Aerodrome Design Manual – ICAO Doc 9157

Definition

A defined area on land or water, including all buildings, installations, and equipment, intended wholly or partly for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of aircraft.

Operational Application:
Forms the basis for all aerodrome planning, design, and certification. Encompasses operational surfaces, safety infrastructure, and ancillary facilities.

References:

• ICAO Annex 14, Volume I
• ICAO Doc 9157, Part 1, Section 1.2
• Wikipedia: Aerodrome

Aerodrome Design Manual (ADM), ICAO Doc 9157

Definition:
ICAO’s multi-part technical manual offering detailed methodologies and best practices for aerodrome planning, geometric design, pavements, and visual aids.

Parts:

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157, Parts 1–4
• ICAO Store – Doc 9157

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Definition:
A specialized United Nations agency responsible for developing global civil aviation standards, including aerodrome design and operation.

Mandate:
Establishes SARPs (Standards and Recommended Practices) in 19 Annexes, coordinates global harmonization, and provides the ADM.

References:

• ICAO About
• ICAO Doc 9157 Foreword

Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)

Definition:
ICAO-adopted technical specifications for global application.

• Standards: Mandatory unless notified as a difference.
• Recommended Practices: Strongly encouraged, with flexibility.

Role:
Form the foundation for national aviation law, certification, and operational approvals.

References:

• ICAO SARPs Overview
• ICAO Annex 14, Volume I

Aerodrome Reference Code

Definition:
A two-part code (number and letter) assigned to an aerodrome, based on the critical aircraft’s field length requirement and wingspan/gear span.

Example:
Boeing 777 (field length 2,800 m, wingspan 65 m): Code 4E.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 1, Section 1.3
• ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, Table 1-1
• Wikipedia: ICAO Aerodrome Reference Code

Record of Amendments and Corrigenda

Definition:
An official log in ICAO publications noting all updates and corrections since original release.

Role:
Ensures users apply the latest standards; required for audits and compliance.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157, front matter
• ICAO Publications Amendments

Aerodrome Physical Characteristics

Definition:
Geometric, structural, and spatial properties of aerodrome elements—runways, taxiways, aprons, strips, safety areas.

Importance:
Determine safe operations, standardization, and future scalability.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 1, Chapter 5
• ICAO Manual of Aerodrome Standards

Runway

Definition:
A prepared rectangular area for aircraft landing and takeoff.

Key Attributes:
Length, width, surface, markings, slopes, shoulders, and safety strips.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 1, Section 1.2
• ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, Chapter 3
• Wikipedia: Runway

Taxiway

Definition:
A defined path for taxiing aircraft, connecting runways, aprons, and other facilities.

Types:
Parallel, rapid-exit, and link taxiways.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 2, Chapter 1

Apron

Definition:
Area for parking, loading/unloading, refuelling, and maintenance of aircraft.

Design:
Must accommodate maneuvering, pavement strength, markings, and lighting.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 2, Chapter 3
• Wikipedia: Apron

Visual Aids

Definition:
Markings, lights, signs, and markers for visual guidance to pilots and vehicles.

Categories:
Markings, lighting systems, signage, and markers.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapters 1, 4, 9

Visual Approach Slope Indicator Systems (VASIS) / Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)

Definition:
Visual aids providing glide path indications via colored lights (e.g., PAPI, T-VASIS).

Example:
PAPI displays red/white lights indicating aircraft position relative to approach angle.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapter 8
• Wikipedia: PAPI

Mandatory Instruction Signs

Definition:
Red-background, white-inscription signs indicating stop or clearance points.

Purpose:
Prevent runway incursions; enforce ATC instructions.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapter 12

Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS)

Definition:
Systems providing real-time visual cues to guide aircraft into apron parking positions.

Types:
AGNIS, PAPA, advanced laser/video systems.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapter 13

Autonomous Runway Incursion Warning System (ARIWS)

Definition:
Systems (e.g., runway status lights) warning of potential runway incursions using real-time surveillance data.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapter 11
• FAA Runway Status Lights

Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS / A-SMGCS)

Definition:
Systems managing aircraft/vehicle movements on the aerodrome, especially in low visibility.

Features:
Taxiway lights, stop bars, surveillance, ATC integration.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapter 10
• Wikipedia: A-SMGCS

Frangibility

Definition:
The property of structures to yield or break on impact, minimizing aircraft damage/injury.

Application:
Essential for all objects within runway strips (visual aids, signs, lighting).

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4, Chapter 16
• ICAO Frangibility Guidance

Aerodrome Usability Factor

Definition:
Percentage of time aerodrome runways can be used for operations, based on wind and weather (ICAO minimum: 95%).

Purpose:
Guides runway orientation and infrastructure planning.

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 1, Section 2.1.6
• ICAO Annex 14, Volume I, Section 3.1.1

Declared Distances

Definition:
Published runway distances for performance calculations:

References:

• ICAO Doc 9157 Part 1, Section 2.2
• ICAO Annex 14, Volume I

For further authoritative information, always refer directly to the latest ICAO publications and official guidance.