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US airports now have software to prevent aircraft from landing on taxiways by mistake
Pilots have to worry about more than just mid-flight crashes and bad weather — they also risk a collision if they land on the taxiway instead of the runway. Thankfully, they have now have a digital safeguard. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tells Axios that 43 major US airports are now using ASDE-X Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP), a software platform that warns air traffic controllers if an aircraft is lining up to land on a taxiway by mistake. An aviator shouldn't endanger… (www.engadget.com) Plus d'info...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Every tool deployed to minimize Pilot/ATC stressors during critical phases is a plus. The more safety features built into aircraft/airports strengthens the safety net and that can't ever be a bad thing. It may seem "basic" to many but trying to land, especially with far less than ideal conditions, requires a lot of sensory demand. Imagine two active parallel runways, with an empty taxiway running parallel, coming out of a low ceiling while being at the end of longer trip. Anything to minimize an error is good. Add general aviation, newer pilots, and a rapid sequence landing; higher chance of an error. You are not at street level, where everything appears the same, but coming in to something which gradually becomes larger the closer you get & with a high rate of speed.
Low visibility procedures in effect. Airline crews and ATC have more restrictions for qualification of pilots, aircraft, airports, etc. Briefing completed for destination prior to TOD. Includes weather, visibility restrictions, notams, runways in use, exit taxiway, review taxi route to gate. As mentioned by other comments, examples of excellent taxi aids, London HEATHROW, MUNICH, FRANKFURT, clear of runway-iPad shows live position on taxi diagram. Green centerline lights on pavement, red bar stop lights when necessary. If a crew of 3 pilots. Back seat pilot who sees and hears everything, backing us up. Fly as we train, train as we fly. Good flights.
UNTIL YOU GET IN A COCKPIT ON A MOONLESS NIGHT WITH LOW VISIBILITY MOVING AT 100+ MILES PER HOUR AND THOUSANDS OF CITY LIGHTS OF ALL COLORS - YOU WILL NOT EXPERIENCE THE ANXIETY OF LANDING AT A MULTI-RUNWAY AIRPORT. BE THANKFUL THAT THERE ARE SAFETY FEATURES, NO MATTER HOW MANY,TO PROTECT YOU IN THE BACK OF THE PLANE OR ON THE GROUND. AN ACCIDENT CANNOT BE REVERSED, ONLY PREVENTED.
We always load up the instrument approach for the intended runway regardless of weather conditions, that make it hard to land on the wrong spot if you actually follow your course guideance.
So many aviation issues lately. I am not even a frequent traveler, but oh my the number of times we’ve had to pull up on landing and go round .AI will eventually replace everything but I’m afraid we’re gonna have some real problems before that happens
I remember back in the day we didn't need "software" to do this... we had pilots who practiced good airmanship and took pride in their vigilance in maintaining their knowledge and skills pertaining to their craft. Man - what a time that was.
Save of course for the occasional senile old coot who should have had his ticket pulled years ago, but of course after a lengthy & quality career at the stick.
Save of course for the occasional senile old coot who should have had his ticket pulled years ago, but of course after a lengthy & quality career at the stick.