As part of a continuing program to address risks to runway safety, the FAA has named 16 airports where it plans to conduct meetings with its Runway Safety Action Team between now and the end of the year. The agency has so far conducted 90 such meetings across the country this year.
The meetings, which the FAA hosts annually at towered airports, serve as forums for identifying risks on and around runways that are specific to each airport. The sessions help stakeholders develop runway safety action plans and form agreements to pursue actions aimed at improving safety.
During a Runway Safety Action Team meeting, airport stakeholders, including members of the FAA’s air traffic organization, airline officials, pilots, airport vehicle drivers, and others, identify risks and develop plans to eliminate or mitigate them. Major meetings upcoming include Boston Logan International Airport (KBOS), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW), and Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR).
The FAA issued a safety call to action in February following several runway incidents considered “close calls” and held a safety summit in March. As a result of that event, the aviation community and FAA agreed to pursue a goal of zero serious close calls. The agency said this approach is similar to that used by U.S. airlines to drastically reduce the risk of fatalities on their aircraft.
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Other airports hosting action team meetings this month and next include Allegheny County Airport (KAGC), Bellingham International Airport (KBLI), Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (KJQF), Des Moines International Airport (KDSM), El Paso Regional Airport (KELP), Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM), New York Stewart International Airport (KSWF), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), San Marcos Regional Airport (KHYI), St. Louis Regional Airport (KALN), Waterloo Regional Airport (KALO), Waukegan National Airport (KUGN), and Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (KYNG).
