AD 1.2 RESCUE AND FIRE FLIGHTING SERVICES, RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING AT THE AIRPORTS OF VIET NAM

1 Rescue and fire fighting services

The fire fighting facilities and fireman available at aerodrome published in this AIP comply with the requirements specified in 9.2, Vol I Annex 14 – ICAO. Some aerodromes with inadequate fire fighting facilities and fireman will have the backing of the fire fighting departments local city through the signing of support agreement.

2 Runway surface condition assessment and reporting at the airports of Viet Nam

2.1 Definitions
- SNOWTAM: A special series NOTAM given in a standard format, which provides a surface condition report notifying the presence or cessation of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush, frost, standing water or water associated with snow, slush, ice or frost on the movement area.
- Runway condition assessment matrix (RCAM): A matrix that allows the assessment of RWYCC, using associated procedures, from a set of observed runway surface conditions and pilot report of braking action.
- Runway condition code (RWYCC): A number, to be used in the RCR, that describes the effect of the runway surface condition on aeroplane deceleration performance and lateral control.
- Runway condition report (RCR): A comprehensive standardised report relating to the conditions of the runway surface and their effects on the aeroplane landing and take-off performance, described by means of runway conditions code.
2.2 Flow of Information
Flow of information relating to assessment and report of runway surface conditions is described as the below figure:

2.3 Description of reporting of runway surface condition
The aerodrome operator will report to AIS and ATS on matters of operational significance affecting aircraft and aerodrome operations on the movement area, particularly in respect of:
  • standing water;
  • liquid chemicals or other contaminants;
  • slippery wet.
The runway surface condition will be reported over each runway third in RCR and contained in the relevant ATIS message.
The runway surface condition will also be reported via SNOWTAM/NOTAM when a significant change in runway surface condition occurs due to water. Reporting of the runway surface condition via SNOWTAM/NOTAM will subsequently continue to reflect significant changes until the runway is no longer contaminated.
When a paved runway or portion thereof is slippery wet, the aerodrome operator will make such information available to the aircraft operator via NOTAM that describes the location of the affected runway portion.
2.4 Description of runway condition code
The RWYCC is a code number from 0 to 6, which indicates information on contamination, aeroplane deceleration performance and lateral control on the runway. The RWYCC is derived via the RCAM based on the assessment and observation of the aerodrome operator and reports of flights crews, as specified in Part II, Chapter 2, Doc 9981 - Procedure for Air Navigation Service - Aerodrome, third edition 2020.
Table of assigning a RWY condition code:
Runway condition description
Runway condition code (RWYCC)
DRY
6
WET
5
SLIPPERY WET
3
STANDING WATER
2
(Refer to Table II-2-3, Assigning a runway condition code, Doc 9981 - Procedure for Air Navigation Service - Aerodrome, third edition 2020.)
Table of correlation of runway condition code and pilot reports of runway braking action:
Runway condition code (RWYCC)
Description
Pilot report of runway braking action
Pilot phraseology
6N/AN/A
5
Braking deceleration is normal for the wheel braking effort applied AND directional control is normal
GOOD“BRAKING ACTION GOOD”
4
Braking deceleration OR directional control is between good and medium
GOOD TO MEDIUM“BRAKING ACTION GOOD TO MEDIUM”
3
Braking deceleration is noticeably reduced for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is noticeably reduced
MEDIUM“BRAKING ACTION MEDIUM”
2
Braking deceleration OR directional control is between medium and poor
MEDIUM TO POOR“BRAKING ACTION MEDIUM TO POOR”
1
Braking deceleration is significantly reduced for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is significantly reduced
POOR“BRAKING ACTION POOR”
0
Braking deceleration is minimal to non-existent for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is uncertain
LESS THAN POOR“BRAKING ACTION LESS THAN POOR”
(Refer to Table II-2-4, Correlation of runway condition code and pilot reports of runway braking action, Doc 9981 - Procedure for Air Navigation Service - Aerodrome, third edition 2020 and Appendix 1, Doc 4444 - Procedure for Air Navigation Services - Air Traffic Management.)
2.5 SNOWTAM message

