Flight Line Safety Published March 17, 2010 By Keesler Staff Keesler News KEESLER AFB, Miss -- Airfield safety means obeying signals and signs and adherence to procedures. When drivers and personnel don't obey these rules, the safety and well being of the personnel in the aircraft and on the ground may be jeopardized. Keesler has experienced five controlled movement area-runway incursions on the airfield in the past quarter, which officials find unacceptable. "It poses a very serious risk to our most valuable resources," said Col. Christopher Valle, 81st Training Wing vice commander. "While our airfield is clearly and appropriately marked, you will see over the next few months increased signs on and around the airfield, as well as improved LED stoplights to halt traffic prior to entering instrument landing system critical areas. Signs and markings around the perimeter of the airfield and runway clearly mark the boundary of the controlled movement area. Only airfield licensed personnel with an airfield driver's license for Keesler and two-way radio contact with the control tower may enter the controlled movement area and runway. Airfield personnel who violate the controlled movement area or commit a runway incursion have their airfield driving privileges revoked for 30 days per Keesler Instruction 13-202, Airfield Driving. "Non-airfield licensed personnel have been apprehended by security forces," said Justin Cooper, 81st operations support flight airfield operations chief. "Under no circumstances are people to enter the controlled movement area or runway without two-way radio contact with the tower." He also points out that there are also signs and traffic lights on Ploesti Drive and in the marina to protect the ILS critical area during inclement weather. The ILS is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway using a combination of radio signals to enable a safe landing when the weather does not allow pilots to visually land the aircraft, said Shaun Cooper, air traffic control and landing systems supervisor. A pilot flies an aircraft to a safe landing by following an ILS signal without seeing the runway until almost touchdown, Justin Cooper added. The ILS ensures safe aircraft arrivals during adverse weather and remains essential to recovering billions of tax dollars worth of aircraft and guaranteeing the vital safety of flight crews. "The Glideslope is one of two parts of the ILS," Shaun Cooper said. "The transmitted signals from the ILS reflect off vehicles in the ILS critical area, causing anomalies and distortion to the signal being broadcasted. This can cause the indications in the aircraft to be incorrect. Obviously, this could cause major problems for pilots who are using the ILS as their 'eyes' guiding them to the Keesler runway." If a vehicle enters the ILS critical area while an aircraft is on final approach, the signal may be distorted and provide flawed guidance to the pilot, said Justin Cooper. The potential for disaster is heightened, particularly during unfavorable weather conditions (ceiling below 800 feet, visibility less than 2 miles). ILS critical areas on Ploesti Drive and on the airfield at Taxiway Foxtrot are clearly marked with signage, lights and markings. The signage on Ploesti Drive and the marina was recently updated to increase awareness. During inclement weather scenarios, control tower personnel will activate the traffic lights indicating that vehicles must stop. The tower also activates the lights during in-flight emergencies and to protect personnel from jet blast. Staff Sgt. Sheralyn Gonzalez, 81st Security Forces noncommissioned officer in charge of reports and analysis, stated that for personnel who don't stop for the traffic lights on Ploesti Drive and marina, points may be added to each individual's driver's record. The accumulation of too many points over a given period or time can lead to additional penalties, including suspension or revocation of the civilian driver's license. "Safety is everyone's business and enforcing these standards must be a team effort," said Colonel Valle. For any questions regarding the controlled movement area and licensing, contact the Assistant Airfield Manager Johnny Blair at 377-2215.