New Obstacle Limitation Surfaces: Obstacle Free Surfaces and Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces

This course provides an overview of the upcoming changes of the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) specified in ICAO Annex 14 Vol. I (Aerodromes).

The ICAO Annex 14 Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) have origins in the 1950s and were established to ensure the safety of aeroplane operations. History shows that the OLS become penetrated by new obstacles world-wide, and it becomes more difficult to protect the surfaces against new obstructions. The reasons are manifold and include unclear objectives of the OLS, inconsistencies between ICAO Annex 14, Annex 6, and PANS OPS requirements as well as unclear adequacy between the obstacle requirements of the surfaces and the complex impact of obstacles on the operations. 

To address the deficiencies of the current OLS, the ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF) proposes to replace current OLS by a new twofold concept of Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) and Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES). Furthermore, a new code systematic, the aeroplane design groups (ADG), for the design of the OFS and OES is foreseen. 

The objective of this training course is to provide an introduction of the new concept and new surfaces. The new ADG as well as the OFS and OES are presented. The surface dimensions as well as obstacle limitation requirements are discussed.  

The course is designed for all persons involved in this complex subject, including aerodrome, Civil Aviation Authority personnel, or project developers. 

Please note: This course can also be booked as an in-house version in German - however, the course material is only available in English. 

Course Details

Location:Virtual
Language:English
Date:03.04. - 04.04.2025
Duration:2 days
Provider:airsight GmbH

Course Fee

The course fee includes the registration, training material and examination. For non-virtual courses, coffee breaks and business lunch are also included.

1.300,00 EUR
excl. VAT
1.170,00 EUR
incl. VAT
1.392,30 EUR

For virtual training courses:

19% VAT will be charged for German customers, private customers and EU customers without valid EU VAT identification number. Eligible customers may be charged 0% VAT. For further information please visit: About Taxes.

The final price will be shown on your invoice.

Please note: If you want to register several particpants from your company but need a single invoice for each, please register each of them seperately. 

Course Content

Background 

  • ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF) 
  • The new concept 
  • New Aeroplane Design Groups (ADG) 

Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) 

  • Approach Surface 
  • Transitional Surface 
  • Inner Approach, Inner Transitional and Balked Landing Surfaces 
  • Take-off Climb Surface 

Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES) 

  • Horizontal Surface 
  • Surface for Straight-in Instrument Approaches 
  • Surface for Precision Approaches 
  • Instrument Departure Surface 
  • Specific Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces 

Trainer

Dipl.-Ing. Malte Karger

Malte is responsible for flight procedure design and obstacle assessments of airsight’s consulting division. He is also a renowned and appreciated trainer, sharing his knowledge and practical experience with other industry experts in airsight’s scheduled as well as customised in-house training courses in countries such as Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Turkey.

As an advisor of ICAO’s Instrument Flight Procedure Panel (IFPP) in the capacity of a field expert, Malte participates in the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF).

Malte acquired extensive experience on international projects dealing with obstacle assessments and aeronautical studies for clients such as Berlin, Dubai, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Malta, Nuremburg, Stuttgart and Warsaw Airports as well as for several smaller airfields. Furthermore, he conducted numerous flight procedure design projects (conventional and RNAV/PBN)  for Airports, for Airlines (e.g. Air Austral, Air Transat) as well as for Air Navigation Service Providers such as MATS (Malta Air Traffic Services) and Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA). 

Dipl.-Ing. Sierk Törl

Sierk is a team member of airsight’s “Aerodrome Safeguarding and Flight Procedures” division. At airsight, Sierk gained extensive project knowledge with regards to obstacle assessments and CNS safeguarding studies at airports. Through international projects, e.g. for the airports of Accra, Dubai, Malta, Nice and Montego Bay as well as for various wind energy and project planning companies, he acquired a wide range of experience.

Prior to joining airsight, Sierk worked for a German airline as a flight operations engineer with a special focus on aircraft performance as well as aircraft weight and balance. Furthermore, he supported the airline’s flight crew training department and conducted pilot trainings as part of the pilot’s type rating.

Target Group

  • Aerodrome safety experts 
  • Aerodrome operations managers 
  • Aerodrome engineers and planners 
  • Air traffic control staff 
  • Aviation safety experts 
  • Architects and civil engineers 
  • Civil Aviation Authorities staff 

Course Location

Virtual Classroom

Technical Requirements

To access our live training course you will simply need:  

  • a computer (PC or Mac), tablet (iPad or Android) or a similar device with a webcam and microphone 
  • Internet connection.

Detailed instructions (incl. link for the virtual classroom audience) together with digital training materials will be sent to attendees before commencement of the course (in general one week before course start)! 

The airsight team is at your disposal to facilitate your personal virtual classroom experience and support you with setting up and testing your system.

Organisational Details

The course hours are scheduled as follows:

09:00 am - 2:00 pm (CET)

At the end of the course, all participants will receive an airsight certificate based on EASA training regulations, which is highly recognised throughout the aviation industry.

About airsight Training

airsight Training course quality

airsight operates an ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System and pursues the objective to provide high quality services that fully meet the clients’ needs.

Show more

Course Details

Location:Virtual
Language:English
Date:18.11. - 19.11.2025
Duration:2 days
Provider:airsight GmbH

Course Fee

The course fee includes the registration, training material and examination. For non-virtual courses, coffee breaks and business lunch are also included.

1.300,00 EUR
excl. VAT
1.170,00 EUR
incl. VAT
1.392,30 EUR

For virtual training courses:

19% VAT will be charged for German customers, private customers and EU customers without valid EU VAT identification number. Eligible customers may be charged 0% VAT. For further information please visit: About Taxes.

