AERODROMES 101
Flight Instructor Seminars
August 2007
EVEN THE BEST PILOTS
SOONER OR LATER HAVE
TO COME BACK TO EARTH
AND LAND THE AIRCRAFT!
SOME TIMES WELL!
SOME TIMES NOT WELL!
EVEN ON THE GROUND
THERE ARE PROBLEMS!!
The Dark Art of
Aerodromology
Use of aerodromes
 Rule 91.127
 Places a requirement on the pilot to ensure
that the aerodrome is suitable for the
purpose of take off and landing.
Requirements are also in Part 121, 125 and 135
for air operations.
Part 139 also has Use of Aerodrome requirements.
Certificated Aerodromes
 25 Part 139 Certificated Aerodromes
 7 designated International Aerodromes
 Certification requires an Exposition
 Audited on an annual basis
 130 Non-Certificated Aerodromes
 Inspected on a three yearly basis
 Includes Heliports
CAA & Aerodromes
 Part 139 aerodrome certification
 Required when regular air transport
operations of aeroplanes with more than 30
passenger seats.
 Part 139 Advisory Circulars
 Aerodrome standards for certificated
aerodromes
 Guidance on design standards for noncertificated aerodromes
So how does a Pilot know the
Aerodrome is suitable?
AIPNZ – Volume 4 Data
 Aeronautical Information Publication
Volume 4
 Replaced the Visual Flight Guide
 Includes Operational Data for:
 Certificated aerodromes (Inc Heliports)
 Non-certificated aerodromes available for use
What does this mean?
And This?
Another Example
Declared Distances
 TORA – Take-off run available
 The length of the runway declared available and suitable for
the ground run of an aeroplane taking off.
 TODA – Take-off distance available
 The length of the take-off run available plus the length of the
clearway, if provided.
 ASDA – Accelerate stop distance available
 Length of the take-off run available plus stopway.
 LDA – Landing Distance Available
 The length of runway which is declared available and
suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane landing.
Location of Threshold
 Landing Threshold.
 At the extremity of a runway if there are no
obstacles.
 The approach surface is an inclined plane that rises
upwards and outwards.
 Displaced Landing Threshold
 If an object is in the approach surface and the object
cannot be removed, the landing threshold will need
to be displaced.
Defined Areas
 Clearway – An area which an aeroplane may make a
portion of its initial climb to a specified height.
 Stopway – Area on the ground in which an aircraft can
be stopped in the case of an abandoned take-off. A
stopway must be included within the strip.
 Runway End Safety Area – An area intended to
reduce the risk of damage to an aeroplane undershooting or
over-running the runway.
 Starter Extension – Area available for the initial
ground roll of an aircraft which does not meet the
mandatory runway or strip width.
RUNWAY
TORA
ASDA
TODA
LDA
09
27
2000
2000
2300
2350
2580
2350
1850
2000
Obstacle Clear Gradient
 Effective Operational Lengths
 Take-Off Distance Available (TODA) related to the
obstacle free gradient.
 No obstacles located within the take-off climb surface
then the EOL’s normally equal the TODA.
 Where an obstacle is located within the take-off climb
surface, the EOL’s will be equal to the distance
available from the start of the take-off roll that allows
for the gradients to remain clear of that obstacle.
Take off distance gradients
 There are four types of take off distance data used:
 1:20 (5%) – Day VFR Code 1 and 2
 1:40 (2.5%) – Instrument runway or night operations
by aircraft 5700 kg or less
 1:50 – Precision Approach
 1:62.5 (1.6%) – Multi Engine – One Engine Out
Gradients
1860m @ 1:40
1:62.5
1560 @ 1:50
1185 @ 1:62.5
1:50
03
1 :4 0
21
60
2000m
1000m
Effective Operational Lengths
TODA related to obstacle clear gradient
1:20
1:40
1:50
1:62.5
03
2060
1860
1560
1185
21
2060
2060
2060
2060
www.caa.govt.nz
Aerodromes – Helpful Information
Advisory Circular AC139-6 and AC139-7