ATB5-1
Runway Incursions and Situational
Awareness
A runway incursion is "Any occurrence at an airport involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft."
Runway Incursion
• Complex & Confusing Intersections
• Runway/Runway Intersections
• Runway/Taxiway Intersections
• Runway Thresholds
Common Locations of Runway Incursions Regardless of Airport Size
or Level of Operational Activity
Runway Incursions
The FAA categorizes Runway Incursions inFour categories depending on the potentialFor collision.
A - Separation decreases and participants take extreme action to narrowly avoid a collisionB - Separation decreases and there is a significant potential for collisionC - Separation decreases but there is ample time and distance to avoid a potential collisionD - Little or no chance of collision but meets the definition of a runway incursion
Severity Categories
ABC
D
Animated Illustration
9
Little or no risk of
collision
Ample time and distance to avoid collision
Significant
potential
for collision
Barely
avoid
collision
Above scenarios are all classified as runway incursions, but with different severity codes.
• In each case the taxiing aircraft penetrated the runway safety area (hold position) AND
• A collision hazard or loss of separation occurred with the landing aircraft.
Tower Operations (millions)
9.0
13.0
11.0
12.0
14.0
8.0
10.0
Ru
nw
ay
Inc
ursio
n R
ateR
un
way In
cursio
ns p
er 1,000,000 Tow
er Op
eration
s
YTD 05/18/08
11.56
12.36
63.12 63.01
13.34549 as of 05/18/07
Rate est. 14.46* as
of 05/18//08
61.13
* Rates are based on Estimated Tower Operations
14.60
61.15
15.0
All Categories of Runway Incursions
Severity Distribution of Runway Incursions
FY 2008 YTD (05/18/08)FY 2004-2007
Runway Incursions
• 480 Air Traffic Control Towers
• 268 million operations (67 million/year)
• 1460 incursions total (5 incursions/million)
• Over 80% are Category C and D events
• 71% of aircraft incursions involve two GA aircraft
Pilot Deviation
Pilot Deviation (PD)
The actions of a pilot that result in the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation.
When it appears that the actions of a pilot constitute a possible pilot deviation, the controller will notify the pilot, workload permitting, using the following phraseology
“(aircraft identification) possible pilot deviation, advise you contact (facility) at (telephone number)”.
Common Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot Deviations
Common Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot DeviationsCommon Factors in Pilot Deviations
31% Improper readback / hearback
56% Not following ATC instructions
Common Factors in Pilot Deviations
Vehicle / Pedestrian Deviation (V/PD)
Crossing the holding position markingWithout ATC authorization
Operational Error
Operational Error (OE) FAA Orders
An occurrence attributable to an element of the air traffic system in which:
• Less than the applicable separation minima results between two or more aircraft, or between an aircraft and terrain or obstacles; or
• An aircraft lands or departs on a runway closed to aircraft operations after receiving air traffic authorization
Distribution by Type of Runway Incursions
FY 2008 YTD (05/18/08)
FY 2004-2007
ATC ERRORS - INCURSIONS DUE TO….
32% inadequate scan
32% poor communications
25% deviation from SOP
10% Lapse ofmemory
FAA’s DEFINITION OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
• According to the FAA 7210.3 ….. ”Situational awareness is defined as a continuous extraction of environmental information, integration of this information with previous knowledge to form a coherent mental picture, and the use of that picture in directing further perception and anticipating future events.”
Challenges facing Air Crews
and Air Traffic Controllers
• Taxi operations are difficult and potentially hazardous
• Air traffic volume is expected to increase
• Air Traffic System is more complex
• Airport layout design is more complicated
• Technology improvements at airports have not kept pace with demand
• Taxi operations are difficult and potentially hazardous
• Air traffic volume is expected to increase
• Air Traffic System is more complex
• Airport layout design is more complicated
• Technology improvements at airports have not kept pace with demand
Causes of Major Runway Incursions and OE’s
• Loss of Situational Awareness
• Misunderstanding ATC / Pilot communications
• Lapse in short-term memory
• Deviation from SOPsHUMAN ERROR
LOSS OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
STRATEGY-Plan your “head down” time wisely• Stripmarking / Chart reading• Reading weather• Adjusting controls• Non essential duties
LOSS OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
STRATEGY-Use memory joggers- Writing pads- Strips- Lights / Bells / Controls
LOSS OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
or… “Looking at our surroundings through a straw”
STRATEGY - • Keep the “BIG” picture• SCAN – look out the
windows
LOSS OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
STRATEGY –
Continue to Scan even when reading a clearance / reading back a clearance or performing other duties
LOSS OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
LUAW (Line up and Wait) = time for extra vigilance
STRATEGY- Controller – Some type of memory joggerPilot – Should wait no more than a minute in position without confirming TIPH with tower
Know whois who!
Know whois where!
PILOTS AND CONTROLLERS
CONTROLLER / PILOT MISUNDERSTANDING
STRATEGY - • Use your headset rather
than the speaker and microphone
• Use standard phraseology
LISTEN TO READBACKS
STRATEGY –
• Keep tower cab / cockpit free of distractions, whether your busy or not.
• Keep non-operational conversations to a minimum
LAPSE IN SHORT-TERM/WORKING
MEMORY
LAPSE IN SHORT-TERM/WORKING
MEMORY
• 6-8 items, 20-second retention
• Task saturation is a ATC and Pilot reality
STRATEGY –
Don’t take on more than
you can handle
REVIEW
• Runway incursions (RIs) are infrequent events (5 per million operations).
• 80% of RIs are minor in severity.• Catastrophic RIs are rare (4 since1989).• Aircraft operations contribute to RIs in proportion
to their representation in the NAS.• Most common RIs involve 2 GA planes but are in
the minor category.• Pilot Deviations account for a majority of runway
incursions. • Rate of major incursions at busiest airports are
twice those of the rest of the airports.
Runway Incursion Prevention Methods
• Close teamwork and clear coordination is essential between pilots and controllers.
• An effective scan of the active runways and taxiways by controllers and
pilots is an absolute must.
“ A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations that require the use of his superior skill.”
Aviation proverb