AMSCR issuance, reissue & validity

Aircraft Movement Surface Condition Report (AMSCR): warns of natural surface contaminants (snow, ice, slush) that could affect braking (TC AIM AIR 1.6.5).

AMSCR issued while contaminants are on the movement area (TC AIM AIR 1.6.5):

• At commencement of published AMSCR hours
• Minimum once every 8 hours after that
• Significant change in a runway surface condition (table below)
• After every accident or incident where winter conditions may have been a factor
• Whenever cleared runway width falls below full width

Six significant changes after an RSC/CRFI report is issued (TC AIM AIR 1.6.5(a)-(f)):

CRFI not automatic (decelerometer readings can be inaccurate on some surfaces). Taken and provided to ATS or pilots only for (TC AIM AIR 1.6.5):

• Ice
• Wet ice (thin film of water on ice)
• Compacted snow
• Slush on ice
• Dry snow not exceeding 2.5 cm (1 in.) deep
• De-icing chemical solution or sand on ice
• Frost

No CRFI in summer or when raining: not year-round, not on a wet runway (TC AIM AIR 1.6.6).

RSC and CRFI pairing (one way only):

• RSC required for every CRFI provided
• Not every RSC has CRFI: only the seven conditions above

Supersession and validity:

• New RSC NOTAM supersedes previous one for that aerodrome.
• Valid 8 or 24 hours, based on most recent RSC or CRFI observation, then removed from database.
• Cancelled early if reporting requirements no longer met, or issued in error.

Dissemination: not filtered for good news. Dry or wet disseminated if reported.

Full RSC/CRFI picture (beyond NOTAM text), by voice advisory:

Trap: dry snow gets CRFI only up to 2.5 cm (1 in.); deeper gets RSC, no CRFI. Absence of an RSC NOTAM does not mean acceptable conditions.

Practice