0830-surface movement guidance and control system

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministration

Presented to: Great Lakes Airports Conference

By: Mark Fox - Flight Standards NextGen Branch

Date: November 3, 2011

Surface Movement Guidance & Control System (SMGCS)

2Federal AviationAdministration

Surface Movement Guidance & Control SystemNovember 3, 2011

What is SMGCS?

• Surface Movement Guidance & Control System objectives– Protect high-speed, low-visibility

operations on the runway– Enhance safe ground movement of

aircraft and other vehicles on the airport surface

– Standardize marking, lighting, symbology

– RVR 1200 to RVR 600– Below RVR 600



Background• Detroit 1990 – Northwest flight 1482 rwy 3C

– NTSB: “Deficiencies in surface markings, signage, and lighting at the airport and failure of FAA surveillance to detect or correct any of these deficiencies.”

• Advisory Circular 120-57 signed 9/4/92• Current AC 120-57A signed 12/19/96• Part 139 NPRM – 2/1/11• FAA Joint Order – In Coordination• International – LVO/SMGCS



Operational Minima• Approach & landing operations < RVR 1200

– CAT II RVR 1000, all CAT III ops• Takeoff operations < RVR 1200

– Authorized by OpSpec, MSpec, LOA– RVR 1000 – Requires 2 or more RVR reports, HIRL,

runway centerline markings– RVR 500 – Requires 2 or more RVR reports, HIRL,

runway centerline lights– RVR 300 – Requires 2 or more RVR reports, HIRL,

runway centerline lights, head-up display tracking CAT III localizer with RVR 300 landing minimum



CAT III 600 RVR Landing



SMGCS Requirements < RVR 1200• Approved SMGCS Plan• Taxiway Lights• Runway Guard Lights• 12 inch taxiway lines with black borders• Taxiway guidance signs at all intersections• Local issues• Ground vehicle training and control• Taxi Chart• Initial and periodic operational inspections• Review and revision of SMGCS plan as needed



Approved SMGCS Plan

• SMGCS Working Group

• Requires FAA Airports, Air Traffic, and Flight Standards concurrence

• Which runways will be used?– Which support minimums below RVR 1200?– Air Traffic and airspace issues?– Preferred and alternative configurations



Taxiway Lights – RVR 1200 to 600

• Movement Areas– Edge or center line lights

required– Edge reflectors or lights on

curves and turns if using center line lights only

– Extra lights may be required at difficult turn points

• No non-movement reqs– Center line lights or reflectors

recommended



Runway Guard Lights – RVR 1200 to 600

• Elevated runway guard lights at runway intersections

• In pavement RGL at runway intersections if the taxiway is wider then 150 ft or the taxiway has center line lights



Taxiway Guidance – RVR 1200 to 600• Center line markings – 12

inch with black outline• Taxi guidance signs at all

intersections• Ground signs and holding

positions (painted) if needed



Local Issues

• Runway hot spots• Confusing intersections• ILS hold lines for GS critical areas• Potential illusions in low visibility• Preferred ATC hold areas• Multiple runways• Multiple taxi routes



Ground Vehicle Requirements• Limit ground operations to essential traffic• SMGCS Training

– All vehicle operators– Airport lights, signs, and markings– Procedures to follow if lost in the movement area– Radio procedures, including lost-communication– Include SMGCS procedures in training program. – Low visibility taxi route chart

• Contingencies - construction, de-icing, snow removal, etc.



Taxi Chart

• One or more SMGCS taxi charts• Typically go through a third party charting

provider• Aeronautical Charting Forum is discussing

SMGCS charting standards – open item



Inspections – Initial and Periodic

• Required before commencing operations below RVR 1200

• Required every 2-4 hours until > RVR 1200– If lights are not remotely

monitored– Interval based on

complexity of the operation– Lighting, Markings, Signs



SMGCS – When the Visibility Drops

1. ATC notifies Airport of decreasing visibility2. Airport conducts initial SMGCS inspection and

notifies tenants3. Airport notifies ATC if inspection is satisfactory4. ATC updates ATIS that SMGCS procedures are in

effect5. Airport conducts periodic inspections if necessary

(every 2-4 hours)6. ATC cancels SMGCS operations via ATIS when

increasing visibility allows normal operations7. Airport notifies tenants of SMGCS termination



SMGCS Requirements – RVR 300

• All of the above plus:– Taxiway Center Line Lights– Runway Lead-On and Lead-Off Lights– Controllable Stop Bars– Geographic Position Markings– Clearance Bar Lights at TWY Hold Positions– Surface Movement Surveillance System– Movement Area Requirements



Open Items - Implementation

• Economic impacts of part 139 change– Airports– Air Operators

• RVR 600 SMGCS vs RVR 500 takeoff• Part 91 requirements• Charting standards• Timelines and participation• Funding



Questions?• Thank You

• Mark Fox• Great Lakes Region

• Flight Standards• NextGen Branch, AGL-220

• (847) 294-7546• [email protected]

0830-surface movement guidance and control system

Documents

taxiway guidance rvr

taxiway lights rvr

rvr reports

runway guard lights

runway centerline lights

symbology rvr

loa rvr

smgcs requirements rvr