Aerodromes - Physical Characteristics — Page 369, Lesson 497

Let’s start with the big picture, because this chapter is the foundation for everything else you’ll learn about aerodromes. I want to walk you through what an aerodrome actually is, and then we’ll get into the legal framework that governs it. First, the definition. An aerodrome is the place on the surface of the Earth where aeroplanes — that is, aircraft — take off and land. That’s the formal, legally correct term. Now, aerodromes come in all shapes and sizes. They can be nothing more than a field used for light private flying. They can be a defined strip of open water — that’s called a water aerodrome. Or they can be the complex, fascinating areas of real estate we associate with places like Heathrow, Gatwick, Chicago O’Hare, or JFK. The one thing they all have in common is that they are all provided especially for the use of aeroplanes. Now, in this chapter, we’re going to limit our discussion to the physical construction of land aerodromes, with emphasis on the aerodromes used for international commercial aviation. So we’re not talking about the water aerodrome or the farmer’s field — we’re focusing on the big international ones and how they’re physically built. Before we go further, I need to clear up some terminology, because there’s widely differing terminology used with reference to aerodromes, and most of it is colloquial and usually incorrect in interpretation. Let me give you three distinct terms. An airfield is exactly that — a field, usually unprepared, which is occasionally used as a landing ground for aeroplanes. So think of it as a rough patch of ground, not really built up. An airport is a portal — an entry — into a state for people and cargo which arrives by air, just as a sea port is the same for arrival by ship. So an airport is a gateway for passengers and freight. But the accepted and legally correct term is aerodrome. That’s the one we use in regulation, and that’s the one you’ll see in the documents. Now, let’s talk about the legal framework. The annex to the Conference on International Civil Aviation that is concerned with aerodromes is Annex 14. This is the key document. In common with other annexes, it contains standards and recommended practices — and you’ll hear this abbreviated as SARPs. That’s a critical acronym: SARPs, standards and recommended practices. States can notify differences to Annex 14 under Article 38 of the convention. So if a state can’t or won’t comply with a particular standard, they have a formal mechanism to notify that difference. Here’s an important point about scope. In accordance with Article 15 of the convention, Annex 14 is only concerned with aerodromes that are open to the public. So it doesn’t govern private strips or military fields — it’s about public aerodromes. And each contracting state is required to ensure that such aerodromes comply with the requirements of the annex. So the state has the obligation to make sure its public aerodromes meet Annex 14. Now, the excerpt cuts off mid-sentence when it starts talking about the United Kingdom authority, but I want to give you the structure of what’s coming. This chapter is going to take you through several key topics in order: the Aerodrome Reference Code, a Glossary of Terms, Aerodrome Data, Runways, Taxiways, and Aprons. We’ll get into each of those in turn. Let me also point you to a figure that’s relevant here. There’s a figure that shows the movement area. The note on it says the Movement Area includes the apron, the manoeuvring area, and the technical area. And the aeronautical part is inside the security area, including buildings. So when we talk about an aerodrome’s layout, we have this concept of the movement area — where aircraft actually move — and it’s composed of the apron, the manoeuvring area, and the technical area. That’s a distinction you’ll want to hold onto. So to summarise where we are: an aerodrome is the legally correct term for the place where aircraft take off and land. Airfield and airport are colloquial terms with different meanings. Annex 14 is the governing document, containing SARPs — standards and recommended practices. States can notify differences under Article 38, and Article 15 limits Annex 14 to public aerodromes, with each contracting state responsible for compliance. That’s the introduction. Next, we’re going to move into the Aerodrome Reference Code, which is how we classify an aerodrome based on the aircraft it serves. Let’s keep going.