InFO 11015: Runway Construction and Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Messages

Distributed by: AFS-200 OPR: AJS-0

InFOInformation for Operators

U.S. Department InFO 11015

of Transportation DATE: 9/1/11

Federal Aviation

Administration Flight Standards Service

Washington, DC http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.

Subject: Runway Construction and Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Messages

Purpose: This InFO serves to inform aircraft operators and pilots of ATIS messages and takeoff/landing clearances they may receive at airports where runway construction is underway or just completed.

Background: A number of runways throughout the nation are currently under construction or have just completed construction. In either case, it is possible that the runway has been shortened. To reduce risks associated with conducting operations during construction, it is imperative that pilots and operators are aware of the messages they may hear/see on the ATIS and/or receive as part of their air traffic clearance.

Discussion: For runways that are undergoing construction or have recently completed construction. Operators and pilots can expect to hear the following messages via the ATIS recording. In situations where the runway has been shortened, operators will hear “WARNING” and “SHORTENED.” This should trigger a review of the available runway length (TORA) during construction period. When the construction results in a permanently shortened runway, the ATIS message will continue for 30-days following completion of construction or the publication of a new airfield diagram, whichever date is longer.

In addition, “SHORTENED” will be used as part of the takeoff (or line up and wait) and landing clearance if cleared to use a runway that has been shortened. Finally, controllers will not use “full length” when clearing aircraft to takeoff (or line up and wait) on a shortened runway. These changes should prevent you from assuming that the runway in-use is the published (maximum) length. In addition to ATIS messages and controller actions, some airports may add extra signage to communicate that the runway(s) is shortened. When construction closes an entire runway(s) you will not see any change from the present, and closure information will be included in ATIS messages and NOTAMs.

The FAA is also running a trial program to provide a graphic depiction of closures at some airports. This graphic is referred to as a Construction Notice and is linked to digital NOTAMs.

Recommended Action: Directors of safety, directors of operations, chief pilots, fractional ownership program managers, training managers, and operators of aircraft should familiarize themselves with the information found in this InFO, recheck aircraft performance on shortened runways and be prepared to ask for a different clearance or additional information if unable to use the assigned runway.

Contact: Questions or comments regarding this InFO should be directed to the Air Transportation Division, AFS-200, at (202) 267-8166, or the Air Traffic Organization Safety office, at (202) 493-5000.