1. Aerodrome Certification Workshop
Audit, Follow up and Enforcement
Eng. Mohamed Iheb Hamdi
ICAO MID Regional Officer for Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA
Aerodrome Certification Workshop
Paris, France
18-20 Dec 2018

2. Session Objectives
This session is designed to explain to the link between Aerodrome Auditing and Inspections
How to audit the physical aspects of an aerodrome

3. Session Contents
Airport Procedures
Safety Management System
Aerodrome Inspections
Promulgation of Information
Runway Friction
Obstacle Control and Markings

4. Operability and Compliance
Aerodrome Operability
It is often easy to determine the Compliance of aerodrome infrastructure (Physical Characteristics) when they are constructed.
It is much harder to establish how we can translate these into operational terms.
That is – how do we ensure that the airport operates safely and efficiently 365 days a year, day and night and in all weather conditions?
This can be known as the “Operability” of our airport.
Auditing Compliance
We therefore need to audit the Infrastructure not just in terms of compliance but how an airport operates, maintains and controls the activities on the whole aerodrome to ensure continuous compliance.

5. Aerodrome Manual Usually contain:
SMS policy
Standard Operating Procedures
The SMS will influence the way you (as the Operator) and your users maintain compliance and continually enhance safety at the aerodrome

6. Inspection Regime
A robust and continuous Inspection Regime is therefore an essential part of any SMS
It should ensure that the aerodrome remains compliant or
That any non-compliances are quickly identified and addressed by staff

7. Staff
All staff must be competent
A frequent internal inspection and external auditing regime should be established to ensure ongoing compliance

8. Non-Compliances
Do staff undertaking Inspections know what they are looking for?
Can they spot an Annex 14 non-compliance?

9. Recording
Use something like a mobile phone or radio to provide scale

10. Independent Audit / Inspections
Staff undertaking inspections sometimes miss the obvious!
Someone with a "Fresh Eye" is useful

11. Independent Audit / Inspections
Ensure that Windsocks remain in good condition and do not become faded
This happens slowly over time and can easily be missed

12. Identification of Issues / Non-Compliances
Do the duty staff have an understanding of Annex 14
Are they able to check clearances on runways and taxiways?
Ongoing Training is essential

13. Runway Strips
Example:
A drainage ditch situated to the side of a runway
What parameters would you need to consider when deciding on its location?
Runway Strip / Clear and Graded Areas

14. Photometric Testing
Luminance of lights can be assessed through regular Photometric Testing
This provides scientific evidence of compliance to support the visual inspections which are undertaken

15. Obstacles – On / Off Airfield
ALL Staff undertaking inspections should also remain vigilant with respect to Obstacles both on and off aerodrome
Ensuring the aerodrome is SAFE is everyone’s responsibility regardless of your own key function and role
If you see something you believe to be unsafe : TAKE ACTION

16. Temporary Obstacles
Have Cranes been authorized?
Have they been assessed with respect to the OLS at the Airport?
Are staff trained in their assessment?
Is there a process and permit system in place?
Has a NOTAM been issued?

17. Obstacle Markings
Are Obstacles on / off airfield correctly marked and lit?
How would you ensure that Obstacle Lights off-airfield are maintained?

18. Navaids
Inspections of Navaids
MUST be undertaken by Qualified Personnel
What procedures are in place for Regular Testing and recording of results?
Flight Testing?

19. Navaids
Who undertakes the Visual Aids Inspections such as the PAPI’s?
What is the frequency of inspections?
Are they suitably trained?
Are records maintained?
Is the process written down as part of the SMS?

20. Signage
Inspections should also look at Signage on an Airport
Is it Annex 14 compliant?
Use –Day or Night?
Is it Obscured?

