Signal Charlie

Wednesday January 9, 2008 ATW

US FAA yesterday proposed extending the requirement that the US’s 75 largest airports make enhancements to taxiway centerline markings to all 567 certificated airports as part of its ongoing effort to mitigate the risk of runway incursions.

The agency also is recommending “regular recurrent driver training for all persons with access to the movement area and ramp areas at certificated airports.” Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell said the nation’s largest airports have heeded FAA’s runway safety “call to action” (ATWOnline, Oct. 23, 2007) and that yesterday’s proposals are intended to extend the safety improvements to smaller facilities.

The 75 largest airports are required to upgrade runway centerline markings by June 30. “Most have already completed the work,” FAA said. Of the 567 certificated airports, more than 300 “are in some stage of voluntarily adopting the standard.” The agency added that 385 airports now “require recurrent training for nonairport employees such as Fixed-Based Operators or airline mechanics” operating vehicles on runways and said such training should be a requirement for all certified airports. Interested parties have until Feb. 26 to comment on yesterday’s proposals.

While FAA touts success in reducing the risk of incursions, the US Government Accountability Office issued a report last month casting doubt on claims of progress, concluding that “the rate of runway incursions has not decreased over the last five years” (ATWOnline, Dec. 6, 2007).

by Aaron Karp

Fly Smart

Clark