Hot Spots 
HS 1 RWY 10L hold short line on TWY L is located prior to the bend in the TWY.

• Pilots have failed to recognize that the hold short line is located on TWY L and have made the turn onto TWY L1 and entered the Runway Safety Area for RWY 10L.

  

       

HS 2 Aircraft NW-bound on TWY F missing left turn onto TWY L.

• Pilots taxiing from the south side of the airport and cleared to RWY 10L via TWY F to join TWY L have missed the turn and entered RWY 10L/28R. 

  

Wrong Surface TWY Takeoff

• Numerous TWYs parallel all RWYs at PBI. 
• Some of these run full length and can be mistaken for a RWY. 
• The potential exists for a pilot to take off on a TWY.
• The illustration below is an example that illustrates TWY R and its position relative to RWY 28L. 
• Note that this example applies to any airport. 

  

   

Wrong Surface RWY Landing (See Arrival Alert Notices.)

• Parallel RWYs with staggered thresholds increase the risk for a Wrong Surface RWY Landing. The pilot may be drawn to the first RWY that comes into view when the thresholds are staggered. 
• The pilot may land on the larger or more dominant RWY.
• If available, programming the instrument approach procedure to the RWY may help to identify the correct RWY. 

  

   

Wrong Surface TWY Landing

• Like taking off on a TWY, (see “Wrong Surface TWY Takeoff” above), the risk of landing on a TWY increases whenever a TWY runs parallel to a RWY. 
• Programming an instrument approach procedure may prevent the pilot from lining up and landing on a TWY.

Surface Risk – Movement Area Cautions

• Aircraft coming out of Jet Aviation, during east traffic operations, and instructed to taxi via TWY J, TWY L, TWY E should note that TWY E comes up very quickly once you have turned onto TWY L. (See illustration below.) 

   

• There is a vehicle service road near the customs ramp. This is not a TWY. (See illustration below). 

  Do not confuse this Vehicle Service Road with TWY F.

Additional Cautions

• Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) may be conducted on:

• Noise abatement procedures are in effect.
• RWY 14 has Engineered Material Arresting System installed at Departure End.
   

Ground Control

• During periods of busy departure demand (i.e., Sundays from December – April), PBI will normally open Gate Hold for air carrier and business traffic.
  • Generally, once an aircraft receives their clearance, they will be instructed to contact Gate Hold for an engine start time once they are ready to depart.  
  • Gate hold will then instruct the aircraft to monitor Ground Control at the appropriate time.  
  • Generally, Gate Hold tries to meter aircraft in 15-minute increments with an attempt to keep 7-10 aircraft at the end of the runway, ready for departure.
• Frequency congestion on Ground Control becomes an issue when ground stops or re-routes are initiated, because aircraft then start requesting re-routes or new times.  
  • It is recommended that you contact clearance delivery if you want to inquire about a new route or time.  
  • Do not contact ground control, as they are focused on aircraft movement on the airfield.  
• As a best practice, it is best to be patient and wait for the controller to reach out to you, versus tying up the frequency while other aircraft are attempting to get their initial clearances.  
• Another best practice is to monitor ground control (versus checking in) when instructed by gate hold. By monitoring ground control, the ground controller can ensure he/she talks to the right aircraft at the right time to set up the sequence for local control based on miles in trail, EDCTs, etc.  
• Aircraft that taxi from Jet East ramp can expect taxi instructions via Juliette, Lima, Echo for runway 10L, 14, or 10R.  
  • Use caution for a quick left turn from Lima onto Echo.  

Runway Crossings

• The controllers at PBI will be specific with runway crossing instructions.  
• Ensure you readback all runway crossing instructions [with call sign].

Departure/Takeoff

• Aircraft should expect to fly the RNAV SIDS unless otherwise instructed or equipment limitations prevent this.  
  • During periods of heavy departure demand, you may be issued an initial departure heading and altitude.  In these cases, expect to resume the assigned SID.

Arrival/Landing

• Runway 10R/28L is hard to see and the threshold for 10R/28L does not align with runway 10L/28R [staggered – see illustration below].  
• Many aircraft mistake taxiway Lima for runway 10R/28L.  
• Ensure you have runway 10R/28L clearly in sight prior to short final.  
  • TWY L is located between RWYs 10L/28R and RWY 10R/28L – see illustration below.
  • TWY L is wider and longer than RWY 10R/28L.
  • Do not confuse TWY L for the RWY - See illustration below.

Weather

• PBI airspace is exposed to thunderstorms predominantly from June through October.
• LLWAS equipment is available at PBI to help detect windshear around the field.  
• PIREPs are always appreciated, including PIREPs for no significant weather when thunderstorms are forecast for the area.  

Special Traffic 

• PBI has a variety of helicopters on the field, including law enforcement, local news, agriculture, and medevac. 
• Use caution for low flying helicopters as you approach the field from the east and west.
• PBI uses a “shoreline” transition procedure to allow VFR aircraft to transition from north to south (or vice versa) at low altitudes. Generally, these aircraft will be at 500’ over the shoreline or 1,000’ 1NM offshore.  
• Use caution when departing runway 10L for these low flying aircraft.  
• Additional Information
• Due to the location of PBI, expect frequent TFRs for VIP movement and special events.
  • Always check NOTAMs prior to flying in/around PBI airspace to ensure these TFRs are not in effect.  
  • TFR restrictions will be listed in the NOTAM.  
  • These TFRs are subject to frequent change.   
• During periods of high volume at PBI, expect excessive delays for practice approach requests.  
• PBI will initiate programs to manage traffic inbound to PBI during periods of high arrival traffic. During these times, pilots changing their destination from a different airport to PBI may have their request denied.