History
18 Jul 2008
Project AS 08/10 Advisory Circular - Strength Rating of Aerodrome Pavements
This project has been approved and information is now available.
Project AS 08/10
Advisory Circular - Strength Rating of Aerodrome Pavements
Background
Following the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit of Australia in February 2008, an audit finding in respect of Airways and Aerodromes Branch was that "CASA has not established criteria and associated industry guidelines to regulate the use of a pavement by an aircraft classification number (ACN) higher than the reported pavement classification number (PCN)". ICAO also recommended that "CASA should establish criteria and associated guidelines to regulate the use of a pavement by an aircraft with an ACN higher than the reported PCN".
Aerodromes operating under CASR Part 139 are to have movement area pavements which can safely support aircraft intended to operate on them. Apart from ensuring the surface of pavements are cleaned of debris and stone, which have the potential to cause foreign object damage to aircraft, and the surface has good friction characteristics, there are no standards required for the design and maintenance of pavements. The aerodrome operator is expected to have in place a pavement management system which will ensure the continued structural integrity of pavements.
The strength of runway pavements is required to be reported in AIP ERSA. The strength must be reported using the ICAO adopted ACN-PCN pavement strength rating system. What needs to be reported and published in AIP ERSA is identified in the Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 - Aerodromes, Chapter 5, but there is no explanation given on how to determine the ACN of an aircraft or the PCN of a pavement. When the ACN of the aircraft is greater than the PCN of the pavement, the pavement if being overloaded.
Pavement overload guidelines were first developed by the Government Department responsible for aviation matters in the late 1980's in conjunction with the handover of regional and remote non-capital city aerodromes to local ownership.
Project Objective
Prepare guidance material which explains to aerodrome operators what the ACN-PCN method of rating the strength of aerodrome pavements is. Pavement-overload guidelines based on the result of theoretical studies of aeroplane overloads, using the ACN-PCN system, completed by the Department of Transport in the late 1980's, will illustrate how these can be used to help aerodrome operators decide what the effect of overloading will have on the life of their pavement.
Material will also briefly touch on the types of aerodrome pavements including pavement surfacing and will recommend aerodrome operators establish a pavement management system to better manage this most important and costly asset. Guidelines will also be provided on pavement surface types, reporting tyre pressure using the ICAO adopted tyre pressure categories and the effect of high tyre pressure on pavement performance.
Rules affected
Status
The project was approved by Peter Cromarty, General Manager, Airspace and Aerodrome Regulation Group on 10 July 2008.
Project management
Project Leader:Frank Leonardi
RDMB Programme Manager: Andrew Ward
Project Sponsor: Peter Cromarty, General Manager, Airspace and Aerodrome Regulation Group
Project Priority
Medium