Operate on an airport/airfield runway
URN: PPLAOG86
Business Sectors (Suites): Aviation Operations on the Ground
Developed by: People 1st
Approved on:
2021
Overview
This standard is about operating on the airport/airfield runway where aircraft may be present. This involves following your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures, and adhering to the relevant legal requirements for operating safely and communicating on the runway at all times. This also includes during low visibility, adverse weather and night time operations, and when escorting third parties. This also involves conducting routine inspections to confirm the runway is safe to use and being able to recognise and report issues with runway surface condition, friction and deterioration. You must be able to respond to incidents, accidents and emergencies on the runway and handover the runway to Air Traffic Control on re-opening.
This standard is for those who operate on the airport/airfield runway in airside operations.
When you have completed this standard, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to:
• Operate on an airport/airfield runway
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. Operate on an airport/airfield runway in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
2. Wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating on a runway in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
3. Carry a valid airside driving permit (ADP) at all times when operating a vehicle airside and confirm your ADP is compliant with the vehicle you are driving and the area in which you are operating in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
4. Maintain safe operations for colleagues, contractors, and operator’s airside when operating on an airport/airfield runway
5. Conduct routine inspections of the runway according to organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
6. Escort third parties onto the runway as required in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
7. Respond to incidents, accidents and emergencies on the runway in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
8. Follow organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements for the removal of a disabled aircraft from the runway as required
9. Handover the runway on re-opening
10. Inspect and report the runway condition following an emergency situation
11. Inspect and report the runway condition in adverse weather conditions
12. Confirm the critical runway surfaces are safeguarded according to airport/airfield and relevant legal requirements
13. Use radiotelephony equipment to communicate with colleagues and Air Traffic Control (ATC) as required when operating on an airport/airfield runway in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
14. Complete the required documentation for inspecting and operating on an airport/airfield runway in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. Your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements for operating on a runway, and the importance of complying with them at all times
2. Your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements for wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating on a runway
3. How to operate safely on the airport/airfield runway in low visibility conditions, adverse weather conditions and during night operations
4. Your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements for driving a vehicle on the runway
5. The types of incidents, accidents and emergencies that can occur on the runway and how to respond to them
6. How to respond to spillages on the runway
7. How to remove a disabled aircraft from the runway
8. How to communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) on the runway
9. How to apply the airport/airfield snow plan in relation to the runway
10. How to communicate using radio telephony equipment
11. When and how to hand over the runway to Air Traffic Control (ATC)
12. Your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements for inspecting a runway, including safeguarded surfaces
13. How to assess runway surface conditions, recognise issues with runway friction, categorise the runway state and pass on this information to colleagues and departments to disseminate
14. How to recognise, monitor and report deterioration of the runway
15. What to inspect following an incident, accident or emergency situation
16. How to inspect the runway in adverse weather conditions
17. Your organisation’s and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements for completing documentation for inspecting and operating on an airport/airfield runway
Scope/range
Runway inspections include:
a) Surface
b) Lights
c) Signage
d) Markings
e) Wildlife management
f) Safeguarded surfaces
g) NAVaids
h) Critical areas
Third parties include:
a) Contractors
b) Visitors
c) Emergency services
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
ADP**
Airside driving permit
*Aircraft *
This includes fixed and rotary wing
ATC
Air Traffic Control
*Conditions *
weather and visibility conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, low visibility, night operations
NAVaids *
Navigational Aids are a form of marker, signal or device that aids an aircraft by guiding and navigating it to its destination. It can be in the form of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) or Doppler VHF Omnidirectional Range (DVOR).
*
Protected surfaces
*
Protected surfaces
includes safeguarded surfaces
*
PPE *
*
PPE *
Personal protective equipment
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
2
Indicative Review Date
2026
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
People 1st
Original URN
PPLAOG86
Relevant Occupations
Transport Drivers and Operatives, Transport Operations and Maintenance
SOC Code
8233
Keywords
airport; airside operations; runway; aerodrome; inspections