Runway Incursion Avoidance

Technical Subject Areas 2.B

Challenges Unique to Taxiing

  • With increasing air traffic, runway incursions have been on the rise
    • One of the biggest safety concerns in aviation is the surface movement accident
  • Increased traffic and expansion at many airports creates complex runway and taxiway layouts
    • Surface operation are more difficult & the potential for incursions are more hazardous than before

Appropriate Cockpit Activities

  • For safety reasons the pilot’s workload should be at a minimum during taxi operations

    • Complete pre-taxi checklists and data entry prior to taxi

    • All heads down activities should be done only when the aircraft is stopped

  • A sterile cockpit should be implemented from taxi through climb to focus on taxiing/ATC instruction

    • No cell phones, conversations, or anything unnecessary to the duties of flight 

Taxi Planning, Review and Briefing

  • Have a current copy of the Airport Diagram
  • Large airports often have pre-designated taxi routes, review these for familiarity
  • Based on the runway in use and usable taxiways, review the expected routes

  • Always write down ATC taxi instructions to prevent mistakes

  • Review the route given by ATC, ask for help in case of confusion

Taxiing Near Other Aircraft

  • know your present location and mentally calculate the next location on the route that will require increased attention (crossing traffic, hot spot, etc.)

  • Awareness is enhanced by understanding the clearance issued to pilots, other aircraft, and vehicles

    • Situational awareness.

  • Be especially vigilant if another aircraft with a similar call sign is on frequency

    • Care should be taken to avoid inadvertently executing a clearance for another aircraft

    • Ask if you’re unsure of who the radio call was for

Steering, Maneuvering, Maintaining Taxiway, Runway Position, and Situational Awareness

  • Steering
    • Use rudders to maintain the centerline

  • Maintaining Position

    • Always have a current airport diagram on hand, monitor your location and route

  • Use all resources available to maintain situational awareness, especially in low visibility situations

    • Airport diagram, apps (like ForeFlight), heading indicator, airport signs, markings and lighting, the controllers (don’t be afraid to ask for help, if necessary), etc.

    • Before taxi, brief the planned route, and be alert to any new ATC instructions (Frequent at KPIE)

  • During taxi, stay a step or two ahead of the airplane

Hold Lines

Taxiway

ILS Holding Position Marker

Pay Attention to the the Taxiway Markings

  • Indicate where an aircraft is supposed to stop when approaching a runway

  • Unauthorized crossing of hold lines could result in an incursion with an aircraft taking off or landing

  • During taxi:

    • If approaching hold lines from the dashed side, cross (no clearance necessary) and stop once fully passed the solid lines

    • If approaching hold lines from the solid side, do not cross without a clearance (All runway crossings require a clearance!)

Landing and Rollout

  • When landing and rolling out on a taxiway that will cross/approach another runway, brief the situation

    • Know where you will stop, what taxiways are appropriate to use/not use, and potential hot spots

    • Taxi slow, don’t exit at high speeds

  • If stopped between parallel runways, only cross when cleared to cross

  • After landing, ensure that the entire aircraft, including the tail section, has crossed over the respective landing runway’s hold short line

  • After landing, nonessential communications and actions should not be initiated until clear of all runways

Airports with a Control Tower

  • Perform all the above (planning, briefing, review, etc.)
  • Communicating with ATC
    • Use standard ATC phraseology at all times to facilitate clear and concise communication
    • When making initial contact, state who you are, where you are on the airport, what you want
    • Focus on the ATC clearance
      • Don’t perform any nonessential tasks while communicating with ATC
      • Eliminate expectation bias – Don’t assume you will be given the same clearance as before

  • Read back all clearances and verify the route/clearance on the taxi diagram

Airports without a Control Tower

  • Be familiar with the local traffic pattern direction and pattern altitude
  • Be aware of the route and know where you and other aircraft are at all times

  • Not all aircraft are radio-equipped; therefore, before entering or crossing a runway, scan the full length of the runway, including the final approach and departure paths 

  • Monitor/communicate on the CTAF from engine start, taxi, and until 10 miles from the airport

    • including while arriving , monitor CTAF at least 10 miles out to get a feel for activity, including which runways might be in use and how busy the field is.

Exterior Lighting and Night Operations

  • Exterior aircraft lights may be used to make an aircraft on the airport surface easier to see

    • Engines Running: Turn on the rotating beacon whenever an engine is running

    • Taxiing: Prior to commencing taxi, turn on navigation, position, and anti-collision lights

    • Crossing a Runway: All exterior lights should be illuminated when crossing a runway

  • Be more cautious at night!!

    • Reduced visibility makes taxiing more difficult

    • Taxi slower

    • Look closely for taxiway markings

Questions?

Made with Slides.com