U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

Runway Incursions   A Growing Problem At Controlled Airports Communications Airport Knowledge Cockpit Procedures Stay Alert Report Confusing Surface Markings Other Information Sources

The FAA defines a runway incursion as:
Any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in loss of separation with an aircraft taking off, or intending to take off, landing, or intending to land. Runway incursions have been increasing. Extra care and vigilance by pilots is one of the keys to reversing this adverse trend.

Detailed investigations of runway incursions have identified three major areas where pilots can help.

• Communications
• Airport knowledge
• Cockpit procedures for maintaining orientation

*Runway incursions are only officially recognized at airports with operating control towers.

The risk of being involved in a runway incursion can be greatly reduced by improving communication skills, knowledge of airport taxiways and runways, and cockpit procedures. Each is important to safe ground operations.

Keep Communications
Clear and Concise
Effective pilot/controller communications are key to safe surface operations. Clear understanding of instructions should never be compromised, especially during busy times when the frequency is congested.

Listen before you transmit. If able, monitor radio communications to establish a "mental picture" of airport activity. Think before keying your transmitter. Keep communications with the controller clear and concise. Never assume. Ensure you understand all instructions. Read back runway hold short instructions verbatim. Be Familiar with the Airport It sounds simple-know where you are and where you are going. In reality, ground operations can be the most demanding and complex phase of flight.

I (copilot) motioned for the captain to proceed to the ramp. He mistook this for an ATC clearance to cross the parallel runway. An aircraft on its landing roll on the parallel was fortunately turning off as we crossed. Excerpts from report submitted to NASA'a Aviation Safety Reporting System.

Detailed airport diagrams are helpful. They are available from NOAA and several commercial vendors. Although these diagrams are normally used by instrument rated pilots, VFR pilots will also find them useful when performing surface operations.

Follow Proper Cockpit Procedures
Pilots can use proven and effective procedures in the cockpit to help conduct safe operations on the ground and during take off and landing.

Maintain a sterile cockpit environment. Avoid unnecessary conversation, during surface operations, take off, and landing. Constantly scan outside of the cockpit, especially when on runways. If lost notify Air Traffic Control immediately. Make your aircraft visible by proper use of aircraft lights. If you are unfamiliar with the airport do not hesitate to request progressive taxi instructions. Insure proper radio operation and check audio panel, volume control, and squelch settings. Know and follow lost communication procedures and use good judgement should radio failure occur. Never stop on an active runway after landing to ask for directions. Clear the runway first, once you have passed the holding position markings (hold lines), stop and ask ground control for directions. Stay Alert Especially When Visibility is Low 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. During periods of reduced visibility pilots should keep in mind:

The heading indicator is as useful on the ground as it is in the air. Use it together with the taxi chart to maintain orientation. Cleared to land Runway 25L with controller advising "minimum time on the runway, faster traffic in trail." As we slowed to taxi speed, controller advised "Nice job, next high speed, stay with me." I mistakenly took this to mean he was clearing us across all runways and we crossed the parallel Runway 25R without clearance. A contributing cause was focusing on clearing the landing runway with faster traffic behind. Excerpt from report submitted to NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System.

• Cockpit workload and distractions tend to increase;
• As cockpit activity increases, attention to communications tends to decrease;
• Fatigue level increases; and
• Increased vigilance is needed when snow and other weather conditions obscure surface markings and make signs difficult to see.

Report Confusing or Deteriorating
Surface Markings and Signs
Report confusing or deteriorating surface markings and signs and inaccurate airport diagrams to the tower or airport manager. Also, a report to the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is strongly recommended. ASRS maintains a data base of reported hazards. Alert messages from ASRS are forwarded to appropriate airport authorities for action. Airport authorities are requested to provide responses to ASRS. This serves as an important check on the type of corrective actions being taken and closes the loop in the incident reporting process. To obtain ASRS forms, fax a request to NASA at 415-967-4170 or write to ASRS, 635 Ellis St., Suite 305, Mountain View, CA 94043. Forms may also be printed from the ASRS website at ... http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/

Other Information Sources That
May Be Helpful