Global reporting format and Part 139 Miscellaneous Amendments - (CD 2313AS)

Overview

Runway safety, particularly runway excursions, is one of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) top aviation safety priorities. The third most common landing excursion risk factor is ineffective braking action, which can occur when there are contaminants on the runway such as snow, ice, slush or water. This risk factor is confirmed by the main aircraft manufacturers and the Flight Safety Foundation.

To address the issue, the ICAO Friction Task Force developed a new system for assessing and reporting runway surface conditions, known as the Global Reporting Format (GRF). GRF enables a harmonised assessment and reporting of runway surface conditions.

Over the last 18 months, the National Runway Safety Group (NRSG) has been looking at options for implementing the GRF in Australia. The working group has endorsed these new policy proposals for industry consultation.

The proposed GRF rule set

We are proposing amendments to the Part 91 and Part 139 Manuals of Standards (MOS) to align Australia with ICAO’s GRF. The proposed GRF regulations seek to provide timeliness, uniformity and consistency in the assessment and reporting of runway surface conditions. This is necessary as it provides pilots and flight crew with the information to make informed decisions about using a runway that is wet or contaminated.

Recognising that GRF can be complex and expensive to implement, the proposed regulations aim to simplify the reporting format to ensure that the burden of assessment for aerodrome operators is reduced as much as possible, while still providing aircraft operators and pilots with the necessary operational information. Additionally, the proposed regulations allow for air traffic controllers to assess and report WET and DRY runway conditions at controlled aerodromes, subject to agreement, thus limiting the burden on aerodrome operators at the major airports in Australia.

The proposed GRF rules are intended to apply to all certified aerodromes with a sealed runway.

CASA will incorporate the adopted amendments into the Part 91 MOS and Part 139 MOS, based on feedback received via this consultation.

For more detail on the proposed GRF changes please read our summary of proposed change (SPC) on CD 2313AS.

Miscellaneous amendments

Outside of the GRF changes, we are also using this consultation to address a number of other amendments that we believe are necessary for improving the Part 139 MOS. Specifically, the consultation includes the following proposed changes:

• A definition for ‘runway starter extension’ would be added to the list of definitions in Section 3.01 of the Part 139 MOS.
• The standard for a chevron marking would be amended so that its ends must be not more than (as opposed to the existing ‘not less than’) 7.5m from the respective runway edges.
• CASA would be able to approve a temporary visual approach slope indicator system (VASIS), without requiring a flight check or exemption.
• At a controlled aerodrome, an airside vehicle operating on a runway strip, a runway, a taxiway strip or a taxiway would be required to be equipped with (or escorted by a vehicle equipped with) a VHF radio capable of two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC), and the driver of the vehicle would be required to read back to ATC the safety-related parts of any ATC clearances or instructions transmitted to the driver by voice.

For more detail on these miscellaneous changes please read SPC on CD 2313AS.

Previous consultations

Prior to the release of this consultation, CASA has consulted internally and externally via the NRSG GRF Implementation Working Group, consisting of representatives from CASA and the airlines, pilot and airport associations, aerodrome operators, airport consultants, Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence.

CASA previously consulted GRF policy in late 2022 in PP 2211AS - Proposed implementation of ICAO's Global Reporting Format. This policy was a more restricted implementation. Further internal and external consultation determined a wider applicability to all certified aerodromes was desirable and achievable.

As a result of these consultations, alterations and additions were made to the draft MOS proposals .

Why your views matter

Your feedback will help us make sure the proposed requirements are suitable, the final legislation is clear and it will work as intended.

Please submit your comments using the survey link on this page.

If you are unable to provide feedback via the survey link, please email regulatoryconsultation@casa.gov.au for advice.

Documents for review

All documents related to this consultation are attached in the ‘Related’ section at the bottom of the overview page. They are:

• SPC on CD 2313AS, which provides background on the proposed standards
• Consultation Draft - Part 91 Manual of Standards (Global Reporting Format) Amendment Instrument 2023 (No. 2)
• Consultation Draft - Part 139 Manual of Standards (Global Reporting Format and Miscellaneous Amendments) Instrument 2023
• Draft Multi-Part AC 91-32 and AC 139-22 - Version 1.0 - Global reporting format – Runway surface condition.
• MS Word copy of online consultation for ease of distribution and feedback within your organisation.

What happens next

At the end of the response period, we will:

• review all comments received
• make responses publicly available on the consultation hub (unless you request your submission remain confidential)
• publish a Summary of Consultation which summarises the feedback received and outlines any intended changes and next steps.

All comments received on the proposed legislation will be considered. Relevant feedback that improves upon the proposed instrument will be incorporated into the final instrument.

Post-implementation review

CASA will monitor and review the new rules during the transition phase and on an ongoing basis.