ansi information leaflet 01/21

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ANSI INFORMATION LEAFLET 01/21

The use of the Enhanced Global Reporting Format (GRF) for assessing and reporting

runway surface conditions

1. Introduction

The new ICAO methodology for assessing and reporting runway surface conditions, commonly known

as the Global Reporting Format (GRF), enables the harmonized assessment and reporting of runway

surface conditions and a correspondingly improved flight crew assessment of take-off and landing

performance.

The GRF, applicable on 4 November 2021, is described through amendment 13-B to Annex 14 —

Aerodromes, Volume I — Aerodrome Design and Operations; Annex 3 — Meteorological Service for

International Air Navigation; Annex 6 — Operation of Aircraft, Part I — International Commercial Air

Transport — Aeroplanes and Part II — International General Aviation — Aeroplanes; Annex 8 —

Airworthiness of Aircraft; Annex 15 — Aeronautical Information Services and Procedures for Air

Navigation Services (PANS) — Aerodromes (PANS-Aerodromes, Doc 9981), Aeronautical

Information Management (PANS-AIM, Doc 10066) and Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, Doc

4444).

In addition, supporting material is available in Circular 355, Assessment, Measurement and Reporting

of Runway Surface Conditions and in the Doc 10064 Aeroplane Performance Manual (in preparation).

2. Purpose

The purpose of this leaflet is to detail on the new SNOWTAM format and the phraseology to be used

by the air traffic controllers in the State of Qatar as of 04th of November 2021 regarding the runway

conditions report.

3. References

Document ID Document Name

ICAO Annexes Annex 14 Aerodromes, Volume I — Aerodrome Design and

Operations

Annex 3 Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation

Annex 6 Operation of Aircraft, Part I — International Commercial Air

Transport — Aeroplanes

Annex 6 Operation of Aircraft, Part II — International General Aviation

— Aeroplanes

Annex 8 Airworthiness of Aircraft

Annex 15 Aeronautical Information Services

ICAO PANS Aerodromes (PANS-Aerodromes), Doc 9981

Aeronautical Information Management (PANS-AIM, Doc 10066)

Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, Doc 4444)

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4. Content

4.1. General

4.1.1. The ICAO global reporting system and format is developed based upon the operational need

for information for the safe operation of the aircraft through performance-relevant reporting

of runway conditions.

4.1.2. Runway surface conditions have contributed to many safety events and investigations have

revealed shortfalls in the accuracy and timeliness of assessment and reporting methods

currently provided for in ICAO provisions and guidance material.

4.2. GRF Process

4.3. Dissemination of information

4.3.1. Through the AIS and ATIS: 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.

4.3.2. Through the ATS only: when the runway is wet, not associated with the presence of snow,

slush, ice or frost.

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4.4. SNOWTAM vs ATIS vs ATC Radio (pros and cons)

SNOWTAM ATIS ATC radio

Comprehensiveness of

information

High

(information provided by

SNOWTAM is

comprehensive/detailed)

Medium

(ATIS message

should be short,

no detailed

information)

Medium

(ATC message on

radio should be

short; no detailed

information)

Timeliness (promptness)

Low

(SNOWTAM needs time

to be processed)

Medium

(ATIS information

is updated on

regular basis)

High

(ATC can pass

information on

radio instantly)

Controller workload Low Low High

Pilot workload during flight Low Medium Medium

4.5. ATIS Provisions in Circular 355

An ATIS presents a very important means of transmitting information, relieving operational personnel

from the routine duty of transmitting runway conditions and other relevant information to the flight

crew. In addition to normal operational and weather information, the following information about the

runway condition should be mentioned whenever the runway is not dry (RWYCC 6):

• Aeroplane performance section:

a) operational runway in use at time of issuance;

b) RWYCC for the operational runway, for each runway third in the operational direction;

c) condition description, coverage and depth (for loose contaminants);

d) width of the operational runway to which the RWYCC applies, if less than the published

width; and

e) reduced length, if less than the published length.

• Situational awareness section:

f) drifting snow;

g) loose sand;

h) operationally significant snowbanks;

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i) runway exits, taxiways and apron if POOR; and

j) any other pertinent information in short, plain language.

