AOS005-Airside-safety-and-driving
AOS005-Airside-safety-and-driving
AOS005-Airside-safety-and-driving
March 2023
Airside Safety & Driving 1
2 Airside Safety & Driving
Contents
Introduction 2
Part 1 Airside Safety 3
Aerodrome hazards 4
1. Aircraft hazards 4
2. Vehicle hazards 7
3. Runway incursions 7
4. Environment 7
5. Wildlife 9
6. Human factors 10
Important safety rules 11
Manoeuvring your way safely around the aerodrome 13
Aerodrome signage 19
Aerodrome lighting 20
Part 2 Airside Driving Authority (Category 2) 21
Authority to Drive Airside 22
Airside access 22
Important safety rules (Category 2 drivers) 23
Part 3 Airside Driving Authority (Category 3 & 4) 27
Applying for a Category 3 or 4 ADA 28
Rules specific for Category 3 or 4 ADA holders 28
Planning your aerodrome operations 30
Towing operations 31
ATC procedures 31
Communications and radio procedures 32
Further enquiries, contacts and emergencies 39
Definitions and acronyms 40
Airside Safety
1. Aircraft hazards
It is important to be aware of anti-collision beacons located on all
aircraft.
The anti-collision beacon is a flashing red light located on top, and
in most cases underneath, the aircraft fuselage. When the red anti-
collision beacon is activated this indicates the aircraft is:
• Operational and the crew are in the cockpit, and/or
• The engines are running, and/or
• About to start up, and/or
• About to be pushed back or towed.
Indicators that an aircraft is about to activate its anti-collision beacon include:
• No vehicles left servicing the aircraft
• A pushback tug or power push unit is attached
• The wheel chocks removed.
1.1 Noise
Noise is a hazard, particularly when combined with other hazards. Localised environmental noise
can mask other hazards which we might otherwise detect by the noise they make.
Protection measures:
1. Wear appropriate ear protection in a noisy environment
2. Remember that hearing protection can reduce awareness of other hazards
3. Maintain situational awareness.
Protection measures:
1. Stay well away from the blast areas behind jet engines and propellers
2. Be aware at all times while on the apron of aircraft that have ‘engines running’.
Protection measures:
1. Do not approach aircraft with engines running and where anti-collision beacons are active
2. Wait until appropriately trained staff give the ‘all clear’ before approaching the aircraft.
Protection measures
Within 3 metres of the fuel hazard zones the following restrictions apply:
1. Keep all mobile phones and vehicles outside of the hazard zones
2. Keep all passengers who are on the apron at least 3 metres away from fuelling equipment,
hydrant pits and the wing vents
3. Ensure passengers have mobile phones and cameras turned off if within hazard zones
4. Only intrinsically safe electrical equipment may be used within hazard zones
5. No vehicles, personnel or equipment should be parked under the wing vents as fuel may pour
into the ground in the event of aircraft fuel control system failure.
Safety measures:
Emergency fuel stop buttons
Emergency fuel stop buttons are located on aircraft parking
bays where hydrant refuelling is conducted. The emergency
stop buttons are clearly sign posted. All personnel working
airside are required to familiarise themselves with the locations
and how to activate them. Pressing the button will stop the flow
of fuel from the hydrant.
In case of an emergency, all personnel, regardless of their
normal job, have the authority and responsibility to activate the
fuel emergency stop system to shutdown fuel flow.
You must notify the ACC on (61) 8 9478 8572 or refuelling staff
as soon as possible.
Do not reset the fuel emergency stop button under any circumstances once activated, even if
you realise later that there is no emergency. Fuel Emergency Stop buttons must only be reset
by the refuelling company.
Protection measures:
1. Do not approach aircraft unless it is part of your role and you have been trained to do so
2. Follow your company operating procedures at all times.
Protection measures:
1. Wear high visibility clothing
2. Remain vigilant to what is happening around you.
3. Runway incursion
Runway incursions represent one of the most significant aviation hazards and involve a person or
vehicle (or aircraft) entering a runway when it has not received a clearance to do so. Several major
aircraft accidents have occurred following runway incursion incidents and have resulted in multiple
fatalities.
Human factors failures are a primary cause of runway incursion incidents. This standard aims to
reduce the risk of you being involved in a runway incursion incident through promoting:
• Sound knowledge of the aerodrome manoeuvring area layout
• Understanding of key phrases and terminology
• Importance of planning your aerodrome operation to prevent unexpected situations
• Radio communication procedures.
4. Environment
Environmental hazards at aerodromes can be extreme. The movement areas are open and offer
little protection from the sun, as a result apron surfaces can reach extreme temperatures.
Thunderstorm activity, strong winds and reduced visibility due to heavy fog pose additional
hazards.
Protection measures:
1. Stay informed of local weather forecasts
2. Heed any local weather warnings
3. Adhere to your company’s internal operating procedures
4. Wear protective clothing appropriate to the conditions
5. Ensure you keep well hydrated when working for long periods
6. Personnel should never shelter under the wings of an aircraft or remain on open vehicles
during thunderstorms. Ideally, take shelter inside buildings, aircraft or fully enclosed metal
bodied vehicles.
