Runway Incursion Avoidance

Runway Incursions

A runway incursion is defined as any occurrence at an airport involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the runway or taxiway that interferes with the intended operation of aircraft. This can occur during takeoff, landing, taxiing, or any other time aircraft are near or on the runway. Runway incursions present a significant safety risk and can lead to accidents, including collisions, near misses, or even fatal crashes. The most common contributing factors include miscommunication, misinterpretation of taxi instructions, loss of situational awareness, and operational errors.

Taxi Instructions and Clearances

Taxi instructions and clearances are crucial in ensuring that aircraft move safely on the ground. Pilots must always follow instructions given by Air Traffic Control (ATC) unless safety dictates otherwise. These instructions often include:

• Route instructions: Directions for the aircraft’s taxi route from the gate to the runway or vice versa.

• Hold short instructions: Clearances that specify the exact point at which an aircraft should stop short of entering a runway or active taxiway.

• Crossing clearances: Instructions that permit crossing an active runway or taxiway, including when to wait for clearance or to proceed after being authorized.

Pilots must clearly understand and acknowledge these instructions to avoid miscommunication or error. Any ambiguity should be resolved immediately with ATC before proceeding. You should always feel comfortable asking ATC to clarify their instructions. If you're at an unfamiliar airport, you can request a progressive taxi.

One of the most vital steps in preventing runway incursions is the careful recording and review of taxi instructions. Upon receiving taxi instructions, pilots should:

• Write down the taxi route provided by ATC to ensure no part is missed or misunderstood.

• Review the airport diagram to identify key landmarks such as runways, taxiways, holding positions, and hotspots (areas of frequent or potential congestion or confusion).

• Verify the instructions to ensure clarity and correctness. If any discrepancies or confusion arise, pilots must clarify with ATC before proceeding.

Using the airport diagram during taxi operations also enables pilots to visualize their location, stay aware of the airport’s layout, and anticipate potential conflicts or hazards, especially in large or complex airports.

Sterile Cockpit

Taxiing requires consistent attention to multiple tasks and flight deck activities. These include:

• Taxi route planning: Pilots should review and familiarize themselves with the planned taxi route prior to departure, including potential points for holding or crossing runways.

• Briefing Hot Spots: Known or identified Hot Spots are areas on the airport diagram that have historically seen a high rate of runway incursions or other safety concerns. These areas should be specifically addressed during pre-taxi briefings to ensure all crew members are aware of any risk factors.

• Communication and coordination with ATC: Continuous and clear communication with ATC is essential to ensure pilots understand and confirm instructions, especially when there are changes during the taxi process.

• Checklist use: Always use the taxi checklist to ensure critical items are reviewed, and nothing is overlooked.

These activities ensure a high level of situational awareness and coordination, minimizing the risk of runway incursions.

A common cause of runway incursions is pilot distraction. Flight crews must prioritize tasks based on the level of risk and importance. Key distractions include:

• Non-essential conversations: Pilots should avoid engaging in conversations unrelated to flight operations, particularly during critical phases of taxiing.

• Task overload: Pilots must ensure they delegate duties appropriately within the cockpit to avoid becoming overwhelmed by multiple tasks. If practicing SRM, completing checklists and tasks before starting the next one can reduce task saturation.

• Environmental distractions: Noise, weather, or unfamiliar surroundings can impair concentration, making situational awareness crucial. Pilots must continuously scan for other aircraft, vehicles, and obstacles.

Loss of situational awareness occurs when pilots fail to recognize their exact location, intended path, or potential hazards. This can lead to dangerous scenarios, such as entering an active runway without clearance or taxiing onto a closed taxiway.

Uncontrolled Airports

At uncontrolled airports, where there is no ATC tower, pilots are responsible for their own coordination with other aircraft and vehicles. In such cases:

• Self-announce intentions: Pilots should use the radio to announce their position, intentions, and any planned runway or taxiway operations.

