Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS)

Where airports lack adequate space for traditional safety areas, installation of an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) allows for suitable energy management for the runway excursion aircraft. EMAS is located beyond the far end of a runway where an aircraft is taking off or landing. A properly design and constructed EMAS absorbs the kinetic energy of runway excursion aircraft in less space and time than traditional safety areas. The material "crushes" under the weight of the excursion aircraft, slowing it down considerably faster than open space.
A standard EMAS will bring a runway's critical aircraft to a complete stop when it enters the EMAS at 70 knots or less.
- Advisory Circular 150/5220-22 - Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for Aircraft Overruns (current version)
Provides information for the design, site adaptation, and installation of FAA certified EMAS. - List of FAA Certified Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) and Manufacturers (current version)
- Fact Sheet: Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS)
Lists EMAS arrestments to date and EMAS installations
Data, Tools, & Resources
- Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP)
- Video: Runway Safety Area and Runway Incursion Mitigation Programs
- Runway Safety: Runway Excursions
- Airport Technology Research | Airport Safety | Soft Ground Arrestor System: Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS)
- EMAS Research & Development - Draft Reports
Regulations & Guidance
Regulations
Orders, ACs, & Other Guidance
- Advisory Circulars (ACs) - All 150 Series Airport ACs
- Advisory Circular 150/5000-17 - Critical Aircraft and Regular Use Determination (current version)
- Advisory Circular 150/5070-6 - Airport Master Plans (current version)
- Advisory Circular 150/5220-23 - Frangible Connections (current version)
- Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 - Airport Design (current version)
- Draft Series 150 Airport ACs
- Airport Orders
- Engineering Briefs (EBs)
- See EB 103 - Engineered Materials Arresting System Retroreflective Markers
- Airports Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- See SOP 8.0 - Standard Operating Procedure for Runway Safety Area Determination
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Related Links
- Mitigating Runway Incursions and Excursions
- Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) Program
- Runway Safety Areas (RSAs)