*Runway Incursion Avoidance

Question 1

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF RUNWAY INCURSION?

Answer 1

RUNWAY INCURSION IS “ANY OCCURRENCE IN THE AIRPORT RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT INVOLVING AN AIRCRAFT, VEHICLE, PERSON, OR OBJECT ON THE GROUND THAT CREATES A COLLISION HAZARD OR RESULTS IN A LOSS OR REQUIRED SEPARATION WITH AN AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF, INTENDING TO TAKE OFF, LANDING, OR INTENDING TO LAND”

Question 2

WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF RUNWAY INCURSIONS?

Answer 2

PRIMARY CAUSES OF RUNWAY INCURSIONS:

1.) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ATC INSTRUCTIONS
- CLEAR, CONCISE, & EFFECTIVE PILOT/CONTROLLER COMMUNICATION IS PARAMOUNT TO SAFE AIRPORT SURFACE OPERATIONS
- YOU MUST FULLY UNDERSTAND & COMPLY WITH ATC INSTRUCTIONS

2.) LACK OF AIRPORT FAMILIARITY
- TAXIING ON AN UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS DARK OR LOW VISIBILITY
- A REQUEST MAY BE MADE FOR PROGRESSIVE TAXI INSTRUCTIONS WHICH INCLUDE STEP BY STEP TAXI ROUTING INSTRUCTIONS
- ENSURE YOU HAVE A CURRENT AIRPORT DIAGRAM, REMAIN “HEAD-UP” WITH EYES OUTSIDE, & DEVOTE YOUR ENTIRE ATTENTION TO SURFACE NAVIGATION PER ATC CLEARANCE

3.) NONCONFORMANCE WITH STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
- ALL CHECKLISTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED WHILE THE AIRCRAFT IS STOPPED

Question 3

WHAT ARE PRACTICES WE CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT A RUNWAY INCURSION?

Answer 3

PRACTICES WE CAN DO TO HELP PREVENT RUNWAY INCURSION:

1.) READ BACK ALL RUNWAY CROSSING &/OR HOLD INSTRUCTIONS

2.) REVIEW AIRPORT LAYOUTS AS PART OF THE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, BEFORE DESCENDING TO LAND & WHILE TAXIING, AS NEEDED

3.) KNOW AIRPORT SIGNAGE

4.) REVIEW NOTAM FOR INFORMATION ON RUNWAY/TAXIWAY CLOSURES & CONSTRUCTION AREAS

5.) REQUEST PROGRESSIVE TAXI INSTRUCTIONS FROM ATC WHEN UNSURE OF THE TAXI ROUTE

6.) CHECK FOR TRAFFIC BEFORE CROSSING ANY RUNWAY HOLD LINE & BEFORE ENTERING A TAXIWAY

Question 4

COMPLYING WITH ATC & TAXI INSTRUCTIONS

Answer 4

1.) 14 CFR PART 91, SECTION 91.123 REQUIRES YOU TO FOLLOW ALL ATC CLEARANCES & INSTRUCTIONS

2.) THE FINAL DECISION TO ACT ON ATC’S INSTRUCTIONS RESTS WITH YOU; IF YOU CANNOT COMPLY WITH ANY OF ATC’S INSTRUCTIONS, INFORM THEM IMMEDIATELY BY USING THE WORD “UNABLE”

3.) ENSURE YOU READ BACK YOUR COMPLETE ATC CLEARANCE WITH YOUR AIRCRAFT CALL SIGN

Question 5

WHEN TRANSMITTING TAXI INSTRUCTIONS, WHAT DOES ATC SPECIFY?

Answer 5

WHEN TRANSMITTING TAXI INSTRUCTIONS, ATC SPECIFIES:

1.) DEPARTURE RUNWAY
2.) THE TAXI ROUTE
3.) ANY HOLD SHORT INSTRUCTIONS OR RUNWAY CROSSING CLEARANCE IF THE TAXI ROUTE CROSSES A RUNWAY

Question 6

WHAT ARE REQUIRED READ BACKS FROM THE PILOT TO ATC?

Answer 6

PILOTS MUST ALWAYS READ BACK:

1.) THE RUNWAY ASSIGNMENT
2.) ANY CLEARANCE TO TAXI ONTO OR CROSS A SPECIFIC RUNWAY
3.) ANY INSTRUCTION TO HOLD SHORT OF A RUNWAY OR LINE UP & WAIT

Question 7

WHAT ARE PROGRESSIVE TAXI INSTRUCTIONS?

