-off runway area containing the touchdown lift-off zone. |
| hasSurfaceDescribedBy | surfaceProperties | SurfaceCharacteristics | Runway that is marked. |
| hasAnnotations | annotation | Note | A choice of Runway or AirportHeliport. |
| isContaminated | overallContaminant | RunwayContamination | Runway associated with the element. |
| hasSectionContaminated | areaContaminant | RunwaySectionContamination | The runway used by the RunwayDirection. |
Apron
http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#Apron
In AIXM 5.1 the following set of attributes are used to capture its data:
attribute | Guidance |
name | The name used to identify an apron at an airport that has more than one apron. |
abandoned | Indicates if an apron is not in operational use, but is still visible in its degraded state. |
association via | Role | To | Guidance |
isSituatedAt | associatedAirportHeliport | AirportHeliport | Captures which AirportHeliport is the apron associated with. |
hasSurfaceDescribedBy | surfaceProperties | SurfaceCharacteristics | Enables to define the surface characteristics of an Apron. Its Composition, PCN, LCN, SIWL, and AUW. |
isOperationalBy | availability | ApronAreaAvailability | Defines the operational status of the apron. Daily, Date or Weekday schedules and their properties where the user defines the status, warning (the reason why the status has been changed), usage, special date authority, and separate annotations of the change. |
| hasAnnotations | annotation | Note | Captures annotation, translated notes, and their purpose. |
| isContaminated | contaminant | ApronContamination | Creates a possibility to define information about the contaminant. Observation Time, Depth, Friction and all the sub-properties of the property ApronContamination. |
Taxiway
http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#Taxiway
In AIXM 5.1 the following set of attributes are used to capture its data:
attribute | Guidance |
designator | It captures the textual designator of the taxiway. |
type | Identifies the type of taxiway. Examples: air taxiway, ground taxiway, exit/turnoff, rapid exit/turnoff, turn around and others. |
width | Indicates the physical width of the taxiway. |
| width Shoulder | Enables to enter the value of taxiway shoulder width. |
| length | Captures the length of the taxiway. |
| abandoned | Indicates if the taxiway is in operational use. If still physically present but not in use, it may be marked as abandoned. |
association via | Role | To | Guidance |
isSituatedAt | associatedAirportHeliport | AirportHeliport | Captures the airport the taxiway is associated with. |
hasSurfaceDescribedBy | surfaceProperties | SurfaceCharacteristics | Enables to define the surface characteristics of the Taxiway. Its Composition, PCN, LCN, SIWL and AUW. |
isOperationalBy | availability | ManoeuvringAreaAvailability | Defined the operational status of the taxiway. Daily, Date or Weekday schedules and their properties where user defines the status, warning (the reason why the status has been changed), usage, special date authority and separate annotations of the change. |
| isContaminated | contaminant | TaxiwayContamination | Creates a possibility to define information about the contaminant. Observation Time, Depth, Friction and all the sub-properties of the property TaxiwayContamination. |
| hasAnnotations | annotation | Note | Captures annotation, translated notes, and their purpose. |
TouchDownLiftOff
http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#TouchDownLiftOff
In AIXM 5.1 the following set of attributes are used to capture its data:
attribute | Guidance |
designator | The designator of the touchdown and lift-off area. |
| length | The value of the physical length of the touchdown and lift-off area. |
| width | The value of the physical width of the touchdown and lift-off area. |
| slope | The slope (rate of upward inclination of the surface from the horizontal) of the surface of a touchdown and lift-off area. |
| helicopterClass | The class of a helicopter (based on its performance during a critical power unit failure after take-off) associated with a touchdown and lift-off area. |
| abandoned | An indicator that the touchdown and lift-off area are no longer in operational use, but it is still physically present and visible, although usually in a degraded state. |
association via | Role | To | Guidance |
isSituatedAt | associatedAirportHeliport | AirportHeliport | The airport the TouchDownLiftOff zone is associated with. |
hasSurfaceDescribedBy | surfaceProperties | SurfaceCharacteristics | Surface characteristics of the touch down lift-off zone. |
| hasAimingPoint | aimingPoint | ElevatedPoint | Aiming point for the TouchDownLiftOff zone. |
| isContaminated | contaminant | TouchDownLiftOffContamination | Creates a possibility to define information about the contaminant. Observation Time, Depth, Friction and all the sub-properties of the property TouchDownLiftOffContamination. |
| hasAnnotations | annotation | Note | Captures annotation, translated notes, and their purpose. |
| hasExtent | extent | ElevatedSurface | The extent of the TouchDownLiftOff zone. |
| isSituatedOn | approachTakeOffArea | Runway | The approach and take-off runway area containing the touchdown lift-off zone. |
isOperationalBy | availability | ManoeuvringAreaAvailability | The operational status of the TouchDownLiftOff area. |
AirportHeliport
http://www.airm.aero/viewer/1.0.0/conceptual-model.html#Aerodrome
In AIXM 5.1 the following set of attributes are used to capture its data:
attribute | Guidance |
designator | A designator for an airport/heliport. |
| name | The primary official name of an airport/heliport as designated by an appropriate authority. |
| locationIndicatorICAO | The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) location indicator of the airport/heliport, as listed in ICAO DOC 7910. |
| designatorIATA | The identifier that is assigned to a location in accordance with rules (resolution 767) governed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). |
| type | The type of airport/heliport. For example, aerodrome only, combined aerodrome/heliport or simple landing site. |
| certifiedICAO | Indicating that the airport/heliport is certified according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules. |
| privateUse | An airport or heliport is not open to the public. Only for the use of the owners. |
