Description

Aerodrome operating minima (AOM) are criteria used by pilots to determine whether they may land or take off from any runway. AOM consist of two parts: one relating to the cloud base and one relating to the visibility and/or RVR (RVR).

The international standards for AOM are defined in ICAO Doc 8168 - Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS-OPS) and are employed in most countries throughout the world; however, within North America and at certain other locations, United States Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) are employed. Although these procedures are similar in many ways, there are important differences. Failure to appreciate these differences appears to have been a factor in a number of fatal accidents. Pilots must determine the standards applied at airports where they intend to operate and make due allowance for any differences.