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April 30, 2023
FICON
I researched the term "FICON" by examining various sources, including Reddit discussions from r/aviation, r/WeirdWings, r/mainframe, r/flying, and web sources such as aopa.org and txtopaviation.com. The consensus among these sources is that FICON primarily stands for Field Condition, which is used in aviation to communicate runway conditions. There was also information about the FICON project related to aircraft and a mention of FICON in the context of mainframe computers. The sources were directly related to the original query and provided substantial information on the topic.
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Field Condition (FICON) in Aviation
"Simple explanation is it's a braking action report. Low the number the less effective your brakes will be."
"Winter is here. Brush up on the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix meanings so that you can properly interpret FICON NOTAMs"
"Most large airports don't just use these criteria for the NOTAMs. They have equipment to physically measure how much grip there is on the runway and then convert that into a condition code"
FICON Project in Aircraft
FICON in Mainframe Computers
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Research
Source: "Rules and Regulations: Those slippery FICONs - ..." (from web, www.aopa.org)
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FICON stands for field condition notices to airmen.
- Used to communicate slipperiness level of runway surface due to snow, ice, etc.
- RCC (runway condition code) consists of 3 numbers separated by slashes, each relating to the slipperiness level of touchdown, midpoint, and rollout thirds of the runway.
- RCC levels are from 0 (absolutely no traction) to 6 (bone dry).
- At least 25% of the surface must be affected for the RCC code to be generated.
- FICONs contain percentages within the notam for each third of the runway.
- FICONs can also contain info about plowed widths, deicing, snowbanks, etc.
- No RCC code of zero is issued, and Part 139 airports must close any runway that has an RCC code of zero.
- RCC codes are only used on paved surfaces.
- The RCAM (runway condition assessment matrix) generates RCC codes based on braking action, Mu readings, and runway surface contamination descriptions.
- The RCC code levels can be zero (0), one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), or six (6).
- The RCC is related to the slipperiness of the surface.
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The RCC code will consist of three numbers separated by slashes.
- Example: 4/3/3 represents the touchdown, midpoint, and rollout thirds of the runway with slipperiness values of 4, 3, and 3 respectively.
- The code 5/5/5 represents the whole runway as having the same slipperiness value of 5.
- Airport managers are only supposed to issue FICONs for the active runways and only for one direction.
- FICONs can include contaminants like snow and ice percentages for each third of the runway.
Source: "Winter is here. Brush up on the Runway Conditio..." (from reddit, r/flying)
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Relevant information on FICON:
- Importance of understanding Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) for interpreting FICON NOTAMs during winter
- Large airports use equipment to physically measure runway grip and convert it into condition code, while others report RCAM
- RCAM is subjective and depends on honesty of the airport for reporting accurate conditions
- Friction indices can create a false sense of safety and are being replaced with standardized RCAM-based runway condition reports
- Personal minimums for GA pilots depend on airplane and runway conditions
- PIREPs on braking action are important during winter
Source: "New Runway Condition NOTAMs" (from reddit, r/flying)
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A runway condition NOTAM, with “FICON” designator, must be issued every time a runway is wet at an airport.
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The FICON NOTAM looks like this: 10/009 XXX RWY 23 FICON 5/5/5 100 PRCT WET OBSERVED AT 1610011046. 1610011046-1610021046
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The NOTAM indicates that the runway is wet (100 PRCT WET) and gives the date and time that the observation was made (1610011046).
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It is only in effect from the date and time of the observation until 24 hours later (1610011046-1610021046).
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The FAA requires Part 139 airports to issue wet surface RwyCC NOTAMs.
- The FAA will highly encourage airports to report “wet” conditions (1/8th inch or less of water) when it is the only condition present on the runway.
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The full FICON will breakdown the contaminants on the runway by percentage for each condition value.
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The runway condition codes (numeric values) should be issued by the controllers, and only the full NOTAM should be issued if requested by the pilot.
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The FAA will change Advisory Circular 150/5200-30D, Airport Field Condition Assessments and Winter Operations Safety, to remove the current requirement to report runway “wet” conditions (1/8th inch or less of water) when it is the only contaminant present.
Source: "FICON Reports - txtopaviation.com" (from web, txtopaviation.com)
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FICON reports show up in NOTAMs during summer and winter seasons, indicating the condition of runways.
- Typically see FICON reports in the southern states during summer seasons and in cold winter climates.
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The three different numbers in the FICON report indicate the 3 different sections of the runway.
- The touchdown third, midpoint third, and rollout third of the runway.
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The three numbers are the indication of how slippery that portion of the runway is, referred to as a Runway Condition Code (or RCC).
- The lower the number, the more slippery the runway is.
- The higher the number, the dryer the runway, which is scaled 0-6.
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RCC codes will generate only if at least 25% of the surface must be wet.