2.5.1 Validity
The maximum validity period of SNOWTAM is 8 hours. If a SNOWTAM has not been replaced within this period, it will be invalidated automatically.
2.5.2 Format
SNOWTAM are issued in accordance with the new SNOWTAM format, as specified in Appendix 4 - SNOWTAM format, Doc 10066.
2.5.3 Example of SNOWTAM
SWVV0001 VVNB 09150505
(SNOWTAM 0001
VVNB
09150500 11L 2/2/2 50/75/50 04/05/04 STANDING WATER/STANDING WATER/STANDING WATER 09150505 11R 5/2/6 50/75/NR NR/05/NR WET/STANDING WATER/DRY
RWY 11L LDA REDUCED TO 2500. RWY 11L LOOSE SAND. RWY 11L CHEMICALLY TREATED. TWY S1A POOR. 69/63/30 MUM. RWY 11L CLEANED FULL LENGTH AND WIDTH AT 0800.)
Minh ngữPlain language
SNOWTAM 0001
VVNB
SNOWTAM 0001 at Noi Bai International Airport
09150500
Assessment time: 05:00 on September 15 (UTC)
11L
The lower RWY designation number 11L
2/2/2
RWYCC for each runway third is 2
50/75/50
The percentage of standing water coverage for each runway third respectively, starting from the threshold of RWY 11L is 50%,75%,50%,
04/05/04
The depth water for the first part of RWY is 4mm, the second part of RWY is 5mm and the third part of RWY third is 4mm
STANDING WATER/STANDING WATER/ STANDING WATER
Standing water on all 3 parts of RWY 11L
09150505
Assessment time: 05:05 on September 15 (UTC)
11R
The lower RWY designation number 11R
5/2/6
RWYCC for each runway third is 5/2/6 respectively
50/75/NR
The percentage of standing water coverage for each runway third respectively, starting from the threshold of RWY 11L is 50%,75%,no value for depth
NR/05/NR
There is no value of depth water for the first and the third parts of RWY, the depth water of the second part of RWY is 5mm
WET/STANDING WATER/DRY
The first part of RWY is assessed as wet, the second part of RWY is standing water and the third part of RWY is dry
RWY 11L LDA REDUCED TO 2500.RWY11L LOOSE SAND. RWY 11L CHEMICALLY TREATED.
Landing distance of RWY 11L is reduced to 2500 meters. Sand and chemical treatment occurs on RWY 11L
TWY S1A POOR. 69/63/30 MUM. RWY 11L CLEANED FULL LENGTH AND WIDTH AT 0800
The condition of taxiway S1A is poor. The coefficient of friction measured by the Mu-Meter on the runway for each runway third is 69/63/30. RWY 11L will be cleaned at 0800 (UTC)
2.6 Air traffic controller and pilots phraseologies
ATC and pilots follow the phraseologies specified in item 12.3.1.11, Amendment 10, Doc 4444 - Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Air Traffic Management.
Example:
ATC: HVN 345, RWY IN USE 11L, RWY 11L CONDITIONS, 3/2/2, TWY 1A WET.
PILOT: ROGER, HVN 345.
2.7 Pilots responsibilities
Pilots shall familiarize themselves with the new GRF and the associated procedures, so that they can interpret the information received in the new format via SNOWTAM/NOTAM or via the ATIS and RTF correctly.
Whenever the braking action experienced during landing is less good than indicated by the RWYCC issued for the runway in question, pilots shall provide a special air-report (AIREP) to ATC for a possible re-assessment of the runway surface conditions by the aerodrome operator.
The fire fighting facilities and fireman available at aerodrome published in this AIP comply with the requirements specified in 9.2, Vol I Annex 14 – ICAO. Some aerodromes with inadequate fire fighting facilities and fireman will have the backing of the fire fighting departments local city through the signing of support agreement.