Thu, Aug 22, 2013
Agency Says Use Requires Particular Situational Awareness On The Part Of Flight Crews
The FAA has issued a Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) to provide information on reducing the risk of runway incursions when taxiing on intersecting or active runways.
At many airports, it is common for ATC to utilize an active or inactive runway as a taxiway due to airport geometry, construction, congestion, or taxiway restrictions. For these operations to be conducted safely, flightcrews must maintain positional awareness, and be aware that some of the visual cues, such as signs, markings and lighting that help safeguard them on taxiways may not be present when taxiing on a runway.
The SAFO points out that runways are typically wider than taxiways. Due to field of vision, the signs located on the edge of a runway may be more difficult for the pilot to see and identify than on the edge of a taxiway. When the runway being taxied on crosses another active runway, the intersections of runway-to-runway crossing points are frequently missing many of the visual cues present on taxiways such as signs, markings, and lighting.
The FAA strongly urges directors of operations, directors of safety, directors of training, directors of maintenance, and chief pilots collaborate to:
- Minimize distractions, such as heads down time, discretionary company and cabin communications, engine starts and checklists when on any runway.
- Promote awareness of the potential lack of visual safeguards when using runways as taxiways.
- Distribute runway incursion prevention information and resources to pilots, maintenance personnel, as well as other personnel involved in taxiing aircraft or operating vehicles within the Airport Operation Area.
- Ensure all training events and training programs include realistic runway incursion prevention.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]