Answer 7

PROGRESSIVE TAXI INSTRUCTIONS:

• IF THE PILOT IS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT OR UNSURE OF A TAXI ROUTE, A “PROGRESSIVE TAXI” SHOULD BE REQUESTED
• PROGRESSIVE TAXI REQUIRES ATC TO PROVIDE STEP-BY-SPET TAXI INSTRUCTIONS

Question 8

WHAT ARE HOLD SHORT INSTRUCTIONS?

Answer 8

HOLD SHORT INSTRUCTIONS:

• WHEN ATC ISSUES “HOLD SHORT” INSTRUCTIONS, THE PILOT MUST RTAXI UP TO BUT NOT CROSS ANY PART OF THE RUNWAY HOLDING MARKING

EX.. RUNWAY 10L, TAXI VIA ALPHA, HOLD SHORT RUNWAY 18”

• ATC ISSUES FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS IF PILOTS ARE EXPECTED TO HOLD SHORT OF A RUNWAY APPROACH/DEPARTURE HOLD AREA OR ILS HOLDING POSITION

Question 9

WHAT ARE EXPLICIT RUNWAY CROSSINGS?

Answer 9

• ATC MUST ISSUE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO “CROSS” OR “HOLD SHORT” OF EACH RUNWAY, EVEN IF THE RUNWAY IS CLOSED
• INSTRUCTIONS TO CROSS A RUNWAY ARE TYPICALLY ISSUED ONE AT A TIME & AN AIRCRAFT MUST HAVE CROSSED THE PREVIOUS RUNWAY BEFORE ANOTHER RUNWAY CROSSING IS ISSUED
• EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE FOR CLOSELY SPACED RUNWAYS
• THIS APPLIES TO ALL RUNWAYS TO INCLUDE ACTIVE, INACTIVE, OR CLOSED
• EXTRA CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN DIRECTED BY ATC TO TAXI ONTO OR ACROSS A RUNWAY, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT & DURING REDUCED VISIBILITY

Question 10

PILOTS CANNOT ENTER A RUNWAY UNLESS

Answer 10

THEY HAVE BEEN…

1.) INSTRUCTED TO CROSS A TAXI ONTO THAT RUNWAY
2.) CLEARED TO TAKE OFF FROM THE RUNWAY; OR
3.) INSTRUCTED TO LINE UP & WAIT ON THAT RUNWAY

Question 11

WHAT ARE LINE UP & WAIT INSTRUCTIONS?

Answer 11

• ATC USES THE “LINE UP & WAIT” (LUAW) INSTRUCTIONS WHEN A TAKEOFF CLEARANCE CANNOT BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY
• ATC SHOULD STATE THE REASON FOR ANY DELAY IN ISSUING THE TAKEOFF CLEARANCE
• “LINE UP & WAIT” IS NOT A CLEARANCE FOR TAKEOFF; IT IS ONLY A CLEARANCE TO ENTER THE RUNWAY & HOLD POSITION FOR TAKEOFF
• BEFORE ENTERING THE RUNWAY FOR “LINE UP & WAIT,” REMEMBER TO SCAN THE FULL LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY & ITS APPROACH END FOR OTHER AIRCRAFT
• THE PILOT SHOULD CONTACT ATC IF A TAKEOFF CLEARANCE IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF GETTING A LINE UP & WAIT INSTRUCTION

EX.. “RUNWAY 28R, LINE UP & WAIT”

Question 12

WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES FOR “LINE UP & WAIT” OPERATIONS?

Answer 12

BEST PRACTICES FOR “LINE UP AND WAIT” OPERATIONS:

1.) TURN ON THE TRAFFIC INFORMATION DISPLAYS, IF EQUIPPED, TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF LANDING TRAFFIC

2.) MAKE THE AIRCRAFT MORE CONSPICUOUS TO AIRCRAFT ON FINAL & ATC BY TURNING ON ALL LIGHTS

3.) DO NOT WAIT ON THE RUWNAY AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS

Question 13

AIRPORT KNOWLEDGE & PLANNING - WHAT ARE REVIEW ITEMS BEFORE YOU START TAXIING? (6)

Answer 13

REVIEW ITEMS:

1.) CURRENT AIRPORT NOTAMs

2.) IF AVAILABLE, THE ATIS FOR RUNWAY & TAXIWAY CLOSURES, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, & OTHER AIRPORT SPECIFIC RISKS

3.) THE CURRENT AIRPORT DIAGRAM

4.) STANDARD TAXI ROUTES, IF PUBLISHED

5.) THE LOCATION OF HOT SPOTS & OTHER POTENTIAL AREAS FOR A RUNWAY INCURSION

6.) THE SUITABILITY OF INTERSECTIONS THAT MAY BE USED AT TAKEOFF

Question 14

AIRPORT KNOWLEDGE & PLANNING - WHAT ARE BRIEFING ITEMS BEFORE YOU START TAXIING? (7)

Answer 14

BRIEFING ITEMS:

1.) THE EXPECTED TAXI ROUTE, TO INCLUDE THE LOCATIONS OF HOLD SHORT LINES & RUNWAYS TO CROSS

2.) CRITICAL LOCATIONS ON THE TAXI ROUTE (E.G., HOT SPOTS, COMPLEX INTERSECTIONS, & CROSSING RUNWAYS)

3.) THE DISPLAY OF AIRPORT DIAGRAM & THE PLAN TO TRACK PROGRESS ON THE CHART

4.) THE TIMING & EXECUTION OF AIRCRAFT CHECKLISTS & COMMUNICATIONS AT TIMES THAT WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH TAXIING ACTIVITY

5.) THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A STERILE COCKPIT, BUT ENCOURAGE OCCUPANTS TO SPEAK UP IF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IS SPOTTED

6.) UNUSUAL PROCEDURES OR TECHNIQUES THAT ARE NOT TYPICALLY USED

7.) REMIND ALL COCKPIT OCCUPANTS THE USE OF CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES IS DISCOURAGED

Question 15

WHAT ARE SOME HAZARDS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO TAXIING? (10)

Answer 15

1.) MOVEMENT IN CONFINED AREAS
2.) PEOPLE OR VEHICLES ON THE RAMP
3.) HIGH WORKLOADS (EX.. STRESS & “HEADS-DOWN” TIME)
4.) NOTAMS FOR CLOSED TAXIWAYS & CONSTRUCTION AREAS
5.) AIRCRAFT MOVING NEARBY (EX.. COLLISIONS, RUNWAY INCURSIONS, & PROPELLER/JET BLAST)
6.) CONTROLLED RAMPS & TAXIWAYS (EX.. COMPLEXITY, RESPONSIBILITIES, & MISSED CLEARANCES)
7.) UNCONTROLLED RAMPS & TAXIWAYS (EX.. NO RADIO AIRCRAFT, OBSTRUCTIONS)
8.) HOT SPOTS
9.) CROSSWINDS OR TAILWINDS THAT CAN CAUSE A WING TO RISE
10.) TAXIING ON A SNOW-COVERED OR ICY TAXIWAY

Question 16

WHAT ARE TOWERED AIRPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAXIING? (8)

Answer 16

TOWERED AIRPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAXIING:

1.) KNOW THE LOCATION OF HOT SPOTS
2.) CLEAR BOTH LEFT & RIGHT BEFORE CROSSING A RUNWAY
3.) NEVER ASSUME A RUNWAY IS CLEAR JUST BECAUSE CLEARANCE IS RECEIVED TO TAXI ONTO IT
4.) WHEN CLEARED TO TAKE OFF OR CROSS A RUNWAY, OR WHEN EXITING A RUNWAY, DO SO PROMPTLY
5.) NEVER STOP A RUNWAY UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY ATC TO DO SO
6.) BE CAUTIOUS OF EXPECTATION BIAS WHEN COPYING CLEARANCES
7.) BE AWARE THAT HOLD SHORT LINES MAY BE LOCATED AS FAR AS 400’ FROM THE RUNWAY EDGE
8.) EXERCISE INCREASED AWARENESS WHEN TAXIING IN BETWEEN ACTIVE PARALLEL RUNWAYS

Question 17

WHAT ARE NON-TOWERED AIRPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAXIING? (4)

Answer 17

NON-TOWERED AIRPORT CONSIDERATIONS:

1.) CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR & COMMUNICATE ON THE APPROPRIATE FREQUENCY (REMEMBER SOME AIRCRAFT MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH A RADIO)

