How wet is wet
With respect to certification a runway is either:
Dry, wet or contaminated.
As part of the harmonization FAR/CS(JAR) process the term damp is no longer used and the surface is classified as wet.
In ICAO Annex 14 you will find:
"Water on a runway
2.9.4 Recommendation.— Whenever water is present on a runway, a description of the runway surface conditions on the centre half of the width of the runway, including the possible assessment of water depth, where applicable, should be made available using the following terms:
DAMP — the surface shows a change of colour due to moisture.
WET — the surface is soaked but there is no standing water.
WATER PATCHES — significant patches of standing water are visible.
FLOODED — extensive standing water is visible.
2.9.5 Information that a runway or portion thereof may be slippery when wet shall be made available."
One of the swedish oldtimers had this popular method to identify a wet surface. If you hesitate and do not want to sit down on the surface due to water - the surface is wet
Updating of ICAO documents within this field is on the agenda.
Last edited by tribo; 11th Jan 2007 at 06:14.