Assessment and reporting of

runway surface condition

Global Reporting Format
Introduction
• Runway Safety
• Global Safety Priority
• Runway Excursions
• Number one safety risk category in Aviation
• Top Contributor
• Poor Braking Action Due Contaminants on runway
• Accuracy of runway condition assessment
• Non standard reporting of runway surface conditions
• Mitigation
• ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF)
• (Global Runway Condition Reporting Format )
Global Reporting Format
• Global reporting format for assessing and reporting runway surface
conditions is designed to report runway surface conditions in a
standardized manner such that flight crew are able to accurately
determine aeroplane take-off and landing performance, resulting in a
global reduction in runway excursion incidents/accidents.
• Provides a solution to a long outstanding issue of relating aeroplane
performance to runway state information in a more objective way.
What Is GRF
A Runway Surface Condition Report
in :-
• Standardized Format
• Common language (all stake holders)
Using:-
• Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM)
• Runway Condition Code (RWYCC)
• Description of Surface Conditions
to address :-
• Operational Need of Simplicity & Standardization
and:-
• Enhance Safety & Situational Awareness
RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
• The introduction of Runway Condition Report (RCR) based on Runway Condition
Code (RWYCC) and Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM), in conjunction
with new or existing performance data, establishes a clear link between the
observation, reporting and accounting of runway surface conditions in aeroplane
performance.
• The RCR is a validated method that replaces subjective judgements with objective
assessments that are directly tied to criteria relevant for aeroplane performance
determined by aeroplane manufacturers
RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
• Reporting, in compliance with the runway condition report, shall commence
when a significant change in runway surface condition occurs due to water, snow,
slush, ice or frost.
• Reporting of the runway surface condition will continue to reflect significant
changes until the runway is no longer contaminated.
• When this situation occurs, a runway condition report that states the runway is
wet or dry as appropriate will be issued.
• If current RCR is declared with RWYCC 5 and below and runway condition is
observed to be dried up, a onetime RCR with RWYCC 6/6/6 will be submitted to
indicate that the runway is no longer wet.
RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
• RWYCC reflects the runway braking capability as a function of the
surface conditions.

• With this information, the flight crew can derive, (from the
performance information provided by the aeroplane manufacturer),
the necessary stopping distance of an aircraft on the approach under
the prevailing conditions.

• The RWYCC shall be reported for each third of the runway assessed
RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
• The assessment process shall include:
a) assessing and reporting the condition of the movement area;
b) providing the assessed information in the correct format; and
c) reporting significant changes without delay.
RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
• When the runway is wholly or partly contaminated by standing water, snow,
slush, ice or frost, or is wet associated with the clearing or treatment of snow,
slush, ice or frost, the runway condition report (RCR) should be disseminated
through the AIS and ATS services.

• When the runway is wet, not associated with the presence of standing water,
snow, slush, ice or frost, the assessed information should be disseminated using
the RCR through the ATS only.
RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
• The information to be reported shall be compliant with the RCR which consists of:
• Aeroplane performance calculation section; and
• Situational awareness section.
• The information in each section is classified as :-
• Mandatory (M)
• Optional (O)
• Conditional (C)
• The information shall be included in an information string in order using only AIS
compatible characters
Runway Condition Report :
• Aeroplane performance calculation (section):
i. Aerodrome location indicator; (Mandatory)
ii. Date and time of assessment; (M)
iii. Lower runway designation number; (M)
iv. RWYCC for each runway third; (M)
v. Percent coverage contaminant for each runway third; (Conditional)
vi. Depth of loose contaminant for each runway third; (C)
vii. Condition description for each runway third; (M)
viii. Width of runway to which the RWYCCs apply, if less than published width
(Optional)
Runway Condition Report
• Situational awareness (section):
i. reduced runway length; (C)
ii. drifting snow on the runway; (O)
iii. loose sand on the runway; (O)
iv. chemical treatment on the runway; (M)
v. snowbanks on the runway; (O)
vi. snowbanks on the taxiway; (O)
vii. snowbanks adjacent to the runway; (O)
viii. taxiway conditions; (O)
ix. apron conditions; (O)
x. State-approved, and published use of, measured friction coefficient; (O) a
xi. plain language remarks (O) .
Runway Condition Reporting (Significant change)
• A change in the runway surface condition used in the runway
condition report is considered significant whenever there is:
any change in the RWYCC;
any change in contaminant type;
any change in reportable contaminant coverage according to Table-1;
any change in contaminant depth according to Table-2; and
any other information, for example a pilot report of runway braking action,
which according to assessment techniques used, are known to be significant.
Table-1. Percentage of coverage for
contaminants
ASSESSED PERCENTAGE COVERAGE REPORTED COVERAGE
<10 NOT REPORTED(NR)
10-25 25
26-50 50
51-75 75
76-100 100
Table-2. Depth assessment for contaminants
CONTAMINANT VALID VALUE FOR REPORTING SIGNIFICANT CHANGE
STANDING WATER 04mm or more 3mm up to and including 15mm
SLUSH 03mm or more 3mm up to and including 15mm
WET SNOW 03mm or more 5mm
DRY SNOW 03mm or more 20mm