2.) SCAN THE FULL LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY, INCLUDING THE FINAL APPROACH PATHS, BEFORE ENTERING OR CROSSING A RUNWAY

3.) REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO “ACTIVE” RUNWAY. FLIGHT OPERATIONS MAY OCCUR ON MORE THAN ONE RUNWAY

4.) AIRCRAFT MAY BE FLYING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO RUNWAYS OTHER THAN THE RUNWAY IN USE FOR TAKEOFF & LANDING

Question 18

WHAT ARE STANDARD OPERATING PRACTICES FOR TAXIING? (5)

Answer 18

SOPs FOR TAXIING:

1.) COMPLETE ALL CHECKLIST ITEMS, PROGRAM AVIONICS, & SET THE COMMUNICATION & NAVIGATION RADIOS BEFORE TAXIING TO REDUCE WORKLOAD DURING MOVEMENT

2.) REVIEW & BRIEF ANY CHANGES TO THE EXPECTED TAXI ROUTE IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO ENSURE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

3.) KEEP THE AIRPORT DIAGRAM AVAILABLE & USE ALL VISUAL CUES, INCLUDING THE HEADING INDICATOR, TO TRACK PROGRESS AND ADHERE TO THE TAXI ROUTE

4.) MAINTAIN A STERILE COCKPIT TO ENHANCE FOCUS & PREVENT DISTRACTIONS

5.) THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BE USED TO ASSIST THE PILOT BUT CAN NOT BE RELIED UPON TO HOLD THE AIRCRAFT STATIONARY (FEET MUST REMAIN ON THE BREAKS)

Question 19

WHAT ARE HOT SPOTS?

Answer 19

• A HOT SPOT IS A LOCATION IN AN AIRPORT MOVEMENT AREA WITH A HISTORY OR POTENTIAL RISK OF COLLISION OF RUNWAY INCURSION, WHERE PILOTS’ & DRIVERS’ HEIGHTENED ATTENTION IS NECESSARY
• HOT SPOTS ARE TYPICALLY LOCATED AT CONFUSION TAXIWAY & RUNWAY INTERSECTIONS

Question 20

HOW ARE HOT SPOTS DEPICTED ON AN AIRPORT DIAGRAM?

Answer 20

• HOT SPOTS ARE DEPICTED ON AIRPORT DIAGRAMS AS AN OPEN CIRCLE OR ELLIPSE FOR GROUND MOVEMENT HOT SPOTS & A CYLINDER (RECTANGLE) FOR WRONG SURFACE HOT SPOTS
• THEY ARE DESIGNATED BY “HS” & A NUMBER (E.G. HS1 OR HS2)
• HOT SPOTS ARE ALSO DESCRIBED IN CHART SUPPLEMENTS PUBLICATIONS UNDER THE “HOT SPOTS” HEADING”
• THEY REMAIN CHARTED UNTIL THE INCREASED RISK HAS BEEN REDUCED OR ELIMINATED

Question 21

WHAT ARE TAXIING CONSIDERATIONS AT NIGHT TIME? (5)

Answer 21

NIGHT CONSIDERATIONS:

1.) TAXI SLOWLY, PARTICULARLY IN CONGESTED AREAS

2.) USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN ENTERING OR CROSSING A RUNWAY

3.) AVOID USING THE STROBE LIGHTS & BRIGHT, FORWARD-FACING LIGHTS AROUND OTHER AIRCRAFTS

4.) WHEN STOPPED, USE EXTRA VIGILANCE TO ENSURE THE AIRPLANE DOES NOT CREEP FORWARD

5.) ADJUST THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO MINIMUM BRIGHTNESS THAT ALLOWS READING THE INSTRUMENTS & SWITCHES; DIMMING THE LIGHTS REDUCES REFLECTIONS ON THE WINDOWS

Question 22

WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES FOR AVOIDING RUNWAY INCURSIONS DURING TAKEOFF AT ALL AIRPORTS? (3)

Answer 22

BEST PRACTICES FOR AVOIDING RUNWAY INCURSIONS DURING TAKEOFF AT ALL AIRPORTS:

1.) SCAN THE FINAL APPROACH PATH & RUWNAY ENVIRONMENT BEFORE ENTERING THE RUNWAY
2.) VERIFY THE CORRECT RUNWAY BY OBSERVING THE RUNWAY DESIGNATION MARKING & SIGN
3.) VERIFY THE HEADING INDICATOR MATCHES THE RUNWAY DIRECTION

