THE AIRLINE PILOTS FORUM & RESOURCE
Runway Incursions |
| by Ben Mitchell -- Source: PIA Flight Safety Publication |
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"Runway Incursions". Why are they occuring and how to avoid them? Ben Mitchell is an Airservices Australia aerodrome operations specialist.
While Australia continues to be one of the safest places to fly, a worrying trend with serious consequences is emerging at our general aviation aerodromes.
New figures from Airservices Australia show that runway incursions at major general aviation aerodromes are continuing to increase despite a greater awareness of the problem among pilots.
The national figures show the number of runway incursions has been rising steadily since the end of 2001 and are now at record high levels.
Of the major GA aerodromes examined by Airservices, Bankstown recorded the highest number of these events while Archerfield had the lowest number of incursions.
The factors behind these events vary, but there are some common threads identified by Airservices Australia:
Complex Airfield Design. Just because international long-haul aircraft are not using the aerodrome doesn't mean the layout will be simple. Smaller aerodromes can have lengthy and confusing taxiways that are difficult to navigate. There have been some cases, for example, where a runway has been mistaken for a parallel taxiway.
Missed Airfield Markings. Signs can be missed due to the limited field of view from the cockpit of taxiing aircraft or the impact of weather conditions such as sun glare. In poor weather, a slower more methodical taxi to the runway is recommended.
Varying Airfield Layout. Not every runway complex is laid out or marked the same way. At some locations, gable markers and taxiway holding points are aligned; at some they are separated by significant distances; and at some locations, the length of taxiway between holding points for parallel runways is not long enough to allow for large twin engine aircraft.
Ambiguous and/or Misunderstood Air Traffic Control Phraseology. The only terms that should be used by air traffic controllers are: ENTER / CROSS / LINE-UP / CLEAR / TAKE-OFF. For any other phrases or misheard instructions, pilots should ask for clarification from the tower.
Switching Off in the Cockpit. While the flying phase of the journey may be over, the flight itself does not end when the wheels touch the tarmac. Pilots should stay alert until they have cleared the runway complex and shutdown the aircraft.
Training Aerodromes. Inexperienced pilots may be slower to react or understand air traffic control clearances or have an under-developed sense of situational awareness.
No Ground Control. Pilots operating from aerodromes without a tower surface movement control service do not have the protection of an "extra" set of eyes. Greater vigilance is required to prevent accidental incursions.
Traffic and Radio Transmission Congestion. Complex traffic environments usually mean increased communication between the tower and aircraft. Often transmissions can be over-transmitted, garbled, or hurried - all of which can lead to misunderstandings.
Change of Plans. Last minute changes to landing or takeoff plans have led to a number of accidental runway incursions around Australia. Pilots should always be prepared for a last minute change of runway or taxi route.
Inadequate Training. Aerodromes contain numerous markings, signs and ground-based instructions that can easily be confused or misunderstood. Instructors should ensure their students know the aerodrome signs and what they mean. Student pilots should ask if they don't recognise an aerodrome sign or marking.
Physiological Impacts. Tiredness, for example, can cause confusion or a lowered awareness of potential threats.
Other causes include first solo nerves and non-compliance with procedures (that is, the pilot failed to monitor the aerodrome terminal information service [ATIS] or ground frequency).
Ground operations can be the most demanding and complex phase of flight.
As a general rule, detailed prior planning is the best way to prevent runway incursions, but there are several other simple measures that will help significantly reduce their likelihood. Aerodrome familiarisation is the key to reducing the incidence of these events - if you know where you're going and how you're going to get there taxiing should be relatively straight forward.
Aerodrome diagrams are extremely helpful and readily available from Airservices Australia and other commercial vendors. You should review these diagrams before taxiing or landing and keep the diagrams readily available during taxiing. You should be alert to aerodrome vehicle and pedestrian activity and plan the taxi route noting runway crossings or parallel runways that could be easily confused.
Effective pilot/controller communications will also help ensure safe surface operations. If possible, monitor radio communications for a short time before commencing to taxi to establish a mental picture of aircraft movements and intentions.
Keep communications clear and concise - if you don't understand an instruction, ask for clarification. Controllers would much rather repeat a message or clarify an instruction than watch two aircraft collide. You should also have a frequency management plan and know where to change frequency.
Extra Vigilance: You can also follow some basic cockpit procedures and techniques to help reduce the likelihood of an accidental incursion. Avoiding unnecessary conversations in the cockpit during surface operations, constantly scanning for traffic, making the aircraft visible through the correct use of lights and asking the tower for assistance will help.
You should also make sure your radio is operating correctly before commencing taxiing.
Check the audio panel, volume control, and squelch settings prior to taxiing and never stop on an active runway and ask for directions. Clear the runway first and then ask for assistance.
Staying alert when the visibility is low or impaired is also critical. Extra vigilance is required when visibility decreases and the ability for pilots and controllers to maintain a desired level of situational awareness becomes significantly more difficult.
Pilots should be aware that tower controllers are there to help. If you've lost situational awareness or think you may have missed a sign, make a call. Continuing to taxi when you're unsure of where you are or where you need to go could have disastrous consequences.
There have been some near misses at some of the major general aviation aerodromes and only by working together will we reduce and hopefully eliminate the problem.
To conclude, here is a simple checklist to help avoid runway incursions.
Do not approach a runway or helipad until you:
Have the current aerodrome terminal information service (ATIS).
Are monitoring the correct frequency and the radio works.
Know where you are.
Know where you intend to go (even if it is initially just out of the landing area).
Know how you intend to get there.
Know what is happening around you (check base, final of all relevant runways, check actual runway, monitor frequencies for any special operations).
Have a simple contingency plan in case things change (taxi back to the run-up bay and rethink the plan or simply ask ATC for assistance).
Fortunately, there have been no fatal accidents at controlled aerodromes as a result of runway incursions in Australia, but the potential for a serious incident is high.
