AIM

8/15/19

4

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3

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14

Airport Operations

deteriorating braking conditions and should request
current runway condition information if not issued by
controllers. Pilots should also be prepared to provide
a descriptive runway condition report to controllers
after landing.

4

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3

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9. Runway Condition Reports

a.

Aircraft braking coefficient is dependent upon

the surface friction between the tires on the aircraft
wheels and the pavement surface. Less friction means
less aircraft braking coefficient and less aircraft
braking response.

b.

Runway condition code (RwyCC) values range

from 1 (poor) to 6 (dry). For frozen contaminants on
runway surfaces, a runway condition code reading of
4 indicates the level when braking deceleration or
directional control is between good and medium.

NOTE

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A RwyCC of “0” is used to delineate a braking action
report of NIL and is prohibited from being reported in a
FICON NOTAM.

c.

Airport management should conduct runway

condition assessments on wet runways or runways
covered with compacted snow and/or ice.

1.

Numerical readings may be obtained by using

the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM).
The RCAM provides the airport operator with data to
complete the report that includes the following:

(a)

Runway(s) in use

(b)

Time of the assessment

(c)

Runway condition codes for each zone

(touchdown, mid

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point, roll

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out)

(d)

Pilot

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reported braking action report (if

available)

(e)

The contaminant (for example, wet snow,

dry snow, slush, ice, etc.)

2.

Assessments for each zone (see 4

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3

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9c1(c))

will be issued in the direction of takeoff and landing
on the runway, ranging from “1” to “6” to describe
contaminated surfaces.

NOTE

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A RwyCC of “0” is used to delineate a braking action
report of NIL and is prohibited from being reported in a
FICON NOTAM.

3.

When any 1 or more runway condition codes

are reported as less than 6, airport management must
notify ATC for dissemination to pilots.

4.

Controllers will not issue runway condition

codes when all 3 segments of a runway are reporting
values of 6.

d.

When runway condition code reports are

provided by airport management, the ATC facility
providing approach control or local airport advisory
must provide the report to all pilots.

e.

Pilots should use runway condition code

information with other knowledge including aircraft
performance characteristics, type, and weight,
previous experience, wind conditions, and aircraft
tire type (such as bias ply vs. radial constructed) to
determine runway suitability.

f.

The Runway Condition Assessment Matrix

identifies the descriptive terms “good,” “good to
medium,” “medium,” “medium to poor,” “poor,” and
“nil” used in braking action reports.

REFERENCE

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Advisory Circular AC 91

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79A (Revision 1), Mitigating the Risks of a

Runway Overrun Upon Landing, Appendix 1