Airport Obstructions

General
The airport obstructions which are to be considered for the safe air
navigation broadly divided in the following two categories.

• Imaginary surfaces

• Objects with actual heights

 Imaginary surfaces
The imaginary surfaces are the established surfaces in relation to the
airport and to each runway above which no obstruction should project.
The size of the imaginary surfaces will depend on the category of each
runway and on the type of approach planned for that runway.
Following are the five types of the imaginary surfaces:
• Approach surface
• Take-off climb surface
• Conical surface
• Transitional surface
• Horizontal surface
Approach Surface

It is trapezoidal in shape. It is
longitudinally centered on the
extended centre-line of the
runway. It has upgrade from its
beginning near that extremity
of the runway which is on the
landing side. Its sides diverge
as they extend away from the
extremity of the runway. It is
applied to each end of the
runway.
Conical Surface

It extends upwards and

outwards from the outer
circular edge of the horizontal
surface to a point which is at
some height above the
horizontal surface. The conical
surface is circular in shape with
its side slope in upgrade
direction.
Horizontal surface

It extends from the upper edge

of the transitional surface to
the inner or lower circular
edge of the conical surface.
Take-off Climb Surface

This type of surface is

trapezoidal in shape. It has
upgrade from its beginning
near that extremity of runway
which is on the take-off side.
Its sides diverge as they extend
away from the extremity of
runway.
Transitional Surface

It is trapezoidal in shape. It has

side slope or inclination. It
extends along the landing strip
and up to part of the approach
surface. It slopes upward and
outwards to inner horizontal
surface (IHS).
Half perspective of imaginary surfaces
 Objects with actual heights
Any object which
exceeds certain
limiting height
above the ground is
considered as an
obstruction to the
air navigation
unless it is not
considered
objectionable by
special aeronautical
studies.
 Turning zone
It is the area of airport other than the approach area and it is intended
for turning operations of the aircraft in case of emergencies like failure
of engine or trouble in smooth working of aircraft experienced at the
start of the take-off.
In such cases, the pilot takes turn and comes in line with the runway
before landing.