Note 1.— For STANDING WATER, 04 (4 mm) is the minimum depth value at and above which the
depth is reported.(From 3 mm and below, the runway third is considered WET).

Note 2.— For SLUSH, WET SNOW and DRY SNOW, 03 (3 mm) is the minimum depth value at and
above which the depth is reported.

Note 3.— Above 4 mm for STANDING WATER and 3 mm for SLUSH, WET SNOW and DRY
SNOW an assessed value is reported and a significant change relates to observed change from this
assessed value.
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane Performance
Calculation

• The aeroplane performance calculation section is a string of grouped

information separated by a space “ ” and ends with a return and two line feed
“≪≡”.
• This is to distinguish the aeroplane performance calculation section from the
following aeroplane performance calculation section of another runway or the
following situational awareness section.
• The information to be included in this section consists of the following:
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane
Performance Calculation
Aerodrome location indicator: a four-letter ICAO location indicator in
accordance with Doc 7910, Location Indicators.
• This information is mandatory.
• Format: nnnn
• Example: VIDP or VIAR or VOMM
 Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane Performance
Calculation
Date and time of assessment:
date and time (UTC) when the assessment was performed by the trained personnel.
• This information is mandatory.
• Format: MMDDhhmm
• Example: 02030745

Lower runway designation number:

two- or three-character number identifying the runway for which the assessment is
carried out and reported.
• This information is mandatory.
• Format: nn[L] or nn[C] or nn[R]
• Example: 14L , 14C or 14R
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane
Performance Calculation
Runway condition code for each runway third:
one-digit number identifying the RWYCC assessed for each runway third. The codes
are reported in a three-character group separated by a “/” for each third.

• The direction for listing the runway thirds shall be in the direction as seen from the
lower designation number.
• This information is mandatory.
• Format: n/n/n Example: 5/5/2 or 6/6/5

• When information on runway surface conditions is transmitted by ATS to flight

crews, the sections are, however, referred to as the first, second or third part of
the runway. The first part always means the first third of the runway as seen in
the direction of landing or take-off
Runway Condition Report (General Rules)

• If 25%or less area of a runway is wet or covered by contaminant a RWYCC-6 shall

be reported
• If distribution of contaminant is not uniform, the location of the areas covered by
contaminant will be described in plain language remarks in the situational
awareness section
• If multiple (more than one) contaminants are present, but no single contaminant
covers more than 25% on any runway third , the RWYCC is based on the
judgement by trained personnel considering , which contaminant will most likely
be encountered by the aeroplane and its likely effect on aeroplane performance
 Table 3 Runway Condition Code (RWYCC)
RUNWAY CONDITION DESCRIPTION RWYCC
DRY 6
WET ( up to and including 3mm depth) 5
SLUSH ( up to and including 3mm depth)
DRY SNOW (up to and including 3mm depth)
WET SNOW (up to and including 3mm depth)
COMPACTED SNOW (Outside air temp -15Degree Celsius or less) 4
WET 3
DRY SNOW
WET SNOW
DRY SNOW ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW (Any Depth)
WET SNOW ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW (Any Depth)
COMPCTED SNOW( Outside Air Temp above -15Degree Celsius)
STANDING WATER (Depth more than 3mm) 2
SLUSH ( Depth more than 3mm)
ICE 1
WET ICE 0
WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
DRY SNOW OR WET SNOW ON TOP OF ICE
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane
Performance Calculation
• Percent coverage contaminant for each runway third:
a number identifying the percentage coverage.

