Aviation Safety: ATC, Airports, and Operational Hazards

Posted on Jan 12, 2025 in Architecture

Topic 9 “Medium” Factors: ATC and Airports

Aircraft have their own “machine factors” relating to safety, but aircraft also operate in two key manmade environments:
- Airspace under air traffic control (ATC)
- Airports
ATC and airports each present a set of hazards and safety aids for flight.

Most ATC/Navaid enhancements are “broad-in-purpose:”
- Flight efficiency
- Capacity enhancement
- Cost reduction
- Safety
“Legacy” navaids and airspace management
Newer generation technologies:
- RNAV
- GPS and WAAS
Consequences:
- Increased situational awareness
- Increased alternatives

Issues:
- Inadequate Navaid coverage (altitude & area)
- Operational errors by pilot or ATC
- Ground vehicle errors
- Inadequate communications coverage
- Enroute separation (altitude and distance)
- “Lost” aircraft/inadequate aeronautical information
- Emergency action alternatives
Responses:
- Satellite-based communications
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- WAAS

Contributing factors:
- Complicated airports & confusing signs & markings
- Operational errors by pilot or ATC
- Ground vehicle errors
Safety enhancements
- Improved airport signage and lighting
- E-maps of airport in cockpits (EFB)
- Airport surface detection equipment (ADS-X)
- Airport surface monitoring equipment (ADS-B, LCGS)
- Improved training and awareness

Foreign object debris sources:
- Pavement deterioration
- Objects disturbed by airport maintenance
- Objects dropped from airport vehicles
- Storm deposited items
- Miscellaneous “trash” around terminals
- Tools and personal items of airside workers
Safety responses:
- Movement area inspections
- Education of airport personnel
- Designated vehicle routes
- Inspection/restriction of vehicles and loads

Hazardous situations/conditions:
- Wingtip clearances from aircraft and structures
- Maintenance and construction sites
- Remaining on full strength surfaces
- Jet/prop blast
Safety responses:
- Proper airport layout and marking
- Use of “wing-walkers” in confined areas
- Attention to surroundings and vulnerabilities
- Airport/airline policies on engine operations

Typical “offenders:”
- Mobile fueling trucks
- Ground servicing equipment
- Boarding bridges
- Passenger transporters
Safety responses:
- Driver training programs
- Proper airport layout and marking
- Proper GSE parking/storage positions
- Use of wing-walkers/gate supervisors
- Electronic airplane and bridge guidance technologies

Runway surface conditions:
- Snow or ice contamination
- Heavy rainfall
- Standing water
Safety responses:
- Airport runway inspections and condition reports
- Snow and ice control programs
- Attention to runway design and maintenance
- “Grooving” of runways for turbine powered airplanes
- Use of pavement friction testers
- Runway “braking action” reports

Poor condition of paved and unpaved surfaces:
- Wearing surface integrity
- Cracking and potholes
- Depressions/uneven surfaces
Shoulder and edge lip erosion
Fading/wearing of markings
Improperly/inadequately marked/lighted areas
Excessive rubber accumulations in touchdown zones
Inoperative lighting elements
Improperly marked/lighted construction/maintenance
Responses:
- Pilot reports
- Standards and inspections
- Intensive and funded maintenance program