Flight Crew Best Practices for Airfield Safety.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of best practices that can be used by flight crews to improve airfield safety, particularly when operating on or in close proximity to runways.
Runway Safety and Flight Crews
Point to Remember: Most runway incursions caused by flight crews happen during the taxi out to the departure runway.
Pre-Flight
Taxi
Take-Off
Landing
Pre-Flight
1.
Review and understand airfield signage and markings.
2.
Review the salient aerodrome charts and ensure you are aware of any runway safety hotspots.
3.
Review the salient airfield NOTAMs and current ATIS for any taxiway closures, runway closures, airfield work-in-progress, or other airfield specific risks.
Taxi
1.
Have the aerodrome chart available for immediate reference during taxi.
2.
During radio transmissions, use correct terminology and proper voice cadence.
3.
Copy the taxi clearance and use the aerodrome chart to review the taxi route to the assigned runway prior to releasing brakes and beginning taxi.
4.
Eliminate distractions while taxiing.
5.
Focus attention and maintain situational awareness when taxiing.
6.
Maintain appropriate taxi speed.
7.
Be alert to similar call signs operating on the field.
8.
If you become lost or unsure of your taxi clearance, Stop the aircraft immediately and report to ATC.
9.
Prior to crossing any runway during taxi, ensure you have a clearance to cross and visually check to ensure there is no conflicting traffic prior to crossing the runway.
10.
If there is any doubt that the runway is clear, re-confirm crossing clearance with ATC.
11.
Maintain a sterile cockpit whilst taxiing.
12.
Never cross a lit red stopbar unless explicitly instructed to do so by ATC. N.B: Runway Holding Point stopbars are lit H24 at Manchester Airport.
Take-Off
1.
If cleared to “line up and wait”, turn on all exterior lights except take-off/landing lights. If you have been holding in position on the runway for more than 30 seconds, or upon seeing a potential conflict, contact ATC Tower.
2.
When cleared for take-off, turn on all exterior lights, including take-off/landing lights.
3.
Note that if you see an aircraft in take-off position on a runway with take-off/landing lights on, that aircraft has most likely received its take-off clearance and will be departing immediately.
4.
Conduct "Clearing Turns" to check all areas prior to entering a runway.
Landing
1.
Vacate the runway at the first available and appropriate exit.
2.
When exiting the runway, remember that the entire aircraft needs to be past the runway holding point markings in order to be clear of the runway.
3.
Wait until you have exited the active runway and you are sure of your taxi clearance prior to beginning an after-landing checklist.
4.
Follow the same Taxi Best Practices as described.
Point to Remember: If in Doubt, Ask!
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