Subject: Runway Safety Program
| Issuing Office: | Civil Aviation, Standards |
|---|---|
| Document No.: | AC 107-003 |
| File Classification No.: | Z 5000-34 |
| Issue No.: | 01 |
| RDIMS No.: | 20692644-V9 |
| Effective Date: | 2025-06-06 |
Table of contents
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 References and requirements
- 3.0 Background
- 4.0 Runway Safety Program
- 5.0 Information management
- 6.0 Document history
- 7.0 Contact us
1.0 Introduction
(1) This Advisory Circular (AC) is provided for information and guidance purposes. It describes an example of an acceptable means, but not the only means, of demonstrating compliance with regulations and standards. This AC on its own does not change, create, amend or permit deviations from regulatory requirements, nor does it establish minimum standards.
1.1 Purpose
(1) This AC has been developed with the purpose of providing information regarding ways to comply with the Safety Management System (SMS) requirements in the context of runway safety. Various SMS requirements can be met under the umbrella of a runway safety program; they include but are not limited to: analyzing incidents or accidents and preventing their recurrence, identifying hazards, and reporting them, and training of personnel. Other stakeholders which are not subject to the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) can also benefit from and contribute to a runway safety program. This AC provides guidance to stakeholders about the CARs 107 requirements for SMS, based on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendation to establish and implement a runway safety program.
1.2 Applicability
(1) This AC is applicable to:
- (a) Holders of an aerodrome certificate issued pursuant to Part 3 of the CARs;
- (b) Holders of an air operator certificate issued pursuant to Part 7 of the CARs;
- (c) Holders of an Air Traffic Services (ATS) operations certificate issued pursuant to Part 8 of the CARs;
- (d) Holders of a private operator registration document issued pursuant to Part 6 of the CARs;
(2) This AC is also available to the aviation industry at large for information purposes. Its content is of particular interest to:
- (a) Canadian general aviation pilots and aviation associations; and
- (b) Stakeholders who conduct any flight training activities at aerodromes.
1.3 Description of changes
(1) Not applicable.
2.0 References and requirements
2.1 Reference documents
(1) It is intended that the following reference materials be used in conjunction with this document:
- (a) Aeronautics Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. A-2)
- (b) Part I, Subpart 7 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) — Safety Management System Requirements;
- (c) Part III, Subpart 2 of the CARs – Aerodromes;
- (d) Part III, Subpart 2, Division V of the CARs – Safety Management System;
- (e) Part VI, Subpart 4 of the CARs – Private Operators;
- (f) Part VII, Subpart 5 of the CARs – Airline Operations;
- (g) Part VIII, Subpart I of the CARs – Air Traffic Services;
- (h) Part VIII, Subpart 5 of the CARs — Safety Management System;
- (i) Advisory Circular (AC) 300-002, Issue 04, 2009-06-05 — Safety Management System Implementation Procedures for Aerodrome Operators;
- (j) AC 800-001, Issue 03, 2009-06-05 — Safety Management System Implementation Procedures for Air Traffic Services (ATS) Operations Certificate Holders;
- (k) AC 700-029, Issue 01, 2014-03-24 – Prevention of Runway Incursion;
- (l) ICAO DOC 9870 – Manual on the Prevention of Runway Incursions; and
- (m) Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPPRI) - 2024-08-22.
2.2 Cancelled documents
(1) Not applicable.
(2) By default, it is understood that the publication of a new issue of a document automatically renders any earlier issues of the same document null and void.
2.3 Definitions and abbreviations
(1) The following definitions are used in this document:
- (a) Aircraft: any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere from reactions of the air and includes a rocket.
- (b) Hazard: A condition or an object with the potential to cause death, injuries to personnel, damage to equipment or structures, loss of material, or reduction of ability to perform a prescribed function.
- (c) Hot Spot: A location on an aerodrome movement area with a history or potential risk of collision or runway incursion, and where heightened attention by pilots/drivers is necessary.
- (d) Local Runway Safety Team: A team comprised of representatives from aerodrome operations, air traffic services providers, airlines, aircraft operators (including general aviation and commercial aircraft), pilot and air traffic controller associations and any other group with a direct involvement in runway operations that advise applicable managers on potential runway incursion issues and recommend mitigation strategies.
- (e) Risk mitigation: The process of incorporating defences or preventive controls to lower the severity and/or likelihood of a hazard’s projected consequence.
- (f) Runway Excursion: Any occurrence in which an aircraft fails to confine its take-off, landing or ground maneuvering to the intended runway.
- Note: There are two types of runway excursions: overrun and veer-off.
- (g) Runway Incursion: Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take-off of aircraft.
(2) The following abbreviations are used in this document:
- (a) ATS: Air Traffic Services;
- (b) CARs: Canadian Aviation Regulations;
- (c) FOD: Foreign object debris;
- (d) ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization;
- (e) SMS: Safety Management System;
- (f) RSAT: Runway Safety Action Team; and
- (g) TCCA: Transport Canada Civil Aviation.
3.0 Background
(1) Subpart 107 of the CARs dictates specific SMS requirements including procedures for reporting hazards, collecting data, exchanging information, and training of personnel. Risks to runway safety and more specifically runway incursions and overruns have been identified worldwide as safety priorities. That is why in 2006, multiple aviation stakeholders in Canada formed the Runway Safety and Incursion Prevention Panel (RSIPP) which created a national runway safety program and a forum for collaboration. That panel is now called the Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT), and it provides a means of communication to address runway safety for all aerodromes.
(2) The RSAT meets periodically to exchange information on runway safety. The group discusses runway safety initiatives or new technology, and makes recommendations to various stakeholders, including Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), on ways to reduce the number of incidents. It offers a collaborative forum and is chaired by NAV CANADA, an ATS Operations Certificate holder and main provider of ATS in Canada. The result of the RSAT’s activities is a runway safety program at the national level.
