AIRPORT OBSTRUCTIONS

Zoning Laws:
- Zoning ordinances regarding the
permissible height of structures and
the land use within the airport
boundary need implementation as
soon as the site is selected for airport
development.
- Use of land for manufacture of
certain items which may result in
smoke nuisance, foul odour etc. is
also controlled by zoning laws
Classification of Obstructions:
- Objects protruding above certain
imaginary surfaces
- Objects exceeding their limiting
heights above the ground surface in
approach zones and turning zones.
Imaginary surfaces:
- Take-off climb surface
- Approach Surface
- Inner Horizontal Surface
- Conical Surface
- Transitional Surface
- Outer Horizontal surface
Take-off climb surface: Comprises of the
following
(a) - An Inner edge, horizontal &
perpendicular to the centre line of
runway & located either at a specified
distance beyond the end of the
runway or at the end of the clearway
when such is provided.
- Its length equals the specified
distance depending upon the type of
aerodrome under consideration.
- The elevation of the inner edge
shall be that of the highest point on
the extended runway centre line
between the end of the runway and
the inner edge except that when a
clearway is provided, the elevation
shall be equal to the highest point on
the ground on the centre line of
runway.
(b) Two sides originating from the ends of the
inner edge, diverging uniformly at a
specified final width. It continues
thereafter at that width for the remainder
of the length of the take-off climb surface.
The surface extends at a specified slope
upwards and outwards which for straight
take-off flight path shall be measured in
vertical plane containing the centre line of
runway.
(c) An outer edge horizontal & perpendicular
to the specified take-off track.
(ii) Approach Surface:
shall be established from the smaller
end of runway strip for each runway
direction intended to be used for the
landing of aero planes. It comprises
of
(a) An inner edge of specified length,
horizontal & perpendicular to the
extended centre line of the runway
and located at a specified distance
before the threshold. An elevation of
the inner edge shall be equal to that
of the mid-point of the threshold.
(b) Two sides originating at the ends of
the inner edge & diverging uniformly
at a specified rate from the extended
centre line of the runway. The surface
extends upwards and outwards at a
specified slope which shall be
measured in the vertical plane
containing the centre line of the
runway.
(c) An outer edge which is parallel to the
inner edge.
(iii) Inner Horizontal surface (IHS): It is
the surface located in a horizontal
plane above an aerodrome and its
surroundings.
The shape of the IHS need not
necessarily be circular. The radius or
outer limits of IHS shall be measured
from airport reference point (ARP) or
points established for such purposes.
Where the runway length is 600 m or
more but less than 750 m, the IHS
shall be a circular surface with radius
of 4000m from ARP.
- Where the runway length is less than
1500m, the IHS shall extend to a
horizontal distance of 3900m from ARP.
- Where the runway length is 1500m or
more, the IHS shall be a composite pattern
which consists of two circular arcs
centered at the two runway ends with a
radius of 4000m from ARP.
- Where the runway length is 5000m or
more, the IHS shall be a composite pattern
which consists of two circular arcs
centered at the two runway ends with a
radius of 4000m from ARP. These arcs
shall be joined tangentially to form an
elliptical shape.
(iv) Conical Surface:
It extends upwards & outwards from the
periphery of the IHS. The limits of
Conical Surface shall comprise
(a) A lower edge coincident with the
periphery of the IHS
(b) an upper edge located at a specified
height above the IHS. The shape of
the conical surface shall be measured
in a vertical plane perpendicular to
the periphery of the IHS.
(iv) Transitional Surface:
Complex surface along the side of the
strip & part of the side of approach surface
that slopes upwards & outwards of the
IHS. This is intended to serve as the
controlling obstacle limitation surface for
bld.s etc. The limits shall comprise:
(a) A lower edge beginning at the intersection
of then side of approach surface with the
IHS & extending down the side of
approach surface to the inner edge of the
approach surface & from there it extends
along the length of the strip parallel to the
runway centre line.
(b) An upper edge located in the plane
of the IHS.
The slope of the transitional surface
is measured in a vertical plane at
right angles to the center line of the
runway. The slope shall be 14.3%
(1in 7) where length of runway is
900 m & above. For runways less
than 900m, the slope shall be 20%
(1:5)
(VI) OUTER HORIZONTAL SURFACE (OHS)
- Circular in plan with center located at
ARP (Airport Reference Point)
- Not proposed for aerodromes with
runways of length less than 900 m.
- Longest Runway > 900m but < 1500 m,
the OHS shall extend to 9900m from ARP.
- For airports, where the length of longest
runway is 1500m or more, the OHS shall
extend to 15,000m from ARP.
- Height of OHS is 150 m above the ARP
elevation. Constructions protruding above
this surface shall not be permitted.
Highway & Railway Clearances
Roads & Railways are not objectionable
in clear zones provided they comply
with the clearance standards.
Objects exceeding their Limiting Heights
above Ground : Approach areas of
runways equipped with IL facilities
(i) Within 4.5 Km distance from the runway
end, any object shall be considered as an
obstruction if its height is more than 30 m
above the level approach end of runway
whichever is higher.
(ii) Any object which is located beyond a
distance of 4.5 Km from the runway end,
shall be considered as an obstruction if its
height above 30 m increases by more than
7.5 m for each additional 1.5 Km distance
from the runway or if it exceeds 75 m
within 15 Km distance from the runway
end.
(iii) Any object which protrudes above
the minimum approach flight altitude
or whose height exceeds 150 m
above the ground is also to be
considered as an obstruction.
Turning Zone:
 In turning zone, the aircraft operates at a
considerably low height, it has to be ascertained
that this area is also free from obstructions.

(i) Any object located within a distance of 4.5 Km

from the runway reference point shall be
considered as an obstruction, if its height is more
than 51 m above the established airport elevation
or above the ground whichever is higher.

(ii) Any object which is located beyond a distance of

4.5 Km from the runway reference point shall be
considered as obstruction if its height above 51 m
increased by more than 30 m for each additional
1.5 Km distance from airport reference point or if
it exceeds 150 m within a distance of 15 Km from
the runway reference point.
Thank You