FAA: Progress Being Made on Airport Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving ahead on short-term

actions designed to improve safety at U.S. airports, but recent incidents of

runway incursions and wrong way departures shows that further steps are needed.

Air traffic controllers at Atlanta Hartsfield's tower reported in mid-

January a serious runway incursion involving an Atlantic Southeast regional jet

and a Delta 757. They said the regional jet crew was instructed to hold short of

Runway 27R. The crew read back the instruction but then proceeded to cross the

runway without clearance. Doing so, put the aircraft into the path of the

departing Boeing 757, which could not abort its takeoff roll. The planes came

within approximately 1,500 feet----or about three seconds---of colliding, the

controllers said.

Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell, more than 40 aviation leaders

from airlines, airports, air traffic control and pilot unions, aerospace

manufacturers, agreed on August 15 to an ambitious plan focused on solutions in:

cockpit procedures, airport signage and markings, air traffic procedures, and

technology.

The FAA recently offered an update on short-term accomplishments.

Meanwhile, work continues on mid- and long-term goals.

All airports with more than 1.5 million enplanements agreed to

voluntarily accelerate the enhancement of new airport markings that were

originally required by the FAA by June 30, 2008. Fifty-three of the targeted 75

airports have completed painting, 18 airports are planning to complete enhanced

markings by the end of the year, and four have committed to complete the upgrade

prior to the deadline.

Smaller airports certificated under Part 139 agreed to upgrade existing

markings, even though it is not required. Twenty-eight airports have upgraded

their markings and 50 airports planned to complete the work by the end of 2007,

with 173 additional airports planning to upgrade markings by June 2008. In all,

over 300 U.S. airports are at some stage in voluntarily adopting the enhanced

markings, and the FAA expects that number to increase..

A draft change to Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-1J, Standards for

Airport Markings, published in late December will extend an enhanced taxiway

centerline requirement to all certificated airports. Comments are due by

February 26, 2008.

Based on a review of runway incursion data and wrong runway departure

data from 20 airports, the FAA has modified the format for future Runway Safety

Action Team (RSAT) meetings and included an evaluation of wrong runway risk

factors identified by the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST).

All of the 569 certificated airports in the United States require initial

and recurrent training for airport employees such as airport police and airport

maintenance workers. There are now 385 airports that now require recurrent

training for non-airport employees such as Fixed-Based Operators or airline

mechanics. Additionally, 97 airports plan to adopt this requirement.

The Office of Airport Safety and Standards issued a draft change to AC

150/5210-20, Ground Vehicle Operations on Airports, in late December. Public

comments are due by February 26, 2008. The draft AC strongly recommends regular

recurrent driver training for all persons with access to the movement area and

ramp apron areas.

In August, air carriers agreed to provide pilots with simulator or other

training that incorporates realistic scenarios from pushback through taxi. The

112 air carriers involved have modified their simulator training accordingly.

The air carriers have also reviewed cockpit procedures to identify and develop a

plan to address elements that contribute to pilot distraction during taxi.

The airlines said they would establish mandatory recurrent training for

non-pilot employees who operate aircraft or vehicles on the airfield. The FAA

has reviewed existing training videos and is developing a new ramp safety DVD to

be distributed to air carriers for use in training programs.

Meanwhile, the U.S. aviation agency has completed an analysis of

procedures pertaining to taxi clearances and found that more explicit taxi

instructions are needed. The FAA has forwarded preliminary results to

stakeholders for a 30-day review. An analysis of Multiple Landing Clearances has

begun.

A partnership agreement between the FAA and the National Air Traffic

Controllers Association (NATCA) was recently signed to establish a voluntary

safety reporting system called the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). The

agreement covers all Air Traffic Organization (ATO) employees. The FAA and NATCA

are working together to develop and implement the voluntary reporting system.

On January 15, Sturgell conducted a teleconference with the heads of U.S.

airlines to reinforce the need for improved pilot training and cockpit

procedure, citing concern over recent high-visibility runway safety events.