Frangibility is an integral part of airfield safety – that’s a key message of the recently released Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory circular AC 150/5300-13A.
The circular builds on the previous Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – released Safety Notice SN-2012/004 (Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) and Runway Excursion Guidance for Aerodromes), which suggests mitigating measures, including frangible masts, to reduce the likelihood of an overrun event and reduce the severity of an aircraft overshooting the runway .
The FAA’s Airport Design circular contains the standards and recommendations for the layout and engineering design of runways, taxiways, aprons and other facilities at civil airports. In line with the CAA, greater focus and detail has been paid to definitions and standards to be met with the Runway Safety Area (RSA), incorporating the Runway End Safety Area (RESA).
The FAA’s advisory circular notes in detail the appropriate siting of navigational aids within the airfield, the importance of correctly locating assisted associated power control units and shelters and the overall expectation that if a Navigational Aid sits on the RSA, then it must be frangible whether it is fixed or movable. Read More…