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- Vehicle Safety in the Airport Operations Area
- Driver Training Simulators
- Guidelines for Vehicles Operating in the Runway Safety Area
- Public Safety Personnel Operating in the Movement Area
- Sample Ground Vehicle Guide Books
- Training: CDs for Mechanics and Ramp Personnel
- Training: Remedial Training for Vehicle Operators
Vehicle Safety in the Airport Operations Area
This video provides information and tips for safe vehicle operation in the airport operations area.
Download Video
- Vehicle Safety in the Airport Operations Area (WMV, 115.0 MB)
2006
Driver Training Simulators
FAA 150/5210-20, Ground Vehicle Operations on Airports, encourages airport operators to set up driver training programs on their airports. The training programs could be very simple, such as requiring drivers authorized to drive on the airside to read the airport rules and regulations that pertain to driving on ramps and aprons. These programs could also be more elaborate, with formal training sessions, examinations, and a requirement for demonstrating driver proficiency. In actuality, most programs will be somewhere in between.
The purposes of these programs are to help avoid runway incursions and to protect the drivers of vehicles and their passengers, as well as the flying public. The training programs can benefit airline and tenant employees, as well as the airport owner's/operator's employees.
Because of the seriousness of appropriate driver training, several companies have developed driver-training simulators. These come in 2 types - mobile and stationary. Both have advantages and disadvantages. A mobile simulator that was demonstrated to the FAA can be used not only for driver training, but also for training aircraft rescue and fire fighters in the proper handling of their vehicles and for airport maintenance personnel to train on snow removal equipment. The simulator can be modified to simulate ARFF equipment, snow removal equipment, as well as a variety of other types of vehicles. All in all, it was quite realistic and challenging.
We would encourage airport owners and operators to consider the use of such a simulator to help train personnel and, in so doing, to help vehicle operators recognize and avoid conditions that lead to runway incursions.
Washington Headquarters
October 2002
Guidelines for Vehicles Operating in the Runway Safety Area
A. Related Title 14 CFR Part 139 Requirements:
- Under Part 139.329(b) airport operators are required to establish and implement procedures for operation of ground vehicles in the safety area as well as the movement area. Part 139.205(b)(19) requires that these procedures be included in the Airport Certification Manual (ACM). While not a direct requirement at limited certificate airports, these procedures can be
required under Part 139.213(b)(16), and normally are at airports with an air traffic control tower.
- Part 139.309(b)(4) requires that no objects be in the safety areas except those fixed by function. This means signage, lights, and navaids, not personnel, vehicles, and equipment.
- 139.335(a)(2) requires that the certificate holder provide reasonable protection of persons and property from aircraft blast. This includes personnel and equipment used for maintenance of the safety area and objects located there. In this regard safety procedures are in order.
B. Guidelines For Operating In The Runway Safety Area (RSA):
1. The purpose of the runway safety area is to minimize injury to persons and damage to aircraft when they inadvertently leave the runway. For these reasons, runway safety areas must be kept sterile during aircraft operations. However, this is not intended to preclude vehicles, personnel, and equipment from going into the safety area of an open runway between aircraft operations e.g., FOD pickup, changing a light bulb, grass mowing, etc.
2. Under some circumstances it may be necessary to work in the RSA while aircraft operations are occurring, e.g., emergency repairs to a light cable. In such cases during air carrier operations, work may be conducted no closer than 200 foot of the runway centerline, with equipment and vehicles kept to the minimum number necessary for the repair. If these conditions cannot be met, the runway should be closed to air carriers while the repairs are being made.
3. For maintenance or construction performed in the safety areas of air carrier runways, closer than 200 feet from centerline during Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), it is acceptable to close the runway to air carriers and restrict the runway use to airplane design groups I, II, & III, and aircraft approach categories A & B. Runway safety area dimensions for these smaller aircraft are significantly less and may provide a practical alternative to closing a runway to all aircraft operations.
