Operating aircraft near runway/taxiway construction projects adds extraordinary complexity for everyone involved. Today’s risk mitigations consequently have the best chance of success under a blame-free, open communication approach with all airport stakeholders well versed in the latest safety resources and planning tools, says a current U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) educational campaign.
Pilots, for example, already may be familiar with U.S. air traffic controllers’ use of special clearance phraseology during such projects. However, clearance wording introduced last September to heighten flight crew awareness of reductions in available takeoff/landing distance is just one of many defenses against human error and safety system issues related to temporarily shortened runways.
Threats to flight operations from construction-related communication issues and other factors have necessitated these extra mitigating actions, says Jim Krieger, chairman of the FAA’s Airport C…
