Introduction to Annex 14
Explore the standards and safety principles behind aerodrome design, operations, and lighting through a practical introduction to ICAO Annex 14.
@ Aeroclass
Course description
Aerodrome safety begins with the standards that shape how airports are designed, built, and operated. ICAO Annex 14 is the global blueprint that guides everything from runway geometry and obstacle protection to aerodrome lighting, visual aids, and essential airside services.
This course provides a structured and accessible introduction to Annex 14, offering practical insights into why these standards exist and how they keep aircraft, passengers, and airport personnel safe. The course breaks down the Annex into its core pillars - physical characteristics, visual aids & obstacle management, and operational services - while also exploring modern topics such as runway condition reporting, safety management systems, and aerodrome certification principles.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of how Annex 14 interacts with ICAO’s broader regulatory ecosystem, how national authorities oversee aerodrome certification, and how aerodrome manuals translate global standards into everyday operational practices. Designed for newcomers and professionals working around the airside environment, this course connects theory with real-world application and highlights the operational logic behind each standard.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and structure of ICAO Annex 14 within the wider ICAO regulatory system
- Describe key aerodrome physical characteristics, including runway, taxiway, and apron requirements
- Understand obstacle limitation principles and the function of visual aids and aerodrome lighting
- Identify essential operational services, including RFFS, maintenance, and apron management
- Recognize how modern topics such as runway conditions, GRF, and SMS influence aerodrome safety
- Understand the role of certification, oversight, and aerodrome manuals in ensuring compliance
Who should attend
- Airport and aerodrome operations staff
- Airside safety, planning, and engineering personnel
- Civil aviation authority specialists
- Aviation newcomers seeking to understand aerodrome standards
- Airline staff interacting with airside infrastructure (ops, ground, dispatch)
Meet your instructor
Pablo Garcia Alonso
Pablo García Alonso is a seasoned Airport Operations and Apron Management Service (AMS) specialist with over two decades of frontline experience dedicated to optimizing the dynamic environment of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport airport (MAD) a major international airport hub and one of the top 20 in the world. His journey has provided him with an unparalleled, ground-level understanding of the intricacies involved in transforming apron operations into powerhouses of efficiency, safety, and capacity.
Pablo was part of the foundational team that launched one of Europe's pioneering Apron Management Services at MAD in 2011, serving as one of its first 24 Apron Management Service Officers (AMSOs). His tenure within AMS saw him progress through roles of increasing responsibility, from AMSO to On-the-Job Training Instructor (OJTI) and Supervisor, and ultimately to Head of Management for the service under various leading Air Navigation Service Providers. This deep, multi-faceted experience encompasses not only direct operational control and supervision but also the design and delivery of specialized training programs, procedure development, and strategic service management.
Beyond his core AMS roles, Pablo's expertise is enriched by his diverse operational background, including experience as an AOCC & ATM Officer with AENA, a Turnaround Coordinator with Groundforce Handling, and in Cabin Maintenance Planning with Iberworld Airlines. This unique blend of experiences provides him with a holistic view of airside and airport operations. He has also contributed his knowledge academically as a Branch Director & Program Manager for Itaerea Aeronautical Business School, lecturing on Apron Management Service, Airport Business, and other related courses.
A passionate advocate for data-driven decision-making and operational excellence, Pablo is currently developing an innovative methodological framework for dynamic apron capacity assessment and resource management, aimed at providing airports with objective tools for strategic decision-making. He has actively contributed to industry best practices, including involvement in the writing of the upcoming "Industry Best Practices for Apron Management Service Guide" (to be published in 2025).
With the recent launch of his consultancy, Aipron, Pablo is now dedicated to leveraging his extensive hands-on experience and evolving methodologies to empower airports and aviation stakeholders worldwide, helping them unlock significant operational, financial, and environmental benefits through strategic AMS implementation and optimization.
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