Airport Obstructions Standards Committee

1
Airport Obstructions Standards Committee

• FAA Broadcast On
• Precision Obstacle Free Zone (POFZ) Implementation

2
Agenda

• Introduction
• Broadcast Objectives
• AOSC Background
• Overview of POFZ
• POFZ Examples
• ARC-1 Memo to RAPTs
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Questions Answers

3
Broadcast Objectives

• Develop common understanding of POFZ requirements
  
• Provide clarifying guidance to regional teams
• Discuss associated implementation issues

4
AOSC Background

• Chartered May 2003
• The AOSC works across FAA lines of business to
  transform outdated, inconsistent obstruction
  standards practices to future policy that
  optimally balances operational safety,
  effectiveness, and economic benefit

5
AOSC Steering Group

• Reports to Deputy Administrator, ADA-1
• AOSC Steering Group Membership
• Ruth Leverenz, ARC-1
• Catherine Lang, ARP-1
• Russ Chew, ATO-1
• Nick Sabatini, AVS-1

6
AOSC Decision Documents

• DD01 - POFA and Runway Separation, dated 12/18/03
• DD02 - 401 Departure Surface, dated 9/13/04
• DD03 - Atlanta End-Around Taxiway (Departure
  Only), dated 7/12/04
• DD04 - Runway / Parallel Taxiway Separation
  Standards, dated 03/21/05
• DD05 - Airport Traffic Control Tower Interim
  Siting Guidance, dated 06/08/05
• DD06 - Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) End-Around
  Taxiway System, dated 06/08/05
• www.aosc.faa.gov

7
POFZ Introduction

P

TERPS 341 area


400
O

Final Approach

2 4

F
W Surface
400

• POFZ protects the area of short final area during
  very low ceilings (lt250 feet) and or
  visibilities (lt3/4 Sm or lt 4000 RVR)

Z

200
8
POFZ Applicability

• The requirement to clear the POFZ applies when an
  aircraft on a vertically guided final approach is
  within 2 nautical miles of the runway threshold
  and the reported ceiling is below 250 feet and/or
  visibility less than ¾ SM (or runway visual range
  below 4,000 feet).

9
POFZ Applicability (Contd)

• The POFZ is considered clear even if the wing of
  the aircraft holding on a taxiway waiting for
  runway clearance penetrates the POFZ however,
  neither the fuselage nor the tail may infringe on
  the POFZ.
• If the POFZ is not clear, the MINIMUM authorized
  height above touchdown (HAT) and visibility is
  250 feet and ¾ statute mile (SM).

10
POFZ Compliance

• In the approved AOSC Decision Document 01, the
  requirement was set for the POFZ guidance to be
  applied uniformly to all airports nationally by
  January 1, 2007
• It was further noted that any airport that fails
  to meet the POFZ guidance by that date will not
  have its procedures approved at their next
  subsequent biennial review.

11
POFZ Examples
12
(No Transcript)
13
(No Transcript)
14
(No Transcript)
15
(No Transcript)
16
(No Transcript)
17

• T

18
ARC-1 Memo to RAPTs (12/16/05)

• Less than a year remains before the POFZ
  implementation deadline
• Help is needed to ensure that implementation
  strategies are developed and the necessary
  actions are taken at any affected airports.
• Implementation oversight by the Region is
  critical to successful implementation
• Regional Airspace Procedures Team (RAPT) support
  is needed

19
ARC-1 Memo to RAPTs (12/16/05) Cont.

• Specifically, the AOSC requested (by February 28,
  2006) the RAPT to
• Review the requirements outlined in AOSC Decision
  Document 01 (attached) to keep the POFZ clear
  under the specified conditions and determine the
  appropriate method of compliance for each runway
  end with a current or near-term planned precision
  approach.
• Identify the locations where additional
  markings/signage are needed and a target date for
  completion
• Follow-up by the RAPT toward the end of 2006 may
  also be needed to ensure that the necessary
  actions are completed by the January 1, 2007
  deadline.

20
POFZ Reference Material

• AOSC Decision Document 01
• Advisory Circular 150/5340-18D Standards for
  Airport Sign Systems
• Advisory Circular 150/5340-1J, Standards for
  Airport Markings
• Airport Certification Program Policy and
  Guidance, Policy 88
• FAA Order 7110.65R, Air Traffic Control
  (Section 3-7-6)
• FAA Order 7210.3R, Facility Operation and
  Administration (Section 10-1-12)
• ATO training briefing
• Aeronautical Information Manual (Section 5-4-20b)

21
Frequently Asked Questions

• Does POFZ apply to GPS WAAS approaches?
• The POFZ applies to any approach with ceiling
  below 250 feet and/or visibility below 3/4 of a
  statute mile or below 4,000 RVR.
• Does POFZ apply at military airports?
• The POFZ applies at joint-use facilities.
• How do we determine the 250 foot ceiling
  requirement?
• The reportable values from appropriate weather
  sources should be used to determine ceiling
  height.

22
Frequently Asked Questions

• How do we apply POFZ at non-towered airports or
  towers that have limited hours?
• Pilots will be notified of POFZ requirements at
  all airports (including non-towered airports)
  through the Aeronautical Information Manual
  (AIM). Hold lines should be placed at the most
  conservative location to protect both the POFZ
  and the ILS critical area. Pilots are required
  to understand and comply with these markings.

23
Frequently Asked Questions

• Who will fund modifications to the airport
  environment (marking, signage, concrete)?
• ARP, working with the sponsor, should be
  developing funding plans for the necessary
  modifications. However any extensive work
  requiring multi-year funding should be reported
  though the RAPT to the AOSC.

24
Frequently Asked Questions

• Can the implementation date be deferred?
• Any requests for deferral will be considered at
  the AOSC executive steering group level).
• Every effort needs to be made to meet the
  deadline and each RAPT should report
  implementation concerns as soon as possible.
• If an airport is not able to comply by 1/1/07, is
  it an option to increase the published minima to
  250 feet and ¾ statute mile?
• Yes, that is an option.

25
Frequently Asked Questions

• Are vehicles allowed to penetrate the POFZ when
  the POFZ is active?
• The POFZ should be protected from all obstacles.
  The only exception is a wing of a taxiing
  aircraft. This can be enforced by a hold sign on
  a road or other agreement with the airport
  operator

26
Additional Questions Answers