NEW
Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS): Introduction of Current and Foreseen OLS

Contact Training Department

Diana Lünse
Diana LünseHead of Training
+49 30 45803177training@airsight.de

Safe airport operations demand a permanent monitoring of obstacles in the close proximity of airports. The construction of new infrastructure or changes to airport operations require systematic obstacle evaluations and assessments to maintain an acceptable level of safety. 
International regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as described in Annex 14 Vol. I specify airspace around aerodromes to be maintained free from obstacles. For that purpose, Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) are described.  

Nevertheless, 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 intends to revise the OLS. Over the last years, the ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Task Force (OLSTF) developed 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 a comprehensive overview of both, the current Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) as described in ICAO Annex 14 Vol. 1 as well as of the foreseen new surfaces. The new concept, ADG as well as the OFS and OES are presented.
Attendees will learn how to establish the relevant Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS, OFS, OES) and how to determine surface infringements. 

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

Please note: This course aims to present the principles and characteristics of the relevant Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS, OFS, OES). To learn more about how to assess relevant Obstacle Limitation Surfaces, to evaluate the significance of penetrating obstacles and to develop appropriate safety measures where necessary, airsight offers another training course

Course Details

Location:Singapore
Language:English
Date:01.07. - 03.07.2025
Duration:3 days
Provider:airsight Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Course Fee

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

3.300,00 SGD
2.970,00 SGD

No taxes will be added to the invoice for courses in Singapore.

Please note: This course is run by airsight Singapore Pte. Ltd. Terms & Conditions of airsight Singapore Pte. Ltd. apply. 


 

Course Content

Regulations and Fundamentals 

  • International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
  • Categories of aircraft, aerodromes and runways 

ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) 

  • Horizontal and Conical surfaces 
  • Approach surface 
  • Transitional surface 
  • Take-off climb surface 
  • Obstacle Free Zone (OFZ) 

Aerodrome Areas and further obstacle protection surfaces

  • Runway strip 
  • Runway End Safety Area (RESA) 
  • Clearway
  • PAPI obstacle protection surface
  • Light plane
  • Visual Segment Surface (VSS)

Foreseen ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces

  • Background and the new concept
  • New Aeroplane Design Groups (ADG) 
  • Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) 
  • Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES) 

Trainer

Dipl.-Ing. Jan Friedrich

Jan is airsight’s Regional Manager for the Asia-Pacific region.

He holds a Diploma degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics and has more than 15 years’ experience as a senior aviation consultant. Jan was involved in worldwide projects in the field of e.g. aerodrome planning, safety/risk assessments and audits. He has also shared his extensive knowledge as a renowned trainer with other international experts from all over the world.

Additionally, for 5 years, Jan was the nominated EASA Compliance Manager / Head of EASA Compliance & Change Management at an international airport in Germany.

In both roles he gained extensive knowledge in international aerodrome regulations and their application (e.g. ICAO, EASA), management of changes and dealing with non-compliances. This covers aerodrome’s infrastructure, organization and operations with regards to compliance and safety.

Furthermore, Jan is a representative and an expert in national/international panels as well as in expert groups (ADV, ACI, EASA).

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

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Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. The accommodation and travel costs are at the charge of the participants. Please note that airsight does not perform any travel and hotel bookings for the participants. 

The course fee includes the registration, training material and examination. Coffee breaks and business lunch are also included. 

Organisational Details

The course hours are scheduled as follows:

09:00 am - 5:00 pm (SGT)

At the end of the course, all participants will receive an airsight certificate based on ICAO/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:English
Duration:3 days
Provider:airsight GmbH

Course Content

Regulations and Fundamentals 

  • International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
  • Categories of aircraft, aerodromes and runways 

ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) 

  • Horizontal and Conical surfaces 
  • Approach surface 
  • Transitional surface 
  • Take-off climb surface 
  • Obstacle Free Zone (OFZ) 

Aerodrome Areas and further obstacle protection surfaces

  • Runway strip 
  • Runway End Safety Area (RESA) 
  • Clearway
  • PAPI obstacle protection surface
  • Light plane
  • Visual Segment Surface (VSS)

Foreseen ICAO Obstacle Limitation Surfaces

  • Background and the new concept
  • New Aeroplane Design Groups (ADG) 
  • Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) 
  • Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES) 

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). 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Schulz

Holger is the co-founder and managing director of airsight. He holds a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering. His doctorate on the subject of satellite-based precision approach procedures (GBAS) gained him international recognition by organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO). Since 2014 Holger is an honorary professor in the field of "Airport Planning" at the Institute of Aeronautical Engineering and Transport Systems of the Technical University of Berlin for which he has held a teaching role for many years, specialising in "Airport Planning" and "Flight Procedure Design".


Holger is highly regarded amongst his peers on a national and international basis. His extensive experience ranges from comprehensive project and consulting experience to advising roles in various international bodies such as the Aerodromes Panel and the Instrument Flight Procedures Panel (IFPP, former OCP) of the ICAO, the Technical and Operational Safety Committee (TOSC), the Single European Sky (SES) Steering Group of Airport Council International (ACI), the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).


Holger also holds a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) and is a certified aviation auditor.

Target Group

  • Aerodrome safety experts 
  • 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