SCOPE AND PURPOSE

Annex 14 contains specifications applicable to aerodromes, as well as certain facilities and technical services normally provided at them. To a great extent, the specifications for individual facilities have been interrelated by a reference code system as described in Annex 14, Volume I, in accordance with the characteristics of the aeroplane for which an aerodrome is intended. It is not intended that those specifications limit or regulate the operation of an aircraft. Those matters related to the possible use of the aerodrome by more demanding aircraft and related applicable approvals are left to appropriate authorities to evaluate and take into account for appropriate measures to be implemented as necessary for each particular aerodrome in order to maintain an acceptable level of safety during operations.

The PANS-Aerodromes are complementary to the SARPs contained in Annex 14, Volume I.

The PANS-Aerodromes specify, in greater detail than the SARPs, operational procedures to be applied by aerodrome operators to ensure aerodrome operational safety. PANS-Aerodromes specify procedures to be applied by both aerodrome regulators and operators for initial aerodrome certification and continuing aerodrome safety oversight as well as aerodrome compatibility studies, in particular, where full compliance with the SARPs in Annex 14, Volume I, cannot be achieved.

The PANS-Aerodromes do not substitute nor circumvent the provisions contained in Annex 14, Volume I. It is expected that infrastructure on an existing aerodrome or a new aerodrome will fully comply with the requirements in Annex 14, Volume I. The contents of PANS-Aerodromes are designed to enable the use of the procedures and methodologies described in the document to assess the operational issues faced by existing aerodromes in a changing and challenging environment and to address those issues to ensure the continued safety of aerodrome operations.

The PANS-Aerodromes focus on the priority areas identified by the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme in the domains of certification of aerodromes, safety assessment and operational procedures at existing aerodromes (aerodrome compatibility). The PANS-Aerodromes also focus on aerodrome operational management and include topics that are relevant to the provision of uniform and harmonized procedures in aerodrome operations. This edition also deals with the operational requirements of fixed-wing aircraft and therefore the term “aeroplane” is deliberately used throughout the document to indicate it does not include operational requirements for helicopters.

The procedures in this document are directed mainly towards aerodrome operators and consequently do not include procedures for aerodrome control service provided by the air traffic service (ATS), which are already covered in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM, Doc 4444).