Taxiway inspections
Thread Starter
Taxiway inspections
I've just been watching an airport webcam, and the cars were out doing a runway inspection. Which made me think -- do they ever do formal taxiway inspections throughout the day for FOD etc too?
Obviously FOD on the runway poses a higher risk due to the speeds involved, and taxiway checks might be difficult to do, perhaps, in and amongst busy ground movements. But is it ever done, or do they just rely on everyone -- flight crew and all manner of airside staff -- keeping an eye out?
Obviously FOD on the runway poses a higher risk due to the speeds involved, and taxiway checks might be difficult to do, perhaps, in and amongst busy ground movements. But is it ever done, or do they just rely on everyone -- flight crew and all manner of airside staff -- keeping an eye out?
I've just been watching an airport webcam, and the cars were out doing a runway inspection. Which made me think -- do they ever do formal taxiway inspections throughout the day for FOD etc too?
Obviously FOD on the runway poses a higher risk due to the speeds involved, and taxiway checks might be difficult to do, perhaps, in and amongst busy ground movements. But is it ever done, or do they just rely on everyone -- flight crew and all manner of airside staff -- keeping an eye out?
Obviously FOD on the runway poses a higher risk due to the speeds involved, and taxiway checks might be difficult to do, perhaps, in and amongst busy ground movements. But is it ever done, or do they just rely on everyone -- flight crew and all manner of airside staff -- keeping an eye out?
Thread Starter
Good'o, thanks, makes sense. I guess the runway inspections are obvious to see, whereas other such efforts might be hiding in plain sight.
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In addition to inspecting taxiways routinely from a vehicle, walking inspections are carried out on a regular basis. These are more detailed and identify faults which may need planned maintenance. At larger airports the areas being walked are split into separate areas so one area is done at any one time with all of the areas being inspected over a specific time period.
As jumpseater says above, each airfield will have its own procedure whether it's done by the aerodrome authority (civil) or by ATC (military). I remember at Glasgow we would be sent out every day for a PAPI/VASI check as well.
