Physical safeguarding is the process of preventing collisions between aircraft and obstacles, such as new constructions or other objects. It involves ensuring that obstacles do not penetrate applicable obstacle protection surfaces, including the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) defined in ICAO Annex 14.

In practice, however, infringements of these surfaces cannot always be avoided. Penetrations of the OLS may be acceptable where an obstacle assessment or aeronautical study demonstrates that they will not adversely affect the safety of flight operations. Conversely, even objects located below or outside the OLS may, in certain circumstances, have an operational impact.

Assessing obstacles in the vicinity of airports and their effects on operational flight safety is a core competence of our team.

Such analyses typically include, among others:

• evaluation against the ICAO Annex 14 and EASA CS-ADR-DSN Obstacle Limitation Surfaces, including the Obstacle Free Zone (OFZ) and other relevant surfaces;

• assessment of impacts on instrument approach and departure procedures in accordance with ICAO PANS-OPS (ICAO Doc 8168);

Based on the results of the risk assessment, mitigation measures may be defined to ensure that flight safety is not adversely affected. Where required, such measures may include optimisation of the proposed development, as well as adjustments to local flight procedures or operational measures.