The final price will be shown on your invoice.

Please note: If you want to register several particpants from your company but need a single invoice for each, please register each of them seperately. 

Course Content

Background 

  • ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF) 
  • The new concept 
  • New Aeroplane Design Groups (ADG) 

Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) 

  • Approach Surface 
  • Transitional Surface 
  • Inner Approach, Inner Transitional and Balked Landing Surfaces 
  • Take-off Climb Surface 

Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES) 

  • Horizontal Surface 
  • Surface for Straight-in Instrument Approaches 
  • Surface for Precision Approaches 
  • Instrument Departure Surface 
  • Specific Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces 

Trainer

Dipl.-Ing. Malte Karger

Malte is responsible for flight procedure design and obstacle assessments of airsight’s consulting division. He is also a renowned and appreciated trainer, sharing his knowledge and practical experience with other industry experts in airsight’s scheduled as well as customised in-house training courses in countries such as Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Turkey.

As an advisor of ICAO’s Instrument Flight Procedure Panel (IFPP) in the capacity of a field expert, Malte participates in the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF).

Malte acquired extensive experience on international projects dealing with obstacle assessments and aeronautical studies for clients such as Berlin, Dubai, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Malta, Nuremburg, Stuttgart and Warsaw Airports as well as for several smaller airfields. Furthermore, he conducted numerous flight procedure design projects (conventional and RNAV/PBN)  for Airports, for Airlines (e.g. Air Austral, Air Transat) as well as for Air Navigation Service Providers such as MATS (Malta Air Traffic Services) and Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA). 

Dipl.-Ing. Sierk Törl

Sierk is a team member of airsight’s “Aerodrome Safeguarding and Flight Procedures” division. At airsight, Sierk gained extensive project knowledge with regards to obstacle assessments and CNS safeguarding studies at airports. Through international projects, e.g. for the airports of Accra, Dubai, Malta, Nice and Montego Bay as well as for various wind energy and project planning companies, he acquired a wide range of experience.

Prior to joining airsight, Sierk worked for a German airline as a flight operations engineer with a special focus on aircraft performance as well as aircraft weight and balance. Furthermore, he supported the airline’s flight crew training department and conducted pilot trainings as part of the pilot’s type rating.

Target Group

  • Aerodrome safety experts 
  • Aerodrome operations managers 
  • Aerodrome engineers and planners 
  • Air traffic control staff 
  • Aviation safety experts 
  • Architects and civil engineers 
  • Civil Aviation Authorities staff 

Course Location

Virtual Classroom

Technical Requirements

To access our live training course you will simply need:  

  • a computer (PC or Mac), tablet (iPad or Android) or a similar device with a webcam and microphone 
  • Internet connection.

Detailed instructions (incl. link for the virtual classroom audience) together with digital training materials will be sent to attendees before commencement of the course (in general one week before course start)! 

The airsight team is at your disposal to facilitate your personal virtual classroom experience and support you with setting up and testing your system.

Organisational Details

The course hours are scheduled as follows:

09:00 am - 2:00 pm (CET)

At the end of the course, all participants will receive an airsight certificate based on EASA training regulations, which is highly recognised throughout the aviation industry.

About airsight Training

airsight Training course quality

airsight operates an ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System and pursues the objective to provide high quality services that fully meet the clients’ needs.

Show more

Course Details

Location:In-house
Language:German / English
Duration:2 days
Provider:airsight GmbH

Course Content

Background 

  • ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF) 
  • The new concept 
  • New Aeroplane Design Groups (ADG) 

Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) 

  • Approach Surface 
  • Transitional Surface 
  • Inner Approach, Inner Transitional and Balked Landing Surfaces 
  • Take-off Climb Surface 

Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES) 

  • Horizontal Surface 
  • Surface for Straight-in Instrument Approaches 
  • Surface for Precision Approaches 
  • Instrument Departure Surface 
  • Specific Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces 

Trainer

Dipl.-Ing. Malte Karger

Malte is responsible for flight procedure design and obstacle assessments of airsight’s consulting division. He is also a renowned and appreciated trainer, sharing his knowledge and practical experience with other industry experts in airsight’s scheduled as well as customised in-house training courses in countries such as Germany, Greece, Switzerland and Turkey.

As an advisor of ICAO’s Instrument Flight Procedure Panel (IFPP) in the capacity of a field expert, Malte participates in the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF).

Malte acquired extensive experience on international projects dealing with obstacle assessments and aeronautical studies for clients such as Berlin, Dubai, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Malta, Nuremburg, Stuttgart and Warsaw Airports as well as for several smaller airfields. Furthermore, he conducted numerous flight procedure design projects (conventional and RNAV/PBN)  for Airports, for Airlines (e.g. Air Austral, Air Transat) as well as for Air Navigation Service Providers such as MATS (Malta Air Traffic Services) and Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA). 

Target Group

  • Aerodrome safety experts 
  • Aerodrome operations managers 
  • Aerodrome engineers and planners 
  • Air traffic control staff 
  • Aviation safety experts 
  • Architects and civil engineers 
  • Civil Aviation Authorities staff 

Organisational Details

airsight offers this training course on request, worldwide. At the end of the course, all participants will receive an airsight certificate based on EASA training regulations, which is highly recognised throughout the aviation industry.

About airsight Training

airsight Training course quality

airsight operates an ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System and pursues the objective to provide high quality services that fully meet the clients’ needs.

Show more