4. In cases requiring the closure of a runway for maintenance, the airport operator should schedule the work for times which will have the least impact on the national airspace system and give the local air traffic control tower advance notice when possible.
April 1999
Public Safety Personnel Operating in the Movement Area
Police and other public safety personnel in the normal pursuit of their duties may have cause to enter and operate on airport movement areas (areas where aircraft taxi, takeoff, and land). While emergency vehicles operating on roadways have priority and right-of-way, this is not the case on airport movement areas. In movement areas, aircraft have priority and must be givenright-of-way at all times. Aircraft also have the right-of-way on apron areas.
To ensure the safety of the traveling public and public safety personnel, positive control of all aircraft and ground vehicles in movement areas must be maintained at all times. Public safety personnel who operate on airports should be informed that:
- Aircraft always have the right-of-way.
- ANY vehicle, performing ANY mission on the movement area must be in contact with, and under the control of the Airport Traffic Control Tower. At airports without an Airport Traffic Control Tower, or when the tower is closed, vehicles must monitor and announce position and intentions over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).
- Even if the pilot sees the emergency vehicle, the speed and movement of the aircraft could make yielding impossible or create a very dangerous situation. The large size of most aircraft used for commercial transportation limits the pilot's ability to maneuver quickly on the ground, and propellers and jet engines can cause significant damage, or even destroy a ground vehicle. Aircraft speeds, (up to 150 miles per hour on runways) and restricted cockpit visibility that prohibits the pilot from seeing under the nose or behind the aircraft also limits the ability of a pilot to avoid ground vehicles.
To clarify these safety concerns, airport operators are requested to distribute this information to the public safety departments that service their airports, including those that have entered into a mutual aid agreement with the airport. In addition, airport operators should distribute this information to all public safety departments whose jurisdiction includes or is adjacent to the airport.
Revised October 2003
Sample Ground Vehicle Guide Books
Part 139.329(e) requires that "each certificate holder shall -- ensure that each employee, tenant, or contractor who operates aground vehicle on any portion of the airport that has access to the movement area is familiar with the airport's procedures for the operation of ground vehicles and the consequences of noncompliance."
To comply with Part 139.329(e), airport operators should have a ground vehicle guidebook for training personnel authorized to operate a ground vehicle on the airport. Several Central Region Airports have provided us electronic copies of their ground vehicle guidebooks. Please contact an FAA Central Region Part 139 Inspector if you would like to obtain a copy to use as a guide in developing a ground vehicle guide book at your airport.
April 2000
Training: CDs for Mechanics and Ramp Personnel
The FAA has produced two interactive CD programs to inform mechanics and ramp personnel about important practices for preventing runway incursions. "Taxi 101" covers weather; airport familiarization; runway and taxiway signs, surface markings, and lighting; aircraft preflight; flight deck procedures; and air traffic control procedures. "Tug & Tow 101" covers personnel safety; ramp operations and safety; aircraft and engine hazards; communications; push back; aircraft towing; airport signs, surface markings, and weather; and air traffic control procedures. Runway Safety Awareness Materials
These CDs may be obtained free of charge (limit of 2) by visiting the Runway Safety Awareness Materials website. They may also be obtained by writing to:
FAA - Office of Runway Safety
ATTN: AVR/AFS Representative
490 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7225
Washington, DC 20024
Training: Remedial Training for Vehicle Operators
Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139.329 requires the implementation of training for employees, tenants, or contractors in the safe and orderly access to and operation on the movement areas and safety areas by ground vehicles, including provisions identifying the consequences of noncompliance. The airport owner/operator of a certificated airport must have the capability to enforce its regulations and will be expected to take action when a vehicle/pedestrian deviation occurs on that airport. Airport operators are encouraged to require employees and tenants involved in vehicle deviations to undergo a remedial training program. For further information on any runway incursion program, you are encouraged to contact your Airport Certification Safety Inspector.
Revised October 2003