• The percentages are to be reported in an up-to-nine character group separated by a

“/” for each runway third. The assessment is based upon an even distribution within
the runway thirds using the guidance in Table-1 .
• This information is conditional. It is not reported for one runway third if it is dry or
covered with less than 10 percent.
• Format: [n]nn/[n]nn/[n]nn
• Example: 25/50/100, or 100/100/100, or NR/25/75
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane
Performance Calculation

• NR/50/100 means coverage is less than 10% in the first third.

• 25/NR/100 if contaminant coverage is less than 10% in the middle third.
• 25/NR/NR if contaminant coverage is less than 10% in the middle and last third.
• With uneven distribution of the contaminants, additional information is to be
given in the plain language remark part of the situational awareness section of
the runway condition report. Where possible, a standardized text should be used
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane
Performance Calculation
• Depth of loose contaminant: (dry snow, wet snow, slush or standing water) for
each runway third:
a two or three digit number representing the assessed depth (mm) of the
contaminant for each runway third.
• The depth is reported in a six to nine character group separated by a “/” for
each runway third as defined in Table-2. The assessment is based upon an even
distribution within the runway thirds as assessed by trained personnel. If
measurements are included as part of the assessment process, the reported
values are still reported as assessed depths, as the trained personnel have
placed their judgment upon the measured depths to be representative for the
runway third.
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane
Performance Calculation
• Format: [n]nn/[n]nn/[n]nn
• Examples: 04/06/12 [STANDING WATER]
• 02/04/09 [SLUSH]
• 05/01/10 [WET SNOW ON TOP OF ICE ]
• 02/20/100 [DRY SNOW ON TOP OF ICE]
• NR/NR/100 [DRY SNOW in the last third only]
• This information is conditional. It is reported only for
standing water, slush, dry snow and wet snow
Runway Condition Report (Significant Change)
• After the first assessment of runway condition, a first runway condition report is
generated. ( only elements iv to vii)
2/5/5 100/75/75 03/NR/NR SLUSH/SLUSH/SLUSH
• With continuing precipitation, a fresh assessment reveals that the depth of
contaminant in second third of the runway has increased to 03mm with coverage
of 85% this triggers a series of significant changes, a change in the runway
condition code, change in coverage % and change in depth of contaminant
hence.
A second runway condition report is created as:
2/2/5 100/100/75 03/03/NR SLUSH/SLUSH/SLUSH
Runway Condition Report (Significant Change)
• With even more precipitation, further assessment reveals the depth of
precipitation has increased from 3 mm to 5 mm along the first and second
third of the runway. However, a new runway condition report is not
required because there is no significant change (change in depth is less
than the significant change threshold of 3 mm).
• Further assessment of the precipitation reveals that the depth of
contaminant has increased to 7 mm along the entire length of runway A
new runway condition report is required because the change in depth from
the last runway condition report is greater than the significant change
threshold of 3 mm. A third runway condition report is thus created below:
2/2/2 100/100/100 07/07/07 SLUSH/SLUSH/SLUSH
Runway Condition Report
• For contaminants other than STANDING WATER, SLUSH, WET SNOW or DRY
SNOW, the depth is not reported. The position of this type of information in the
information string is then identified by /NR/.
Example:2/2/3 100/50/NR 07/05/NR SLUSH/WET SNOW/ WATER ON TOP
OF COMPACTED SNOW
• When the depth of the contaminants varies significantly within a runway third,
additional information is to be given in the plain language remark part of the
situational awareness section of the runway condition report.
Note.— In this context a significant variation in depth in the lateral direction
is more than twice the depth indicated in column 3 of table-2
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane Performance
Calculation)

• Condition description for each runway third:

to be reported in capital letters using terms specified in 2.9.5 of Annex 14,
Volume I The condition type is reported by any of the following condition type
descriptions for each runway third and separated by an oblique stroke “/”.
• This information is mandatory.
• Condition Description :
• COMPACTED SNOW
• DRY
• DRY SNOW
• DRY SNOW ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
• DRY SNOW ON TOP OF ICE
Runway Condition Report
• FROST
• ICE
• SLUSH
• STANDING WATER
• WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
• WET
• WET ICE
• WET SNOW
• WET SNOW ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
• WET SNOW ON TOP OF ICE
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane Performance
Calculation