4.5.1. ATIS Structure & Content

• Follow the order described in ICAO Annex 11;

• Articulate the content of the RCR/SNOWTAM excluding NR,

▪ NR is a syntax requirement of the NOTAM/SNOWTAM for automated handling.

It is not intented to reflect observation or report omissions.

o Reflect the runway in use (not the lowest runway designator of the RCR/SNOWTAM)

o Refer to first, second and third parts of the runway. The first part always means the

first third of the runway in the direction of landing and take off

• Include both the performance content and situational awareness of RCR/SNOWTAM for

both arrival and departure

▪ Situational awareness content not needed for arrival performance calculations,

but flight crew will likely request such information.

• Announce RWYCC for the full runway, followed by contaminent coverage, depth and

descriptor per runway third

▪ RWYCC, contaminant coverage, depth and descriptor may also be announced

separately for the whole runway

o Always announce contaminent coverage, depth and descriptor for each third, even if

2 or more thirds are the same

• Make reference to “upgrade” or “downgrade” after an RWYCC, if appropriate

▪ The GRF allows for an upgrading or downgrading of RWYCC

• After a period of contamination, a dry runway should be announced by ATIS

▪ Restoration of a dry runway is a significant change that should also trigger a

new SNOWTAM

4.6. New SNOWTAM Provisions & SNOWTAM Format

4.6.1. Changes in SNOWTAM definition: SNOWTAM. A special series NOTAM given in a standard

format providing a surface condition report notifying the presence or cessation of hazardous

conditions due to snow, ice, slush, frost, standing water or water associated with snow, slush,

ice, or frost on the movement area.

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4.6.2. SNOWTAM Provisions:

• Metric units shall be used in SNOWTAM and the unit of measurement (e.g. mm, cm, m,

etc.) should not be reported.

• As of 4 November 2021, the maximum validity of SNOWTAM is 8 hours.

• A SNOWTAM cancels the previous SNOWTAM. When a new SNOWTAM is issued for a

specific aerodrome that has another valid SNOWTAM, the new one automatically replaces

the older SNOWTAM (there is no need to reference the older SNOWTAM in the new

SNOWTAM, as what we do for NOTAM).

• the letters used to indicate items (A to T; third column of the SNOWTAM template) are

only used for reference purpose and should not be included in the messages.

Example (items B to G): 01150915 12L 5/2/2 100/50/75 NR/06/06 WET/SLUSH/SLUSH

4.6.3. Mandatory information in SNOWTAM:

• Item A - Aerodrome location indicator (EADD)

• Item B - Date and time of assessment (11111035)

• Item C - Lower runway designator number (09R)

• Item D - Runway condition code (RWYCC) for each runway third (5/4/4)

• Item G - Condition description for each runway third (SLUSH/COMPACTED

SNOW/COMPACTED SNOW) (mandatory only when RWYCC is reported 1 to 5; not

needed if RWYCC is 0 or 6)

Example: a SNOWTAM with the minimum (mandatory) information:

GG EADBZTZX …

111045 EADDYNYX

SWEA0124 EADD 01111035

(SNOWTAM 0124

EADD

01111035 09R 5/4/4 NR/NR/NR/NR/NR/NR SLUSH/COMPACTED

SNOW/COMPACTED SNOW

4.6.4. Significant Change

• New SNOWTAM shall be issued whenever a new runway condition report (RCR) is

received from the aerodrome operator.

• RCR shall be initiated when a significant change in runway surface condition occurs.

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• A change in the runway surface condition is considered significant whenever there is:

a) any change in the RWYCC (ref. item D);

b) any change in contaminant type (ref. item G);

c) any change in reportable contaminant coverage/percentage (ref. item E);

d) any change in contaminant depth (ref. item F); and

e) any other information, for example a pilot report of runway braking action, which

according to assessment techniques used, are known to be significant.

• Reporting of the runway surface condition should continue to reflect significant changes

until the runway is no longer contaminated.

