A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/639552
This is why we held the Runway Safety Call to Action in June. We met with more than 100 aviation professionals including pilots, controllers, airport managers, techn icians, regulators, labor and industry. Together, we crafted a total of 29 recommendations to make enhancements in three areas: Visual, Communication, and Procedures and Awareness. This past fall, we turned those recommendations into detailed corrective ac tion plans aimed at reducing the number and severity of surface events. Some of these action items will be implemented this year, while others will take more time. In the Visual component, we're especially concerned with incidents of GA pilots ignoring or missing runway signage and markings, mostly due to inadequate or missing signage, recent airfield modifications or construction, and confusing geometry. We developed many action steps including establishing biennial GA pilot training on runway markings and signage, developing taxi conformance monitoring tools that would alert controllers when deviations occur, conducting more research into human factors and fatigue, and automating airport construction notices and expanding them to more airports. We are also working with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to share safety information and runway safety best practices with the GA pilot community. In the area of Communication, we discussed how pilots and vehicle drivers' lack of familiarity with their giv en airports may be a causal factor for incursions. In some cases, pilots reported a congested radio frequency or admitted they did not clearly understand the air traffic instruction. To increase airport familiarity, we're going to develop guidance for pilo ts and vehicle drivers that will be incorporated into the Aeronautical Information Manual and training courses. We're also going to facilitate ways for pilots and controllers to become more familiar with each other's roles and responsibilities. This will h elp both sides see how their communication affects each other, and ultimately improve this communication. In the area of Procedures and Awareness, the group considered safety risks caused by pilot, vehicle operator, and controller distraction, memory failu re, expectation bias, multitasking, and inattention during clearance delivery. We're going to continue promoting technologies that would enhance pilot and vehicle operator situational awareness on the airport surface. We're going to review the effectivenes s of memory aids for pilots and controllers, and form workgroups to evaluate taxi instructions to determine if any changes could be made to enhance safety. Also, we're exploring voice recognition technology that would give an immediate warning to a control ler if they instructed a pilot to proceed onto a closed runway. These are just some of the corrective actions we'll be taking. I want to thank the ATO's Runway Safety Group for developing and tracking the progress of these plans. As long as there is risk in the system, we must continually root it out. In doing so, the ATO will continue to provide global leadership in air traffic safety. Thanks everyone. Teri L. Bristol ATO Chief Operating Officer Feb. 5, 2016: Integrating Commercial Space Operations As part of the FAA ' s strategic NAS initiative, the ATO is working diligently - and creatively - to integrate commercial space operations into the airspace system. COO Teri Bristol recaps the progress. Hi everyone. As you know, integrating commercial space op erations into the airspace system is a big component of the FAA ' s strategic NAS initiative . This week,