• Use of CTAF frequency: Pilots should utilize the airport’s designated CTAF frequency to maintain situational awareness of other aircraft or vehicles operating on the field.

• Visual scanning: Since there are no controllers managing traffic, pilots must be extra vigilant in scanning the area for other aircraft, vehicles, or obstacles.

Coordination with other pilots and maintaining clear and consistent communications are key to reducing the risk of incursion at uncontrolled airports.

Runway Entry

Crossing or entering a runway requires specific clearance from ATC. Pilots must:

• Hold short at designated lines: Unless issued a crossing or entry clearance, pilots must always stop at the designated hold short line and await explicit clearance from ATC.

• Verify runway status: Before crossing any runway, pilots should ensure it is clear of traffic or any other potential conflicts. Checking base, final, the runway, intersecting runways & taxiways, and the upwind will ensure that the immediate runway environment is clear of obstructions and aircraft, persons, and vehicles.

• Double-check instructions: If unsure, pilots should request confirmation from ATC of the runway status and whether it is safe to cross.

Clear communication with ATC and a careful review of runway entry or crossing instructions significantly minimize the risk of incursions.

Night Time Operations

Taxiing at night presents additional challenges, including reduced visibility and difficulty in identifying landmarks. To mitigate these risks, pilots should:

• Use aircraft lighting: Ensure taxi lights, navigation lights, and beacon lights are on and set appropriately for the conditions.

• Confirm runway lights and markings: Pay close attention to runway edge lights, taxiway markings, and any available guidance signs.

• Increased vigilance: Since many visual cues are limited at night, pilots should maintain heightened situational awareness and utilize aircraft instruments (if equipped) as well as visual scanning techniques.

Low Visibility Conditions

Low visibility, such as during fog or heavy rain, can complicate taxi operations. Pilots should:

• Use low-visibility procedures: Follow specific airport procedures designed for reduced visibility, such as using ground radar, following lead-in lights, or adhering to enhanced communication protocols.

• Communicate more frequently with ATC: Increased communication with ATC is essential to clarify taxi routes and ensure that clearances are understood and followed.

• Avoid unnecessary airport movement: In some cases, it may be safer to delay taxi operations until visibility improves.

Runway Incursions After Landing

Runway incursions do not only occur before takeoff. After landing, pilots must be vigilant to avoid exiting onto an active runway or taxiway. To avoid this:

• Follow ATC instructions: Always follow clear taxi instructions and hold short until further instructions are received.

• Use taxiway markings and signs: Pay attention to taxiway and runway hold short lines to ensure the aircraft is not inadvertently directed back onto an active runway.

You may never enter another runway without a clearance. If, for example, you land on a runway with an intersecting runway, you may not enter that intersecting runway without an explicit clearance from ATC.

Operating on Taxiways Between Parallel Runways

Taxiing on taxiways between parallel runways requires specific attention, particularly when these taxiways cross active runways. Pilots must:

• Avoid confusion: Understand the layout of the parallel runways and taxiways to prevent accidentally crossing or entering an active runway.

• Confirm clearance: Always confirm ATC clearance when approaching or crossing any active runway, especially when taxiing between parallel runways.

• Be aware of adjacent aircraft: Maintain awareness of aircraft on parallel runways that could be landing or taking off, as these movements could lead to conflicts if not carefully managed.

• Be aware of ATC procedures: At airports with parallel runways the taxiways between those runways are often controlled by local control (tower), not ground. It is important to heed ATC instructions during these critical phases of ground movement, do not switch frequencies unless explicitly told by ATC, or if otherwise informed.

Runway incursion avoidance is a critical element of aviation safety. By following clear procedures, maintaining situational awareness, and always prioritizing communication with ATC, pilots can reduce the risk of runway incursions and contribute to safer airport operations. Safety during taxiing is not just about following instructions, but also being proactive in planning, briefing, and reviewing procedures to stay aware of every detail, especially when conditions are complex or challenging.