Advisory Circular

AC 139-17(0)

MARCH 2005

PREPARING PLANS FOR INCLUSION IN

AERODROME MANUALS
CONTENTS

1.

REFERENCES

1.

References

2.

Purpose

3.

Status of this AC

4.

Background

5.

Definitions

6.

General Survey and Plan Details

Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139

Aerodromes Chapter 5.

7.

Aerodrome Facilities Plan

ICAO Annex 4 Aeronautical Charts.

8.

Aerodrome Boundary Plan

9.

Aerodrome Location Plan

10. Further Information

1.1
This Advisory Circular
should be read in conjunction with:

(AC)

Appendix 1 to subparagraph
139.095 (a) (i) of the Civil Aviation
Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

2.

PURPOSE

2.1
The purpose of this AC is to
provide aerodrome operators with some
guidelines when preparing aerodrome plans,
as required by CASR Part 139, for inclusion
in their aerodrome manual.
3.

STATUS OF THIS AC

3.1
This is the first AC to be written on
the subject of preparing plans for inclusion
in an aerodrome manual.

Advisory Circulars are intended to provide advice and guidance to illustrate a means, but not
necessarily the only means, of complying with the Regulations, or to explain certain regulatory
requirements by providing informative, interpretative and explanatory material.
Where an AC is referred to in a Note below the regulation, the AC remains as guidance
material.
ACs should always be read in conjunction with the referenced regulations

March 2005

4.

AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

BACKGROUND

4.1
Appendix 1 to subparagraph 139.095 (a) (i) of CASR Part 139 sets out the
requirement for operators of certified aerodrome to include a number of plans in their
Aerodrome Manuals. A minimum of three plans are called for in the Schedule:
(a) a plan of the aerodrome and its facilities;
(b) a plan of the aerodrome boundaries; and
(c) a locality plan of the aerodrome relative to the main town centre.
4.2
The need for guidance material in preparing these plans has been identified by
CASA staff undertaking aviation safety audits of aerodrome manuals, as the content and
quality of plans included in aerodrome manuals varies greatly.
4.3 As there are no standardised format or content details in CASR Part 139, or in the
MOS Part 139, CASA has provided this AC to help operators in the preparation of these
plans. This would then assist CASA to assess compliance with the CASR Part 139
requirements. In addition, a suggested list of items to be included on the plans is also
outlined in the following sections.
4.4 Other plans, such as an Obstacle Limitation Surfaces plan, may also be required
depending on the size and scale of the aerodrome operation. Aerodrome operators will
need to speak with their local CASA Aerodrome Inspector to determine the need for these
additional plans.
5.

DEFINITIONS

Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL): Mean sea level is the arithmetic mean of the hourly
heights of the sea at the tidal station measured over a period of time (usually 19 years or
more).
Australian height datum (AHD) is the vertical reference datum that passes through mean
sea level at thirty tide gauges located around the Australian coastline.
World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS-84) is the geodetic reference datum adopted by CASA
in 1995 for the determination of latitudes and longitudes applicable to Australian aviation.
WGS-84 is a consistent set of parameters describing the size and shape of the earth and the
position of a network of points with respect to the centre of the earth's mass. Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) uses WGS-84 as its geodetic referencing system.
6.

GENERAL SURVEY AND PLAN DETAILS

6.1
It is suggested that the following principles be adopted when considering the
general survey requirements and the drafting layout details.
6.2

Elevations and Distances

6.2.1
All elevations should be shown in metres AHD. All distances should be shown
in metres. Ideally the plan should have a WGS-84 overlay specifying the nearest meridians
of latitude and longitude.

March 2005

AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

6.3

Plan size

6.3.1
The size of the plan should be commensurate with the size and complexity of the
aerodrome; however ideally, an A3 or A4 paper copy should be included in the aerodrome
manual.
6.3.2

For readability, the plans should also be available in A1 paper size.

6.4

Materials

6.4.1

All plans should be either black ink or colour ink on white paper.

