Right, let's pick this up — Page 369, Lesson 502

Right, let's pick this up. We've just finished looking at the parts of an aerodrome that are for the aircraft and the passengers, and I want to carry straight on with the legal definitions, because these are the exact terms you'll be tested on. We've already covered the movement area, which is the runways and taxiways. Now, the next legal definition is the Manoeuvring Area. This is defined as: that part of an aerodrome provided for the take-off and landing of aircraft and for the movement of aircraft on the surface, excluding the apron and any part of the aerodrome used for the maintenance of aircraft. So, the manoeuvring area will include runways, both grass and paved, the taxiways, again both grass and paved, and any defined stop way or pre take-off areas before the threshold of a runway. So it's the bit where the aircraft actually moves under its own power for take-off, landing, and taxiing, but it deliberately excludes the apron and maintenance areas. Now, the Apron. This is a legally defined portion of the aerodrome where passengers, mail and cargo are loaded on to an aeroplane. It's commonly called the 'ramp' in the US. It's also the place where the pilot is required to check the accuracy of the altimeter(s). At busy commercial aerodromes, ATC delegates the safe movement of aircraft on the apron to the Apron Management Service. This is usually provided by an organization contracted to the aerodrome authority specializing in the provision of baggage handling, refuelling, and marshalling and associated transportation requirements. So, the apron is where the aircraft parks, gets loaded, and where you, as the pilot, set your altimeter to the aerodrome elevation. Next, the Aeronautical Part. This again is a legal definition of that portion of the aerodrome, this time including buildings and facilities, which are not accessible without security control. A commonly used term is 'air-side'. So, this is the secure zone beyond the security checks, including the terminal buildings, the ramp, and the runways — everything that requires security clearance to enter. Now, a very important operational point: Failure or Irregularity of Systems and Equipment. ATCUs, which is Air Traffic Control Units, shall immediately report — in accordance with local instructions — any failure or irregularity of communication, navigation and surveillance systems which could adversely affect the safety or efficiency of flight operations and/or the provision of air traffic control service. So, if a radio or radar system fails, the controller must report it immediately. Finally, we come to the Aerodrome Reference Code. This is a key concept for planning. The reference code, which is used for aerodrome planning and construction purposes, is a simple method of inter-relating the specifications concerning the characteristics of aerodromes, so as to provide aerodrome facilities that are suitable for the aeroplanes that are intended to operate at the aerodrome. It is not intended to be used for determining the runway length or pavement strength requirements for aeroplanes or to specify a minimum or maximum length for a runway. So, it's a planning tool to match the aerodrome's characteristics to the aircraft that will use it, but it does not dictate runway length or pavement strength. In the discussion of aerodrome characteristics, reference will be made to the code elements where the learning objectives require it. Historically, questions have been asked in the exam concerning the code elements. Let's look at that figure to see how the code elements are structured. So, to summarise: the manoeuvring area is for aircraft movement, the apron is for loading and altimeter checks, the aeronautical part is the secure air-side zone, and the reference code is a planning tool. That's the core of these definitions.