Manual of Standards Part 139H - Standards Applicable to the Provision of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services
3.1General
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Chapter 3: Determining the Category of the Aerodrome
CASR References:
Regulations 139.712, 139.715 and 139.755
Section 3.1: General
3.1.1 Standard: Determining Critical Aircraft
3.1.1.1 Each aerodrome must be categorised in accordance with the following table.
3.1.1.2 A figure of 700 movements of the busiest consecutive three-months of the preceding 12 months is used as the benchmark.
3.1.1.3 Determining frequency of operation for an aircraft type is called a movement which is either a take-off or a landing.
3.1.1.4 The aerodrome category for ARFFS is calculated on the overall length of the longest aircraft normally using the aerodrome and the maximum width of the fuselage.
Aerodrome Category
Length of Aircraft
Maximum Fuselage Width
1
0 m up to but not including 9 m
2 m
2
9 m up to but not including 12 m
2 m
3
12 m up to but not including 18 m
3 m
4
18 m up to but not including 24 m
4 m
5
24 m up to but not including 28 m
4 m
6
28 m up to but not including 39 m
5 m
7
39 m up to but not including 49m
5 m
8
49 m up to but not including 61 m
7 m
9
61 m up to but not including 76 m
7 m
10
76 m up to but not including 90 m
8 m
3.1.1.5 To categorise the aerodrome using the aircraft, evaluate its over-all length and then its fuselage width. If, after selecting the appropriate category the fuselage width exceeds the maximum indicated in the table, then the category for that aerodrome will be one category higher.
3.1.2 Aerodrome Category
3.1.2.1 Should the longest aircraft not reach 700 movements and therefore not be deemed to be the ‘critical’ aircraft, the category can be set at one category below the designated category specified in the table in Chapter 3 (this chapter). This standard will apply to aerodromes meeting Level 1 criteria defined in Chapter 2 of this Manual.
3.1.2.2 The correct level of ARFFS protection shall be available at all times that the ARFFS is operational. ARFFS providers are required to maintain periodic checks on all aircraft operations to ensure the correct category is supplied.
3.1.3 Aerodrome Category Reductions
3.1.3.1 Aerodromes operating at Level 2 criteria may have the ruling relaxed on fuselage length, following receipt of a risk analysis of the aircraft type presented for CASA consideration and subsequent approval.
3.1.3.2 If advertised in ERSA, NOTAM action must be taken for any reduction below specified ARFFS category as per table in Chapter 3 (this chapter). Further reference is provided in CHAPTER 25 — INTERRUPTION OR CHANGE TO LEVEL OF OPERATIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINGENCY PLANS.
3.1.4 Advisory Circular
3.1.4.1 Additional information to assist in determining the level of service to be provided for an aerodrome criterion is available in Advisory Circular – No.1.
Part 3.1 - Manual of Standards Part 139H - Standards Applicable to the Provision of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services - General | Zoe