| controlType | The primary organization type in terms of civil or military, which controls the airport/heliport. |
| fieldElevation | The vertical distance above Mean Sea Level (MSL) of the highest point of the landing area. |
| fieldElevationAccuracy | The vertical distance from the stated elevation within which there is defined confidence of the true position falling. |
| verticalDatum | A reference surface with respect to which elevations and/or depths are specified at the airport/heliport. |
| magneticVariation | The angular difference between True North and Magnetic North measured at a given position and date. |
| magneticVariationAccuracy | The accuracy of the Magnetic Variation. |
| dateMagneticVariation | The date on which an associated magnetic variation was measured at the airport/heliport. |
| magneticVariationChange | The annual rate of change of the magnetic variation at a specified airport/heliport. |
| referenceTemperature | The monthly mean of the daily maximum temperatures for the hottest month of the year at an airport/heliport. |
| altimeterCheckLocation | The availability of a point or area designated at an airport/heliport where the checking of an altimeter system can be accomplished. |
| secondaryPowerSupply | The availability of emergency power supply for the airport/heliport. |
| windDirectionIndicator | The availability of a device, at the airport/heliport, that indicates the direction and the intensity of the wind. |
| landingDirectionIndicator | The availability of a device that indicates visually the direction currently designated for the landing and for take-off. |
| transitionAltitude | The altitude at or below which the vertical position of an aircraft is controlled by reference to altitudes at the airport/heliport. |
| transitionLevel | The lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude at the airport/heliport. |
| lowestTemperature | The monthly mean of the daily minimum temperatures for the coldest month of the year at an airport/heliport. |
| abandoned | An indicator that the airport/heliport is no longer in operational use, but its infrastructure is still present and visible from the air. |
| certificationDate | The date when the airport/heliport certification has been issued by the supervising authority. |
| certificationExpirationDate | The date when the airport/heliport certification will become invalid. |
association via | Role | To | Guidance |
| isContactedAt | contact | ContactInformation | Contact details for the AirportHeliport (phone, postal address, e-mail, etc.) |
| hasAnnotations | annotation | Note | |
| hasReferencePoint | ARP | ElevatedPoint | Airport reference point. |
| utilizes | altimeterSource | AltimeterSource | The altimeter source used by the Airport. |
| isContaminated | contaminant | AirportHeliportContamination | Overall contamination of an airport. |
| serves | servedCity | City | The location that is served by the airport. |
| isUnderResponsibilityOf | responsibleOrganisation | OrganisationAuthority | |
| hasBoundaryForAviationPurposes | aviationBoundary | ElevatedSurface | The boundary of the airport/heliport used for aviation operations. |
| isOperationalBy | availability | AirportHeliportAvailability | Information about the operational status of the airport/heliport. |
Use case: runway friction measurements
For encoding runway friction measurement data, there is a possibility to choose the overall (i.e., complete runway) or parts thereof (i.e., sections).
The purpose of this example is to record runway friction measurements on sections of the runway:
AIXM 5.1 indicates that “runway section contamination” relates to “runway feature” as “area contaminant”, i.e. “runway section contamination” indicates the part of the runway that is affected.
This supports the current SNOWTAM practice, which consists in reporting the surface contamination information on each third of the runway length, starting from the threshold of the runway direction with the lower designation number, hence resulting in three runway surface contamination sections.
AIXM 5.1 UML provides a logical representation of surface contamination properties:
http://www.aixm.aero/sites/aixm.aero/files/imce/AIXM51HTML/AIXM/Class_SurfaceContamination.html
The following table lists the attributes used to capture the data:
attribute | Guidance |
observation time | Captures the date and time of the measurement completion. When not known use NIL reason type “unknown”. UTC is the temporal reference. |
depth | Captures the depth of the contaminant. Example: If it is a periodical runway friction measurement, we can select 1 mm water film. |
friction coefficient | Captures the average friction coefficient measured on a specific part of the runway on a scale from 0.00 to 0.99. |
friction estimation | Based on the friction coefficient. Values can vary for each part of the runway. Example values: POOR, GOOD, UNRELIABLE. |
friction device | Captures the type of device used for runway friction measurement. |
obscured lights | Captures data about surface lights that are obscured by the contaminant. |
further clearance time | Captures the time indicating when the runway portion will be cleared from the contaminant. |
further total clearance | Set to ‘YES’ when further clearance time for total clearance. |
next observation time | Captures date and time of the next intended measurement report. When not known use NIL reason type “unknown”. UTC is the temporal reference. |
proportion | Captures the percentage of the contaminated area from the overall extent of the surface. |
critical ridge | Used for ridges or banks of contaminant (for example snowbanks). |
layer | Used for multiple contaminants of several types. |
Narrative
Runway surface contamination was measured using a friction measurement device with type code SFH (meaning: Surface friction tester (high-pressure tire).). The observed water film was set to the depth of 1 mm. The average friction coefficient for the 1st third of the runway is 0.92. Besides water, a rubber layer was observed on the runway. The portion of this contaminant on the assessed area is approximately 25 percent. The measurement is planned for every three months. The plan is to perform the next periodical runway friction measurement on 10.4.2020 15:00 UTC. All this information can be input into a system using AIXM 5.1.
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