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FAA to Accelerate Deployment of Technology to Prevent Runway Incursions
Acting FAA Administrator Bobby Sturgell said the agency plans to accelerate the
introduction of ASDE-X (airport surface detection equipment - model X), by
deploying the technology at the 35 largest U.S. airports by 2010, instead of
2011 as originally planned.
Mr. Strugell's announcement was made following the aviation industry's response to a
request made in August, by then FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, for help in
reducing runway incursions.
The following is a summary of industry's short-term accomplishments:
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Upgrade
Airport Markings at Medium and Large Airports. All airports with more than 1.5 million enplanements to voluntarily accelerate
the enhancement of new markings that were originally required by the FAA by June
30, 2008.
Status:
Fifty-two of the targeted 75 airports have completed painting, 19 airports are
planning to complete enhanced markings by the end of the year, and four have
committed to complete the upgrade prior to the deadline.
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Upgrade
Airport Markings at Smaller Airports.
All airports certificated
under Part 139 to develop plans to voluntarily upgrade existing markings, even
though it is not required.
Status:
Twenty-four airports have upgraded their markings, 37 plan to complete the work
within 74 days, 121 plan to upgrade markings by June 2008, 25 plan to enhance
markings in 2009, and 22 have expressed interest but have not yet provided a
target completion date.
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Airport Surface Analysis.
Complete a runway safety review of 20 airports based on runway incursion data
and wrong runway departure data.
Status:
Reviews of all 20 airports are completed and have resulted in short-, mid-, and
long-term initiatives. Some information is preliminary and implementation is
ongoing.
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Airport Recurrent Training.
All other certificated airports to voluntarily develop plans to
require annual recurrent training to all individuals with access to movement
area.
Status:
There are now 296 out of 569 certificated airports that now require recurrent
training for non-airport employees such as fixed-based operators or airline
mechanics. Additionally, 72 airports plan to adopt this requirement.
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Air Carrier
Pilot Training.
Air carriers to provide pilots with simulator or other training that
incorporates realistic scenarios from pushback through taxi.
Status:
Of the 112 active air carriers, 104 have met the target, five will meet the
target by the end of 2007, two will not meet the target until next year, and one
small Alaskan operator stated it has no plans to adopt the action.
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Air Carrier
Cockpit Procedures.
Air carriers to review cockpit procedures to identify and
develop a plan to address elements that contribute to pilot distraction during
taxi.
Status:
Of the 112 active air carriers, 101 have met the target, eight will meet the
target by the end of 2007, and three will not meet the target until next year.
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Air Carrier
Employee Training.
Air carriers to establish mandatory recurrent training for
non-pilot employees who operate aircraft or vehicles on the airfield.
Status:
The FAA reviewed existing videos, posted FAA Notice No. 0988 containing visual
depictions (FAASafety.gov), and is developing a new DVD to be distributed to air
carriers to be used in training programs.
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Air Traffic
Taxi Clearances.
Review current policies for issuing taxi clearances, and conduct a safety risk
analysis of a procedure to issue specific taxi instructions for each operation.
Status:
The FAA has completed an analysis of ATC procedures pertaining to taxi
clearances and found that more explicit taxi instructions are needed. The FAA
will forward preliminary results to stakeholders later this month for a 30-day
review. An analysis of multiple landing clearances will begin the week of
November 5.
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FAA Air
Traffic Organization (ATO) Voluntary Reporting. Work with labor unions on an
Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for air traffic controllers. ASAP is
already used successfully by 67 air carriers to encourage voluntary reporting of
safety by pilots, dispatchers, flight attendants or mechanics.
Status:
A partnership agreement between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers
Association (NATCA) was recently signed. The agreement covers all ATO employees.
The FAA and NATCA will work together to develop and implement the voluntary reporting system.
10-31-2007.
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