4.6.5. SNOWTAM Format

ABBREVIATED HEADING TTAAiiii CCCC MMYYGGgg (BBB)

• TT = data designator for SNOWTAM = SW;

• AA = geographical designator for States, e.g. LF = FRANCE, EG = United Kingdom (see

Location Indicators (Doc 7910), Part 2, Index to Nationality Letters for Location Indicators);

• iiii = SNOWTAM serial number in a four-digit group;

• CCCC = four-letter location indicator of the aerodrome to which the SNOWTAM refers

(see Location Indicators (Doc 7910));

• MMYYGGgg = date/time of observation/measurement, whereby:

• MM = month, e.g. January = 01, December = 12

• YY = day of the month

• GGgg = time in hours (GG) and minutes (gg) UTC;

• (BBB) = optional group for correction, in the case of an error, to a SNOWTAM message

previously disseminated with the same serial number = COR

Example: SWLF0149 LFPG 11070620

SNOWTAM Serial Number SNOWTAM iiii

• SNOWTAM = The text “SNOWTAM” in the SNOWTAM Format;

• iiii = SNOWTAM serial number in a four-digit group;

Example: SNOWTAM 0149

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Note — The SNOWTAM serial number resets at the beginning of each calendar year (begins

with SNOWTAM 0001 on January 1 at 0000 UTC).

4.6.6. SNOWTAM 2021 Format

1. Aeroplane performance Section

• Item A - Aerodrome location indicator

• Item B - Date and time of assessment

• Item C - Lower runway designator number

• Item D - Runway condition code (each runway third)

• Item E - Per cent coverage (each runway third)

• Item F - Depth of loose contaminant (each runway third)

• Item G - Condition description for each third

• Item H - Width of RWY to which the RWYCCs apply

2. Situational Awareness Section

• Item I - Reduced runway length

• Item J - Drifting snow on the runway

• Item K - Loose sand on the runway

• Item L - Chemical treatment on RWY

• Item M - Snow banks on the runway

• Item N - Snow banks on the taxiway

• Item O - Snow banks adjacent to the runway

• Item P - Taxiway conditions

• Item R - Apron conditions

• Item S - Measured friction coefficient

• Item T - Plain language remarks

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4.6.6.1. Aeroplane performance Section

LFPG

12040638 08L 5/2/2 75/50/75 NR/06/06 WET/SLUSH/SLUSH 40

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LFPG


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LFPG


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LFPG


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LFPG


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LFPG


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LFPG


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LFPG


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LFPG


RUNWAY CONDITION ASSESSMENT MATRIX (RCAM)

Assessment Downgrade assessment criteria

Runway condition

code Runway surface description

Aeroplane deceleration or directional control

observation

Pilot report of runway braking

action

6 DRY ---------- ----------

5

• FROST

• WET (The runway surface is covered by any visible dampness or water up to and including 3 mm depth)

up and including 3 mm depth:

• SLUSH

• DRY SNOW

• WET SNOW

Braking deceleration is normal for the wheel braking effort applied AND directional control is normal.

GOOD

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RUNWAY CONDITION ASSESSMENT MATRIX (RCAM)

Assessment Downgrade assessment criteria

Runway condition

code Runway surface description

Aeroplane deceleration or directional control

observation

Pilot report of runway braking

action

4

-15ºC and Lower outside air temperature:

• COMPACTED SNOW

Braking deceleration OR directional control is between Good and Medium

GOOD TO MEDIUM

3

• WET (“slippery wet” runway)

• DRY SNOW or WET SNOW (any depth) ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW

More than 3 mm depth:

• DRY SNOW

• WET SNOW

Higher than -15ºC outside air temperature:

• COMPACTED SNOW

Braking deceleration is noticeably reduced for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is noticeably reduced

MEDIUM

2

More than 3 mm depth of water or slush:

• STANDING WATER

• SLUSH

Braking deceleration OR directional control is between Medium and Poor

MEDIUM TO POOR

1 • ICE

Braking deceleration is significantly reduced for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is significantly reduced

POOR

0

• WET ICE

• WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW

• DRY SNOW or WET SNOW ON TOP OF ICE

Braking deceleration is minimal to non-existent for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is uncertain

LESS THAN POOR

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LFPG


When no information is to be reported in item E, insert “NR” (/NR/).

Percentage of coverage of contaminants (ITEM E)

Assessed percent Reported percent

- Less than 10%; or - Runway condition is “DRY” (item G) & RWYCC = 6 (item D); or - If the percent is not reported

NR

10 - 25% 25

26 - 50% 50

31 - 75% 75

76 - 100% 100

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LFPG


When no information is to be reported in item F, insert “NR” (/NR/).

