This includes:
- increase in cranes interfering with OLS
- infrastructure – adequacy of facilities and resourcing for maintenance or upgrades
- competing priorities for local governments.
We discussed risks faced with ground operations. Aerodromes highlighted the increase in cranes infringing the obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS). There was little to no communication by the approving authorities and crane operators.
Aerodromes also raised the difficulties in maintaining or upgrading facilities to meet regulatory requirements and operator’s expectations. This is partly due to competing priorities from local government and increases in expenses to maintain and upgrade facilities.
What can operators do?
Third parties might want to build structures that could violate the OLS outside the aerodrome boundary. Aerodrome operators should quickly communicate with these parties and the planning authorities to protect the OLS and limit new obstacles.
An aerodrome operator needs to keep an eye on the OLS and PANS-OPS airspace. If there’s an actual or planned OLS violation, they must let us know. They also need to inform the flight procedure designer about any actual or planned violations of the PANS-OPS airspace.
After CASA or the designer assesses any hazards from the violation, the aerodrome operator must inform the relevant planning authority of the findings. The operator needs to work with the planning authority to ensure they do not approve any dangerous obstacles. This includes handling hazardous objects or structures with proper charts, markings, or lighting.
What are we doing and delivered?
We have introduced the Part 139 (Aerodromes) Manual of Standards 2019. The MOS details the requirements for the certification of an aerodrome. This includes keeping the airport certified after upgrades or replacements.
When building, upgrading, or replacing airports, operators should think about the types of aircraft and how they operate. This will allow you to follow the right design, operating, and reporting standards.