(1) The operator of a certified aerodrome must make all necessary arrangements to ensure that aerodrome works do not create a hazard to aircraft or cause confusion to pilots.
Note Aerodrome works may be carried out without the closure of the aerodrome, provided safety precautions are adhered to.
(2) An aerodrome operator must not carry out aerodrome works without a method of working plan (MOWP) for those works unless:
(a) the works are time-limited works; or
(b) subject to subsection (3), the aerodrome is closed during the works; or
(c) subject to subsection (4), the works are of an emergency nature; or
(d) the works do not require any restrictions to aircraft operations.
(3) For paragraph (2) (b), an MOWP is not required if the aerodrome operator temporarily closes the aerodrome, provided that each of the following is given written notice of the intention to temporarily close the aerodrome at least 14 days before the closure:
(a) air transport operators using the aerodrome;
(b) each other known organisation using the aerodrome which is likely to be affected by the closure;
(c) CASA.
(4) For paragraph (2) (c), works are of an emergency nature if they are:
(a) to repair unforeseen damage to part of the manoeuvring area; or
(b) to remove an obstacle.
(5) Subsection (2) does not apply if:
(a) the aerodrome is not used for:
(i) scheduled air transport operations; or
(ii) emergency services aircraft based at the aerodrome (fixed-base emergency services aircraft); and
Note Despite subsection (5), CASA recommends that aerodrome operators intending to carry out aerodrome works without a MOWP should consult with operators of relevant air ambulance aircraft, any operators based on the aerodrome and other key stakeholders, in relation to the aerodrome works.
(b) the aerodrome operator complies with subsection (1).
Note The temporary closure of the aerodrome during the works period may be one such method provided no essential operations or emergency services aircraft are required to use the aerodrome.
(6) For works where an MOWP is issued, a NOTAM giving the time and date of the planned commencement of the works, or a planned change in works stage, must be requested as early as possible but not less than 48 hours before commencement of the works or works stage.
(7) Subsection (6) does not apply for unforeseen events affecting planned works if as soon as possible after the change becomes known:
(a) a NOTAM is requested; and
(i) notification on AFRU is provided (if applicable); or
(ii) notification on the automatic terminal information service (ATIS) is requested (if applicable).
(8) For works that are not of an emergency nature, an aerodrome operator must not temporarily close the aerodrome to aircraft operations due to aerodrome works, unless a NOTAM giving notice of the closure is requested and issued not less than 14 days before the closure takes place.
(9) For non-routine works otherwise requiring a works safety officer to be appointed with contact arrangements as mentioned in subsection 16.07 (2), a nomination of works safety officers in the MOWP for the non-routine works will satisfy the requirement under paragraph 13.01 (c) for a record to be made in the aerodrome manual.
15.02 Method of working plans (MOWPs)
(1) A MOWP must:
(a) accurately set out the arrangements for carrying out the works; and
(b) be prepared in accordance with Chapter 16.
(2) When preparing a MOWP, an aerodrome operator must consult:
(a) air transport operators using the aerodrome; and
(b) operators of emergency services aircraft that are likely to operate at the aerodrome during the works period; and
(c) ATC (if applicable); and
(d) if the MOWP is likely to affect the unit’s ability to ensure the safety of aircraft operations at the aerodrome — the ARFF unit at the aerodrome (if any); and
(e) if any communications, navigation, surveillance or meteorological infrastructure or equipment would otherwise be affected by the works — the provider of that infrastructure or equipment.
Note Consultation with other fixed-base operators at the aerodrome such as flight training organisations, sport aviation organisations, aerial application operators etc. is also recommended.
(3) Not less than 14 days before works commence, the aerodrome operator must supply a copy of the MOWP to:
(a) each operator or organisation mentioned in paragraphs (2) (a) to (e); and
(b) the relevant CASA aerodrome inspector (where known), or the local CASA office marked for the attention of an aerodrome inspector.
(4) A MOWP may only be supplied less than 14 days before works commence if:
(a) the works are unforeseen urgent works; and
(b) the MOWP states that the works are unforeseen urgent works.
(5) If a MOWP is amended after it is supplied to the persons mentioned in subsection (3), the amended MOWP must:
(a) be supplied to those persons as soon as possible but not later than 48 hours before the works commence; and
(b) clearly show the amendment that has been made.
(6) Aerodrome works for which a MOWP is required must be carried out in accordance with the MOWP, including the MOWP as amended.
15.03 Time-limited works
(1) Aerodrome works may be carried out as time-limited works only if:
(a) normal aircraft operations are not disrupted; and
(b) the movement area can be restored to normal safety standards; and
(c) any hazard created by the works can be removed within 30 minutes of the affected movement area being required for aircraft operations.
Note Time-limited works include the following:
(a) maintenance of markings and lights;
(b) grass mowing;
(c) rolling of surfaces;
(d) sweeping of pavements;
(e) minor repairs to pavements;
(f) detailed surveys, other than wildlife monitoring activities and serviceability inspections.
(2) A person must not commence time-limited works that require more than 10 minutes to restore normal safety standards to the movement area and remove obstacles, unless a NOTAM has been issued not less than 24 hours before the works commence stating:
(a) the date and time of commencement; and
(b) the time required to restore normal safety standards.
