Braking Action

Braking action is a report or assessment of the friction and deceleration capability available on a runway surface. Braking action reports are critical safety information, particularly during winter operations when runways may be contaminated with snow, ice, slush, or water.

Braking action is reported using standardized terminology:

• Good: Normal braking capability, no issues expected
• Good to Medium: Slightly reduced but adequate
• Medium: Noticeably reduced, longer stopping distances required
• Medium to Poor: Significantly reduced, caution required
• Poor: Severely reduced, substantially longer stopping distances
• Nil: No effective braking available — the runway is essentially frictionless

ICAO has introduced a standardized Runway Condition Report (RCR) system using a numerical code (0-6) called the RWYCC (Runway Condition Code) to replace subjective pilot reports with measured friction values.