The Air Safety Institute (ASI) of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has released a new version of its Runway Safety course, designed to help pilots avoid dangerous runway incursions.
The 45-minute course takes participants through a series of airport trouble spots, including confusing signs, complex taxiway and runway layouts and unclear communications, all of which could lead to runway incursions or aircraft collisions on the ground, according to AOPA officials.
The updated course also focuses on coping with real world cockpit distractions, such as the increased attention pilots often give to advanced avionics, GPS systems, and tablets while taxiing.
“Many pilots feel that taxiing their aircraft is an almost benign segment of their flight,” said George Perry, senior vice president of ASI. “But experience shows that such complacency can get them into a lot of trouble very quickly, endangering themselves and others. This new course gives pilots the tools they need to stay safe at any airport.”
Runway Safety is available to all pilots — not just AOPA members — and includes several actual incursion case studies that demonstrate how conflicts can occur during seemingly routine flights. This ASI course also includes instruction and tips from several air safety experts, as well as quizzes on airport situational awareness.
The new course is optimized for use on mobile devices, so users can take it with them, officials noted.