Runway surface condition reporting has long been an area where inconsistency created risk. Different airports, airlines, and air traffic management systems used different assessment methods and terminology, which meant that the information pilots received about runway conditions was not always reliable, comparable, or easy to act on. The ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF) was developed to address exactly that problem.
The GRF introduced a standardized, globally consistent approach to assessing and reporting runway surface conditions, replacing a patchwork of national and regional systems with a single framework that all aviation stakeholders can understand and apply in the same way. For airports, that means both a compliance requirement and an opportunity to strengthen the quality and reliability of the safety-critical information they provide.
What the GRF Requires
At the center of the GRF is the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM), which provides a standardized method for assessing runway surface conditions and translating those assessments into Runway Condition Codes (RCC). These codes give pilots and flight operations teams a consistent basis for assessing braking action and making informed decisions about takeoff and landing performance.
Airport personnel responsible for airfield inspections need to understand how to conduct runway condition assessments correctly, when those assessments should occur, how to apply the RCAM accurately, and how to complete and communicate the Runway Condition Report. Getting this right has direct implications for flight safety, and errors in reporting can have serious consequences.
About the ACI/ICAO Global Reporting Format Course
The ACI/ICAO Global Reporting Format for Airport Operators online course is designed to help airport personnel meet the ICAO requirements for runway surface condition assessment and reporting. On completion, participants will have the practical skills to use the RCAM to assess and report on runway surface conditions effectively and in line with international standards.
The course covers the following topics:
- Background to the ICAO Global Reporting Format and why it was introduced
- The Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) and how to apply it
- Adjusted Runway Condition Codes and what they communicate
- When to conduct a runway condition assessment
- How to conduct a runway condition assessment correctly
- The Runway Condition Worksheet and how to complete it
- Example scenarios to reinforce understanding and application
Who Needs This Training
This course is particularly relevant for airfield operations staff who conduct runway inspections, airport operations managers responsible for overseeing safety reporting, and any personnel involved in the preparation or communication of runway condition reports. It is also valuable for broader operations teams who want to understand the GRF framework and its implications for day-to-day airfield management.
ACI has developed a GRF transition checklist to support airports in their preparation. For airports that have already implemented the GRF, this course provides a structured way to ensure that the staff conducting assessments have a rigorous and consistent understanding of the requirements.
Accurate runway condition reporting is one of the foundations of safe airport operations. The ICAO GRF ensures that the information flowing from airports to flight crews is consistent, reliable, and actionable. Training your team to apply it correctly is an investment in both compliance and safety outcomes.
Explore the ACI/ICAO Global Reporting Format course and the full Klayo catalogue of ACI-accredited operations and safety programs.