FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 11009: Runway Status Lights (RWSL)
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO serves to ensure that aircraft operators, pilots and airport personnel are aware of the installation, meaning, and use of RWSLs.
Why It Matters
The National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB), lists runway safety as one of the top 10 critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives. To improve runway safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed RWSLs, which is a fully automated system that aids in preventing serious runway incursions.
Recommended Action
Chief Operating Officers, Directors of Operations, Directors of Safety, Directors of Training, Directors of Maintenance, and Chief Pilots should review aircraft and vehicle operator training and incorporate RWSL information and procedures as appropriate: Provide RWSL information and resources on use and location of RWSL installations to pilots and appropriate maintenance personnel, as well as other personnel involved in taxiing aircraft or operating vehicles within the Airport Movement Area. Incorporate RWSL use into training events and training programs to foster recognition of RWSL signals and standard procedures to follow, depending on the phase of aircraft or vehicle operation.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: AFS-200 OPR: AFS-220
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department SAFO 11009
of Transportation DATE: 10/26/11
Federal Aviation
Administration Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO.
Subject: Runway Status Lights (RWSL)
Purpose: This SAFO serves to ensure that aircraft operators, pilots and airport personnel are aware of the installation, meaning, and use of RWSLs.
Background: The National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB), lists runway safety as one of the top 10 critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives. To improve runway safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed RWSLs, which is a fully automated system that aids in preventing serious runway incursions. The RWSL system integrates airport lighting equipment with approach and surface surveillance radar systems to provide aircraft and vehicle crews a visual signal indicating when it is unsafe to enter/cross or begin/continue takeoff on the runway.
The installation of RWSLs at some of the nation’s busiest and most complex airports will increase crew situational awareness on the airport surface and aid in reducing incidences of serious runway incursions.
Recommended Action: Chief Operating Officers, Directors of Operations, Directors of Safety, Directors of Training, Directors of Maintenance, and Chief Pilots should review aircraft and vehicle operator training and incorporate RWSL information and procedures as appropriate:
Provide RWSL information and resources on use and location of RWSL installations to pilots and appropriate maintenance personnel, as well as other personnel involved in taxiing aircraft or operating vehicles within the Airport Movement Area.
Incorporate RWSL use into training events and training programs to foster recognition of RWSL signals and standard procedures to follow, depending on the phase of aircraft or vehicle operation.
RWSL Information Resources:
Runway Status Lights Program http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/rwsl/
Runway Status Lights Prototype Program. http://www.rwsl.net/
Office of Runway Safety http://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/
Publications: Aeronautical Information Manual-Lighting, AIP, NOTAMs, Jepp Charts, NACO Charts, LIDO Charts.
Contact: Questions or comments regarding this SAFO should be directed to Air Carrier Operations Branch, AFS-220, at (202) 267-8166 or Certification and Flight Training Branch, AFS-810, at (202) 385-9600.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 11009