Fri, May 28, 2010
Air Crews Have Failed To Activate Pilot Controlled Lighting
Systems
The FAA has noted a recent
increase in the number of incidents involving aircraft operating at
night at uncontrolled airports, or at airports where the control
tower is not staffed around the clock. In many of those accidents,
flightcrews have failed to activate the airport Pilot Controlled
Lighting system (PCL). The incidents have involved taxiing aircraft
as well as take-offs and landings. The rising trend of these
incidents indicates manuals and training programs should be
reviewed for clarity in this area.
A recently-issued SAFO says that operators should ensure that
flightcrews demonstrate knowledge and proficiency during training
and checking events in the use of the Common Traffic Advisory
Frequency (CTAF) and PCL systems. The training should include
instructions on the activation of the variable intensity
capabilities of the PCL systems. Additionally, published policies
should ensure that night ground operations (taxi, take-off and
landing) are conducted only on lighted airfields. Proper use of the
CTAF should also be reviewed.
Operators are reminded of their responsibility to ensure that
flightcrews are provided with the training and procedures to ensure
the highest degree of safety.
The following references contain information for aircraft ground
operations:
- Airman’s Information Manual (AIM), 2-1-8. Pilot Control
of Airport Lighting
- AC 90-42F, Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports without
Operating Control Towers
- AC-120-74A, Parts 91, 121, 125 and 135 Flight Crew Procedures
During Taxi Operations
- AC120-71A, Standard Operating Procedures for Flight Deck
Crewmembers
The FAA recommends that directors of safety, directors of
operations, instructors, and air carrier flightcrews should be
familiar with the content of the SAFO (10008). They should work
together to ensure that the content of the SAFO is provided to
pilots during ground training, reinforced in flight training,
during supervised operating experience, line checks and proficiency
checks. Directors of Operations are also reminded terminal
operations into uncontrolled airspace are required to be listed
(airport specific) in each air carrier’s operations
specifications.
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