AGA - 2.0 AERODROMES AND AIRPORTS

• 2.1 General
• 2.2 Use of Aerodromes and Airports
• 2.3 Airport Certification
  • 2.3.1 General
  • 2.3.2 Applicability of Airport Certification
  • 2.3.3 Transport Canada Responsibilities
  • 2.3.4 Operator Responsibilities
  • 2.3.5 Airport Certification Process
  • 2.3.6 Regulatory References for Airport and Heliport Certification
• 2.4 Airport Certificate
  • 2.4.1 Issue
  • 2.4.2 Airport Certificate Validity and Amendments

  2.1 General

An aerodrome is defined by the Aeronautics Act as:

Any area of land, water (including the frozen surface thereof) or other supporting surface used, designed, prepared, equipped or set apart for use either in whole or in part for the arrival, departure, movement or servicing of aircraft and includes any buildings, installations and equipment situated thereon or associated therewith.

This has a very broad application for Canada where there are no general restrictions preventing landings or takeoffs. There are defined exceptions, but, for the most part, all of Canada can be an aerodrome.

Rules for operating an aerodrome are provided in Part III of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) under Subsection 301. The focus is to define the minimum safety standards that must be offered as well as making provision for inspection by the Minister. The operators of aerodromes are encouraged, in the interest of aviation safety, efficiency and convenience to improve their aerodromes beyond the basic regulatory requirements using, as guidelines, the standards and recommended practices applicable for the certification of aerodromes as airports. The users of aerodromes are, however, reminded that the improvement of aerodrome physical characteristics, visual aids, lighting and markings beyond the basic regulatory requirements for aerodromes is a matter of individual aerodrome operator initiative. Such improvements do not require regulatory compliance, nor are those improvements inspected or certified in accordance with the standards and recommended practices applicable for the certification of aerodromes as airports.

Subsection 301 also puts into regulation the “Registration” process, which is used to publish and maintain information on an aerodrome in the Canada Flight Supplement CFS) or the Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement (WAS). This specifies that an aerodrome operator can expect:

(a) their aerodrome will be registered in the appropriate publication when the operator provides the necessary information respecting location, markings, lighting, use and operation of the aerodrome;

(b) their aerodrome will not be registered in the appropriate publication if the operator of the aerodrome does not meet the aerodrome regulatory requirements for markers and markings, warning notices, wind direction indicator and lighting;

(c) to assume responsibility to immediately notify the Minister of any changes in the aerodrome’s published information regarding location, markings, lighting, use or operation of the aerodrome; and

(d) their aerodrome will be classed as a registered aerodrome when it is published in the CFS or WAS.

NOTE: No aerodrome operator is obliged by these regulations to have information published in the CFS or WAS and the Minister may choose not to publish information for a site that is considered to be hazardous to aviation safety.

In addition to the initial application inspection, registered aerodromes are inspected on a required basis to verify compliance with CARs and the accuracy of information published in the CFS and WAS. Such information, however, is only published for the convenience of the pilot and should be confirmed through contact with the aerodrome operator before using a site.

Besides the “Aerodrome” and “Registered Aerodrome” terminology, there is also the term “Airport.” This is an aerodrome for which a certificate has been issued under Subsection 302 of CARs. The objective is to protect those that do not have the knowledge or ability to protect themselves – the fare paying public and the resident in the vicinity of an airport that could be affected by unsafe operations. This is done by ensuring the site is inspected periodically for compliance with Transport Canada Standards for obstruction surfaces, physical characteristics, marking and lighting, which have been recorded in an Airport Operations Manual, and Airside Operating Procedures. The current status is to be advertised to all interested aircraft operators through the CFS, Canada Air Pilot (CAP), NOTAM and voice advisory as applicable.

  2.2 Use of Aerodromes and Airports

Public Use: An aerodrome or airport listed in the CFS or WAS that does not require prior permission of the aerodrome or airport operator for aircraft operations is called a public-use aerodrome or airport.

Private Use: An aerodrome or airport can be listed in the CFS or WAS, but be limited in its use. This can include:

(a) Prior Permission Required (PPR): The aerodrome operator’s permission is required prior to use. All military aerodromes require PPR for Civilian aircraft.

(b) Prior Notice Required (PNR): The aerodrome operator owner or operator is to be notified prior to use in order that current information on the aerodrome may be provided.

NOTES 1: Pilots and aerodrome operators are reminded that aerodrome or airport trespass restrictions are not applicable to aircraft in distress.