6.5

Scale

6.5.1 The plans should be to a scale suitable to the A3 paper size, however a scale of
between 1:3000 and 1:5000 for the Aerodrome Facilities Plan and the Aerodrome
Boundary Plan is recommended.
6.5.2
6.6

All plans should be clearly labelled with the scale used, including a bar scale.
North Point

6.6.1
True north, and the magnetic declination (including the degree of annual
variation, the direction and the year) should be shown.
6.7

Symbols

6.7.1
Standard survey symbols should be used to represent items on the plan. Where
there is no standard survey symbol available - then the ICAO map symbols, as illustrated
in Annex 4 Aeronautical Charts, should be used.
6.8

Drafting standards

6.8.1

Drafting standards should conform to Australian Standards ~ AS 1100.

6.9

Survey Accuracy

6.9.1
Survey accuracy should be commensurate with the size and scale of the
aerodrome involved.
6.9.2
Horizontal distances should be represented on plans rounded down to the nearest
whole metre.
6.9.3
As elevations in the aviation system are based on imperial measurements (i.e.
feet) the height of elevations on the plan should be given to the nearest whole foot.
6.9.4

The Runway azimuths should be measured to an accuracy of 10 seconds of arc.

7.

AERODROME FACILITIES PLAN

7.1 It is suggested that the following principles be adopted when producing the
Aerodrome Facilities Plan.
7.2

Title

7.2.1
The title of the plan should be clearly shown in the bottom right hand corner of
the plan with the name of the aerodrome and the words Aerodrome Facilities Plan.

March 2005

7.3

AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

Content

7.3.1 Where applicable, the following facilities should be included on the Aerodrome
Facilities Plan:
runways with dimensions labelled
runway surface types (concrete, asphalt, sealed, gravel, grass)
runway end elevations (in metres AHD)
runway strip with dimension labelled
runway strip end elevations (in metres AHD)
key runway chainages
runway markers and markings
runway strip markers
stopways
clearways
runway end safety areas
taxiways with names (Alpha, Bravo, etc.)
taxiway surface types (concrete, asphalt, sealed, gravel, grass) labelled
taxiway markers and markings
aprons with names (RPT, GA, Tie Down Area, Private) and types (concrete, asphalt,
sealed, gravel, grass) labelled
apron markings (see paragraph 7.6)
aerodrome lighting facilities (see paragraph 7.7)
navigational aids labelled with type (NDB, VOR, DME, etc, with critical and
sensitive areas identified where possible)
localiser array aerials (with critical and sensitive areas shown)
glide paths (with critical and sensitive areas shown)
airside roads
terminal buildings
fire stations
control towers
other airside buildings
other main buildings relevant to the operation of the aerodrome
primary wind indicator
secondary wind indicators (indicate if lit or unlit)
compass swing sites
signal circle
airside/landside perimeter fence

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AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

airside/landside perimeter gates (with gate numbers labelled)

heliports, helicopter aiming points, helicopter landing sites
visual landing aids (T-VASIS/ AT-VASIS or PAPI)
approach lights
aerodrome reference point (including elevation)
lit obstacles on the aerodrome
drains with type (open unlined, U/G, etc) labelled
meteorological facilities
fixed fuel installation
7.3.2
It should be noted, that it may be necessary to have more than one plan to
accommodate all of this detail. For example, at large complex aerodromes separate plans
for the apron markings and lighting facilities would most likely be needed.
7.4

Permanent survey marks

7.4.1 The position of permanent survey marks (PSM's) at the end of each runway should
be indicated, if they have been installed on the aerodrome.
7.5

Runway chainages

7.5.1
The origin of the runway chainage should be such that there are never any
negative chainages on the plan.
7.5.2
Always commence the chainages at the end of the runway with the lowest number
i.e. for Runway 12/30 start the chainage at the Runway 12 end.
7.5.3
The plan should ideally identify the chainages at all major points along the
runway, including:
runway strip end
runway end safety areas
clearway end
stopway end
runway end
runway threshold
runway intersections
taxiway intersections
commencement and conclusion of turning nodes
access roads to the runway
7.6
7.6.1

Apron Areas
The apron area should be clearly identified.

