GCA SAF – 104 Version 2.1: Issued January - Gold Coast Airport

SECTION 6.
CATEGORY 4 DRIVER
The movement of vehicle on the manoeuvring area
is subject to authorization by Air Traffic Control
(ATC)
Drivers of vehicles requiring to cross or enter
runways and taxiways must be in two-way
communication with ATC and must comply with
any clearance issued to them.
Airports across the country continue to experience
runway incursions, thereby making runway
incursions a continuing threat to aviation safety.
Key to reducing the threats imposed by runway
incursions is the safe and standardized operation
of vehicles on the maneuvering area.
Key points
a) Runway incursions are systemic, recurring events
that are unintentional by-products of aircraft
operations.
b) Operations must be standardised to reduce risk at
a time when growth is challenging runway and
infrastructure expansion.
c) Collision-avoidance safeguards need to be
developed for the high-energy segment of
runways, where aircraft are accelerating for takeoff
or decelerating after landing.
d) Human factors are the common denominator in
every runway incursion.
Responsibilities
Irrespective of any clearance or instruction issued by
ATC, drivers of vehicles, and of vehicles towing
aircraft, are responsible for ensuring that their vehicle
(and any part under tow) does not collide with any
other vehicle, aircraft, building or obstruction.
Need to cross or enter a runway
a) The frequency of runway incursions is directly
related to the number of runway crossings. An
important factor in preventing runway incursions
then, is to limit the physical possibility of vehicle
drivers to mistakenly enter runways. This basic
principle includes, but is not limited to, the
optimal use of perimeter taxiways, and the
avoidance of runway crossings to the maximum
extent possible.
b) Radio contact with the ground (121.8) is necessary
if you intend to proceed from the apron onto
taxiways and runways.
c) Do not enter the manoeuvring area unless you
have an established need to do so and have
appropriate licence.
Working on the Manoeuvring Area
(when ATC on Duty)
a) Be conversant with the radio procedures and with
the meaning of ATC visual signals and signs which
might be used on the Airport ( "Radio Procedures"
see Section 7 page 8/9 )
b) Obey all instructions given by Air Traffic Control
(aerodrome control and surface movement
controllers); and
c) Be familiar with the geography of the airport.
d) Once you have received a clearance to enter the
manoeuvring area, you must keep a constant radio
listening watch, staying alert to what is happening
around you by listening to radio communications.
(ensure that your vehicles AM / FM is switched off)
e) Do not enter, cross or otherwise transgress a
runway flight strip, request such clearance from
GROUND (Gold Coast Ground).
GROUND will then pass appropriate instructions to
proceed, or to contact TOWER (Gold Coast Tower)
on 118.7. All clearances to enter or cross a
runway in use will be given on tower frequency
(118.7)
f) As soon as you are told by the TOWER to vacate a
runway, you must do so immediately and then
notify the TOWER that you have vacated when you
have moved outside the relevant line of runway
strip markers.
g) Do not change frequency until you are instructed
to do so
h) A vehicle driver in doubt as to the position of the
vehicle with respect to the manoeuvring area shall
immediately:-
- Notify air traffic control (Gold Coast ground
or Gold Coast tower) of the circumstances
(including the last known position):
- Simultaneously, unless otherwise instructed
by the air traffic control, vacate the landing
area, taxiway, or other part of the
manoeuvring area, to a safe distance as
expeditiously as possible; and then - STOP
the vehicle.
Emergency Situations
In emergency conditions, or if the standard light
signals have not been observed, the tower may
cause the runway or taxiway lights to flash. This
means that you must vacate the manoeuvring area
and observe the Tower for light signals.
Rules for Drivers Operating Airside - Version 2.1 Issued January
Uncontrolled Copy – Reference Only
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