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Geographical data in essence is geospatial data (i.e. describing geographic features using geometries that can be referenced to earth locations) however not all aeronautical data is geospatial (e.g. a time schedule). Typically geographical data such as image maps are used to digitize AMD. Such geographical data, possibly following coordinate transformation, serve as geospatial reference. Using the geographical data the geospatial characteristics of AMD features within the aerodrome can then be captured in a geometry element of the resulting feature. Typical types of geometry are point, line and polygon. These notions are standardized in ISO 19107: Geographic Information - Spatial Schema. In the aeronautical information context all geospatial data shall be published in the WGS84 (EPSG 4326) Horizontal Reference System and the EGM-96 Vertical Reference System (EUROCONTROL Specification for the Origination of Aeronautical Data Volume 2: Guidance Material).
Digitizing new AMD
When no geospatial aerodrome data exists, it is necessary to digitize the aerodrome features as AMD. Whilst not updated not to the latest version of the AMDB industry standards, the EUROCAE ER-009 "Guidance Material for the Generation of Aerodrome Mapping Databases" contains relevant information not to be repeated in the context of this supporting material on how to capture AMD features. In addition the EUROCONTROL Specification for the Origination of Aeronautical Data Edition 2.0 contains guidance on some of the AMD features (eg. Runway Thresholds) and associated data capture requirements.
At a high level digitizing new AMD possibly includes the following steps:
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