AD 1.2   RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES AND RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING, AND SNOW PLAN

AD 1.2.1   RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES

At aerodromes approved for scheduled and/or non-scheduled traffic with aircraft carrying passengers, Rescue and Firefighting Services, are established according to the regulations for civil aviation.

Information about the service and the extent of the service is presented in the section AD 2.6 for each aerodrome.

Scheduled or non-scheduled traffic with aircraft carrying passengers is not allowed to use aerodromes without Rescue and Firefighting Services.

Each individual service is categorised according to the table shown below. Temporary changes will be published by NOTAM.

Rescue and Firefighting Services
AD CategoryAmount or water in litres for production of synthetic foam
AD categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not used in the Republic of Lithuania.
58100
611800
718200
827300
936400

AD 1.2.2   RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING, AND SNOW PLAN

1   Organization of the runway surface condition reporting and the winter service

Aerodrome operators of Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, Šiauliai/ Military aerodromes perform the following tasks:

  1. monitor the movement areas and aprons, whether the condition of the surface has changed;
  2. evaluate the type, quantity, depth of the substances of the runway;
  3. identify the runway condition code (RWYCC);
  4. implement the measures to maintain the usability of runway, taxiway and aprons;
  5. provide the information about the condition of runways, taxiways and aprons.
2   Surveillance of movement areas

Aerodrome operator monitor the movement areas 24 hours per day.

3   Surface condition assessment methods used; operations on specially prepared winter runways
3.1  The runway surface condition at Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga aerodromes is measured using the sensors, that are mounted on adhesion measuring equipment.

The depth of snow or slush at Šiauliai/ Military aerodrome is measured using ordinary measuring ruler at many locations.

In case of changes in the weather conditions the aerodrome maintenance subdivisions perform the measurements of runway surface friction. The measurements are performed by calculating the mean for every third of runway. The information is always provided in the sequence from the lower runway marking number to the higher.

The assessments are performed, in case of changes in the air conditions, condition of the tarmac, type of substances or periodically not less frequently than every 8 hours.

3.2  Runway condition report (RCR). The services of Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and Šiauliai/ Military aerodrome provide the runway condition report (RCR) about the surface condition of every third of runway in the form of SNOWTAM. The values describing the runway surface condition are used in accordance with the pre-defined runway condition assessment matrix (RCAM). The runway condition report (RCR) contains indication of runway condition code (RWYCC) in digits 0–6, substances quantity in percent, depth in mm, substances type, width of cleaned runway (which was subject to RWYCC assessment).
3.3  Runway condition code and/or braking effectiveness might be assessed by measuring the tarmac friction coefficient. Continuous friction measurement methods are applied at the aerodromes, when the friction coefficient is recorded during the measurement and written down using special equipment. The measurements are performed at the distance of 3–5 meters from runway centerline by drawing the mean from the measurements on both sides.
Runway condition assessment matrix (RCAM)
AssessmentDowngrade assessment criteria
Runway condition code (RWYCC)Runway surface descriptionAeroplane deceleration or directional control observationPilot report of runway braking action
6
  • DRY
––
5
  • FROST
  • WET (The runway surface is covered by any visible dampness or water up to and including 3 mm depth)
Up to and including 3 mm depth:
  • SLUSH
  • DRY SNOW
  • WET SNOW
Braking deceleration is normal for the wheel braking effort applied AND directional control is normal.GOOD
4−15ºC and Lower outside air temperature:
  • COMPACTED SNOW
Braking deceleration OR directional control is between Good and Medium.GOOD TO MEDIUM
3
  • WET (“slippery wet” runway)
  • DRY SNOW or WET SNOW (any depth) ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
More than 3 mm depth:
  • DRY SNOW
  • WET SNOW
Higher than −15ºC outside air temperature:
  • COMPACTED SNOW
Braking deceleration is noticeably reduced for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is noticeably reduced.MEDIUM
2More than 3 mm depth of water or slush:
  • STANDING WATER
  • SLUSH
Braking deceleration OR directional control is between Medium and Poor.MEDIUM TO POOR
1
  • ICE
Braking deceleration is significantly reduced for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is significantly reduced.POOR
0
  • WET ICE
  • WATER ON TOP OF COMPACTED SNOW
  • DRY SNOW or WET SNOW ON TOP OF ICE
Braking deceleration is minimal to non- existent for the wheel braking effort applied OR directional control is uncertain.LESS THAN POOR

The substances quantity in every third of the runway is calculated in accordance with the covered area and and given as a percentage of the total area of the runway, according to the following:

25%means that 10-25% of the runway is covered;
50%means that 26 - 50% of the runway is covered;
75%means that 51 - 75% of the runway is covered;
100%means that 76-100% of the runway is covered.

The numerical value of the substances depth in every third of the runway is indicated, provided that the depth of substances exceeds 3 mm.

Friction coefficient measurements on the runway are performed only as the additional measure for determining surface quality characteristics.

4   Actions taken to maintain the usability of movement areas

In case of adverse weather conditions for flights, actions are undertaken for their improvement. Mechanical, chemical or combined measures are undertaken for elimination of snow and ice, mechanical measures – for elimination of water. Chemical substances are used for prevention of icing, melting the ice and/or snow, improving the aircraft braking.

Measures will be taken to clear the runway to full width. In case during adverse weather conditions the width of cleaned runway is only 30 meters, it may be temporarily used for traffic, but information about it must be provided in SNOWTAM form.

In all the cases the snow cleaning works are continued until the entire width of the runway is cleaned.

The ice is cleaned of the runway using chemical reagents within the width no smaller than 15 m from the centerline of the runway.

Chemical de-icing substances NAFO/KFOR/UREA and NAFO/KFOR substances at Šiauliai/ Military aerodrome are used for cleaning the ice and snow, which cannot be cleaned by applying mechanical methods.

5   System and means of reporting
5.1  Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and Šiauliai/ Military aerodrome operator use SNOWTAM form for reporting about runway condition and send it to air navigation service provider, for further dissemination.
5.2  The longest validity of SNOWTAM notification is 8 hours. Every time, when a new report on the runway condition is received, a new SNOWTAM notification is announced.
5.3  The announcement of every new SNOWTAM revokes the previous SNOWTAM notification.
5.4  Snow banks will be reported when the height of it, within a distance of 15 m from the runway or taxiway, exceeds 60 cm.
6   The cases of runway closure

In cases when a postponement of clearance results in a significant risk of a deteriorating situation, e.g., when fall in temperature may cause that water or slush become solid ice, aerodrome maintenance subdivision is authorised to demand that sections of the movement areas be closed to traffic. Notification about that must be announced in the form of NOTAM and SNOWTAM.

7   Distribution of information about runway surface conditions

The information about runway condition at Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and Šiauliai/ Military aerodromes is announced in separate NOTAM (SNOWTAM) series. SNOWTAM is prepared in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/373 requirements.