(3) Time-limited works must be stopped, and normal safety standards restored, if required to allow an aircraft operation to take place.
(4) All reasonable measures must be taken to restore normal safety standards not less than 5 minutes before the scheduled or notified time of an aircraft operation.
(5) At a non-controlled aerodrome, works that have been stopped to allow the restoration of normal safety standards may be resumed:
(a) if stopped for an aircraft arrival — immediately after the arrival, but only if the safety of the aircraft is not endangered by the resumption; or
(b) if stopped for an aircraft departure — not earlier than 15 minutes after the departure has taken place; or
(c) if stopped for an aircraft arrival that does not take place — not earlier than 30 minutes after the time scheduled or notified for the arrival.
(6) At a controlled aerodrome, works which have been stopped to allow the restoration of normal safety standards may, subject to any instructions from ATC, be resumed in accordance with subsection (5) unless it is not physically possible to comply strictly with subsection (5), in which case compliance must be as close as is reasonably practicable.
Note An aerodrome operator may request ATC to vary the time limits specified in paragraph 15.03 (5) (b) for restoring normal safety standards or resuming aerodrome works. Any such variation granted by ATC is subject to any instructions ATC may impose.
15.04 Management and control of aerodrome works
(1) An aerodrome operator must appoint a works safety officer with the function of ensuring the safe conduct of aerodrome works.
(2) The aerodrome operator must be satisfied that the person is able to perform the functions of a works safety officer set out in section 13.04.
Note For time-limited works, a dedicated works safety officer is not required if one of the persons carrying out the time-limited works has been trained to perform the function of the works safety officer.
(3) If aerodrome works are being carried out at an aerodrome while the aerodrome is open and available for any aircraft operations, a works safety officer must be present at all times in the vicinity of the works.
(4) Procedures for entering works areas must be stated in the MOWP.
(5) The operator must allow access to works areas only along routes shown in the MOWP or as directed by the works safety officer.
15.05 Runway pavement overlay, reconstruction, resealing or widening works
(1) When a runway is to be returned to an operational status following works at the edge of a pavement overlay, reconstruction or widening works, the area where the new and the old runway surfaces meet must not be left with an abrupt vertical surface of more than 25 mm.
Note This will normally require the provision of a temporary ramp between the new and the old surfaces.
(2) The longitudinal slope of any temporary ramp used for subsection (1), measured with reference to the existing runway surface or previous overlay course, must be:
(a) 0.5 to 1.0% for overlays up to and including 50 mm in thickness; and
(b) not more than 0.5% for overlays more than 50 mm in thickness.
(3) The entire width of the runway must be overlaid during a single works session. However, if this is not possible:
(a) at least the central two-thirds of the width of the runway must be overlaid in the single works session; and
(b) a temporary transverse ramp of between 0.8 and 1.0% must be provided between the edge of the new overlay surface and the existing runway surface or previous overlay course, if the difference in levels exceeds 25 mm.
(4) If it is not possible to achieve the standards described in subsections (2) and (3), different parameters for longitudinal and transverse slopes may be used provided that:
(a) the slopes do not cause a hazard for aircraft; and
(b) details of the slopes, including the reasons why it is not possible for the standard longitudinal and transverse slopes to be provided, are set out in the MOWP.
(5) Before a runway that is being overlaid or undergoing resealing works is returned to a temporary operational status, a runway centreline marking conforming to the specifications in this MOS must be provided.
(6) Despite subsection 9.02 (1), wiring for temporary lighting is permitted above ground level within the manoeuvring area during periods of works provided that:
(a) the wiring is not a hazard to aircraft operations; and
(b) specific details of the proposed wiring are included in the MOWP.
15.06 Works on runway strips
(1) Works on runway strips must be carried out in the shortest possible time to minimise the hazard to aircraft operations.
(2) If works on runway strips are undertaken within 23 m of the edge of the runway then, as far as possible:
(a) the works may only be undertaken on one side of the runway at any time; and
(b) the works area must not at any time exceed:
(i) 9 m2; or
(ii) for excavations only — a width of 100 mm and a total length of 280 m; and
(c) materials and items, for example, gravel, markings and lights left within this part of the runway strip:
(i) must not exceed 1 m in height above ground; and
(ii) must be removed if the material is likely to be affected by propeller wash or jet blast; and
(d) plant and vehicles must vacate the area when the runway is in use.
(3) If works are undertaken on a runway strip between 23 m from the edge of the runway or runway shoulder and the edge of the graded runway strip, the restrictions mentioned in subsection (2) apply as far as possible, except that:
(a) the works area may extend up to an area of 18 m2 at any one time; and
(b) the height of materials may extend up to 2 m.
(4) If it is not possible to achieve the standards described in paragraphs (2) (a) and (2) (b) and subsection (3), different parameters for the extended works or excavation area may be used provided that:
(a) the extended works or excavation area do not cause a hazard for aircraft; and
(b) details of the extended works or excavation area, including the reasons why it is not possible for the standard excavation to be provided, are set out in the MOWP.
Note The other standards for placement of materials and the requirement to vacate plant and vehicles when the runway is in use still apply.
(5) If works are to be undertaken in the vicinity of navigational aids, landing aids or meteorological equipment, vehicles or plant associated with the works must not affect the performance of the aids or equipment.