Presented to:

By:
Date:
Federal Aviation
Administration
Presented to: Great Lakes Airports Conference
By: Mark Fox - Flight Standards NextGen Branch
Date: November 3, 2011
Surface Movement
Guidance & Control
System (SMGCS)
2
Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
What is SMGCS?
Surface Movement Guidance &
Control System objectives
Protect high-speed, low-visibility
operations on the runway
Enhance safe ground movement of
aircraft and other vehicles on the
airport surface
Standardize marking, lighting,
symbology
RVR 1200 to RVR 600
Below RVR 600
3
Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Background
Detroit 1990 Northwest flight 1482 rwy 3C
NTSB: Deficiencies in surface markings, signage,
and lighting at the airport and failure of FAA
surveillance to detect or correct any of these
deficiencies.
Advisory Circular 120-57 signed 9/4/92
Current AC 120-57A signed 12/19/96
Part 139 NPRM 2/1/11
FAA Joint Order In Coordination
International LVO/SMGCS
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Operational Minima
Approach & landing operations < RVR 1200
CAT II RVR 1000, all CAT III ops
Takeoff operations < RVR 1200
Authorized by OpSpec, MSpec, LOA
RVR 1000 Requires 2 or more RVR reports, HIRL,
runway centerline markings
RVR 500 Requires 2 or more RVR reports, HIRL,
runway centerline lights
RVR 300 Requires 2 or more RVR reports, HIRL,
runway centerline lights, head-up display tracking CAT
III localizer with RVR 300 landing minimum
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
CAT III 600 RVR Landing
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
SMGCS Requirements < RVR 1200
Approved SMGCS Plan
Taxiway Lights
Runway Guard Lights
12 inch taxiway lines with black borders
Taxiway guidance signs at all intersections
Local issues
Ground vehicle training and control
Taxi Chart
Initial and periodic operational inspections
Review and revision of SMGCS plan as needed
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Approved SMGCS Plan
SMGCS Working Group
Requires FAA Airports, Air Traffic, and
Flight Standards concurrence
Which runways will be used?
Which support minimums below RVR 1200?
Air Traffic and airspace issues?
Preferred and alternative configurations
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Taxiway Lights RVR 1200 to 600
Movement Areas
Edge or center line lights
required
Edge reflectors or lights on
curves and turns if using center
line lights only
Extra lights may be required at
difficult turn points
No non-movement reqs
Center line lights or reflectors
recommended
9
Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Runway Guard Lights RVR 1200 to 600
Elevated runway guard lights at runway
intersections
In pavement RGL at runway intersections if
the taxiway is wider then 150 ft or the
taxiway has center line lights
10
Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Taxiway Guidance RVR 1200 to 600
Center line markings 12
inch with black outline
Taxi guidance signs at all
intersections
Ground signs and holding
positions (painted) if needed
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Local Issues
Runway hot spots
Confusing intersections
ILS hold lines for GS critical areas
Potential illusions in low visibility
Preferred ATC hold areas
Multiple runways
Multiple taxi routes
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Ground Vehicle Requirements
Limit ground operations to essential traffic
SMGCS Training
All vehicle operators
Airport lights, signs, and markings
Procedures to follow if lost in the movement area
Radio procedures, including lost-communication
Include SMGCS procedures in training program.
Low visibility taxi route chart
Contingencies - construction, de-icing, snow
removal, etc.
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Taxi Chart
One or more SMGCS taxi charts
Typically go through a third party charting
provider
Aeronautical Charting Forum is discussing
SMGCS charting standards open item
14
Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Inspections Initial and Periodic
Required before
commencing operations
below RVR 1200
Required every 2-4
hours until > RVR 1200
If lights are not remotely
monitored
Interval based on
complexity of the operation
Lighting, Markings, Signs
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
SMGCS When the Visibility Drops
1. ATC notifies Airport of decreasing visibility
2. Airport conducts initial SMGCS inspection and
notifies tenants
3. Airport notifies ATC if inspection is satisfactory
4. ATC updates ATIS that SMGCS procedures are in
effect
5. Airport conducts periodic inspections if necessary
(every 2-4 hours)
6. ATC cancels SMGCS operations via ATIS when
increasing visibility allows normal operations
7. Airport notifies tenants of SMGCS termination
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
SMGCS Requirements RVR 300
All of the above plus:
Taxiway Center Line Lights
Runway Lead-On and Lead-Off Lights
Controllable Stop Bars
Geographic Position Markings
Clearance Bar Lights at TWY Hold Positions
Surface Movement Surveillance System
Movement Area Requirements
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Open Items - Implementation
Economic impacts of part 139 change
Airports
Air Operators
RVR 600 SMGCS vs RVR 500 takeoff
Part 91 requirements
Charting standards
Timelines and participation
Funding
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Federal Aviation
Administration
Surface Movement Guidance & Control System
November 3, 2011
Questions?
Thank You
Mark Fox
Great Lakes Region
Flight Standards
NextGen Branch, AGL-220
(847) 294-7546
mark.e.fox@faa.gov