5.2.5 Other operational needs affecting a visual surveillance system

In case the ATS unit is also responsible for the provision of apron management services, refer to Section 7.2.6. Even if the ATS unit is not providing apron management services, there could be an operational need/benefit for the ATCO(s)/AFISO(s) to have access to a view of the apron(s). Furthermore, as laid down in CS ADR-DSN.G.380 to Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 [7], any remote (i.e. located at specified remote areas along the taxiway leading to the runway meant for take-off) de-icing/anti-icing facility should be visible from the air traffic control tower, i.e. this should be supported by the visual surveillance system. Although not explicitly stated in regulations, there would be an expectation on the service provision that the ATCO/AFISO should be able to observe and follow up on changes in weather conditions (e.g. precipitation, showers, fog patches, clouds and the build-up of cumulonimbus) or weather occurrences (e.g. flooding, snowbanks) as would be feasible from a conventional tower. Therefore, the ATS provider should consider, as part of the local implementation and safety assessment, whether and to what extent the visual surveillance system should support the ATCO/AFISO to observe such weather condition observations.