- The FAA has approached a panel of experts for suggestions on cockpit technologies to prevent landings on wrong runways or taxiways.
- The request is aligned with FAA’s initiative to curb near misses that have worried the aviation sector.
- Despite technological advancements, the FAA emphasizes the ongoing crucial role of human diligence in ensuring safety.
FAA Seeks Expert Recommendations on Alert Systems to Prevent Runway Mishaps
WASHINGTON D.C — In the wake of a series of near misses alarming the aviation industry, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking proactive measures. On Friday, FAA’s associate administrator for aviation safety, David H. Boulter, penned a letter to the chairs of an advisory committee, urging them to recommend cockpit technologies capable of warning pilots about potential runway or taxiway errors before they happen.
The initiative comes as part of the broader strategy of the FAA to minimize near misses, focusing on the technological innovation that could be utilized to give pilots a chance to rectify their course before landing on the wrong runway or taxiway. The advisory committee is scheduled to discuss this critical issue in their meeting on September 29, examining the substantial role such technology could play in averting disasters.
Despite the potential of technology, Boulter emphasized that human involvement remains vital in assuring safety. “One serious close call is one too many, and we must act now and consider everything to get us closer to our goal,” he asserted in the letter, adding that understanding human factors contributing to these incidents is as important as technological solutions.
The recent move by the FAA is in line with its continuous efforts to reduce accidents due to miscommunications during takeoffs and landings. These involve not only advising pilots to exercise more caution but also encouraging airports to rethink their design. Last month, the organization granted $121 million to eight airports, aiming to enhance safety by reconfiguring taxiways and introducing new lighting systems.
The independent National Transportation Safety Board is concurrently investigating several near misses involving airliners that have predominantly been the consequence of human error. In light of one such incident where a charter jet pilot misinterpreted air traffic controller’s signals, the understanding of the crucial role of human factors in these scenarios becomes all the more important.
