Definition
A standardized report issued by airport operators that describes the surface condition of each runway, including any contaminants such as water, snow, slush, ice, or compacted snow, and the depth and coverage of those contaminants on each third of the runway. It is the underlying observation from which the Runway Condition Code (RwyCC) is generated and distributed to pilots and controllers.
Plain English
It is a report from the airport that describes what is currently on each runway surface — for example, how much snow, ice, or water is there and how much of the runway it covers — so pilots and controllers know what kind of braking and handling to expect.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter RwyCR information in airport condition notices, dispatch or flight planning information, and preflight weather and airport briefings, especially during rain, snow, ice, or other surface contamination.
Why Pilots Care
It directly affects landing distance calculations, go/no-go decisions, and the risk of runway excursions.
Grounding Statement
If the runway is dry, wet, icy, or covered with snow, the airplane will not handle the same way on the ground, and the RwyCR is the formal report that tells the pilot what to expect.
Intuition Check
Do not read “condition report” as a casual description. In this context, a RwyCR is a standardized aviation report used to communicate runway surface conditions that can directly affect aircraft performance and control.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the crew reviewed the latest Runway Condition Report and noted that the touchdown zone was reported as wet with one-eighth inch of standing water.
Example Sentence 2
Before takeoff the crew checked the latest Runway Condition Report to confirm the runway was clear enough for their aircraft.