21. Need for Maintenance
Regular Inspections in accordance with Annex 14 are essential but...
PREVENTION is better than CURE
Robust Maintenance regimes
MUST BE IN PLACE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR OPERATION
Your Runway is your Airports PRIME ASSET
Runway Preventive Maintenance should be scheduled into your operation

22. Civil Engineering Inspections
Daily Operations Staff inspections should be supplemented with an inspection of the pavements by a qualified Civil Engineer who can recommend a maintenance programme
Preferably once per annum
Maintenance and Inspections
Rubber Removal
Painting
Lighting
Runway Rehabilitation

23. Lighting Inspections
Visual Inspection
Flight Inspections

24. Lighting
All Aeronautical Lights on the Aerodrome should also be inspected on a daily basis
Record the Results
Have a method of reporting non-compliances
Ensure staff are trained and competent for their duties
Ensure that staff are available to change / maintain the lights
If the lights fail –you may lose you ability to operate....
for example as an Instrument Runway?

25. Lighting
It may be necessary to cover lenses whilst work is taking place to ensure that they do not become damaged

26. Lighting Maintenance
Ensure that the Engineers do not leave cables from maintenance and repair works within the Strip
Inspections AFTER maintenance are important

27. Inspections of Aerodrome Works Areas
Staff Training and Competency
Check by Project Manager
Contractor Standards to be maintained throughout
What issues have you experienced with Aerodrome Works?

28. Inspections of Works Areas
Are works areas segregated effectively from operational areas? – ongoing inspections

29. Major Aerodrome Projects
Project Management Team
Communication and timely promulgation of information to all Stakeholders is imperative
Ensure areas are inspected by knowledgeable staff
Ensure that the procedures to contractors provide details of the acceptable practices during the works
This is an active runway - note the strip

30. Redeclaring Distance during Works
If redeclaring distances on a runway to facilitate repair works - or a runway extension
Are staff trained?
Do they understand how to mark the closed portion in accordance with ICAO Annex 14 requirements?
Ongoing Inspections

31. Completion of Aerodrome Works
Ensure adequate numbers of trained, and
Competent staff to inspect and manage the clear-up operation

32. Documentation
Do you need to construct new access routes / roads for contractors to ensure that they remain away from Operational Areas?
By doing so do they introduce new Hazards? Runway Incursion?
Have they been Risk Assessed?

33. Promulgation of Information
Do you need to promulgate specific procedures to manage the works?
NOTAM?
AIP?
Internal Notices-ATC? / Staff Training?

34. Inspection during Adverse Weather
Of course in some areas of the world...
Ice and Snow can adversely impact Runway Friction

35. Inspections during Adverse Weather
Friction Levels may be undertaken on Compacted Snow and Ice using the values on the next slide as guidance

36. Inspections during Adverse Weather
The value “Good” is comparative –it means that aeroplanes should not experience directional control braking difficulties, especially when landing
Note: Do not confuse these values for those taken as part of the regular Fiction Monitoring on an uncontaminated runway using a self-wetting device

37. Inspection during Adverse Weather
Procedures for Inspections during Low Visibility Category of Operations?
Weather minimal for operations?

38. What specific issues are faced in Apron Inspections?
GROUP DISCUSSION:
What specific issues are faced in Apron Inspections?
Spillages – impact on pavements
Aircraft Turnround activity and FOD
Equipment Parking

39. Apron Audits
The airport is responsible for ensuring that all of the stakeholders have a developed SMS, and adhere to those procedures in a safe manner
Introducing Aircraft Turnround Audits can help in ensuing that Turnrounds are managed safely

40. Records
All Inspections and Audits should be recorded
What needs to be included in the records
The records will also need to be the subject of audit

41. In Conclusion
Airside Operations staff should be trained and competency assessed to ensure that the procedures developed for inspections and maintenance can be implemented effectively,
There should also be sufficient staff to ensure that safety can be monitored in accordance with the airport’s SMS,
Accurate and comprehensive records must be maintained,
Auditing of an airports SMS, SOP’s and in particular observing how it operates, maintains and controls its operational areas is fundamental to assuring continuous safe operations