Below are the first 10 and last 10 pages of uncorrected machine-read text (when available) of this chapter, followed by the top 30 algorithmically extracted key phrases from the chapter as a whole.
Intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text on the opening pages of each chapter.
Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.
Do not use for reproduction, copying, pasting, or reading; exclusively for search engines.
OCR for page 5
5
error, (2) pilot deviation (PD), or vehicle/pedestrian devia- Risk increases during winter operations because snow
tion (V/PD). removal equipment is authorized to be on the airfield in larger
numbers than other equipment during normal operations; more
An operational error is a human error involving an ATCT individuals who are not normally accustomed to regularly
controller, of which there are more than 8,000 in the United operating on the airport are at the controls of the equipment;
States. A PD is a human error involving a licensed pilot, and low visibility or obstructed conditions make it difficult
of which there are more than 675,000 in the United States. for controllers, pilots, and vehicle operators to see each other.
A V/PD is a human error involving a vehicle operator or
pedestrian that results in an entry onto the movement area The FAA has established a voluntary program called the
that has not been authorized by an ATCT controller. Runway Incursion Information Evaluation Program (RIIEP).
The program seeks to gather more in-depth runway safety
The change in definition will have implications on how data on runway surface incidents and runway incursions and
vehicle incidents are recorded and on the number of inci- seeks to understand the specific pilot or mechanic activities or
dents recorded. The number is expected to increase because operating conditions that resulted in them (10). The primary
previously identified surface incidents will now be recorded means of gathering the data is through in-depth interviews of
as incursions. The new method of recording data reflects pilots and maintenance technicians involved in these incidents.
how any incident is a potential hazard that could manifest Analysis of the data is used to implement risk-reduction pro-
itself later as an incursion or an accident if the timing is grams, produce guidance, and augment technologies. To date,
different. this program has not been extended to incidents other than
those involving pilots and mechanics.
BACKGROUND ON INCURSIONS The FAA has also established Runway Safety Action Teams
as part of a national program, These teams are composed of
Much emphasis has been placed on runway incursions over individuals who have a vested interest in safe operations at a
the past decade, in part because of the significant possibility particular airport, such as airport management, air traffic
for loss of life and property. The most recent U.S. statistics control management, airline management, pilot groups, tenant
covering the FAA fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, groups, and others.
show there were 24 serious runway incursions (using the old
FAA definition) (6). The incursion data reported by the FAA
represent those tracked at airports having staffed ATCT (7). REGULATIONS
The 24 reported incursions occurred in relation to approxi-
mately 61 million operations. Even though 24 incursions can Under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139, airports
be considered a small number, just one incursion can have desiring to be served by air carrier operations must acquire an
catastrophic results. airport operating certificate from the FAA (11). The certifi-
cate is issued only after the airport sponsor has developed an
A drawback to identifying the true number of incursions airport certification manual (ACM) that describes how the
or incidents is that they are normally only recorded at airports organization will comply with the federal safety regulations.
that have operating control towers, of which there are 397
overseeing more than 61 million aircraft operations. Not Four sections of the regulations are pertinent to this synthe-
recorded are the number of incursions or incidents that may sis study: (1) Section 139.303 Personnel, (2) Section 139.313
have occurred at airports without an ATCT operating or dur- Snow and Ice Control, (3) Section 139.329 Pedestrians and
ing periods the ATCT was closed, of which there are a total Ground Vehicles, and (4) Section 139.339 Airport Condition
of 3,364 public use airports in the National Plan of Integrated Reporting.
Airports System and an additional 1,906 public use airports
that are not included in that National Plan (8). The reported Under Section 139.303 Personnel, airport management has
incursions and incidents may not be a true representation of the responsibility to provide sufficient and qualified person-
the severity of the problem. nel to comply with the requirements of its ACM and Part 139;
equip personnel with sufficient resources; and train all person-
Information on runway incursions is important from an air- nel who have access to the movement areas and safety areas.
port safety management standpoint. Airport operators need to In particular, training is to address airport familiarization;
know the potential risks associated with an activity so that they procedures for access to, and operation in, movement areas
can determine the proper measures to manage the risk. During and safety areas; airport radio communications; and other
winter snow removal operations, the risk of incursions can duties required under the ACM.
increase significantly. Risk is assessed by identifying: (1) the
probability that an event could occur, (2) the severity of its Section 139.313 Snow and Ice Control requires airport man-
potential outcome, and (3) its exposure level, which is the agement, located at airports where snow and icing conditions
number of opportunities for the event to occur (9). normally occur, to prepare, maintain, and carry out a snow
