IFALPA Safety Bulletin – New ATC Phraseology during runway construction in US

Background Effective Sep 22, 2011, ATC in the United States will begin using new phraseology during periods of runway construction. Runway construction activities result in changes to the runway environment and performance considerations, potentially increasing risk if the changes are not effectively communicated. Recent safety events revealed several common misunderstandings when air traffic clearances were given to pilots operating on runways shortened due to construction. The phraseology currently being used has led to misunderstanding regarding runway length, acceptable operating weight/speed conditions, and efficiency. As a result, the phraseology is being changed to improve the operating environment at those airports where runway construction works are underway, to avoid safety events as a result of runway construction, and to ensure that the available runway length is always known. What to expect ATIS – When a runway length has been temporarily or permanently shortened, the word WARNING will preface the runway number, and the word shortened will be included in the text of the message. The ATIS will include the available runway length, as stated in the NOTAM, and must be broadcast for the duration of the construction project. Example: Warning, Runway One-Zero has been shortened, niner-thousand eight hundred and fifty feet available. Departure Information – ATC will not use the term full length when the runway length available for departures has been temporarily shortened. The use of the term full length could be interpreted by the pilot(s) as the available runway length prior to the runway being shortened. Whenever a runway length has been temporarily or permanently shortened, the word shortened will be used immediately following the runway number as part of the lineup and wait clearance. Example: Airline 123, Runway Two-Seven shortened, line up and wait. Airline 123, Runway Two-Seven shortened, cleared for takeoff. Landing Information – The addition of shortened must be included in the landing clearance for the duration of the construction project when the runway is temporarily shortened. Example: Airline 789, Runway Two-Seven shortened, continue. Airline 789, Runway Two-Seven shortened, cleared to land. ATC phraseology will include warning and shortened for operations on permanently shortened runways for at least 30 days or until the Airport/Facility Directory has been updated, whichever is longer. Additional Information Click here to access FAA Notice NJO 7110.564 Click here to access FAA Order JO 7110.6