7.6.2 If the apron is complex, or the aerodrome has commercial passenger aircraft
operations above 5700kgs maximum take off weight (MTOW), a separate Apron Facilities
Plan should be included in the aerodrome manual.
March 2005

AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

7.6.2
If a separate Apron Facilities Plan is being prepared, it should show all of the
facilities on the apron area. This would include:
apron markings associated with the movement and parking of aircraft
aircraft parking bay designations clearly labelled
apron markings associated with the parking of vehicles and equipment
apron markings associated with the operation of vehicles and equipment
earthing points
hydrant refuelling points
location of any nose in guidance systems
any run-up bays or engine start positions
the limits of the apron area
any buildings that front onto the apron
access gates to the airside in the area
a table showing the maximum size aircraft each bay is designed for
the co-ordinates of any aircraft parking positions fitted with a nose in guidance system
a table showing any restrictions on the use of the apron
7.6.3
The scale of the Apron Facilities Plan should be commensurate with the size and
scale of the apron area being depicted. The plan should be large enough to show all of the
apron facilities and use of multiple plans to cover a large area may be necessary.
7.7

Aerodrome lighting facilities plan

7.7.1
Where there is a lighting system installed at the aerodrome, a plan showing the
location of the facilities for the operation of the lighting system should also be included in
the aerodrome manual.
7.7.2
If a separate aerodrome lighting facilities plan is being prepared, it should show
all of the facilities at the aerodrome used for the operation of the lighting system. This
would include:
approach lights
runway threshold identification lights
runway edge lights
runway end lights
runway threshold lights
stopway lights
turning node lights
runway guard lights (wig wags)
visual landing aids (T-VASIS/ AT-VASIS or PAPI)
taxiway lights
apron flood lights

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AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

apron edge lights

obstacle lights on the aerodrome
illuminated wind indicators
helicopter landing site lights
control cables
8.

AERODROME BOUNDARY PLAN

8.1 It is suggested that the following principles be adopted when producing the
aerodrome boundary plan.
8.2

Title

8.2.1
The title of the plan should be clearly shown in the bottom right hand corner of
the plan with the name of the aerodrome and the words Aerodrome Boundary Plan.
8.3

Boundary

8.3.1
The plan should clearly show the boundary of the area of the aerodrome expressly
set aside for aerodrome purposes. This would normally be the area shown on the
aerodrome Certificate of Title.
9.

AERODROME LOCATION PLAN

9.1
It is suggested that the following principles be adopted when producing an
aerodrome location plan.
9.2

Title

9.2.1
The title of the plan should be clearly shown in the bottom right hand corner of
the plan with the name of the aerodrome and the words Aerodrome Location Plan.
9.3

Plan format

9.3.1
The aerodrome location plan should be presented on a background showing the
general topographical features of the area, i.e. river, creeks, hills, etc.
9.3.2
The aerodrome location should be shown against the background of other features
such as roads, railway lines, nearest town and other significant geographical features.
9.3.3
An up to date topographical database should be used and the plan should be
regularly updated.
9.4

North point

9.4.1
The aerodrome location should be located with north up the page, and the north
point clearly shown.

March 2005

9.5

AC 139-17(0): Preparing Plans for Inclusion in Aerodrome Manuals

Distance to nearest town

9.5.1
The plan should be clearly labelled with the distance in nautical miles (to one
decimal point) and magnetic bearing to the nearest town, settlement or homestead. The
location for the centre of the town is to be the Post Office or General Store if there is no
Post Office.
9.6

Other aerodrome facilities

9.6.1
The aerodrome location plan should show any aerodrome facilities that are located
outside of the aerodrome boundary. This may include:
radar equipment located off aerodrome
obstacle lights located on adjacent hills or other nearby obstacles
approach lights, located off aerodrome land
navigational aids located away from the aerodrome
10.

FURTHER INFORMATION

10.1
For further information on how to prepare a plan for inclusion in an Aerodrome
Manual contact your local CASA Aerodrome Inspector or the Aerodrome Specialist in the
Operational and Flight Crew Licensing Standards Branch of CASA. Telephone 131 757
(for the cost of a local call) and ask for the Aerodrome Inspector in your area.

Rowena Barrell
Acting Executive Manager
Aviation Safety Standards

March 2005