Dec. 22, 2015
Several popular general aviation airports, as well as a number of other airfields across the country, may participate in a new FAA program that will provide funding for the mitigation of runway incursions at facilities that have complex or potentially confusing runway-taxiway geometry.
In June, the FAA established its Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) program to identify specific locations on airports with higher risk for potential runway incursions. Complex or confusing airfield geometry has been identified as a primary contributing factor for runway incursions. In partnership with airport sponsors, over the next 10 to 15 years, the FAA will alleviate these risks through improved signs, pavement markings, or construction programs.
Airport participation in the RIM program is voluntary, and the FAA is providing Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for the mitigation efforts. The agency compiled its initial inventory of RIM airports by analyzing incursion data collected between 2007 and 2013. There are 77 airports in the inventory, several with more than one frequent point of incursion.
“We commend the FAA for leading this important national undertaking,” said Peter Korns, NBAA’s manager of operations. The identified airports are categorized by their National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems designations. The inventory includes 28 general aviation reliever airports.
GA airports of potential interest to NBAA members are:
- Teterboro (TEB), NJ
- Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE), FL
- Addison (ADS), TX
- Santa Monica Municipal (SMO) and Van Nuys (VNY), CA
- Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT), AZ
- DeKalb-Peachtree (PDK), GA
- Centennial Airport (APA), CO
- Flying Cloud (FCM), MN
Other airports on the list include:
- 13 large-hub airports, such as Chicago Midway International (MDW) and Philadelphia International (PHL)
- 11 medium-hub airports, such as Palm Beach International (PBI), Memphis International (MEM), Dallas Love Field (DAL) and John Wayne Orange County (SNA)
- A dozen small-hub airports, such as Fairbanks International (FAI) and Orlando Sanford International (SFB)
- 12 non-hub primary airports, such as Juneau International (JNU) and Waco Regional (ACT)
- One non-primary commercial airport, Ernest A. Love Field (PRC) in AZ.
The FAA provided $11 million in AIP funding to eight RIM airports in September to enable them to begin their mitigation efforts this fiscal year.
“The FAA has made significant improvements at U.S. airports over the last decade and the RIM program builds on those successes, taking the next step to proactively analyze and address emerging safety risks that could contribute to runway incursions,” said Alex Gertsen, NBAA’s director of airports and ground infrastructure.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.