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:
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 .
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:
What happens next
At the end of the response period, we will:
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.
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