• Format: nnnn/nnnn/nnnn
Example: DRY SNOW ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW/WET SNOW ON
TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW/WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
• There is a need for contaminant description but care needs to be taken
that depth description is mandatory for only four contaminants.
• STANDING WATER
• SLUSH
• DRY SNOW
• WET SNOW
Runway Condition Report (Aeroplane Performance
Calculation
• Width of runway to which the RWYCCs apply :
(if less than published width)
Is the two-digit number representing the width of cleared runway in metres.
• This information is optional.
• Format: nn Example: 30
• 2/2/2 100/100/100 07/07/07 SLUSH/SLUSH/SLUSH 30
• If the cleared runway width is not symmetrical along the centre line, additional
information is to be given in the plain language remark part of the situational
awareness section of the runway condition report.
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• All individual messages in the situational awareness section end with a full stop
sign. This is to distinguish the message from subsequent message(s).
• The information to be included in this section consists of the following:
• Reduced runway length
This information is conditional when a NOTAM has been published with a
new set of declared distances affecting the LDA.
• Format: Standardized fixed text
• RWY nn[L] or nn[C] or nn[R] LDA REDUCED TO [n]nnn
• Example: RWY 22L LDA REDUCED TO 1450.
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Drifting snow on the runway
• This information is optional.
• Format: Standardized fixed text
• Example: DRIFTING SNOW. (RWY may be prefixed if there are more RWYs)
• Loose sand on the runway
• This information is optional.
• Use only lower RWY designator.
• Format: RWY nn[L] or nn[C] or nn[R] LOOSE SAND
• Example: RWY 01R LOOSE SAND
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Chemical treatment on the runway
• This information is mandatory.
• Use only lower RWY designator.
• Format: RWY nn[L] or nn[C] or nn[R] CHEMICALLY TREATED
• Example: RWY 09L CHEMICALLY TREATED.
Airline operators are expected to undertake extra maintenance steps with
this information
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Snowbanks on the runway
• This information is optional.
• Use only lower RWY designator.
• Left or right distance in metres from centre line.
• Format: RWY nn[L] or nn[C] or nn[R] SNOWBANK Lnn or Rnn or LRnn FM CL
• Example: 1. RWY 01L SNOWBANK L19/R15 FM CL.
2. RWY 06R SNOWBANK LR26 FM CL.
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Snowbanks on taxiway
• This information is optional.
• Left or right distance in metres from center line.
• Format: 1. TWY [nn]n SNOWBANK Lnn or Rnn or LRnn FM CL
2. TWY [nn]n SNOWBANK.(State letter & E & NA)
• Example: 1. TWY A SNOWBANK LR20 FM CL.
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Snowbanks adjacent to the runway penetrating level/profile set in the
aerodrome snow plan.
• This information is optional.
• Use only lower RWY designator.
• Format: RWY nn[L] or nn[C] or nn[R] ADJACENT SNOWBANKS
• Example: RWY 01R ADJ SNOWBANKS.
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Taxiway conditions
• This information is optional.
• Format: TWY [nn]n POOR
• Example: TWY K6 POOR.

• Apron conditions
• This information is optional.
• Format: APRON [nnnn] POOR
• Example: 1. APRON NORTH WEST POOR.
2. APRON ALFA POOR.
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• State-approved and published use of measured friction coefficient
• This information is optional.
• Format: [State set format and associated procedures] (Refer section 6 of
Attachment A-9 of CAR and AD AC 1 of 2019)
• Example: Measured friction coefficient. Where reported, insert the measured
friction coefficient and friction measuring device.
• DECIMAL 52 RFTE
Runway Condition Report (Situational Awareness)
• Plain language remarks using only allowable characters in capital letters
Where possible, standardized text should be developed.
• This information is optional.
• Format: Combination of allowable characters where use of full stop « . » marks
the end of the message.
• Allowable characters:
A B C D E F G H I J K LM N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
0123456789
/ [oblique stroke] “.” [period]“ ” [space]
Sample
• An example of a complete information string prepared for
dissemination is as follows:
• [COM header and Abbreviated header] (Completed by AIS)
• GG VIDPZQZX VABBZQZX VIJPZQZX VIARZQZX
• VIAGZTZX
• 170235 VILHYNYX
• SWVI0151
• VILH 02170055 …………………………………..
Sample
• [Aeroplane performance calculation section]
• VILH 02170055 09L 5/5/5 100/100/100 NR/NR/NR WET/WET/WET
• VILH 02170135 09R 5/2/2 100/50/75 NR/06/06
WET/SLUSH/SLUSH
• VILH 02170225 09C 2/3/3 75/100/100 06/12/12 SLUSH/WET
SNOW/WET SNOW
• [Situational awareness section]
• RWY 09C SNOWBANK R20 FM CL. RWY 09C ADJ
SNOWBANKS. TWY B7 POOR. APRON VICTOR POOR.
Runway Condition Code
• The variables, in Table-3, that may affect the runway condition code are:
a) type of contaminant;
b) depth of contaminant; and
c) outside air temperature. Where available the runway surface temperature
should preferably be used.
• If sand or other runway treatments are used to support upgrading, the runway
surface is assessed frequently to ensure the continued effectiveness of the
treatment.
Runway Condition Code (Downgrade)
• The RWYCC determined from Table-3 should be appropriately downgraded
considering all available means of assessing runway slipperiness, including the
criteria given in Table-4.
• Factors to be considered for downgrading RWYCC:
a) Runway conditions rapidly changing or
b) Appear to be worse than obtained from Table-3
Runway Condition Code (Downgrade)

