ADR.OPS.B.035 Operations in winter conditions

AERODROME SNOW PLAN The aerodrome snow plan should reflect the exposure of the aerodrome to winter conditions and should include the following:

(a)the Snow Committee members and the person in charge of the winter operation, with a chain of command giving a breakdown in duties;

(b)methods of communication between aerodrome operations, air traffic services, and the MET provider;

(c)the equipment available for snow clearance and surface treatment. This should include equipment for ploughing, sweeping, and blowing snow and application of materials;

(d)priority of surfaces to be cleared, and clearance limits for aircraft using the aerodrome;

(e)collection of information for RCR and dissemination of this information;

(f)designated snow dumping or melting areas;

(g)an alerting system in order that sufficient warning is given to all bodies concerned;

(h)the manpower available, including staff for equipment maintenance arrangements for shifts, and call-out procedures;

(i)deployment of equipment and tactical approaches to be used;

(j)general principles to be followed in deciding when to close runways for snow clearance and designation of management personnel authorised to take the decision;

(k)methods of assessing and reporting the surface conditions; and

(l)criteria for the suspension of runway operations.

ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES The aerodrome operator should establish the order of priority for snow, slush and ice clearance, from the movement area, in consultation with the air traffic services, rescue and firefighting services and aircraft operators.

USE OF MATERIALS FOR DE/ANTI-ICING OF PAVED SURFACES

(a)The aerodrome operator should use materials to remove or to prevent the formation of ice and frost on aerodrome pavements or to improve runway surface friction characteristics when conditions indicate that their use could be effective. Caution should be exercised in the application of the materials so as not to create more slippery conditions.

(b)The aerodrome operator should, as far as practicable, avoid harmful effects on environment, aircraft or pavements when using chemicals to remove snow, slush, or ice from operational surfaces.

REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS The aerodrome operator should ensure that:

(a)snow, slush, and ice are removed from the surface of a paved runway, as rapidly and completely as possible, to minimise accumulation;

(b)operational taxiways are kept clear of snow slush or ice to the extent necessary to enable aircraft to be taxied to and from an operational runway; and

(c)those parts of the apron which are intended to be used by aircraft are kept clear of snow, slush or ice, to the extent necessary to enable aircraft to manoeuvre safely, or where appropriate, to be towed or pushed.

PREPARATION FOR DE-ICING/ANTI-ICING OPERATIONS IN COOPERATION WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS CONCERNED

(a)Coordination with ground handling organisations and aircraft operators to carry out winter operations includes the following elements for all stakeholders involved, as a minimum:

(1)exchanging the documents/procedures/manuals covering operations during the winter season,

(2)communicating local procedures for the aerodrome of operation, including instructions and procedures for operations during winter and cold weather, to the aircraft operators.

(b)Resources for de-icing/anti-icing operations should be pooled whenever feasible and efficient.

(c)The following activities should be carried out or checked, as a minimum:

(1)clearing snow and preventing the formation of ice and frost on aerodrome pavements,

(2)ensuring the adequate visibility of markings, signs and lights in winter conditions,

(3)forecasting weather and notifying the relevant parties of incoming adverse weather,

(4)providing refresher and/or continued training to personnel,

(5)arranging the recovery of used de-icing/anti-icing fluids in advance. [applicable from 27 March 2028 — ED Decision 2025/009/R]

INFORMATION ON ALKALI-ORGANIC RUNWAY DE-/ANTI-ICING SUBSTANCES During winter operations, the aircraft carbon brakes and open wheel/bay are exposed to alkali-organic salt runway de-/anti-icing substances during taxi, take-off and landing. A slush mixture of snow and alkali-organic salt de-/anti-icing substances could freeze onto the landing gear and inside the wheel well/bay. After landing gear retraction, the frozen slush deposits begin to melt. The resulting liquid flows into the core of the carbon brake, further contaminating the carbon discs. The presence of the alkali-organic salt creates a catalytic condition lowering the oxidation temperature of the carbon, resulting in structural deterioration of the carbon disc material and reducing the service life and longterm efficiency of the brakes. It is very important that aircraft operators have information on the de-/anti-icing substances used at the aerodrome that they operate to and from, in order to assess the exposure of their aircraft to these substances and adjust their maintenance programme. The information, when provided in the RCR or in the AIP, should be given using the following abbreviations/words:

(a)KAC, for potassium acetate fluids;

(b)KFOR, for potassium formate fluids;

(c)GAC, for glycerine acetate fluids;

(d)NAFO, for sodium formate solids;

(e)NAAC, for sodium acetate solids;

(f)EG, for ethylene glycol fluids;

(g)PG, for propylene glycol fluids;

(h)UREA; and

(i)SAND.