(3) The Transportation Safety Board of Canada identifies risks of collisions from runway incursions and runway overruns as top safety risks that require a continued effort in mitigating runway safety hazards and reducing their occurrences. To support these efforts, TCCA recommends the establishment of local runway safety teams at aerodromes in accordance with the guidance provided by ICAO in Doc 9870.
4.0 Runway Safety Program
(1) Effective safety management of a specific area of risk is more readily achieved with a focused program guiding the activities of a widely inclusive team of stakeholders. A runway safety program is intended to enhance runway safety by reducing the frequency and severity of runway incursions, excursions, and other surface incidents. This is the primary reason why TCCA, through this AC, is encouraging the development of runway safety programs. All stakeholders who may have an impact on runway operations at aerodromes are encouraged to participate and seek opportunities to gain all the benefits that a runway safety program can offer. Contributions such as sharing of data and best practices can result in recommendations or procedures that potentially reduce the number of incidents or accidents related to runway operations such as:
- (a) Abnormal runway contact;
- (b) Bird Strike;
- (c) Ground collision;
- (d) Runway excursion;
- (e) Runway incursion;
- (f) Loss of control on ground;
- (g) Collision with obstacle(s);
- (h) Undershoot / overrun;
- (i) Use of the wrong runway (runway confusion);
- (j) High speed rejected take-off;
- (k) Damage from FOD; and
- (l) Wildlife event.
4.1 Local Runway Safety Teams
(1) Further to implementing a runway safety program, the ICAO recommendation to establish local runway safety teams is strongly supported by TCCA. While there is an opportunity for all stakeholders to participate in the RSAT, the establishment of local runway safety teams at aerodromes creates an extra opportunity to improve runway safety and address issues at the local level. These teams might not be feasible at all aerodromes, but a less formal channel of communication can exist in those cases based on the guidance provided in this AC to address the regulatory requirements for SMS in relation to runway safety.
(2) Some aerodromes may experience specific issues, whether it’s the aerodrome layout, the surrounding geography, the level of pilot experience, the volume of traffic, or the climate. One of the objectives of forming local runway safety teams is to review incidents or accidents that have occurred at that aerodrome and to implement mitigations to prevent their recurrence. It is also an opportunity for stakeholders to be proactive and strive to continually improve runway safety by identifying potential hazards and implementing recommended practices when it makes sense to do so. These actions are some of the intended benefits of compliance with the SMS regulatory requirements. Formation of a local runway safety team is a great opportunity to involve front line personnel in the shared responsibility for runway safety. Many stakeholders have SMS regulatory requirements, and although it is not specifically listed as a requirement for any certificate holder, TCCA recommends that the aerodrome operators lead the initiative to form local runway safety teams. To ensure that the team is complete and effective, participation could be encouraged from air traffic service providers, airlines or aircraft operators, and any other groups with a direct involvement in runway operations.
(3) The local runway safety team’s responsibilities may include:
- (a) delivering education and safety awareness material to local stakeholders;
- (b) identifying hot spots on aerodrome charts or posters that are publicly available;
- (c) reviewing incidents related to runway operations at their local aerodrome;
- (d) proposing and implementing risk mitigations to avoid the recurrence of runway incidents;
- (e) reviewing other incidents related to runway safety such as FOD and wildlife;
- (f) monitoring the effectiveness of implemented measures; and
- (g) ensuring procedures are compliant with the applicable standards and regulations.
(4) In addition to enabling compliance with Subpart 107 of the CARs, other benefits of local runway safety teams are:
- (a) promoting a positive safety culture by creating a “no judgement, safe space atmosphere” at meetings, where stakeholders feel comfortable sharing thoughts, ideas, or concerns in the interest of safety;
- (b) providing aerodrome certificate holders an opportunity to present their winter operations plan; and
- (c) providing all stakeholders a voice regarding runway safety;
(5) NAV CANADA offers guidance material and support for stakeholders who wish to form a local runway safety team on its website, and guidance material is contained in ICAO DOC 9870 and in the GAPPRI.
4.2 Collaboration
(1) Promoting safety is always a priority and collaboration between stakeholders is an effective way to achieve that common goal. Communication, training, and education contribute to the effectiveness of runway safety programs. A wide range of stakeholders can, and are encouraged to, participate and exchange information in respect to hazards, incidents, and accidents. This collaboration is essential for the relevance and effectiveness of runway safety programs. Members of local runway safety teams and the RSAT can also use these platforms to share information regarding the use of new technology to reduce the risk of runway incidents.
(2) At a local level, front line individuals such as pilots, vehicle operators, air traffic controllers and flight service specialists, are an integral part of runway safety teams. By following procedures, reporting hazards, incidents, and accidents, and by adhering to established best practices, they have a direct impact on achieving the goal of reducing runway incidents and avoiding aircraft accidents, which are the ultimate goals of an SMS.
(3) Other stakeholders, such as Department of National Defense personnel, wildlife control officers, aircraft fire fighting personnel, etc., may have an interest in collaborating at locations where they have an operational impact on runway safety.
5.0 Information management
(1) Not applicable.
6.0 Document history
(1) Not applicable
7.0 Contact us
For more information, please contact:
Flight Standards Division (AARTA)
E-mail: TC.FlightStandards-NormesDeVol.TC@tc.gc.ca
We invite suggestions for amendments to this document. Submit your comments to:
AART Documentation Services
E-mail: AARTDocServices-ServicesdocAART@tc.gc.ca
Original signed by
Linda Kovacic
Director, Standards branch
Civil Aviation
AC 107-003 - Runway Safety Program
(PDF, 322 KB)