• Aero plane deceleration or direction control observations and Pilot

report of runway breaking action (May be provided to other pilots)
depending on:
• Type of aircraft,
• Aircraft weight,
• Touchdown point, and
• Other factors.
Table 4 corelation of RWYCC and pilot
reports on runway braking action
Pilot report on Description RWYCC
Runway Braking
Action
NA 6
GOOD Braking deceleration is normal for the wheel braking effort applied and 5
directional control is normal
GOOD TO MEDIUM Braking deceleration or directional control is between good to medium 4
MEDIUM Braking deceleration is noticeably reduced for braking effort applied or 3
directional control is noticeably reduced.
MEDIUM TO POOR Braking deceleration or directional control is between medium to poor 2
POOR Braking deceleration is significantly reduced for braking effort applied or 1
directional control is significantly reduced.
LESS THAN POOR Braking deceleration is minimal or non existent for braking effort applied 0
or directional control is uncertain.
Runway Condition Code (Downgrade Criteria )
• Reassess runway surface conditions if
• (A)
a) a pilot reports runway braking action of LESS THAN POOR, which information
shall be disseminated to other pilots and suspension of operations on that
runway shall be considered. If considered appropriate, maintenance activities
may be performed simultaneously or before a new assessment is made, or
b) two consecutive pilot reports of runway braking action of POOR if an RWYCC of
2 or better has been reported.
It may be noted that pilot breaking action report is applicable for limited
length of runway. Hence downgrade of RWYCC may be considered for that
particular one third of runway for which report applies.
Runway Condition Code (Downgrade Criteria )

• (B)
• Friction data obtained from the use of CFME meeting standards set or agreed by
State can also contribute for downgrading RWYCC.

• (C)
• When temperatures are near or above freezing point since ice crystal formation
can lead to slipperiness.
Runway Condition Code (Downgrade Criteria )
• Downgrading factors to be considered:
1. Prevailing weather conditions
2. Observations and measurements
3. Pilot reports
4. Experience and local knowledge
5. Results of CFME
6. Vehicle deceleration and directional control
7. Any other available information.

• Note: If friction is below MFL and runway is wet, allot RWYCC of 3 and
state “RWY SLIPPERY WET” in situational awareness section.
Runway Condition Code (Upgrade)
• Due to friction variability of some contaminants like ice, wet ice, water on top of
compacted ice and dry snow or wet snow on top of compacted ice, the actual friction
level is more than normal.
• Hence RWYCC can be upgraded.
• Applicable only when RWYCC is 0 or 1 which can be upgraded to 1,2 or 3.
• If a properly operated and calibrated State-approved measuring device and all other observations
support a higher RWYCC as judged by trained personnel;
• the decision to upgrade RWYCC cannot be based upon one assessment method
alone. All available means of assessing runway slipperiness are to be used to
support the decision;
• when RWYCC is upgraded, the runway surface is assessed frequently during the
period the higher RWYCC is in effect to ensure that the runway surface condition
does not deteriorate below the assigned code;
Runway Condition Code (Upgrade)

• Variables that may be considered in the assessment that may affect

the runway surface condition, include but are not limited to:
• i) any precipitation conditions;
• ii) changing temperatures;
• iii) effects of wind;
• iv) frequency of runway in use; and
• v) type of aeroplane using the runway.
Runway Condition Code
• Table-3 and Table-4 combined form the runway condition
assessment matrix (RCAM) in Table-5. The RCAM is a tool to
be used when assessing runway surface conditions. It is not a
standalone document and shall be used in compliance with the
associated procedures of which there are two main parts:
• a) assessment criteria; and
• b) downgrade assessment criteria.