Question 23

WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES FOR AVOIDING RUNWAY INCURSIONS DURING TAKEOFF AT A NON-TOWERED AIRPORT? (4)

Answer 23

1.) DO NOT “LINE UP & WAIT”
2.) MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN TO SCAN FOR TRAFFIC
3.) COMMUNICATE & LISTEN ON THE APPROPRIATE FREQUENCY
4.) BE AWARE THAT TRAFFIC MAY USE MORE THAN ONE RUNWAY, ESPECIALLY IF THE WINDS ARE LIGHT OR VARIABLE

Question 24

WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES FOR AVOIDING RUNWAY INCURSIONS DURING TAKEOFF AT A TOWERED AIRPORT?

Answer 24

1.) BEFORE ENTERING THE RUNWAY, ENSURE YOU ARE CLEARED TO DO SO & THAT IT IS SAFE (“TRUST BUT VERIFY”)

Question 25

WHEN EXITING THE RUNWAY AFTER LANDING TO AVOID RUNWAY INCURSIONS AFTER LANDING, UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY ATC, PILOTS MUST (3)

Answer 25

1.) EXIT THE RUNWAY WITHOUT DELAY AT THE FIRST AVAILABLE TAXIWAY OR ON A TAXIWAY 2.) TAXI BEYOND THE RUNWAY HOLDING POSITION MARKINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LANDING RUNWAY, EVEN IF THAT REQUIRES THE AIRCRAFT TO PROTRUDE INTO OR CROSS ANOTHER TAXIWAY OR RAMP AREA 3.) HOLD UNTIL ATC ISSUES FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Question 26

WHEN EXITING THE RUNWAY AFTER LANDING TO AVOID RUNWAY INCURSIONS, AFTER LANDING, UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY ATC, PILOTS CANNOT

Answer 26

WHEN EXITING A RUNWAY AFTER LANDING, PILOTS CANNOT: 1.) CROSS A FOLLOWING TAXIWAY OR RUNWAY AFTER CLEARING THE RUNWAY 2.) EXIT THE LANDING RUNWAY ONTO ANOTHER RUNWAY 3.) STOP OR REVERSE COURSE ON THE RUNWAY

Question 27

WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES FOR AVOIDING RUNWAY INCURSIONS AFTER LANDING? (5)

Answer 27

BEST PRACTICES FOR AVOIDING RUNWAY INCURSIONS AFTER LANDING: 1.) BEFORE LANDING, REVIEW & BRIEF THE EXPECTED TAXI ROUTE USING THE AIRPORT DIAGRAM 2.) DURING THE APPROACH BRIEFING, ESTABLISH A PLAN TO AVOID ENTERING NEARBY RUNWAYS WHEN EXITING THE RUNWAY 3.) DO NOT EXIT ONTO ANOTHER RUNWAY WITHOUT ATC AUTHORIZATION 4.) NEVER STOP ON AN ACTIVE RUNWAY TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS; CLEAR THE RUNWAY FIRST 5.) GUARD AGAINST THE PITFALL OF FOLLOWING EXPECTATIONS INSTEAD OF THE INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED FROM ATC

Question 28

WHAT ARE STANDARD OPERATING PRACTICES FOR LANDING & TAXIING TO PARKING? (6)

Answer 28

STANDARD OPERATING PRACTICES FOR LANDING & TAXIING TO PARKING: 1.) BEFORE LANDING, ESTABLISH A PLAN TO EXIT THE RUNWAY & REVIEW THE EXPECTED TAXI ROUTE TO THE PARKING LOCATION 2.) DO NOT ACCEPT LAST-MINUTE TURNOFF INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE TOWER UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN YOU CAN SAFELT COMPLY 3.) NEVER STOP ON AN ACTIVE RUNWAY TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS; CLEAR THE RUNWAY FIRST 4.) DO NOT EXIT THE LANDING RUNWAY ONTO CROSSING RUNWAY WITHOUT AN ATC CLEARANCE 5.) MAKE NO CONFIGURATION CHANGES UNTIL AFTER THE AIRCRAFT HAS EXITED THE RUNWAY 6.) GUARD AGAINST THE PITFALL OF FOLLOWING EXPECTATIONS INSTEAD OF THE INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED FROM ATC