Memorandum: Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Aviation
Administration
Memorandum
NOV 3 0 2007
Date:
To: All Airports Regional Division Managers
From: Rick Marinelli, Manager, Airport Engineering Division, AAS-100, x77669

Prepared by: George Legarreta, Engineer, Airport Engineering Division, AAS-100, x78766
Subject: Engineering Brief No. 63B
Taxiways for Airbus A380 Taxiing Operations
Engineering Brief No. 63B, Taxiways for Airbus A380 Taxiing Operations, is attached. The
engineering brief reflects the operational findings from the July 17,2007 Flight Standards
Service memorandum to the Office of Airport Safety and Standards. Beyond the normal
Flight Standardization Board tasks, the evaluation team focused on two unique operational
issues: (1) taxiing on taxiways as narrow as 75 feet without taxiway centerline lighting and
without the aid of the on-board taxi camera system and (2) operations on runways as narrow
as 150 feet wide (see engineering brief No. 65A).
The engineering brief describes when a modification-to-standard (MoS) is required for

designated A380 taxi routes. Whether or not a MoS is issued, the engineering brief describes
certain actions to take to ensure safer taxiing operations on these taxi routes. It further
acknowledges that, although additional taxiway centerline lighting or taxi speed limitations
are not required, the airport operator may deem them necessary to overcome unusual site
conditions.
Finally, approval authority for MoS complying with the specific conditions of this
engineering brief is delegated to the Regional Office level. When you approve a MoS using
this engineering brief, please provide a copy to the Airport Engineering Division, AAS-100.
Attachment
Engineering Brief #63B
11/27/2007
ENGINEERING BRIEF NO. 63B
TAXIWAYS FOR AIRBUS A380 TAXIING OPERATIONS
November 27, 2007
A. BACKGROUND
In August 2003, Engineering Brief (EB) No. 63, Use of Non-Standard 75-Foot-Wide Straight
Taxiway Sections for Airbus A380 Taxiing Operations, was issued to give Regional Division
Managers approval authority to issue a modification to standards (MoS) for A380 taxiing on
75-foot- (23-m) wide straight taxiway sections. Section D, Specific Conditions, of that
engineering brief identified seven imposed conditions. Issued in April 2006, EB No. 63A
deleted Item 2, Taxiing Speed, under Section D, Specific Conditions. Although EB No. 63A
deleted the taxiing speed limitation, it did not prohibit airport operators from imposing their
own taxi speed restrictions to address an unusual airport condition.
On July 17, 2007, the Flight Standards Service issued a memorandum to the Office of Airport
Safety and Standards describing the Flight Standardization Board’s findings for the A380 (see
attachment). In addition to the normal FSB tasking, the evaluation team focused on two
unique operational issues: operations on runways as narrow as 150 feet (45 m) wide (see EB
No. 65A) and taxiing on taxiways as narrow as 75 feet (23 m) without taxiway centerline
lighting and without the aid of the taxi camera system (TSC).
The evaluation team concluded that under normal visibility conditions the aircraft could safely
taxi without taxiway centerline lighting and that the onboard TCS was found not to be
necessary for safe taxiing on 75-foot- (23-m) wide taxiways using average pilot skills and
knowledge. These findings were also valid for the combined conditions. Based on the results
of this evaluation, the Flight Operations Evaluation Board chairman will allow the TCS to be
inoperative in the master minimum equipment list.
In conclusion, A380 aircraft may operate on existing 75-foot wide taxiways. For airport
operators who previously received a MoS under EB #63A, this revised EB deletes the
requirements for having an operative TCS (item D-2) and additional taxiway centerline
lighting (item D-3). Although additional taxiway centerline lighting or taxiing speed
limitations are not required, the airport operator may deem them necessary to overcome
unusual site conditions. Lastly, item D-6 of EB #63A is modified to reflect the Flight
Standardization Board’s conclusions.
B. PURPOSE
This engineering brief describes when a MoS submittal is required for designated A380
taxi routes and gives approval authority to Regional Division Managers to approve such
MoSs. Issuance of a MoS requires Regional Managers to forward a copy to the Airport
Engineering Division, AAS-100.
1
11/27/2007
C. CANCELLATION
Engineering Brief No. 63, Use of Non-Standard 75-Foot Wide Straight Taxiway Sections
for Airbus A380 Taxiing Operations, dated April 2006, is cancelled.
D. GENERAL GUIDANCE
1. Taxi Routes. Proposed taxi routes should be designated by the airport operator
and included in the airport’s A380 Operational Plan. The use of existing taxiways does
not require filing of a MoS.
2. Jet Blast Effects. All designated A380 taxi routes in the airport’s A380
Operational Plan should be evaluated for the effects of jet blast.
a. Pre-A380 Service. The FAA will assist the airport operator in identifying
areas that will require remedial action(s) to minimize excessive jet blast exposures.
b. Post-A380 Service. The airport operator should take action to remedy

problems due to excessive jet blast exposure in areas not previously identified. The airport
operator should inform the appropriate FAA Airports District or Regional Office of what
corrective action(s) was taken to address a troublesome area.
3. Taxiway Bridge and Culvert Load Bearing Capacity. All designated A380 taxi
routes in the airport’s A380 Operational Plan that cross over a bridge, culvert or such
structures should be evaluated for their load bearing capacity to support the maximum
design taxi weight of the heaviest A380 derivative.
4. Excursions from Non-standard Taxiways. Taxiways should be widened to the

Airplane Design Group VI design standard wherever repeated excursions from full-
strength pavement occur. Damage to surfaces, lighting, or signage should be repaired as
soon as possible.
E. NEW TAXIWAYS OR RECONSTRUCTED 75-FOOT WIDE TAXIWAYS
New taxiway construction or reconstruction of a taxiway that receives AIP Federal funding
or PFC authority is subject to Airplane Design Group VI design standards, as specified in
AC 150/5300-13, Airport Design, and construction standards in accordance with AC
150/5320-6, Airport Pavement Design and Evaluation. Any proposed deviation from
those standards must be approved through the modification to standard procedures detailed
in FAA ORDER 5300.1, Modifications To Agency Airport Design, Construction, And
Equipment Standards.
Rick Marinelli
Manager, Airport Engineering Division
2
11/27/2007
Attachment
3
11/27/2007
END

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Federal Aviation

To: All Airports Regional Division Managers

From: Rick Marinelli, Manager, Airport Engineering Division, AAS-100, x77669

The engineering brief describes when a modification-to-standard (MoS) is required for

ENGINEERING BRIEF NO. 63B

TAXIWAYS FOR AIRBUS A380 TAXIING OPERATIONS

November 27, 2007

b. Post-A380 Service. The airport operator should take action to remedy

4. Excursions from Non-standard Taxiways. Taxiways should be widened to the

E. NEW TAXIWAYS OR RECONSTRUCTED 75-FOOT WIDE TAXIWAYS

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