Obstacle Limitation Surface

January 20 1
 Type of Runway
• Non-instrument runway. A runway intended for the operation of
aircraft using visual approach procedures or an instrument
approach procedure to a point beyond which the approach may
continue in visual meteorological conditions.
• Instrument runway. One of the following types of runways
intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach
procedures:
a) Non-precision approach runway. A runway served by visual aids and
non-visual aid(s) intended for landing operations following an instrument
approach operation type A and a visibility not less than 1000 m.
b) Precision approach runway, category I. A runway served by visual aids
and non-visual aid(s) intended for landing operations following an
instrument approach operation type B with a decision height (DH) not
lower than 60 m (200 ft) and either a visibility not less than 800 m or a
runway visual range not less than 550 m.
c) Precision approach runway, category II. A runway served by visual aids
and non-visual aid(s) intended for landing operations following an
instrument approach operation type B with a decision height (DH) lower
than 60 m (200 ft) but not lower than 30 m (100 ft) and a runway visual
range not less than 300 m.

January 20 2
 Type of Runway
d) Precision approach runway, category III. A runway served
by visual aids and non-visual aid(s) intended for landing
operations following an instrument approach operation
type B to and along the surface of the runway and:

A — intended for operations with a decision height (DH)

lower than 30 m (100 ft), or no decision height and a
runway visual range not less than 175 m.

B — intended for operations with a decision height (DH)

lower than 15 m (50 ft), or no decision height and a runway
visual range less than 175 m but not less than 50 m.

C — intended for operations with no decision height (DH)

and no runway visual range limitations.

January 20 3
 Obstacle limitation requirements

Non-instrument runways
 The following obstacle limitation surfaces shall be established for a non-
instrument runway:
— conical surface;
— inner horizontal surface;
— approach surface; and
— transitional surfaces.

 The heights and slopes of the surfaces shall not be greater than, and their
other dimensions not less than, those specified in Table 4-1.

 New objects or extensions of existing objects shall not be permitted above

an approach or transitional surface except when, in the opinion of the
appropriate authority, the new object or extension would be shielded by an
existing immovable object.

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 Obstacle limitation surfaces

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January 20 6
 Obstacle limitation requirements

January 20 7
Dimension and Slopes of
Obstacle Limitation Surfaces
– Approach Runways

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 Obstacle limitation requirements

Non-precision approach runways

 The following obstacle limitation surfaces shall be established for a non-precision

approach runway:
— conical surface;
— inner horizontal surface;
— approach surface; and
— transitional surfaces.

 The heights and slopes of the surfaces shall not be greater than, and their other
dimensions not less than, those specified in Table 4-1, except in the case of the
horizontal section of the approach surface (see the following standard).

 The approach surface shall be horizontal beyond the point at which the 2.5 per cent
slope intersects:
a) a horizontal plane 150 m above the threshold elevation; or
b) the horizontal plane passing through the top of any object that governs the
obstacle clearance altitude/height (OCA/H);

whichever is the higher.

January 20 9
 Precision approach runway category I

 The following obstacle limitation surfaces shall be established for a

precision approach runway
category I:
— conical surface;
— inner horizontal surface;
— approach surface; and
— transitional surfaces.

Recommendation.— The following obstacle limitation surfaces

should be established for a precision approach runway category I:
— inner approach surface;
— inner transitional surfaces; and
— balked landing surface.

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 Obstacle limitation surfaces

Balklanding (Obstacle free zone critical events)

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 Obstacle limitation surfaces

Inner approach, inner transitional and balked landing obstacle

limitation surfaces
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 Precision approach runway category II and III

 The following obstacle limitation surfaces shall be

established for a precision approach runway category II
or III:
— conical surface;
— inner horizontal surface;
— approach surface and inner approach surface;
— transitional surfaces;
— inner transitional surfaces; and
— balked landing surface.

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 Obstacle limitation requirements

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 Application

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 End

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