2: Pilots intending to use a non-certified aerodrome are advised to obtain current information from the aerodrome operator concerning operating conditions prior to using that aerodrome for aircraft operations.

  2.3 Airport Certification

2.3.1 General

Transport Canada has the responsibility for the development and operation of a safe national air transportation system. Therefore, airports supporting passenger-carrying commercial operations must meet accepted safety standards. An airport certificate testifies that an aerodrome meets such safety standards. Where exemptions from airport certification safety standards are required, studies will be undertaken to devise offsetting procedures, which will provide equivalent levels of safety.

2.3.2 Applicability of Airport Certification

The requirement for airport certification applies to:

(a) any aerodrome that is located within the built-up area of a city or town;

(b) any land aerodrome that is used by an air operator for the purpose of a scheduled service for the transport of passengers; and

(c) any other aerodrome, where the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest for that aerodrome to meet the requirements necessary for the issuance of an airport certificate.

Exempt are:

(a) military aerodromes; and

(b) aerodromes for which the Minister has written an exemption, and an equivalent level of safety is defined.

2.3.3 Transport Canada Responsibilities

The responsibilities of Transport Canada include:

(a) developing safety standards, policies and criteria for:

(i) airfield physical characteristics, including runway and taxiway dimensions, and separations,

(ii) marking and lighting of manoeuvring surfaces and obstacles, and

(iii) obstacle limitation surfaces in the vicinity of airports;

(b) providing assistance to airport operators in drafting Airport Operations Manuals (AOM);

(c) conducting aeronautical studies where exemptions from airport certification safety standards are required;

(d) certifying airports and inspect against the requirements and conditions of the AOM; and

(e) verifying, amending and relaying pertinent airport information to be identified in the appropriate aeronautical information services (AIS) publications.

2.3.4 Operator Responsibilities

The aerodrome or airport operator’s responsibilities include:

(a) completing and distributing an approved AOM;

(b) maintaining an airport in accordance with the requirements specified in the AOM;

(c) detailing the airport general operating procedures, including the following:

(i) hours of operation,

(ii) apron management and apron safety plans,

(iii) airside access and traffic control procedures,

(iv) snow and ice removal and grass cutting services,

(v) airport emergency services, such as Emergency Response Service (ERS) and medical services,

(vi) bird and animal hazard procedures,

(vii) airport safety programs, including Foreign Object Damage control,

(viii) airport security programs,

(ix) the issuance of NOTAM; and

(d) advising Transport Canada and aircraft operators whenever services or facilities fall below requirements prescribed in the AOM.

2.3.5 Airport Certification Process

Airport certification is a process whereby Transport Canada certifies that an aerodrome meets airport certification safety standards and that aerodrome data, as provided by the owner or operator and confirmed by Transport Canada inspectors, is correct and published in the appropriate aeronautical information publications. When these requirements are met, an airport certificate is issued. The airport certificate documentation includes:

(a) the airport certificate, which certifies that the airport meets required standards; and

(b) the AOM, which details the airport specifications, facilities and services, and specifies the responsibilities of the operator for the maintenance of airport certification standards. The AOM is a reference for airport operations and inspections, which ensures that deviations from airport certification safety standards and the resulting conditions of airport certification are approved.

2.3.6 Regulatory References for Airport and Heliport Certification

The regulatory authority for airport certification is Subpart 302 of the CARs. The regulatory authority for heliport certification is Subpart 305 of the CARs. Standards for airport certification and the associated process are contained in the Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 312E), while standards for heliport certification and the associated process are contained in CARs Standard 325-Heliports and the Heliport and Helideck Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 2586E). Depending on the date on which the heliport certificate was issued, heliport operators will have to comply with either CARs Standard 325 or TP 2586E.

  2.4 Airport Certificate

2.4.1 Issue

An airport certificate will be issued when an inspection confirms that all requirements for airport certification have been met, including the following:

(a) where an exemption from airport certification safety standards exists, measures have been implemented to provide for an equivalent level of safety; and

(b) the AOM has been approved by the Regional Director, Civil Aviation.

2.4.2 Airport Certificate Validity and Amendments

The airport certificate is a legal aviation document that remains valid as long as the airport is operated in accordance with the AOM. Periodic inspections are conducted to verify continued conformity to airport certification safety standards and conditions specified in the AOM. Transport Canada may make amendments to the conditions of issue of an airport certificate where:

(a) an approved deviation from airport certification safety standards and a change in the conditions of airport certification are required;

(b) there is a change in the use or operations of the airport;

(c) there is a change in the boundaries of the airport; and

(d) it is requested by the holder of the airport certificate.