ICAO — Short Course
Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS)
Where aircraft performance meets obstacle limitation surfaces. Designed to build the competencies needed to apply updated OLS provisions in compliance with ICAO Annex 14, Vol 1.
Duration of Course:
4 Days
Course Overview
The AvAC Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) Course provides a deep technical dive into the modernized ICAO OLS framework, bridging aerodrome engineering, municipal town planning, and aircraft performance physics.
Participants will master the transition from traditional surfaces to the new split-concept design — Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS) and Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES) — learning to conduct defensible aeronautical studies, apply shielding principles, and calculate performance-based risk margins.
Participants will learn to interpret and enforce the modernized OLS provisions, differentiate between Obstacle Free and Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces, assess the impact of aircraft performance on airspace surfaces, and execute defensible aeronautical studies.
Course Curriculum
Our competency-based curriculum systematically guides trainees from legacy aviation safety frameworks to advanced, performance-tailored airspace safeguarding and risk calculations.
Module 0 & 1: Framework Foundations & The New OLS Paradigm
- Course Introduction & Core Objectives
- Evolution of the OLS Concept
- The New Dual-Surface Structure
Module 2: The Nexus of Aircraft Performance & Airspace Protection
- Why Aircraft Performance Matters for OLS
- Engine-Out Contingency Tracks
- Balked Landing & Missed Approach Protection
Module 3: Tailoring of OLS — Obstacle Free Surfaces (OFS)
- Defining Inner Approach & Inner Transitional Surfaces
- Balked Landing Surface Criteria
- Enforcement Protocols
Module 4: Tailoring of OLS — Obstacle Evaluation Surfaces (OES)
- Analyzing Horizontal, Conical, and Approach Surfaces
- Take-off Climb Surface Design
- Local Adjustments
Module 5: Obstacle Evaluation, Control, & Aeronautical Studies
- Conducting an Aeronautical Study
- The Principle of Shielding
- Mitigation & Risk Management
- Zoning Collaboration
Rigorous Evaluation Standards
- Theoretical Assessment: A written examination testing regulatory compliance knowledge, surface classification logic, and aircraft clearance calculations.
- Practical Case Study: A simulated desktop exercise where participants must review a real-world high-rise building proposal, determine its OLS/OES penetration values, apply shielding logic, and deliver a definitive aeronautical safety case report.
Successful participants will receive the AvAC Certificate in Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), validating global proficiency under ICAO standards.
Pre-requisite
- A professional background in Aerodrome Operations & Engineering, Regulatory Oversight, Flight Operations, Government & Municipal Planning, or Industry Partnership (architectural, real estate, or crane operations); or
- as determined by Civil Aviation Authority or other states Regulator/ Air Navigation Service Provider.
Course Schedule
19 April 2027 – 22 April 2027
23 August 2027 – 26 August 2027
13 December 2027 – 16 December 2027
For more information regarding AvAC Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) Course, or any of our ICAO Standard ATC courses, please contact us