Depth assessment for contaminants

Contaminant Valid values to be reported Significant change

STANDING WATER 04, then assessed value 3 mm up to and including 15 mm

SLUSH 03, then assessed value 3 mm up to and including 15 mm

WET SNOW 03, then assessed value 5 mm

DRY SNOW 03, then assessed value 20 mm

Note 1 - For STANDING WATER, 04 (4 mm) is the minimum depth value at or 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.

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Note 3 - Above 4 mm for STANDING WATER, and 3 mm for SLUSH, WET SNOW and DRY SNOW

an asessed value is reported and a significant change relates to observed change from the assessed

value.

LFPG


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Runway Surface Description (Item G) versus RWYCC (Item D)

Runway Surface Description (Item G) RWYCC (Item D)

DRY 6

FROST 5

WET (dampness / water up to and including 3 mm)

WET (slippery wet)

STANDING WATER (more than 3 mm)

WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW

5

3

2

0

SLUSH (up to and including 3 mm)

SLUSH (MORW tha 3 mm)

5

2

DRY SNOW / WET SNOW (up to and including 3 mm)

DRY SNOW / WET SNOW (more than 3 mm)

DRY SNOW / WET SNOW (any depth) ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW

DRY SNOW / WET SNOW (any depth) ON TOP OF ICE

5

3

3

0

COMPACTED SNOW (outside temperature -15ºC or lower)

COMPACTED SNOW (outside temperature higher than -15ºC)

4

3

ICE

WET ICE

1

0

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LFPG


Repeating information in the aeroplane performance calculation section for more than one runway:

• when a SNOWTAM is reporting on more than one runway of the aerodrome for which the

SNOWTAM is issued, Items B to H (aeroplane performance calculation section) should be

repeated.

Example:

LFPG

02170135 08R 5/2/2 100/75/75 NR/06/06 WET/SLUSH/SLUSH

02170225 08C 2/3/3 75/100/100 06/12/12 SLUSH/WET SNOW/WET SNOW 35

02170245 08L 3/3/3 50/50/75 08/15/10 WET SNOW/WET SNOW/WET SNOW 40

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4.6.6.2. Situational awareness section

LFPG




RWY 08L REDUCED TO 2800. DRIFTING SNOW. RWY 08L LOOSE SAND. RWY 08L

CHEMICALLY TREATED. RWY 08R SNOWBANK R20 FM CL. TWY A SNOWBANK. RWY 08R

ADJACENT SNOWBANKS. TWY B POOR. APRON NORTH POOR.)

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Where reported, insert the measured friction coefficient and friction measuring device.

Note 1.—Elements in the situational awareness section end with a full stop.

Note 2.— Elements in the situational awareness section for which no information exists, or where

the conditional circumstances for publication are not fulfilled, are left out completely.

Note 3.— The situational awareness section shall be separated from the aeroplane performance

calculation section by an empty line.

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Example of a complete SNOWTAM:

GG XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

170300 LFFAYNYX

SWLF0149 LFPG 02170245

(SNOWTAM 149

LFPG





CHEMICALLY

TREATED. RWY 08R SNOWBANK R20 FM CL. TWY A SNOWBANK. RWY 08R ADJACENT

SNOWBANKS.

TWY B POOR. APRON NORTH POOR.)

4.6.7. Water on runway

01150915 09R 5/5/5 100/100/100 NR/NR/NR WET/WET/WET

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01150915 09R 5/2/2 100/50/50 NR/08/12 WET/STANDING WATER/STANDING WATER

4.6.7.1. Scenario 1

• Water 0 - 3 mm exist on runway

o Water is NOT associated with snow, slush, ice or frost

ATIS ONLY (no SNOWTAM is issued)

4.6.7.2. Scenario 2

• Water 0 - 3 mm exist on runway

o Water IS associated with snow, slush, ice or frost

SNOWTAM IS ISSUED (& ATIS)

o RCC 5 (Wet)

o RCC 3 (Slippery wet)

o 02160930 11L 5/5/5 100/50/50 NR/NR/NR WET/WET/WET

4.6.7.3. Scenario 3

• Water 4 mm or above exist on runway

o It doesn’t matter whether water is associated with snow, slush, ice or frost, or not

SNOWTAM IS ISSUED (& ATIS)

o RCC 2 (Standing water)

o 02160930 11L 2/2/2 100/50/50 05/08/13 STANDING WATER/STANDING

WATER/STANDING WATER

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4.7. ATC phraseologies (ICAO PANS ATM Doc. 4444)

4.7.1. As of 4 November 2021, appropriate ATS units shall have available for transmission to

aircraft, upon request, the Runway Condition Report information. This shall be passed to

aircraft in the order of the direction of landing or take-off.

