1

AIS-AIMSG/3-SN/3
/ AIS-AIMSG/3-SN/3
8/11/10

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES-AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STUDY GROUP (AIS-AIMSG)

THIRD MEETING

Montréal, 9 to 12 November 2010

Agenda Item / 4.2: / Possible development of PANS-AIM

PROPOSED PANS-AIM

(Presented by the Secretary)

SUMMARY
This paper outlines a proposal to develop a new document, PANS-AIM, which would span the gap between the guidance contained in Doc 8126 and the SARPs embodied in Annex 11.

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1There are currently two ICAO documents where AIS and AIM can be addressed in terms of standards, practices, and procedures; Annex 15 and the AIS Manual, Doc 8126.

1.2The Chicago Convention requires ICAO to adopt international Standards and Recommended Practices which are published in Annexes to the Convention. The uniform application by States of Standards is recognized as being necessary for the safety or regularity of international air navigation, while the uniform application of Recommended Practices is also regarded as being desirable for safety, regularity or efficiency.There are eighteen Annexes to the Convention.

1.3The AIS Manual is a technical manual of a type intended to provide guidance and information in amplification of the provisions of Annexes and PANS and are intended to facilitate uniform application of these documents. While the uniform application of guidance documents may be desirable, they offer no specific mechanism to help ensure implementation and States are not required to inform ICAO or users of the degree to which they may be using the guidance.

1.4Currently the bulk of information available concerning the format, use, and application of the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), NOTAM/SNOWTAM/ASHTAM, Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC), and Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) is contained in the Aeronautical Information Services Manual, Doc 8126.

1.5While many of the specifications in Doc 8126 are to detailed to be incorporated into Annex 15, it has been observed that the promulgation in a guidance document may not be conducive to reaching a higher level of harmonization.

1.6Specifications published as Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) may provide a means to provide for increased harmonisation within the domain of AIS/AIM as well as provide a vehicle for the emerging technical requirements of AIM.

2.Characteristics of PANS

2.1Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) for the most partcomprise material:

a)which may eventually become Standards when it has achieved the maturity and stability necessary for adoption as such;

b)considered too detailed for SARPs; and

c)amplifying the basic principles contained in corresponding SARPs to assist in their application.

2.2PANS must be suitable for application on a worldwide basis, although the need to apply them in a particular area may be subject to regional agreement.

2.3The PANS do not carry the status of the Standards and therefore do not come within the obligation imposed by Article38 of the Convention concerning the notification to ICAO of differences in the event of nonimplementation. However, in accordance with the provisions of Annex15, States are expected to publish in their AIPs uptodate lists of significant differences between their procedures and the related PANS.

3.Application to AIM

3.1Since PANS primarily consist of material related to the standardization of how something is to be done, material such as product specifications, standard procedures, and protocols are ideal material for promulgation as PANS.

3.2With the foregoing in mind it is considered that a future PANS-AIM could be assembled from:

1)Appendix 1 of Annex 15 concerning the formatting of an AIP;

2)Appendices 2, 3, 5, and 6 of Annex 15 and material from Doc 8126 concerning NOTAM, SNOWTAM, and ASHTAM; and

3)Material from Doc 8126 concerning AIC and AIRAC where it is desirable to elevate the material to a status beyond guidance.

3.3Additionally, PANS-AIM would provide a vehicle for expanded and/or new specifications for eTOD and data exchange where it was found desirable to have a level of standardisation but the material was to detailed or not appropriate for inclusion in annex 15 as a SARP.

4.ACTION by the GROUP

4.1The AIS-AIMSG is invited to consider and discuss the merits of developing a PANSAIM and make known to the Secretariat:

a)their opinion as to the need for a PANS-AIM; and

b)whether the group is will to support the development of a PANS-AIM.

— END —