- If there are spots of standing water, slush or snow, a FICON report will be issued to report the contaminants, but no codes will be generated.
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The Runway Condition Codes are only part of a FICON report.
- A descriptor in the NOTAM will be published describing what percentage of the runway is affected and by what.
- The braking action reports are separate from FICON reports and are issued by the airport manager.
💭 Looking into
How is FICON used in the context of weather and runway conditions?
💭 Looking into
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using FICON on a runway?
💭 Looking into
What is the purpose of FICON on a runway?
💭 Looking into
What is the maximum braking action required for FICON 5/5/5 on a runway?
💭 Looking into
What is the minimum braking action required for FICON 3/3/3 on a runway?
Source: "Good/Poor Braking - How Useful are Runway Condi..." (from reddit, r/flying)
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The Runway Assessment Condition Matrix (RCAM) is used to report runway conditions in the United States.
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Airport personnel survey runways and report the type, depth, and coverage of contaminants found; this information corresponds to a Runway Condition Code (RwyCC) that is used by aircrews to assess landing performance.
- RwyCCs are published in FICON NOTAMs and advertised by ATC, and range from 0 (or “nil”) to 6 (or “dry”); codes are published for each third of a runway.
- In the past, runway conditions were based largely on friction readings gathered from decelerometers and vehicle braking reports.
- The FAA expressed distrust in these data as an accurate measure of braking action, hence the introduction of RCAM, meant to be a more “objective” measurement.
- Braking action reports are still solicited from aircrews, but are seen as more subjective.
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Airport personnel survey runways and report the type, depth, and coverage of contaminants found; this information corresponds to a Runway Condition Code (RwyCC) that is used by aircrews to assess landing performance.
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The weather on the morning of the accident was predictably difficult in Chicago.
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The RwyCCs advertised during landing attempts were “5/5/5,” indicating that good braking could be expected.
- Information was contradictory regarding braking conditions, reported by aircrews, making it confusing to pilots.
- Continuous monitoring of the runway is required and includes multiple measures to identify trends in runway traction.
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The RwyCCs advertised during landing attempts were “5/5/5,” indicating that good braking could be expected.
- Despite the reported RwyCC of “5/5/5,” poor braking action was reported by multiple flights.
- Braking action reports are subjective and potentially constantly changing, making it difficult to make accurate calculations without the most up-to-date information.
- There is no better way of organizing this information than the system currently in place, despite the government-generated slew of acronyms.
Source: "Purchasing a used mainframe." (from reddit, r/mainframe)
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Reddit user (13-year-old student) wants to buy a used mainframe for under $500.
- Need to rent a truck with a lift gate to move the heavy mainframe.
- Need to avoid buying machines with removed hard drives.
- FICON and ESCON are important types of DASD (disk storage) to look for depending on the generation of the machine.
- Large mainframes may draw significant power and generate a lot of heat, requiring special cooling equipment.
- IBM only leases the software and licensing for mainframes.
- Recommended places to look for used mainframes: government liquidation sites, r/vintagecomputers, and Cctalk mailing list.
- Hercules is suggested as an alternative option for software enthusiasts.
- Hardware enthusiasts should keep looking for cheaper options.
- YouTube video recommended for information on buying a used mainframe.
Source: "USAF FICON (Fighter Conveyer). A B-36 modified ..." (from reddit, r/WeirdWings)
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FICON project:
- Convair B-36 Peacemaker carrying a Republic F-84 Thunderjet fighter was modified for a strike role.
- McDonnell XF-85 Goblin escort fighter was a failure.
- F-84 would return to the mothership and be carried home.
- 1st hookup: 9 Jan 1952.
- 1st retrieval in the bomb bay: 23 April 1952.
- 1st complete system flight: 14 May 1952.
- 170 airborne launches and retrievals were performed in Eglin Air Force Base with GRB-36/F-84E in 1953.
- YRF-84F prototype replaced the F-84E with the role changing to reconnaissance with the RF-84F Thunderflash tactical reconnaissance fighter.
- 10 production RB-36D to be converted to GRB-36D carriers with a complement of 25 RF-84K tactical reconnaissance fighters
- Project cancelled in 1956.
Source: "What does FICON 3/3/3 or FICON 5/5/5 mean?" (from reddit, r/aviation)
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FICON stands for Field Condition.
- It is a braking action report used in aviation.
- Low numbers indicate less effective brakes.
- ATC may report FICON status during bad weather or poor runway conditions.
- These reports are important for pilots to know before landing or taking off.
- FICON 3/3/3 means that the braking action on the runway is poor or below standard.
- FICON 5/5/5 means that the braking action is good or above standard.
- FICON reports are important as they indicate how much distance a plane needs to takeoff or land and how much runway cushion is necessary in case of emergency.
💭 Looking into
What is the best FICON product?