8th November 2021. | News

Implementation of the Global Reporting Form (GRF) for assessing and reporting runway surface condition

From November 4, 2021 at 0000 UTC, BHANSA, after accepting the change in the ATM functional system by the BiH Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA), has started publishing a new format of SNOWTAM messages, using the EAD SNOWTAM Template.

In this way, the ICAO regulation which standardize the publication and SNOWTAM format: ICAO circular 355 "Assessment, Measurement and Reporting of Runway Surface Conditions", ICAO doc 10064 "Aeroplane performance manual", ICAO doc 10066 "Aeronautical Information Management", ICAO doc 9981" Aerodromes ", ICAO" Guidance on the Issuance of SNOWTAM " is fully implemented.

By the decision of the director of the BHDCA, a team at the state level was formed and the tasks of the team were defined in accordance with the 'GRF implementation checklist'.

One of the tasks is the development and adoption of the 'GRF Implementation Plan' due to the need of effective implementation and supervision of the project implementation of a new way of reporting on the state of maneuvering areas at airports and a new format of SNOWTAM.

What is GRF?

As a result of the analysis of many events related to RWY safety (RWY excursions), at the ICAO level it was concluded that risk mitigation (mitigation) is feasible through the new ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF).

GRF is a globally harmonized methodology for assessing and reporting runway surface conditions and publishing reports directly related to aircraft performance.

It is a standardized runway condition report and consists of a minimum of: 

-  Assessment matrix (RCAM)- A matrix allowing the assessment of the runway condition code, using associated procedures, for observation of runway surface condition(s)    

-  RUNWAY Conditions Codes (RWYCC),

-  The Runway Condition Report (RCR), 

-  Maneuvering Surface Condition,

-  Description of the maneuvering surface condition 

 

The main differences compared to the 'old' SNOWTAM format are:

• "Assessment" instead of "Observation and measurement",

• Letters used to mark sections in SNOWTAM (A, B, C, ...) are used for reference purposes only and are not entered in SNOWTAM messages,

• The maximum validity of SNOWTAM is 8 hours (not 24 hours),

• Published throughout the year for all international airports.

 

 BHANSA GRF products:

	SNOWTAM	ATC radio
comprehensibility of the information	HIGH (Information provided by SNOWTAM is comprehensive and detailed)	MEDIUM (ATC messages on the frequency are short, with no detailed information)
timeliness	LOW (SNOWTAM needs time to be  processed)	HIGH (ATC can pass information via radio message immediately upon receipt of the RCR
Controller's workload	LOW	HIGH
Pilot's workload	LOW	MEDIUM

During the implementation of this complex project, BHANSA had excellent cooperation with the BHDCA and all international airports in BiH.

 

For all additional information you can contact by e-mail:

[email protected]  

[email protected]   

or on the phone:  

+387 33 251 381

+387 61 474 601