Introduction

Runway safety requires effective coordination between aerodrome operators, air traffic services, aircraft operators, and other organizations working near the runway environment. Changes in visibility, infrastructure, traffic, or work arrangements can increase operational complexity.

This course examines runway incursions, runway excursions, and the human and organizational factors associated with these events. It explores the role of visual aids, surface condition information, reporting, and coordinated prevention measures.

Through theoretical instruction, educational aerodrome diagrams, and written case studies, participants analyse event sequences, examine safety barriers, and recommend improvement priorities for runway safety stakeholders.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish runway incursions and runway excursions in written scenarios.
• Explain the responsibilities and interfaces of runway safety stakeholders.
• Analyse human and organizational factors contributing to runway events.
• Explain how signs, markings, lighting, and communication support prevention.
• Describe the importance of accurate runway surface condition information.
• Explain the role of a local runway safety team and its action plan.
• Recommend prevention and monitoring measures for an integrated runway case.

Target Audience

• Aerodrome operations managers, supervisors, and safety officers.
• Personnel involved in local runway safety teams.
• Air traffic services personnel with runway safety responsibilities.
• Airline safety and operational coordination personnel.
• Airside vehicle, maintenance, and contractor supervisors.
• Quality and compliance personnel supporting runway safety reviews.

Training Methodology

The course uses instructor-led theoretical sessions, educational airport diagrams, written event sequences, and facilitated case discussions. Participants review how decisions and information flows influence runway safety outcomes.

Group analysis focuses on contributing factors, missing or weakened barriers, and stakeholder coordination. Discussions develop reasoned recommendations using the facts supplied in each case.

The methodology includes:

• Concept briefings supported by diagrams and aviation examples.
• Guided review of written event sequences.
• Discussion of human factors and operational interfaces.
• Group comparison of prevention and follow-up measures.
• An integrated case presentation and final knowledge assessment.

Outline

Day 1 — Runway Safety Concepts and Stakeholders

• Runway incursions, excursions, and related safety events.
• Responsibilities of aerodrome operators, air traffic services, and aircraft operators.
• Vehicle and contractor interfaces in the runway environment.
• Situational awareness, workload, fatigue, and communication.
• Sources of runway safety information and reporting.
• Case study: Identifying stakeholder interfaces in a runway event.

Day 2 — Runway Incursion Prevention

• The safety role of signs, markings, lighting, and holding positions.
• Vehicle access, crossing arrangements, and route changes.
• Hot spots and potential sources of surface movement confusion.
• Communication errors and failures in shared understanding.
• Reduced visibility and work-related changes in the operating environment.
• Case study: Analysing a vehicle incursion following a temporary route change.

Day 3 — Runway Excursions and Surface Conditions

• Factors associated with runway excursion scenarios.
• Weather, surface contamination, and changes in available information.
• Awareness of Global Reporting Format and Runway Condition Reports.
• The importance of timely and accurate surface condition communication.
• Interfaces between information providers and operational decision makers.
• Case study: Reviewing information flow during deteriorating surface conditions.

Day 4 — Local Runway Safety Teams and Coordination

• Purpose, membership, and responsibilities of a runway safety team.
• Sharing reports and reviewing safety concerns collaboratively.
• Reviewing changes, temporary works, and recurrent event patterns.
• Developing an action plan with responsibilities and timescales.
• Monitoring actions and communicating lessons learned.
• Case study: Prioritizing proposals for a local runway safety meeting.

Day 5 — Event Analysis and Integrated Improvement Planning

• •  Constructing an event sequence from written evidence.
• •  Identifying contributing factors and ineffective barriers.
• •  Selecting proportionate prevention and recovery measures.
• •  Defining indicators for monitoring improvement actions.
• •  Integrated case study: Developing a coordinated runway safety improvement plan.
• •  Final assessment and course review.