29 th annual airports conference hershey, pa kenneth jacobs faa airport engineering division march...

29th Annual Airports Conference

Hershey, PA

Kenneth Jacobs

FAA Airport Engineering Division

March 1, 2006

Federal AviationAdministrationRunway Safety Areas

An Airport Operator’s Perspective

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Runway Safety Areas are Important• A Critical Safety Enhancement • FAA Flight Plan Goal

– Where practical, upgrade runway safety areas to meet standards

• FAA Order 5200.8, Runway Safety Area Program– RSA Determination

• Meets Standards

• Can Be Improved to Standards

• Can Be Improved But Will Not Meet Standards

• Cannot Be Improved

– Incremental gains (improvement) must be obtained whenever possible (Appendix 1, paragraph 4a.)

– Maintain an RSA Inventory

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The Runway Safety Area Crunch

Past Future

Aircraft D

emands

Acceptable Risk

The Crunch

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The Runway Safety Area Standard• Dimensions–

– Width and Length Beyond Runway Ends– Aircraft and Visibility Minimums– EMAS can limit the length to 600 ft beyond the runway end

• Performance– Capable, under dry conditions of supporting:

– Aircraft fire fighting and snow removal equipment, and– Occasional passage of aircraft without causing structural

damage

• Other Requirements– – No potentially hazardous ruts, humps, depressions …– Graded and drained to prevent water accumulation– Free of objects higher than 3 inches …

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The Runway Safety Area Inventory

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Runway Safety Areas and Part 139• 139.7– FAA ACs contain methods and procedures

for compliance• 139.309– Runway Safety Areas

– Provide and maintain…– RSA standards

• 139.327– Self-Inspection Program– AC 150/5200-18C, Airport Safety Self-Inspection

• Regular, daily inspections• Periodic condition inspections

• Airport Certification Manual– Approved and current – Contents

• Description of RSA• Procedures for maintaining RSA

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Runway Safety Areas and EMAS• EMAS is Runway Safety Area

– Complies with RSA requirements per Part 139– Inspect it like an RSA– Exception: Stepped Sides

• Manufacturer’s Inspection Requirements– Specific inspection procedures provided by

manufacturer– Initial training– Drive-around– Walk through– Documentation

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Typical EMAS Bed

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Typical EMAS Bed – Inspector’s View

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Typical EMAS Bed – Inspector’s View

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Typical EMAS Bed – Inspector’s View

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Typical EMAS Maintenance Issues• Lifting or missing caulk• Surface cracks• Depressions• Holes• Loose Covering• Abrasion attack (sand,

jet blast)• Chemical attack

(solvents, weak acid or weak alkaline solutions)

• Crushed block• Damage to vertical side

walls• Damage to debris

deflector• Clogged vents• Seals around light

standards• Block movement

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EMAS Details – Blast Shield

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EMAS Details - Vents

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Conclusion

• Runway Safety Areas are important• Be aware of any RSA deficiencies

– Overall dimensions– Review RSA Inventory– Look for opportunities to improve

• Stay on top of the RSA through inspections• Integrate EMAS inspections with RSA

inspections