**Executive Summary**
This document outlines proposed amendments to CAR Section 3 Series C Part IX - Annexure 4, concerning the requirements for site selection, specification, and operations of water aerodromes. The amendment primarily addresses revisions to the orientation and dimensions for water runways and landing areas. These changes aim to enhance the safety and operational efficiency of seaplane operations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Water Runway Orientation and Number**
* Existing provision states water runway orientation should minimize crosswind and avoid downwind operations.
* Amended provision: The number and orientation of water runways must ensure that at least one runway allows seaplane landing or take-off at least 95% of the time, considering surface wind velocity.
* Both provisions state that landing and take-off areas should be oriented to permit operations into wind.
* Both provisions state designated marine areas/fishing grounds shall not be used for water aerodromes or floating platforms.
* Both provisions state water runway must be free of obstructions and located in safe, protected waters.
* **Water Runway and Strip Requirements**
* Both provisions state the water runway should be rectangular and encompass the water surface for seaplane operation.
* **Water Aerodrome Dimensions**
* The amended provision states that the length of the water runway must meet the operational requirements of the critical seaplane.
* The dimension of the landing area shall not be less than the longest length determined by applying the corrections for local conditions to the operations and performance characteristics of the relevant seaplanes.
* Existing provision: the dimension of the landing area (runway) shall be a minimum of 800m x 60m, the dimension of landing area (WA) including strip shall not be less than 920m X 120m; and the depth of the water in the take-off and landing area (WA) shall not be less than 1.8m unless the airport is restricted to aircraft requiring less than 1.8m.
* The amended provision states that the width of the water runway must not be less than 60 m.
* A protective strip must extend 30 m from each side and 60 m from each end of the water runway.
* The depth of the water should be at least 1.8m or 0.3m below the hull of a stationary and loaded seaplane at low water level.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Water Aerodrome Operators and Designers**
* **Impact:** Water aerodrome operators and designers are impacted to ensure the dimensions and the amount of water runways comply with the amended provisions to guarantee safe seaplane operations in diverse wind conditions.
* **Action Required:** Adapt site selection and design processes to meet the new criteria for runway orientation, dimensions, and water depth.
**Stakeholder: Seaplane Operators**
* **Impact:** Seaplane operators are impacted by the changes on runway dimensions, which affect operational safety and performance.
* **Action Required:** Understand the updated runway specifications to ensure compliance with aircraft performance requirements.
**Stakeholder: Regulatory Authorities**
* **Impact:** Regulatory authorities are impacted by the need to enforce the amended regulations for water aerodrome licensing and oversight.
* **Action Required:** Update inspection and certification processes to reflect the changes in runway requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
CAR Section 3 Series C Part IX - Annexure 4: Relates to the requirement for site selection, specification, and operations of water aerodromes. This document proposes amendments to specific paragraphs (1.2 and 3.2) within this section.
Water Aerodrome: A defined area of water intended for use by seaplanes, including its site selection, specifications, and operations.
Amendment to CAR Section 3 Series C Part IX - Annexure 4: Requirement for
Site Selection, Specification and Operations of Water Aerodrome
Amendment is proposed in Para 1.2 and 3.2 of the Annexure-4 of CAR Section 3
Series C Part IX per draft given below.
1. Existing Provisions in CAR Amended Provisions in CAR
Requireme Section 3 Series C Part IX Section 3 Series C Part IX
nts For Site (Annexure-4) (Annexure-4)
Selection
1.2 Orientation of the water 1.2 The number of water runways at
runway shall be such that a water aerodrome and their
cross wind operations are orientation shall be such that, for a
kept to a minimum and large percentage of time but for not
downwind operations shall less than 95 percent there is at least
be avoided. In other words one water runway for which the
the landing and take-off surface wind velocity component at
areas should be oriented to right angles to its longitudinal axis
permit operations into wind. will not preclude the landing or
Nature Reserved taking off of seaplane that the water
designated marine areas aerodrome is intended to serve. In
and Fishing Grounds shall other words, the landing and take-
not be used for water off areas should be oriented to
aerodromes or to install permit operations into wind. Nature
floating platforms. The Reserved designated marine areas
water runway shall be free and Fishing Grounds shall not be
from large obstructing coral used for water aerodromes or to
rubbles to a definite depth install floating platforms. The water
and located inside runway shall be free from large
protected waters which are obstructing coral rubbles to a
safe to use during definite depth and located inside
landing/take-off by a protected waters which are safe to
definite aircraft. use during landing/take-off by a
definite aircraft.
3.2 Water 3.2.1 The landing area 3.2.1 The water runway should be
Runway (WA) should be rectangular rectangular in shape, and should
and in shape, and should encompass all parts of the water
Runway encompass all parts of the surface intended for the taking off
strip water surface intended for and landing of seaplanes.
requiremen the taking off and landing of
ts seaplanes.
3.2.2: The following water 3.2.2 The following water
aerodrome dimensions aerodrome dimensions shall be
shall be available for the available:
landing area (WA):
a) The length of the water runway to
be provided shall be adequate toa) The dimension of the meet the operational requirements
landing area (WA) of the critical seaplane for which the
(Runway) shall be a landing area is intended and shall
minimum 800m X 60m. be not less than the longest length
determined by applying the
b) The dimension of landing corrections for local conditions to
area (WA) including strip the operations and performance
shall not be less than 920m characteristics of the relevant
X 120m; and seaplanes.
b) The width of the water runway
shall be not less than 60 m.
c) The depth of the water in
the take-off and landing c) A protective area (strip) shall
area (WA) shall not be less extend on each side from the edge
than 1.8m unless the airport of the water runway to a distance of
is restricted to aircraft not less than 30 m and on each end
requiring less than 1.8m in of the water runway to a distance of
which case the depth of the 60 m.
water shall be based on the d) The depth of the water measured
requirements of aircraft at low water level in the water
type. runway shall not be less than 1.8m
(6 ft.) or less than 0.3 m below the
hull or floats when the seaplane is
stationary and loaded to maximum
take-off weight.