Air Line Pilots Union Leader on Federal Panel to Improve Runway Safety

by Mike Hall, Nov 6, 2008

A top Air Line Pilots (ALPA) leader is the new co-chairman of a federal panel designed to improve runway safety at the nation’s airports. Capt. Rory Kay, ALPA’s executive air safety chairman, was appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a year term on the FAA’s new Runway Safety Council (RSC). Says Kay:

It’s my great pleasure to better serve the safety of the traveling public in this role. The experience that pilots bring to the table is irreplaceable, and we’re thankful that the FAA recognizes it.

ALPA says that despite the heightened emphasis by government and industry on reducing runway incursions over the past year, the actual number of incursions has risen. The incidents include commercial and private planes coming dangerously close to each other on takeoffs, landings and other runway operations.

Kay says the RSC’s goal is to reduce serious incursion incidents by 5 percent annually by developing new ways to identify and eliminate runway risks. Earlier this year, ALPA launched its own initiative to improve runway safety. Says Kay:

This fits right into ALPA’s “Hold Short for Runway Safety” campaign. We’ve started several endeavors to raise the awareness of runway hazards to pilots around the world, including a website, newsletters, and informational materials.

The new group includes representatives from government, unions, airlines and general aviation.

Print This Article | E-Mail This Article |Comments (0)