Airport OGRE

What is it?

ICAO categorisation defines airports under category A, B or C depending on certain specific criteria.

An airfield is categorised A, B or C according to the following criteria:

• Category A:
  • Approved instrument approach procedure
  • At least 1 runway with no performance limited procedure for take-off and/or landing
  • Published circling minina not higher than 1000ft
  • Night operations capability
• Category B:
  • Non-standard approach aids and/or patterns
  • Unusual local weather conditions
  • Unusual characteristics or performance limitations
  • Any other relevant consideration including obstructions, physical layout, lighting etc
• Category C: Additional considerations which pose certain problems for the approach and/or take-off and/or landing.

Why does it matter?

To operate to a category B airport generally requires the commander to have briefed/ self-briefed on the airfield prior to operating in order to ensure familiarisation with the increased risks.

A category C airport generally requires training (FSS) or a prior visit as well as briefing. Operations into a category C airport require a full risk assessment by fleet management, and approvals. The airport may also specify its own training requirements prior to allowing operators to head in.

Some examples of Cat C airports in Europe include:

• EGLC/London City Steep approach and short runway
• LFLB/Chambrey Mountainous terrain and performance
• ENTC/Tromso Mountainous terrain and visual approach, winter conditions
• LSGS/Sion Valley airport and local weather phenomenon
• LIRQ/Florence Short runway, common tailwinds, close in high terrain (at end of runway)

How the Airport OGRE identifies category

The Airport OGRE includes these specific criteria within the hazard checklist and will automatically provide a category based on these. However, it is ONLY based on these and does not take into consideration other specific risks, or type/training/operator specific factors which may require consideration.

It therefore cannot be used as an official risk assessment method, but can help supplement the overall process and provide some awareness to crew on first study as to what category it may fall under.

By working through the hazard checklist, the user will identify certain factors they may want to review further ie local weather conditions and in doing so, can increase their own familiarity and threat awareness.