As night falls, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (ZGGG), the aviation hub of southern China, remains brightly lit with continuous aircraft movements. As one of the busiest airports in Asia, its complex ground operations demand meticulous attention from pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground service personnel. This article provides an in-depth analysis of ZGGG's ground operations, serving as a detailed reference guide for aviation professionals.
1. Airport Overview and Key Data
Located at 23°23.4'N, 113°18.5'E with an elevation of 15 meters, ZGGG features two parallel runways:
- 02L/20R: 3,600 meters long, 45 meters wide
- 02R/20L: 3,800 meters long, 60 meters wide
Both runways have concrete (CON) surfaces with high load-bearing capacity.
2. Taxiway System Breakdown
The airport's comprehensive taxiway network includes letter-designated (A, B, C), number-designated (1, 2, 3), and function-specific taxiways (Y, Z). Strict adherence to designated routes is essential for safe and efficient ground movement.
Primary Taxiways
- A Series: A1-A10 connect multiple apron areas, serving as main routes for arriving/departing aircraft. Note the hotspot areas (HS1-HS7) between A3-A8 and F3-F8 where runway incursion risks are elevated.
- B Series: Connects G taxiway to A5, with B1-B3 serving as critical links.
- C Taxiway: Major east-west corridor connecting multiple apron zones.
- Y Series: Y1-Y5, Y7, Y9, Y11, Y13, Y15 primarily serve cargo aprons.
- Z Series: Z1-Z5, ZZ, ZA, CB complement Y taxiways in cargo areas.
- P, Q, R, S, T: Located east/west of D taxiway, connecting stands to main taxiways.
- J, K, L, M, N, N1, H, W: East/west of C taxiway, providing stand access.
- U Series: U1-U3 serve stands 411-425.
Cargo Apron Taxiways
The independent cargo apron network primarily utilizes Y and Z taxiways for freight aircraft movement.
Maintenance Apron Taxiways
A5, A6, F5, and F6 facilitate aircraft maintenance operations.
3. Stand Layout and Allocation
Stand assignments consider aircraft type, flight purpose, and parking duration:
- Apron West & East: Primary passenger stands
- Cargo Apron: Freight aircraft operations
- Maintenance Apron: Aircraft servicing
- Overnight Apron: Aircraft parking
- FedEx Apron: Dedicated FedEx cargo operations
4. Navigation Aids and Communication Frequencies
Navigation Facilities
- ILS/LLZ (111.5 IPP): Localizer for Runway 16
- ILS/GP (335.0 IPP): Glide path for Runway 16
- ILS/LLZ (110.9 IBB): Localizer for Runway 34
- ILS/GP (332.9 IBB): Glide path for Runway 34
- VOR/DME (109.3 IOO)
Critical Frequencies
- Tower (TWR): 118.1 MHz (East)/118.8 MHz (West), backup 124.3 MHz
- Ground (GND): 121.75 MHz (East)/121.85 MHz (West), backup 121.6 MHz
- ATIS: 128.6 MHz (Arrival)/127.0 MHz (Departure)
- D-ATIS: 131.45 MHz
5. Safety Considerations
- Hotspots: Exercise extreme caution at HS1-HS7 between A3-A8/F3-F8
- Taxi Speed: Maintain appropriate speeds, especially near turns/stands
- Radio Communication: Maintain clear contact with ground control
- Light Signals: Properly interpret taxiway/stop bar lighting
- Obstacles: Monitor for ground vehicles/equipment
- PCN Compliance: Verify aircraft weight/tire pressure against pavement ratings
- Stand Procedures: Follow marshaller instructions precisely
- Adverse Weather: Reduce speed/increase spacing during poor conditions
- Runway Incursion Prevention: Never enter runways via A3-A8/F3-F8
6. Pavement Classification Numbers (PCN)
Key PCN values for operational planning:
- Runway 02L/20R: 109/R/B/W/T
- Runway 02R/20L: 98/R/B/W/T
- Taxiways J,K,L,M,N,H,W: 98/R/B/W/T
- Taxiways A,A1,A10,B,C,G: 88/R/B/W/T
- Cargo Apron Taxiways Y3,Y5,Y7,Y9,Y11,Y13: 107/F/B/W/T
7. Conclusion
Navigating Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport's complex ground environment requires professional vigilance from all personnel. Through thorough understanding of taxi procedures, stand allocations, navigation systems, and safety protocols, operational safety and efficiency can be significantly enhanced, ensuring smooth flight operations.