Runway Incursions Flashcards
Surface Incident
similar to a runway incursion but occurs on a designated movement area (not a runway) and affects or could affect the safety of flight.
What is a runway incursion
“any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.”
Types of Incursions
Pilot Deviations: Crossing a runway hold marking without a clearance or taking off or landing without a clearance.
Operational Incidents: Clearing an aircraft onto a runway while another aircraft is landing on the same runway.
Vehicle Deviations: Crossing a runway hold marking without ATC clearance.
Runway incursion category D
Little to no risk
Runway incursion category C
Ample time/ distance to avoid collision
Runway incursion category B
Significant potential
Runway incursion category A
Barely avoided
Runway incursion stat
In the U.S., an average of three runway incursions occur daily. According to FAA data, approximately 65% of all runway incursions are caused by pilots, of which GA pilots cause 75%.
How to avoid incursions
Understand
(1) where you are at,
(2) what you have been cleared to do,
(3) where you are going.
Hot spot
a location on an airport movement area with a history or potential risk of collision or runway incursion, and where heightened attention by pilots and drivers is necessary
Hot spot symbol
Depicted as circle or ellipse for ground movement hot spot:
hold short line infractions
approach hold issues
complex taxiway configurations
movement-non movement boundary area issues
tower line of sight problems
marking and signage issues.
Cylinder for wrong surface hot spot
Someone attempted to land on wrong surface
Can also see in back of chart supplement
Hazards Unique to Taxiing
Movement in confined areas.
People or vehicles on the ramp.
High workloads (e.g., stress and “heads-down” time).
NOTAMs for closed taxiways and construction areas.
Controlled ramps and taxiways (e.g., complexity, responsibilities, and missed clearances).
Uncontrolled ramps and taxiways (e.g., no-radio aircraft, obstructions, unimproved surfaces).
Aircraft moving nearby (e.g., collisions, runway incursions, and propeller/jet blast).
Tie-down ropes and loose debris that can be picked up by a propeller.
Aircraft design characteristics (e.g., tailwheel, castering nosewheel, wing length).
Hot spots (areas designed to alert pilots to potential conflicts).
Crosswinds or tailwinds that can cause a wing to rise.
Taxiing on a snow-covered or icy taxiway.
Low visibility operations (LVO). [IFR]
Airport knowledge and planning
Current airport NOTAMs.
If available, the ATIS for runway and taxiway closures, construction activity, and other airport-specific risks.
The current airport diagram.
Standard taxi routes, if published.
The location of hot spots and other potential areas for a runway incursion.
The suitability of intersections that may be used at takeoff.
Situational awareness
Situational Awareness = Knowing what is going on and what is coming next.
When situationally aware, a pilot has an overview of the total operation and can proactively manage the flight.
Best Practices for Maintaining Situational Awareness
Develop strong task management skills.
Plan ahead
Regularly pause to make a quick mental assessment of the flight environment.
Consciously raise awareness in critical phases of flight and during ground operations.
Use advanced avionics properly (avoid complacency and excessive “heads-down” time).
Movement Versus Nonmovement Areas
A movement area is the runways, taxiways, and other areas of an airport that are used for taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
Nonmovement areas include ramps and parking areas and are not controlled by ATC.
At a towered airport, the movement area is controlled by ATC. Pilots must receive clearance before taxiing in a movement area.
Single solid Single dashed line on pavement
Required Readbacks
Pilots must always read back:
The runway assignment.
Any clearance to taxi onto or cross a specific runway.
Any instruction to hold short of a runway or line up and wait.
The readback for a hold short instruction should include the words “hold short,” the runway or taxiway designator, and the aircraft’s call sign.
Progressive Taxi
If the pilot is unfamiliar with the airport or unsure of a taxi route, a “progressive taxi” should be requested. Progressive taxi requires ATC to provide step-by-step taxi instructions.
Wrong Surface Landings
A wrong surface landing occurs when an aircraft lands or tries to land on the wrong runway, on a taxiway in error, or at the wrong airport.
Avoid wrong surface landings by
Pilots can avoid such incidents by:
Identifying any nearby airports with similar runway alignments that may result in confusion.
Studying the airport diagram and lighting ahead of time and noting key features and geometry.
Backing up all visual approaches with instrument guidance. [IFR]
Referring to moving map displays to increase situational awareness and safety.
Taking a moment on every final approach to verify the correctness of the runway alignment and runway number.
types of signs on airport
mandatory instruction signs, location signs, direction signs, destination signs, information signs, and runway distance remaining signs
Mandatory signs
These signs have a red background with a white inscription and are used to denote:
An entrance to a runway or critical area; and
Areas where an aircraft is prohibited from entering
Runway Holding Position Sign
Runway Approach Area Holding Position Sign
ILS Critical Area Holding Position Sign
No Entry Sign
Runway center line stripes
120 feet long, 80 foot gaps
Runway width
Rwy stripes: multiply the stripes on the left by 25 (Quarter rule)
● 2 stripes (60’) ● 3 stripes (75’) ● 4 stripes (100’) ● 5 stripes (125’) ● 6 stripes (150’)
