By Rudy Pont, BeCA Air Safety Committee Chairman

What is it?

The LRST (http://bit.ly/2u83wgj) is a team of representatives from the airport operator (BAC), air traffic service providers (Belgocontrol), aircraft operators (Brussels Airlines, Thomas Cook, TUIFly Belgium, Belgian Defence…), professional pilot (BeCA) and air traffic controller associations and any other relevant stakeholder in regards to runway operations at a specific aerodrome (e.g. runway maintenance personnel, RFF services, runway de-icing, etc.). The team advises the appropriate management on potential runway (safety) issues and recommends risk mitigation strategies.

What does it do?

It is intended to facilitate the effective implementation of the recommendations contained in the European Action Plans for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (EAPPRI – http://bit.ly/2uzzhl5) and Excursions (EAPPRE – http://bit.ly/2tqbIve) and to stimulate proactive management of runway safety.

A good example from the EBBR LRST is the layout modification of B1 and E7 holding points for runways 25R and 19 respectively, after a series of runway incursions happened at this hot spot. Since the new layout has been in place, no new occurrences (linked to runway/taxiway confusion) have been reported at this location.

When do the teams meet?

The EBBR LRST meets every two months. In September 2017 the team will meet for the 120th time since October 2003. The EBBR LRST was actually the first LRST in Europe following the publication of the EAPPRI.

Current issues at BRU

• Safety recommendations after the incident on 5 October 2016: NO ENTRY markings for C5, various studies (see article below);
• Wildlife actions: evaluation of Bird Detection Radar (to distinguish movement patterns), endophyte grasses sowed, new perimeter fence (partly underground), kestrel nets, rabbit gasification;
• FOD on the runway: sweeping programs implemented, labelled tooling & retrieval systems in place (significant improvement), inspections, FOD analysis on-going;
• Multiple taxi incidents resulting from confusion on OUTER and INNER TWYs: renaming suggested;
• Multiple push-back events where a/c was pushed on TWY instead of push-out lane: renaming suggested;
• Clarify the difference in actions taken by RFF services between local standby and full emergency;
• Removal of wildlife strike residue on landing runways during “less busy” times: references and existing best practices requested;
• Use of H24 stop bars on inactive runways: separate working group planned (operational consequences, safety implications, technical feasibility ATC safety nets, ATCO workload, etc.);
• Mandatory instructions and enhanced taxiway centre line marking at CAT.I holding positions as a direct result of safety recommendations from runway incursion analysis.

What does BeCA do?

BeCA is a regular member of the BRU LRST, maintains good relationships with the Brussels Airport and Belgocontrol Safety Management Units (SMUs) and other safety partners (airline safety departments, etc.). The BeCA Air Safety Committee ensures that the pilot’s view is always taken into consideration whenever a change of procedures or manoeuvring area design is considered. We actively contribute to improving runway safety at Brussels Airport. A simple example of this cooperation is the publication of BRU Safety Information Bulletins (SIB) via BeCA’s e-news.

BeCA is currently only represented in Brussels, however as the use of regional airports grows, we are also seeking for volunteers to represent us in LGG, OST and CRL.

Links and references:

ICAO Doc 9870 Manual on the Prevention of Runway Incursions: http://bit.ly/2tf9drN
ICAO Runway Safety Team Handbook: http://bit.ly/2viO2GH