Any structure or crane near UAE airport airspace needs an aeronautical survey and Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) assessment before it can be approved. This guide explains how the process works and when a DCAA or GCAA NOC is required.
An aeronautical survey assesses whether a proposed structure — a building, tower, or construction crane — penetrates the protected airspace surfaces around an airport. In the UAE's densely built cities, where high-rise construction often sits near controlled airspace, this survey and its resulting No Objection Certificate (NOC) is a mandatory step before permits are issued.
What Is an Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS)?
An OLS is a set of imaginary surfaces defined around an airport, following ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards, that define the maximum permitted height of any object in the surrounding area. The surfaces slope upward and outward from the runway, meaning permitted height increases with distance from the airport but is never unlimited within the assessed zone. An aeronautical survey measures the proposed structure's exact height and position and checks it against these surfaces.
When Do You Need a Crane Height Clearance Study?
- Before erecting a construction crane or tower crane near Dubai International, Al Maktoum International, or any other UAE airport's OLS zone
- Before constructing any building, telecom tower, or structure above a certain height threshold within airport-controlled airspace
- Whenever a project falls within the notification zones published by GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority) or DCAA (Dubai Civil Aviation Authority)
How the Aeronautical Survey and NOC Process Works
- GPS RTK survey establishes the precise ground elevation and proposed structure height at the exact coordinates
- The height and position are checked against the applicable OLS surfaces for the relevant airport
- A technical report is prepared and submitted with the NOC application to DCAA or GCAA, including height clearance calculations and supporting drawings
- Once approved, the NOC permits construction up to the confirmed maximum height — cranes exceeding this height require lighting, marking, or NOTAM coordination with air traffic control
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DCAA NOC take?
Timelines vary by proximity to the airport and complexity of the assessment, but a straightforward crane height clearance application typically takes 1-3 weeks once the aeronautical survey and technical report are submitted.
Do all cranes near Dubai airports need an NOC?
Any crane or structure within the published OLS notification zone requires clearance, regardless of height, since the assessment determines whether the specific height at that specific location is acceptable — it cannot be assumed without a survey.
What happens if a structure exceeds the permitted height?
The structure or crane height must be reduced to comply, or in some cases special dispensation with additional lighting, marking, and air traffic control coordination can be negotiated — but this requires early engagement with the aviation authority, not after construction has begun.
Al Warqa Survey Engineering provides aeronautical and OLS survey services across the UAE, managing the full DCAA/GCAA NOC application process for airports, towers, and cranes. Contact us on +971 50 697 5361 to discuss your project.
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