AERODROME GROUND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
1. RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING.
The principal work of the Committee is focused on the need to harmonise ICAO Annex 14, Chapter 9 requirements with the more satisfactory provisions of NFPA Doc. 403. This involves developing an implementation schedule and also the updating of present IFALPA policy.
2. VISUAL AIDS (INCORPORATING SURFACE MOVEMENT GUIDANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEMS SMGCS & A-SMGCS).
The work continues to be governed largely by the ICAO VAP and the AOPG activities. The specific items under review are as follows:
2.1 Visual aids for heliports.
2.2 Visual aids for surface movement guidance and control systems (SMGCS)
2.3 Reduced lighting
2.4 Secondary power-supply and design.
2.5 Obstacle lighting.
2.6 Measurement of light intensity.
2.7 Visual alignment guidance system for runways.
2.8 Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS).
2.9 “Land and Hold Short” operations (LAHSO).
3. AERODROME PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
To continue the development of policy related to the current provisions of ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, Chapter 3 as required.
4. RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITIONS / BRAKING ACTION.
To continue the review of the results of the FAA / NASA Aircraft/Ground Vehicle Runway
Friction Programme, and further the pursuit of safe runway surfaces. Specifically, a review of
present IFALPA policy is required with a view to seeking improvements in ICAO Annex 14
provisions in the light of the FAA/NASA results.
5. RUNWAY SAFETY / RUNWAY INCURSIONS
To review AGE related issues in regard to runway safety / runway incursions. To review and develop IFALPA policy, as required.
6. IMPACT OF NEW LARGER AEROPLANES
To review present IFALPA policy concerning the need for extensions to the Aerodrome Reference Code in relation to the introduction of new larger aeroplanes.
7. MEASURES TO REDUCE WILDLIFE HAZARDS AT & NEAR AIRPORTS
To review the provisions of ICAO Annex 14, Chapter 9, and the Airport Services Manual,
Part 3 and present IFALPA policy relating thereto, with a view to determining the need for
improved measures. The Committee is working towards improved international education and
co-operation on this very serious hazard in terms of safety and cost.
8. AGE-RELATED AERODROME DEFICIENCIES / ANNEX 19.
To review all reported AGE-related aerodrome deficiencies, e.g. runway braking action,
visual aids, bird control/hazard etc. and to make recommendations to the Principal
Officers/RVPs, as appropriate.
9. AIRPORT CAPACITY ENHANCEMENTS.
To monitor in co-operation with the ADO Committee the operational issues emanating from
the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) and associated working
groups.
10. AIRPORT LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE SCHEME.
To administer the IFALPA accredited ALAR programme and to administer and conduct the
IFALPA ALR courses.
Summary of AGE:
The Aerodrome and Ground Environment (AGE) Committee is primarily tasked with providing a liaison between the Airports community, IFALPA, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The primary focus of our work is to ensure that airports around the world adhere to ICAO Annex 14 (Aerodrome Standards) and to provide input to ICAO on the improvement of the Annex 14 Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as the industry evolves. In order to provide a policy platform from which we can assess the requirements to update ICAO’s Annex 14, we have developed our own IFALPA Annex 14, detailing areas where we feel that improvement is needed. Our mission is to lobby ICAO and the ICAO contracting States to implement our requirements, provide input at the individual airport level on improvements, and to inform our membership where there is a difference between what we advocate as the minimum level and what is currently being provided.