MANOEUVRE AREA SAFETY TEAM – HEATHROW – 7 NOVEMBER 2008

CE MEETING SUMMARY

·        Aim of the MAST to ident action plans and add value.

·        From many major areas of interest – need to identify specific issues to move on.

CCM Sheet Issues

·        TORs Review. 

·        EAPRI document to be reissued in Dec – leave till issued and review next meeting

·        Latest hotspot map shows 2 incidents in Sept, including an A380 under investigation, 1(Cat D) incursion in Oct ( there were 4 last year).

·        Tug pushback procedures and phraseology continue to cause concern. Changes and variations in SOPs – a lack of standardisation is the problem.

·        Responsibility for Pushback approval from the stand is another issue. BA is moving to European procedures.

o       The establishment of a Sub-group meeting to discuss procedures and ident the responsibilities and report back was suggested. They would recommend best practice and get it included in the CAP413 Supp. Then target tug companies with the advice.

o       Basic start is that tug driver is listening out for pushback approval.

Cockpit Feedback/Taxiway Errors

·        General view from the cockpit is that LHR stands areas are very busy and compact and that the Ground Handlers should be at the stand at least 5 mins before ac arrival to ensure stand is clear.

o       The meeting identified the need for specific feedback on stand discipline problems. Detailed reports are required in order address the specific issues.

Van run will take place on 25 Nov 08 at 1000 am for 13 persons – inc pilots and ramp chart producers - to survey the signage at Heathrow and identify problems and solutions. Jane Gothard at NATS is the POC for this event.

·                    Pilots to bring their company charts to compare their info against reality.

 

·        CHIRP Reports describe taxi patterns at LHR as being complex and requiring over- long taxi phraseology and communication. New taxi phraseology has been introduced to address this complex R/T problem. In effect, a maximum of 3 elements in each taxi pattern descriptor is now being used.

o        A comprehensive review to simplify taxi patterns and nomenclature will need to wait until further planned changes in the pipeline are complete.

o       As a follow on from the NATS Taxi error survey, a Safety Day will be held in Jan 09 to discuss findings of the hotspot study.

Airfield Driving

·        Speeding is highest priority problem.

·        Driving whilst on the phone is the second highest.

·        Driving without due care and attention is third.

·        A plan to be introduced which reduces the numbers of companies authorised to do driver training from 178 to 70.

o       Driver Trainers will be reduced from 500+ to 174. Trainers will also be expected to deliver a standard package.

o       Of 7 Audits of training companies undertaken so far, 3 companies suspended.

·        FOD in vehicles is a major concern – each company has been requested to inspect vehicles and conduct vehicle clear outs. Checks will be made on vehicles in future.

·        A lot of metallic FOD is being found on taxiways and stand areas – a major concern to BAA.

 MAST Strategy Document

·        A MAST Strategy Doc to drive the output from this meeting was reviewed. The plan is to move from reactive to incidents to being much more proactive.

o       The meeting was asked to review the draft TORs.

·        As well as Incursions, excursions and confusion should also be included.

·        Responses back on Strategy Document were requested within 2 weeks.

Use Of Stop Bars

·       Eurocontrol Paper on Stop Bar usage – to be distributed in Minutes.

·       Use of Stop Bars throughout H24.- EAPPRI Recommendations.

o      Trial Study undertaken at Manchester in all wxs and all times(24H)

o      Aerodrome operator need to issue policy for Stop Bar/ops when bars are u/s.

o      Findings from the trial:

§       Considered a definite benefit.

§       24H ops needed changes in procedures, lighting, holding positions, and training.  A comprehensive stop bar usage policy is essential.

§       Acceptable workload for the ATC to manage 24H stoplights

§       Stop bars were visible throughout the 24H period

o      Key Enablers

§       Fundamental Policy must be ‘Never cross a red stop bar’

§       A clear Stop Bar operating procedure must be defined by ANSP.

§       Contingencies for a u/s stop bar which avoids crossing it is a must.

§       Ergonomic design to control stop bars in the tower is required.

§       Needs to ensure pilots understand the stop bar policy!

o      Next Steps

§       In a draft report,  MAST should consider the following:

·       Establish a sub-group to create a policy and an implementation plan for the use of Stop bars H24.

·       Formulate the safety benefit for H24 Stop Bar use.

·       Formulate a procedure for its usage.

·       Identify costs.

Technology

·        UKFSC CE to provide a US Mitre Paper on Runway Lighting study to the MAST.

·        Link current technology to provide a joined up approach to the incursion problem.

o       NATS to provide a briefing on the proposal/suggestion

AOB

·        UKFSC CE to send the latest Summary of RI Data.

·        LVP review outcome to be made available from the last CATCC discussion.

·        Manoeuvre area FOD concerns highlighted. Request HW companies to clear up – name and shame policy to be instigated.

 

Rich Jones

Chief Exec

UK Flight Safety Committee