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Aerodromes
What is the issue?
Aerodromes are the area where pilots are most likely to have an accident. The European Union has now included Aerodromes in its Single European Sky legislation. This means that for the first time, there will be European wide rules and regimes in place to harmonise operations and aerodrome safety.
How is ECA involved?
ECA pilots have long been active in aerodrome issues at national level and through IFALPA. ECA is organising local runway safety team meetings of European pilot experts. EASA has published its opinion on the extension of its mandate to aerodromes and ECA has built up a working group to prepare for the new changes at European level. ECA also has representatives in the Eurocontrol runway safety working group and the airport operations team.
Why is the issue important to ECA?
ECA has the expertise to bring to both the local and the European decision-makers on how to improve aerodrome operations and safety. There are many aspects to consider: good practice in runway design, lighting, markings, stop bars, phraseology, friction on contaminated or wet runways, firefighting facilities, bird control, the general prevention of runway incursions etc.
The training of pilot experts to communicate effectively with their local airport stakeholders, regulators and politicians is a key action that brings enormous safety benefits to the aerodromes and the pilot community itself.
Safety is of paramount importance and the key issue for the pilots is to ensure safe, harmonised, seamless and workable rules for operating into and within aerodrome environments.
Who is responsible?
- Executive Board Director: Riku Aakkula
- Staff member: Fiona Mc Fadden
- Working Group: Air Traffic Management and Aerodromes (Registered users only)
- Chairman: Paul Vissers / Bernd Hechenegger
