CASA 407/98 - Instructions under regulation 235A specifying the minimum runway width for aeroplanes

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2005B01527 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

 

INSTRUMENT NUMBER:  CASA 407/98

 

 

CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1988

CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988

INSTRUCTIONS UNDER REGULATION 235A

 

 

I, MICHAEL ROBERT TOLLER, Director of Aviation Safety:

 

(1) revoke instrument number CASA 99/95;  and

 

(2) under regulation 235A of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, issue the following instructions.

 

 

[Signed M. Toller]

 

 

Mick Toller

Director of Aviation Safety

 

15 December 1998

 

 

 

Instructions under regulation 235A specifying the minimum

runway width for aeroplanes

Interpretation

1.1   For the purposes of these instructions, an aeroplane’s reference field length is:

 (a) in the case of an aeroplane to which section 20.7.1B of the Civil Aviation Orders applies — the balanced field length;  or

 (b) in the case of any other aeroplane — the take-off distance;

that the aeroplane requires for take-off in accordance with paragraph 1.2.

 

1.2   For the purposes of paragraph 1.1, the balanced field length or take-off distance that an aeroplane requires for take-off is the balanced field length or take-off distance that, according to its flight manual, the aeroplane requires:

 (a) on a level runway;  and

 (b) at maximum take-off weight;  and

 (c) in still air;  and

 (d) at sea level;  and

 (e) in standard atmospheric conditions.

1.3   For the purposes of these instructions, an aeroplane’s code number is the number set out in column 1 of Table 1 opposite the range of distances in column 2 of the Table that includes the aeroplane’s reference field length.

 

1.4   For the purposes of these instructions, to work out an aeroplane’s code letter:

 (a) determine its wing span and outer main gear wheel span;  and

 (b) then determine:

 (i) which letter in column 3 of Table 1 is opposite the range of wing spans in column 4 of the Table that includes the aeroplane’s wing span;  and

 (ii) which letter in column 3 of the Table is opposite the range of outer main gear wheel spans in column 5 of the Table that includes the aeroplane’s outer main gear wheel span.

 

1.5   If the same letter is determined under sub-subparagraphs 1.4 (b) (i) and (ii), that letter is the aeroplane’s code letter.

 

1.6   If different letters are determined under sub-subparagraphs 1.4 (b) (i) and (ii), the aeroplane’s code letter is the one that occurs later in the alphabet.

 

 

TABLE 1

 

AERODROME REFERENCE CODE

 

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Code number

Aeroplane reference field length

Code letter

Wing span

Outer main gear wheel span

1

Less than 800 metres

A

Less than 15 metres

Less than 4.5 metres

2

At least 800 metres but less than 1,200 metres

B

At least 15 metres but less than 24 metres

At least 4.5 metres but less than 6 metres

3

At least 1,200 metres but less than 1,800 metres

C

At least 24 metres but less than 36 metres

At least 6 metres but less than 9 metres

4

At least 1,800 metres

D

At least 36 metres but less than 52 metres

At least 9 metres but less than 14 metres

 

 

E

At least 52 metres but less than 65 metres

At least 9 metres but less than 14 metres


Minimum runway width for an aeroplane

2.1   Subject to paragraphs 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1, the minimum runway width for an aeroplane is the distance specified in Table 2 at the intersection of:

 (a) the row in the Table that specifies the aeroplane’s code number;  and

 (b) the column in the Table that specifies its code letter.

 

 

TABLE 2

 

MINIMUM RUNWAY WIDTHS UNDER PARAGRAPH 2.1

 

Code letter

Code number

A

B

C

D

E

1

18 m

18 m

23 m

-

-

2

23 m

23 m

30 m

-

-

3

30 m

30 m

30 m

45 m

-

4

-

-

45 m

45 m

45 m

 

 

Minimum runway width applicable to certain aeroplanes

3.1   Paragraph 3.2 applies to the following aeroplanes:

 (a) an aeroplane for which a narrower runway width than that applicable under clause 2.1 is specified in Table 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 in Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America;

 (b) an aeroplane that:

 (i) has an aeroplane reference field length of less than 1,500 metres;  and

 (ii) for the purpose of taking off or landing — has the crosswind limits specified in its flight manual reduced by 50 per cent.

