Expert Opinion
AINsight: Blocking & Tackling To Avoid Runway Incursions
Pilots must execute the basic blocking and tackling that supports the planning, communication, and coordination needed to avoid runway incursions.
(Photo: Transportation Safety Board of Canada)
(Photo: Transportation Safety Board of Canada)

Last week, the FAA held a safety summit to examine and address recent safety concerns. As expected, much of the discussion centered on runway safety where there was a loss of separation between aircraft. Year-to-date, there have been seven high-profile runway incursions and experts say these “close calls are on the rise.”

According to FAA data, there were 1,732 runway incursion incidents nationwide in 2022. Of these events, 1,084—or 63 percent—were classified as pilot deviations. Compared with 2018 and 2019 (pre-Covid), the 2022 data indicates a small decrease of total runway incursions and pilot deviations. Of these pilot deviations, roughly half are caused by general aviation pilots.

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Stuart “Kipp” Lau
Contributor - Safety
About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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