View Full Version : Runway Friction Test to Open Runway ... How Long in the hold!
Scenario : Winter Ops : Airfield closed due to reopen : What is the normal elapsed time from commencement of friction test (at say LHR or LGW) to runway declared open ?.
Cantīs speak for the airfields in question, but at Oslo we aim to have first arrival at 6nm+ final when the friction testers leave the runway. (That is, friction test at completion of sweeping) Most times the sweeping use less time than calculated, so first arrival is often at 10nm when they are done.
Friction testers, 2x that test each side of the centerline, then compare the results at the crew leader reports the estimated friction, contamination etc via R/T to the TWR. (Norway does not report friction coeffcient any more)
The friction testers (driving at 90 km/h) start their run to time their arrival at the runway end at the same time as the sweeper/blower/sanding "train" which does about 40 km/h
ron83
21st Oct 2011, 18:25
At our airport it takes around 6 minutes for a sweeper team to go in one direction ( 3200m RWY).
As stated above friction testers try to leave together with sweeping team.
But the tricky part is,when you start to vector 1st arrival to be at around 5 nm upon RWY is clear, crew leader says,that friction is still poor and they need another run.:}
Musket90
23rd Oct 2011, 18:10
I think in UK if runway is swept to "blacktop" then friction tests are not carried out prior to re-opening as the runway will be normally be wet with de-icer and friction tests on a wet runway are considered to be unreliable. The friction calibrations are carried out on a dry runway using a self wetting device, so provided the calibration results show figures above acceptable levels then then the wet runway braking action should be fine.
If the runway state report gives ice patches, slush etc then operators should apply their SOPs based on the runway state given at the time. CAA document CAP683 on CAA website details the UK guidelines, also the UK AIP GEN section has some information on this.
Hi all.
Many thanks for you feedback. Will check out CAA source doc.