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Aircraft Arresting Systems
Introduction:
The following article concerns the evaluation of military aircraft arresting systems located on airports certificated under 14 CFR 139. Military aircraft arresting systems require the placement of non-frangible objects in the Runway Safety Area (RSA). These systems may be permanently or temporarily installed.
Discussion:
Permanently installed arresting systems at certificated airports should only be allowed if there is a valid military requirement (normally based on the type of military aircraft assigned at the airport). This requirement should be documented in a Letter of Agreement (LOA) between the Department of Defense service component / major command headquarters, the FAA and the airport authority. The LOA should be included in the Airport Certification Manual (ACM) or Airport Certification Specifications (ACS).
Temporarily installed arresting systems for air shows/exercises, from time-to-time will be needed on certificated airports. The U.S. Navy/Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force have deployable Temporary Arresting Systems and installation teams available.
Air shows and short-term exercises are not valid military requirements for permanent component installation. No permanent structures are required to facilitate temporary installations. The RSA is affected from the start of installation until complete removal and restoration of the site.
Action Required:
- Permanent Installations - Documented Military Need:
- Civilian operated airfield – Documented Military Need statement should be filed in the ACM/ACS with the Letter of Agreement for the arresting system. The arresting system will be considered fixed by function. The documented military need should be reviewed at each periodic inspection cycle to determine that military need still exists, and annotated on the ACSI inspection checklist (Form 5280-4) in the remarks section.
- Military operated airfield - no further action.
- Permanent Installations: No Documented Military Need:
- Removal of the aircraft arresting system - (No military requirement exists).
- Relocation of the runway threshold to provide the required runway safety area (RSA), until the non-military required system is removed.
- Temporary Installations:
- Relocation of the runway threshold from the beginning of installation through removal / site restoration to provide the required runway safety area (RSA).
- Exception: Threshold does not need to be relocated if the U.S.A.F. Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS, BAK-12) is installed in accordance with the following:
- The arresting system is removed within two weeks from the start of installation.
- The “Fairlead-beam” installation is used, and the MAAS units (energy absorbers) are located outside the RSA.
- All arresting system components within the RSA are below-grade, compacted and covered, and the deck sheves are ramped and compacted at a 30:1 (horizontal to vertical) ratio.
- The aircraft arresting cable is removed when not required for military operations.
Notice requirement for all Installations:
Airports where permanent and/or temporary aircraft arresting systems are installed should include the type, number, and location of arresting systems in the Airport Data System (AFD or Flight Information Publications through the FAA Form 5010-1 and/or NOTAM systems). FAA HQ, AAS-310
October 1998
October 1999 (Revised)
Fuel Tank Policy
Currently, Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-13, Airport Design, contains guidance on the placement of fuel storage facilities which precludes the placement of single tanks within airport safety areas (RSA, OFA, RPZ) for either above-ground or underground locations. The current guidance does not take into account tank size or intended use.
After careful review of the current guidance, and after discussions with the Environmental Energy and Safety Division, ANS-500, we feel the policy can be modified and still provide the same level of safety. Under the agreement with ANS, fuel tanks will be allowed for navigational aids that are fixed by their function in the following areas: runway and taxiway safety areas, object free areas, and extended object free areas, as long as they are placed underground. Tanks should be kept to the minimum size necessary to meet requirements for backup power generation facilities. Any portion of the fuel tank assembly (e.g. vent pipes) extending above ground should be frangible to the extent practicable. In addition, fuel storage tanks up to 2000 gallons, not necessarily associated with navigational aids, will be allowed in the RPZ outside of the safety and object free areas as long as they are placed underground. Underground fuel storage tanks must meet all local, state, and federal regulations and must be placed such that no part of the tank is above grade and such that the grade is not altered for the tank placement.
This new policy guidance applies to all new tank installations as well as modifications to NAVAID equipment that result in a fuel tank change out. In addition, it is recommended that when funds are available, all existing above ground tanks within runway safety areas be relocated underground.
AC 150/5300-13 will be modified to incorporate this policy. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Bob Bonanni, FAA Headquarters, at 202-267-8761.
Bob Bonnani
March 1999