CIRCUMSTANCES Phraseologies

AERODROME INFORMATION

(applicable as of 4 November 2021)

a) [(location)] RUNWAY (number) SURFACE

CONDITION [CODE (three digit number)]

followed as necessary by:

1) ISSUED AT (date and time UTC);

2) DRY, or WET ICE, or WATER ON TOP OF

COMPACTED SNOW, or DRY SNOW, or

DRY SNOW ON TOP OF ICE, or WET SNOW

ON TOP OF ICE, or ICE, or SLUSH, or

STANDING WATER, or COMPACTED

SNOW, or WET SNOW, or DRY SNOW ON

TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW, or WET

SNOW ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW, or

WET, or FROST;

3) DEPTH ((depth of deposit) MILLIMETRES

or NOT REPORTED);

4) COVERAGE ((number) PER CENT or NOT

REPORTED);

5) ESTIMATED SURFACE FRICTION

(GOOD, or GOOD TO MEDIUM, or MEDIUM,

or MEDIUM TO POOR, or POOR, or LESS

THAN POOR);

6) AVAILABLE WIDTH (number) METRES;

7) LENGTH REDUCED TO (number)

METRES;

8) DRIFTING SNOW;

9) LOOSE SAND;

10) CHEMICALLY TREATED;

11) SNOWBANK (number) METRES [LEFT,

or RIGHT, or LEFT AND RIGHT] [OF or

FROM] CENTRELINE;

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12) TAXIWAY (identification of taxiway)

SNOWBANK (number) METRES [LEFT, or

RIGHT, or LEFT AND RIGHT] [OF or FROM]

CENTRELINE;

13) ADJACENT SNOWBANKS;

14) TAXIWAY (identification of taxiway)

POOR;

15) APRON (identification of apron) POOR;

16) Plain language remarks;

b) [(location)] RUNWAY SURFACE

CONDITION RUNWAY (number) NOT

CURRENT;

c) LANDING SURFACE (condition);

d) CAUTION CONSTRUCTION WORK

(location);

e) CAUTION (specify reasons) RIGHT (or

LEFT), (or BOTH SIDES) OF RUNWAY

[(number)];

f) CAUTION WORK IN PROGRESS (or

OBSTRUCTION) (position and any necessary

advice);

g) BRAKING ACTION REPORTED BY

(aircraft type) AT (time) GOOD (or GOOD TO

MEDIUM, or MEDIUM, or MEDIUM TO

POOR, or POOR);

h) TAXIWAY (identification of taxiway) WET

[or STANDING WATER, or SNOW

REMOVED (length and width as applicable),

or CHEMICALLY TREATED, or COVERED

WITH PATCHES OF DRY SNOW (or WET

SNOW, or COMPACTED SNOW, or SLUSH,

or FROZEN SLUSH, or ICE, or WET ICE, or

ICE UNDERNEATH, or ICE AND SNOW, or

SNOWDRIFTS, or FROZEN RUTS AND

RIDGES or LOOSE SAND)];

i) TOWER OBSERVES (weather information);

j) PILOT REPORTS (weather information).

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4.7.2. Forwarding of braking action information

When receiving special air-reports by voice communications concerning braking action encountered

that is not as good as that reported, air traffic service units shall forward them without delay to the

appropriate aerodrome operator.

5. Queries

Any queries or requests for further guidance as a result of this leaflet should be addressed to:

Air Navigation Services Inspectorate section (ANSI)

Air Safety Department

Qatar Civil Aviation Authority

PO Box 3000

Doha - Qatar

E-mail: [email protected]

6. Validity and Cancelation

This Information Leaflet shall remain valid until further notice.

ansi information leaflet 01/21

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