Canadian Aircraft Movement Surface Condition Reporting (AMSCR) Global Reporting Format (GRF) AMSCR-GRF Course

Training Requirement

As per the 15th May 2020 amendments to the Aeronautics Act, all airport staff inspecting and reporting aircraft movement surface conditions for the purposes of transmitting Aircraft Movement Surface conditions Reports (AMSCR) for the issuance of ‘RSC Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) must be trained and certified to do so.

This requirement applies to all classes of airport in Canada operating under a certificate ‘Document’ issued by Transport Canada. RIs providing similar services at all other aerodromes are expected to meet the same standards and hold the same certification.

Training Description

Because there are differences in the condition reporting requirements across the spectrum of airports and aerodromes, three courses have been developed to address the entire airport and aerodrome operator spectrum, as differentiated by regulatory requirements and regulator-advised (Advisory Circular [AC]) requirements.

TTS AMSCR Course Suite

The AMSCR-GRF course is intended for airports and aerodromes reporting runway conditions by runway third, issuing runway condition codes (RWYCCs) and reporting runway coefficient of friction by runway thirds or for the overall length (CRFI).

The AMSCR-CRFI course is intended for airports and aerodromes reporting runway conditions for the overall length, not issuing runway condition codes and reporting runway coefficient of friction by runway thirds or for the overall length (CRFI).

The AMSCR-CRO course is intended for airports and aerodromes reporting runway conditions for the overall length, not issuing runway condition codes and not reporting runway coefficient of friction.

 Airport or Aerodrome Operational Requirement  AMSCR-GRF  AMSCR-CRFI  AMSCR-CRO
 Cond. Reporting by RWY Thirds + Issuing RWYCCs ✅ ❌ ❌
 Cond. Reporting by RWY Full Length ✅ ✅ ✅
 Friction Measurement and Reporting by Runway Thirds ✅ ✅ ❌
 Friction Measurement and Reporting for RWY Full Length ✅ ✅ ❌
 Cond. Reporting for Taxiways and Aprons ✅ ✅ ✅

The suite of AMSCR courses provides training and certification based on safe and best practice, the requirements of the Aeronautics Act and current Advisory Circulars (ACs) including AC 300-019. The courses have been designed and produced over twenty months to provide experienced and novice course participants alike the opportunity to gain and demonstrate the knowledge they need to competently assess and report aircraft movement surface (AMS) conditions and to demonstrate their competence, both in the field and through federal government required certification.

Course Scope

The courses are comprehensive and cover all of the subjects addressed in the pre-GRF era WAMSCR course, plus the year-round inspection and reporting requirements for certified airports of all sizes. This training course also fulfills the requirements of non-certified aerodromes wishing to provide the same condition reporting services.

Course subjects include:

Computer-Based Training (CBT) Format and Onsite Practical

Background

The Canadian version of GRF is very complex compared with pre-GRF aircraft movement surface condition reporting protocols. There are different requirements for different runway configurations, and Canadian GRF overlays the FAA TALPA/ARC reporting protocols on current Canadian pre-GRF reporting requirements. Canadian GRF rules are unique and differ significantly from those of other jurisdictions.

Knowledge Training Format - Computer Based Training (CBT)

Because the new GRF subject matter is significantly more complex than the pre-GRF Canadian reporting protocols, training in the new GRF protocols is more easily accommodated in CBT learning format.

For all AMSCR courses, course participants can work through the multiple modules at their own pace, measure their progress with Progression Tests for each module and take breaks when they need to. A comprehensive Course Companion Handout provides the foundational reference material and opportunities to take notes.

The course contains abundant ‘scenario’ material responding to most of the common ‘what if’ questions not addressed in the regulatory or advisory material and passing the Final Knowledge Test ensures that the CP is well armed to tackle the challenges of ‘real-world reporting in ‘snow-fighting’ conditions.

Practical Test

For the AMSCR-GRF and AMSCR-CRFI courses, in addition to the CBT knowledge portion of the course there will be a requirement for review and testing of practical skills associated with operational friction testing.

Completing the practical ‘Field Test’ (in-vehicle field work) is required for certification. After adequate time to confirm familiarity with airport equipment such as the inspection vehicle and decelerometer, the practical test will be administered in accordance with procedures and a checklist provided by TTS.

Certification

Once all steps are successfully completed a Certificate of Qualification will be issued attesting to course completion and stating compliance with Aeronautics Act requirements.

Mentoring

During the training period the CP can receive mentoring from knowledgeable and experienced staff at the airport and will be able to access frequent live, online mentoring sessions provided by TTS and hosted by IAAE-Canada. For more information about the Mentoring sessions please contact IAAE-Canada.

Annual Recertification

The Aeronautics Act and related Advisory Circular describe the requirement for annual confirmation of knowledge. For this purpose the TTS AMSCR suite of courses includes ‘Recertification’ versions of each of the three foundational courses. Recertification courses omit much of the background material but include all of the knowledge requirements of the full courses. They are therefore shorter and omit practical testing.

TTS AMSCR Certification and Re-Certification schedule is as follows:

 Requirement for continuance of AMSCR-GRF Certification
 Year One Complete full AMSCR course  
 Year Two Complete AMSCR Recert course
 Year Three Complete AMSCR Recert course
 Year Four Complete full AMSCR course (three-year cycle repeats)

For detailed course descriptions, re-certification prerequisites, course fees and other administrative details please see the IAAE-Canada website. If additional information is required, please contact us at TTS.

Airport/Aerodrome Support

A detailed Administration Guide is available for managers and training coordinators that describes how the course participant progresses through the learning and testing material and the support roles played by airport staff, TTS and IAAE-Canada.

Those wishing to take one of the AMSCR courses can register on the IAAE-Canada website at:

www.iaaecanada.org/article/online-courses-1623.asp

T. Townshend I.Eng

28th October 2022