 

3.2   The minimum runway width for an aeroplane to which this paragraph applies is the distance specified in Table 3 at the intersection of:

 (a) the row in the Table that specifies the aeroplane’s code number;  and

 (b) the column in the Table that specifies its code letter.

 


TABLE 3

 

MINIMUM RUNWAY WIDTHS UNDER PARAGRAPH 3.2

 

Code letter

Code number

A

B

C

D

E

1

15 m

15 m

18 m

-

-

2

18 m

18 m

23 m

-

-

3

23 m

23 m

23 m

30 m

-

4

-

-

30 m

45 m

45 m

 

 

Minimum runway width for aeroplanes with maximum take-off weight not more than 5,700 kilograms

4.1   The minimum runway width for an aeroplane that:

 (a) has a maximum take-off weight of not more than 5,700 kilograms;  and

 (b) is taking off from, or landing at, a place in accordance with paragraph 92 (1) (d) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988;

is 10 metres.

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, as amended through legislative instruments such as CASA 407/98, aim to establish safety standards and operational procedures for civil aviation in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations fill a critical gap by providing detailed and enforceable guidelines that ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly development of civil aviation. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation while facilitating its growth and development. By setting forth comprehensive rules concerning aircraft operations, airworthiness, licensing, and other operational aspects, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 serve to protect the public and ensure the integrity of the national airspace system. CASA 407/98 specifically addresses the minimum runway widths required for different types of aeroplanes based on their performance characteristics and operational requirements, further underscoring the regulatory commitment to safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, as amended by the instrument CASA 407/98, sets out specific instructions concerning the minimum runway width required for aeroplanes, issued under regulation 235A by the Director of Aviation Safety. These instructions apply to all aeroplanes operating in Australia, with specific considerations for aeroplanes that have a maximum take-off weight of 5,700 kilograms or less, and those aeroplanes with a reduced crosswind limit for take-off or landing as specified in their flight manual. The regulations define key terms such as 'reference field length' and 'code number' to determine the appropriate runway width based on the aeroplane’s characteristics. The minimum runway width is determined by referencing tables that cross-reference the aeroplane’s code number and code letter, derived from its wingspan and outer main gear wheel span. This legislation ensures that adequate runway widths are specified to accommodate the operational requirements and safety standards of aeroplanes within the Australian aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislative instrument (CASA 407/98) include the revocation of a previous instrument (CASA 99/95) and the issuance of new instructions under regulation 235A of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These new instructions specify the minimum runway width for aeroplanes based on their reference field length, code number, and code letter. The reference field length is determined by the aeroplane's flight manual and is measured under specific conditions such as level runway, maximum take-off weight, still air, sea level, and standard atmospheric conditions (sections 1.1 and 1.2). The code number and code letter are derived from tables provided in the instrument, which correlate wingspan and outer main gear wheel span to specific codes (sections 1.3 to 1.6). The minimum runway width is then determined by intersecting the aeroplane's code number with its code letter in the specified tables (sections 2.1 and 2.2). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. Firstly, operators and owners of aeroplanes must ensure their aircraft comply with the specified minimum runway widths as per their aeroplane's reference field length, code number, and code letter. This involves accurately determining these parameters and ensuring that the runway dimensions meet or exceed the required widths. Secondly, operators must also comply with additional specifications outlined in the Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America if their aeroplanes fall under the categories specified in paragraph 3.1 (section 3.1). Finally, aeroplanes with a maximum take-off weight of not more than 5,700 kilograms taking off from or landing at specific locations must adhere to a minimum runway width of 10 metres (section 4.1). Breach of these requirements can result in various consequences, including civil and criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, general civil aviation legislation often includes fines and potential grounding of non-compliant aircraft. Non-compliance could also result in operational restrictions or the revocation of operational permits. In more severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against individuals or entities responsible for the non-compliance, leading to further penalties such as imprisonment. The exact penalties would be determined based on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as applicable aviation laws and regulations.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Administrative Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Regulatory Standards
Enforcement Powers

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.