PURPOSE, SCOPE AND USE OF THE MANUAL

This document provides a total system concept from information derived from related ICAO Annexes and guidance material and from States’ documents and practices. It is intended that this material will be useful to a State wishing to progress the systematic development of all-weather operations, both in regard to its role as State of the Operator or State of Registry and as State of the Aerodrome. It is also intended that this material will serve aerodrome and facility planners in fostering an understanding of the methodology used by operators in establishing their aerodrome operating minima.

Note.— The State of the Operator has an obligation under Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft in respect of aerodrome operating minima (AOM). States can meet this obligation by supervising the determination of operating minima by operators. The guidelines contained herein describe one option that will enable either of two possible methods to satisfy this obligation.

Because of the complex nature of aircraft operations, there is a need to approach the subject of all-weather operations with a total-system concept. The major subsystems are the ground and airborne elements. The ground elements consist of facilities, services and obstacles: these relate, in principle, to the State of the Aerodrome. The airborne elements consist of the aircraft and its systems, flight crew capabilities and flight procedures, which fall under the jurisdiction of the State of the Operator or State of Registry.

With the previous distinction in mind, this manual provides guidance to:

a) States of the Operator in the oversight of their operators in the establishment, implementation and use of operating minima, leading to standardization of the methods used in the establishment of AOM;

b) States and their operators on suitable requirements for progression to the lowest possible minima;

c) States of the Aerodrome to assist in the establishment of AOM as well as to highlight the need for the provision of ground facilities and services when planning to implement all-weather operations; and

d) flight crew members and other personnel who need to understand these operations.

A State may play a dual role. As a State of the Operator (and State of Registry for general aviation operators), it is responsible for the authorization and monitoring of operations conducted by operators subject to its oversight. As a State of the Aerodrome, it is responsible for the oversight of the aerodrome, including associated facilities and services, located in its territory. Separate departments within the administration may be assigned the discharge of these two areas of responsibility. To facilitate use of this document:

a) the general concepts of legislation, application and promulgation of information on all-weather operations are contained in Chapter 2;

b) the provisions relevant to the State of the Aerodrome are contained in Chapter 3, Chapter 5, 5.2 to 5.4, and Chapter 7; and

c) the provisions relevant to the State of the Operator (State of Registry for general aviation operators) are contained in Chapter 4, Chapter 5, 5.5 to 5.7, Chapter 6 and Chapter 7.