AD 1.2.1.   Rescue and firefighting services

Information about whether there is service or not and also the extent of the service is published in section AD 2.6 for each aerodrome.

The aerodrome category is defined depending on the characteristics of the largest aircraft (aircraft overall length and maximum fuselage width) normally using the aerodrome and by the number of movements of the largest aircraft.

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

The scale of protection available has been determined in terms of Aerodrome categories from I to X according to ICAO Annex 14 and the related Manual.

AD 1.2.2.   Runway surface condition assessment and reporting, and snow plan

All nine (9) aerodromes published in eAIP Republic of Croatia are using enhanced global reporting format for assessing and reporting runway surface condition.
“Special prepared winter runways” are not approved on any of the aerodromes.
Snow plans are available on aerodromes with winter service established.

The AIM/AIS department of Croatia Control Ltd. promulgates the information, requested from the aerodrome operators and based on RCR, to end users through SNOWTAM in the new format, as prescribed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/469, point 6: Appendix 3 ‘SNOWTAM FORMAT’, then additionally in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) - Aeronautical Information Management (ICAO PANS-AIM, Doc 10066) and in ICAO EUR/NAT Guidance on the Issuance of SNOWTAM.

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

   The Aerodrome Operators conduct the following activities:

   1. Runway surface assessment, to note presence of water, frost, ice, snow, or slush.
   2. Implementation of measures to maintain the usability of the runway(s) (plowing and de-icing, treatment of paved surfaces with chemical substances) on aerodromes with established winter service.
   3. Provision of Runway Condition Code (RWYCC) if contaminants cover more than 10% or if water covers more than 25% of at least one third of the runway.
   4. Reporting conditions mentioned in item c) above using the Runway Condition Report (RCR).

   During the winter period, approximately from the 1st of November until the 15th of April, winter service is established at the following aerodromes:

   • ZAGREB/Franjo Tudjman
   • OSIJEK/Klisa
   • SPLIT/Saint Jerome

   Operational priorities established for the clearance of movement areas:

   1. Runway
   2. Primary taxiway routings
   3. Aircraft parking stands
   4. Service roads on aprons

   The trend monitoring concept on all nine (9) aerodromes is used to monitor the trend of degradation of runway surface friction characteristics. Aerodrome operator has to ensure that the surface friction characteristics, measured by continuous friction measuring device, for the entire runway remain at or above the specified minimum standards (Regulation 139/2014, AMC1 ADR.OPS.C.010(b)(3) (all aerodromes except LDLO) and Pravilnik o aerodromima (Table 9.1) (only for LDLO AD)), to avoid the runway becoming slippery wet.

2. Surveillance of movement areas

   Movement area inspection is carried out at least twice each day and the runway(s) is additionally inspected whenever its surface conditions may have changed significantly due to meteorological conditions.

3. Surface condition assessment methods used; operations on specially prepared winter runways

   Trained and competent aerodrome personnel will assess the runway surface conditions for each third of the runway length, generate RWYCC
   by using Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM), and report it by means of RCR
   . No approved case of specially prepared winter runways in Croatia.

4. Actions taken to maintain the usability of movement areas

   Methods used by aerodrome operator for clearing snow, slush or ice are snow ploughing and de-icing (urea) of movement areas in the following order:

   1. Runway
   2. Taxiways
   3. Aircraft parking stands
   Runway surface friction characteristics must be improved when they are evaluated to be below specified maintenance planning level. The method of improving depends on the reason of degradation (rubber deposits, surface polishing or poor drainage) and it can be achieved through rubber removal, resurfacing or improvement of drainage capabilities of the pavement.
   Coordination between aerodrome operators and Air Traffic Services providers is provided through legal agreements between them (SLAs).
5. System and means of reporting

   If there is more than 10% of runway third covered with contaminant or 25% of runway third covered with water, information on runway surface condition will be disseminated using the RCR.

6. The cases of runway closure

   On aerodromes with winter service established, the manoeuvring area may be temporarily closed for traffic to carry out surface condition assessment, snow removal and de-icing.

   Runway closure depends on the aerodrome operator’s procedure described in its aerodrome manual. The closure will be notified to users through NOTAM.

7. Distribution of information about runway surface conditions

   NOTAM will be issued for “Slippery wet runway” condition when surface friction characteristics of the runway are evaluated to be below the minimum specified standards.
   SNOWTAM will be issued to notify the presence or cessation of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush, frost, or standing water or water associated with snow, slush and ice, or frost on the movement area.
   Dissemination of information (RCR) is provided through:

   1. the AIS and ATS services (SNOWTAM, ATIS, Radio): when the runway is wholly or partly contaminated by standing water, snow, slush, ice or frost, or is wet associated with the clearing or treatment of snow, slush, ice or frost.
   2. the ATS only (ATIS, Radio): when the runway is wet, not associated with the presence of standing water, snow, slush, ice or frost.