ASB 2006-003
2006.10.23
Subject
Verification of aerodrome information in Canadian Aeronautical Information publications.
Purpose
Pursuant to CAR 302.08, airport operators are required to verify the validity / accuracy of physical characteristics published in their AOM with respect to their aerodrome, more specifically runway threshold coordinates and runway elevations at runways with instrument procedures (IP), regardless of the published minima for the IP. Airport operators are requested to provide confirmation of the validity of this data to their respective Transport Canada, Aerodrome & Air Navigation regional office and submit an AOM amendment if applicable.In addition to the above, airport operators are requested to notify NAV CANADA of any identified change with respect to the above data.
Background
This bulletin comes as a result of Transport Canada becoming aware of significant discrepancies between runway threshold coordinates published by NAV CANADA and actual coordinates at a considerable number of airports across Canada.
These discrepancies result in distance differences ranging from a few feet to as much as 1585 feet between published and airport coordinates i.e., actual location of thresholds.
There are serious safety implications associated to the accuracy of aerodrome data given the extensive use of that data within the air navigation system, particularly with respect to runway threshold coordinates.
Instrument approach designers obtain the aerodrome data from NAVCANADA who is the State source for aeronautical information. Database providers also use aerodrome information to encode procedures in aircraft databases. This includes not only RNAV approaches but also conventional approaches. In order to ensure instrument procedures are designed in accordance with the standards and criteria contained in TP 308 and that airborne database are encoded with the correct information all aerodrome information should be compliant with Annexes 4 & 15.
Current CAR Part III standards (TP 312) do not reflect the requirements of ICAO Annexes 4, 15 and of TP 308. Those standards are currently being reviewed as part of the TP 312 rewrite.
At each runway with instrument procedures, threshold coordinates and runway end coordinates where the threshold is displaced, are to be provided to 1/100 of a second. Coordinates are to be measured in accordance with the NAD 83 reference datum. For each runway with IP, runway elevations required under TP 312, section 2.2.4, are to be provided to the nearest foot. To meet the required level of accuracy and be considered acceptable, the above data has to be measured by an accredited land surveyor.
Pursuant to CAR 302.07 and 302.08, airport operators are required to notify TC before any change to the airport, its facilities and level of service, maintain their AOM and review each issue of each aeronautical information publication for accuracy of the published information.
Under current regulations, airport data changes are to be submitted by the airport operator to TC who forwards it to NAV CANADA. Considering the criticality of this data with respect to aviation safety, airport operators are requested to also to notify NAV CANADA of any identified changes to the above data.
Application
This bulletin is applicable to all Canadian certified land aerodromes.
Summary
With respect to any runway with instrument procedures, regardless of the published IP minima, airport operators are requested to verify that all runway threshold and runway end coordinates have been measured in accordance with the NAD 83 reference datum to a level of accuracy of 1/100 of a second. They are also requested to verify that elevations required under TP 312, section 2.2.4 are provided to the nearest foot.
Considering the importance of this data for operational safety, any identified changes are to be provided directly to NAV CANADA as soon as known.
Airport operators are also requested to confirm to their respective TC, A&AN regional office that their airport data meet the preceding, has been measured by an accredited land surveyor, is accurately described in their AOM and aeronautical information publications as soon as possible. The data is to be updated where applicable.
For additional information on this issue, please contact:
a) The Standards Branch in Ottawa, or
b) The appropriate regional Transport Canada Aerodromes and Air Navigation office (refer to the list attached).
Aerodromes Safety Bulletins are available electronically at:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/reference-centre/aerodrome-safety-bulletins
Encl.
Le directeur,
NormesAviation civile
D.B. Sherritt
Director
Standards
Civil Aviation
OFFICES/ LISTE DES BUREAUX RÉGIONAUX DE LA SÉCURITÉ DES AÉRODROMES DE TC
1) Pacific Region
Aerodromes and Air Navigation
820-800 Burrard
St.Vancouver, B.C.
V6Z 2J8
Phone (604) 666-2103
Fax (604) 666-1175
2) Prairie & Northern Region
Aerodromes and Air Navigation
PO Box 8550
344 Edmonton
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C OP6
Phone (204) 983-4335
Fax (204) 983-0281
1100 Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 4E6
Phone (780) 495-3850
Fax (780) 495-5190
3) Ontario Region
Aerodromes and Air Navigation
4900 Yonge St. Suite 300
North York, Ontario
M2N 6A5
Phone (416) 952-0335
Fax (416) 952-0050
4) Quebec Region
Aerodromes and Air Navigation
700 Leigh Capréol, Suite 4086
Dorval, Quebec
H4Y 1G7
Phone (514) 633-3252
Fax (514) 633-3052
5) Atlantic Region
Aerodromes and Air Navigation
P.0. Box 42
95 Foundry Street
Moncton N.B.E1C 8K6M
Phone (506) 851-3342
Fax (506) 851-3022