Local, Regional Groups Key to Runway Safety

Local and regional business aviation groups can play an important role in elevating runway safety at nearby airports. While some runway safety risks can be mitigated through technology, including lighting and markings and advanced technology in the aircraft, experts say education and awareness are often the biggest factors in mitigating runway excursions and incursions.

“We can’t focus on technology only,” said a former airport manager, now head of a state aviation group, who considers information sharing to be a critical part of runway safety. “Stakeholders have to work together to maintain safety.”

This includes reporting hazardous conditions, whether unclear instructions from an inexperienced controller, physical attributes of an airport or other conditions.

Ben Kohler, a member of NBAA’s new Runway and Surface Safety Working Group, shared how his organization’s safety management system (SMS) and coordination with a local airport manager had a direct impact on runway safety at a small airport his organization frequents.

Recently a flight crew submitted an SMS report after an incident while maneuvering to avoid hitting a taxiway information sign. The sign had been reported in the SMS before, and company pilots were made aware of its position and the risk of collision.

After this second safety report, Kohler contacted the airport manager as part of the department’s investigation process, who provided actual position and dimensions of the sign. Although the reporting pilots’ aircraft would have cleared the sign, a visual illusion makes a collision appear inevitable. The airport manager agreed with the results of Kohler’s investigation, removed the signs, and will place new ones where they do not create a hazard.

“Mitigations like this impact everyone,” Kohler said. “Airports and regional groups should reach out to their local FAA FAASTeam representatives and coordinate with flying clubs, owner groups and other stakeholders at their airports.”

Alex Gertsen, CAM, NBAA director, airports and ground infrastructure, reiterated the importance of local and regional stakeholders. “Operators based in the area have a unique advantage of frequenting area airports, recognizing hazards that may exist due to complex airport geometry or other factors and are also more likely to identify and communicate new concerns that may pop up.”

Gertsen also encouraged stakeholders to participate in Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meetings at nearby airports. “Our regional members are our safety ambassadors, leveraging their relationships with the airport managers, air traffic controllers and FBOs in their region and leading the way to educate others, share ideas and resolve issues in a collaborative way to elevate runway and surface safety.”

Review NBAA’s Runway Excursion Guide at nbaa.org/runway-excursions.