RUNWAY INCURSION SERIES

The Group therefore targeted drivers, pilots and air traffic controllers, outlining the importance of following procedures accurately. Moreover, this analysis of data showed that many incidents resulted from those involved failing to follow standard procedures. by identifying developing trends which were addressed by proactive measures before they became genuine risks to safety). The new reporting levels of course meant extra work for the data group as well as collecting the data they created a more precise picture on the more frequent causes of incidents, which could then be tackled more effectively (e.g. airside drivers, pilots and air traffic controllers). We also know the educational impact of the material has helped, as it specifically targeted certain sectors of the industry (i.e.

RUNWAY INCURSION SERIES

A series of posters, leaflets and other publicity material – all featuring specially designed runway incursion branding – made those involved much more aware of the issue and they then set about tackling these issues, as the increase in reporting showed. The first success was publicising the issue with industry. So what had the group achieved that could have helped to reduce the rate of incursions? Of those, 70 per cent were assessed as involving no risk. However some of the group’s measures had started to reduce the number, and this was confirmed in 2006 when incursions fell by seven per cent to 154. Reported incidents rose from 74 in 2003 to 127 in 2004 and 166 in 2005. We’ve seen this happen with other safety issues such as level busts and airspace infringements where despite our open reporting culture in the UK the issue may well have been previously under-reported.

This Group draws on the knowledge and expertise of CAA staff and airlines, air traffic service providers and airport experts.Ī number of sub groups look in more depth at issues such as technological initiatives, training, publicity and collecting and analysing the data from incidents, to establish trends and develop mitigations.Īs you would expect, once the profile of runway incursions was raised, the number of reported incidents increased. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) redoubled its efforts to reduce incidents over five years ago and established a Runway Incursions Steering Group. The action plan in the UK focuses on people, technology and procedures with emphasis on training, education and publicity. In an ideal world we would aim for a scenario where no aircraft or vehicle ever entered a runway without permission, or in error.Ĭlearly such an ideal situation would be exceptionally difficult to achieve, but the UK, in partnership with Europe and the rest of the world, is striving to reduce the number of incidents to as low as practically possible. Although serious runway incidents are very rare and accidents even rarer, runway incursions are today among the top target areas for aviation regulators.

Runway incursion