E-TOD Dataset Surveys
High-Accuracy Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data for Safer Air Navigation Across the UAE
Our Service
Acurise specialises in Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data (eTOD) surveys, delivering the high-fidelity geospatial datasets that underpin modern air navigation services. Produced in strict conformance with ICAO Doc 9849 (Digital Aeronautical Data Quality Requirements) and ICAO Annex 15 standards, our eTOD datasets feed directly into Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) systems, electronic flight bag (EFB) databases, and terrain awareness and warning systems (TAWS).
Our survey teams combine airborne LiDAR, photogrammetric methods, and precision GNSS to capture terrain and obstacle data across defined Areas 1 through 4 as specified by ICAO, including airport and its immediate surroundings, terminal manoeuvring areas, en-route airspace, and approach/departure corridors. Each dataset undergoes rigorous quality assurance and validation before delivery in accepted exchange formats including AIXM and GML.
For air navigation service providers, airport operators, and national aviation authorities in the UAE and MENA region, Acurise is the trusted partner for producing and maintaining compliant eTOD datasets that directly enhance flight safety and operational efficiency.
The Role of eTOD in Modern Aviation Safety Infrastructure
Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data (eTOD) represents the digital foundation of contemporary air traffic management. Unlike legacy paper-based obstacle charts, eTOD provides machine-readable, georeferenced datasets that avionics systems can process in real time to generate terrain proximity alerts, support instrument procedure design, and enable continuous obstacle monitoring.
ICAO mandates that states collect and manage eTOD across four defined areas of increasing scope and precision around aerodromes. Area 1 covers the entire aerodrome movement area and requires the highest accuracy — obstacle positions must be accurate to within 0.5 metres horizontally. Area 2 extends to the terminal manoeuvring area, while Areas 3 and 4 cover broader en-route and approach surfaces. The data must be collected, processed, and disseminated according to strict quality parameters covering accuracy, resolution, integrity, and timeliness.
As the UAE continues to expand its aviation infrastructure and position itself as a global hub, the demand for accurate, current eTOD datasets grows with every new development. Inaccurate or outdated terrain and obstacle data has been a contributing factor in numerous runway excursion and controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) incidents worldwide. Acurise exists to ensure that the UAE’s aviation ecosystem operates on data it can trust.
Key Applications and Benefits
ICAO Doc 9849 and Annex 15 compliant eTOD dataset production for Areas 1-4
High-accuracy terrain and obstacle data capture using airborne LiDAR and photogrammetry
Obstacle data supply for aeronautical information management (AIM) systems
Support for instrument procedure design using PAN-OPS compliant obstacle data
Integration with electronic flight bag (EFB) and terrain awareness warning systems (TAWS)
AIXM and GML format delivery for seamless AIM system ingestion
Periodic dataset updates to reflect new construction and terrain changes
Quality-assured datasets for submission to GCAA Aeronautical Information Services
Power Safer Skies with Accurate eTOD Data — Partner with Acurise Today |