Related Resource: Snowbird Global Reporting Format RWYCC Calculator

For the past several years, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been working on a standardized Global Reporting Format (GRF) for Runway Surface Condition reporting.

Currently (at the time of this writing – before the effective date of the GRF), each ICAO member state follows their own guidelines and regulations when reporting on runway surface conditions, and the reports are then relayed to pilots by the local ANS (Air Navigation Service) as a SNOWTAM or NOTAMJ bulletin.

In ICAO's own words:

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. [1]

In short, the GRF aims to harmonize the assessment and measurement of runway surface conditions for all ICAO member states. This will give pilots worldwide a more objective understanding of the conditions on the ground before and during landing, in the hopes of improving aviation safety and efficiency.

When are the GRF changes effective?

While the original applicability date was November 5, 2020, ICAO has decided to postpone the applicability requirements to November 4, 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. [2]

Note that each country’s regulator may set their own implementation date. For example, the implementation date for GRF in Canada is August 12th, 2021 [3].

Regulations for Canadian Airports

Transport Canada Advisory Circular (AC) No. 300-019 [3] (effective July 31, 2019) describes the implementation of the Global Reporting Format (GRF) in Canada.

But there is a catch: the electronic submission service provided by NAV Canada does not yet support the new terminology required by GRF, and by AC 300-019. This means, in effect, that Canadian airports – whether they use NAV Canada's own SNOWiz web application, or a third-party system such as Snowbird to submit their reports – cannot yet submit AMSCRs (Aircraft Movement Surface Condition Reports) using the new terminology.

Temporary Exemption for Canadian Airports

In order to work around the catch-22 described above, on August 18th, 2020, Nicholas Robinson (Director General, Civil Aviation – Transport Canada) signed an exemption [4]:

This exemption applies to all Canadian airport operators for the purpose of deferring the AMSCR terminology requirement that was enacted on May 15, 2020 allowing them to use the same terminology currently available in NAV CANADA’s SNOWiz reporting system.
This exemption ceases to apply to a Canadian airport operator that does not respect one or more condition of this exemption.
[…]
This exemption is in effect until the earliest of the following:
a) August 11, 2021, at 23:59 (EDT); or
b) The date on which this exemption is cancelled in writing by the Minister, where he is of the opinion that it is no longer in the public interest, or is likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security.

In effect, this means that Canadian airports have the option to be exempted from the new GRF-related regulations, likely until at least August 11, 2021.

For full exemption text and details, please contact Transport Canada.

This means that these Canadian airports can continue reporting AMSCRs using the old standards – at least for now.

What Changes with GRF?

The Global Reporting Format brings with it many changes to AMSCR reporting, among them:

The ability and recommendation to reporting runway conditions for each third of a runway, rather than just average values over the entire runway. Currently, it seems that Canadian airports will be able to choose (per-runway) whether to report in thirds on as an average over the entire runway.
Updates to the list of reportable contaminants (now called conditions), with some subtle changes on when each is applicable. This includes percent coverage increments, as well as allowed depth values, and even the number of allowed conditions.
The introduction of a Runway Condition Code (RWYCC) – an objective value between 0 and 6 for each runway or runway portion, in order to aid pilots in landing operations. The Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) is an aid to be used by runway inspectors to arrive at the correct RWYCC value, based on objective measurements and rules. (Note: Try our interactive Global Reporting Format RWYCC Calculator)
The ability to upgrade or downgrade RWYCCs based on a runway inspector's judgement on the ground. Such upgrades and downgrades must be logged for auditing purposes.
And more…

A Note About CRFI

Not strictly related to the GRF – but similar in theme and coinciding in time – are changes to reporting of the Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI).

AC 300-019 [3] states that:

CRFI measurements may be reported by runway thirds for runways greater than or equal to 6000 ft (1829 m) in length. If the runway condition information is not being reported by runway thirds, the runway average CRFI is reported.

This is congruent with the GRF-related changes of reporting runway conditions in thirds.

As you can see, there is a lot to cover, and we plan to do just that! Specific changes to AMSCR reporting brought on by the GRF will be discussed in a future blog post. To be notified when the next post appears, enter your email address below:

Summary

In short: AMSCR reporting in Canada (and worldwide!) is about to get a whole lot more complicated.

The good news is that software can help – many of the validation rules and procedures can be suggested and double-checked by an AMSCR reporting system, such as Snowbird – the most advanced tablet-based runway reporting system on the market.

We have been helping airports submit AMSCR reports in a safe and cost-effective manner since 2013, and are working on a brand new version of our flagship Snowbird reporting system, which will of course be compatible with the Global Reporting Format. We've got some tricks up our sleeve to make dealing with Runway Condition Codes and upgrades/downgrades a breeze.

Learn more on our homepage, and contact us for a free demo today.