Routine runway inspections of an active runway

[missy]

All,

A previous post related to runway works on an active runway [http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=159305].

I was wondering how everyone handles routine runway inspections of an active runway. Are they scheduled at specific times, do they have "priority" over other movements, or do they fit in as best juggled by the local controller?

[Captain Hightower]

Hi Missy,
At our airport, routine runway inspections can happen at any time, with the vehicle calling up as it is approaching the holding point. It doesn't have priority over aircraft and will be fiited in between movements. Aircraft on the approach can have landing clearance delayed until the last minute to squeeze a runway inspection in and there is no reason why one can't be done as a departing aircraft is in the process of lining up. If need be, do the inspection in bits.
That said, if a plane spreads a rabbit all over the mid point, then departing aircraft will be happy to wait while it's scraped up...as for landers, just ask the pilot.

[spekesoftly]

At Civil Aerodromes in the UK, procedures for surface inspections are specified in CAP493 (Manual of Air Traffic Services Part 1), and may be amplified in local unit instructions (MATS Part 2).

Routine inspections will normally be fitted around runway movements, to minimise delays. Priority will be given to any other specific 'safety related' inspection (e.g. debris seen or reported on the runway).

[Spitoon]

To expand on speke's comments - surface inspections are the responsibility of the aerodrome operator. Where there is ATC the procedures may be modified by local requirements/agreements.

In the Uk we have a good many aerodromes without ATC and it is then the responsibility of the aerodrome operator to ensure that inspections are carried out and that any aircraft using the aerodrome are made aware that the runway is not available.

[missy]

Thanks for the responses. In my original post I was thinking of aerodromes with ATC, so routine runway inspections of the duty runway(s).

[southern duel]

Hi missy

Runway Inspections at LHR are done 4 times a day plus at any other times that ATC or Airfield ops request it.

There are no set times but at LHR they tend to be mid morning mid afternoon ( slightly earlier in the winter so you have daylight) at night and a "first light" inspection which includes all turn offs and takes longer which is usually before the first movements.

All inspections are recorded by Video

The night inspection is just a quick inspection checking the lights for outages and can be done very quickly. The daylight routine inspections are done at 20mph and at Heathrow any runway inspection is done with 2 members of staff.

At night if we get a report of debris then we may use 2 vehicles with 2 staff in each as it is quicker to get the runway back to ATC instead of 1 vehicle doing a couple of runs either side of the centreline.

All inspections are done between movements and in all weathers including Low Viz. Although this takes longer because the team need to clear the LSA before calling vacated. The "checker" team at heathrow also have a transponder fitted to help ATC There is very good liasion between ATC controllers and the inspection teams and the quicker ATC get the guys on the runway the quicker they can get back to dealing with aircraft only. Inspections at Heathrow can take from 20 mins to 50 minutes depending on the flow of aircraft and the gaps between aircraft types.
The ATC guys at LHR may whish to add their comments


Hope this helps

PM me if you wish any further info