Protection measures:
1. Know first aid and the location of first aid kits
2. Be aware of potential wildlife threats
3. Do not approach wildlife without the appropriate training
4. Ensure all rubbish and food scraps are appropriately disposed in rubbish bins with secured
lids.
It is important that, if you are working on the aprons, you are aware of the potential risk wildlife pose
to aerodrome operations. Reducing the attractiveness of the airport to wildlife, particularly birds,
should be a prime consideration for all those working routinely on the movement area.
6. Human factors
Aerodromes present a number of hazards and risks to personnel, which can be mitigated individually.
It is very rare that hazards present themselves individually, and there are many different combinations
of hazards, which sometimes makes it difficult to assess risk clearly.
Awareness of the hazards and their mitigation, training, and effective management are all means of
addressing human factor risks found in active aerodrome environments. Airside personnel must be
alert to what is happening around them. A person’s situational awareness can be affected by a variety
of factors including workload, fatigue or boredom.
Protection measures:
1. Be aware of the hazards and risks found when operating on the movement area and that these
hazards and risks may interact in unpredictable ways
2. Be situationally aware of your surroundings and look out for safety hazards that may affect other
people
3. Plan ahead
4. Do not use mobile telephones unless essential for your work and ensure you remain clear of
aircraft refuelling zones
5. Follow AOS’s and company Standard Operating Procedures
6. Be vigilant – be aware of other vehicles and aircraft movements
7. Concentrate on the task at hand.
Parking of vehicles/equipment
Parking vehicles and ground handling equipment outside the designated ‘equipment storage’
and ‘equipment clearance’ areas represents a safety hazard to both aircraft and other traffic.
Vehicles or equipment must not be left unattended outside these areas.
Seat belts
It is mandatory seat belts are worn when the vehicle is in motion or as a passenger in a vehicle
airside where fitted.
No seat – no ride
A vehicle must not operate with a passenger load in excess of its designated seating capacity.
Spills
All spills must be notified to the ACC on (61) 8 9478 8572. Every company must have spill kits
available to enable them to respond to their own minor spills.
Walking airside
Walking beyond the aircraft parking clearance lines or rear of
stand roads is prohibited unless:
• you are part of the dispatch team for a departing
aircraft
• you are part of the receipt team for an arriving aircraft
that is required to stop in the apron taxiway/lane and
be towed onto the parking position
• You are a pilot (with or without passengers) or
maintenance personnel walking to an aircraft on the
central ga apron
• You are accompanied by a vehicle and driver with the
appropriate ADA and AUA for the area.
markings
Approaching drivers must observe aircraft arriving and
departing from the bay indicated on the marking.
Airside roadway
These are defined by a single continuous white line on each side.
Where a double white line is provided separating the direction of
travel, vehicles are not permitted to overtake.
Unserviceable area
These are marked with red/white cones. Do not enter unless
you are authorised to do so. At night, these areas are
accompanied by red lights.
Although Category 2 ADA drivers should NEVER find themselves in close proximity to the
runways, it is imperative ALL airside drivers understand the following markings in the event they
become disoriented.
Colour
In understanding aerodrome markings, remember the following principles:
• Runway markings are primarily white
• Taxiway markings are primarily yellow.
Examples of common markings are outlined below.
Taxiway strips
The taxiway strips at Perth Airport are not defined by
markers. The majority of taxiways are defined as 23 metre taxiways (operational pavement
width).
To ensure appropriate clearance to taxiing aircraft, the following minimum distances from the
centreline of the taxiway must be maintained by vehicles and personnel operating adjacent to
taxiways.
Taxiway centreline
The taxiway centreline marking is a solid yellow line that is
located centrally along the taxiway. At night, the centreline is
marked by green centreline lights. When vacating a runway at
night, the centreline lights alternate in colour (green / yellow)
from the runway to beyond the runway strip on the exiting
taxiway. Aircraft under tow must position the nose gear of the
aircraft to follow the centreline.
Other markers
Location sign
Identifies the taxiway you are currently located on. It has a
yellow inscription on a black background. This example shows a
location sign, co-located with a direction sign.
This sign indicates you are on Taxiway Alpha, and Taxiway
Alpha 9 is located ahead and to the left.
Remember: Black square, you are there.
Direction sign
Identifies the designation of taxiways leading out of an
intersection along with an arrow indicating the approximate
direction of turn needed to align with that taxiway. They are
located prior to the intersection, normally on the left side and
usually with a location sign. It has a black inscription on a
yellow background. You can use these signs to confirm your
location. This example sign confirms your location on Taxiway
Bravo, the apron is ahead, Taxiway Hotel 3 is on your left and
Taxiway Hotel 4 is on your right.
Elevated
Yellow lamps flashing alternate either side of the runway
holding point. Stop bars are also installed at all runway holding
points. Refer runway holding position section (page 17) for
further information.
Airside Driving
Authority
(Category 2)
Category 2
Category 2 drivers are restricted to aprons (including delineated marked service road crossings
on live taxiways) and perimeter roadways as defined in the AVCH.
Category 2 holders are not permitted to drive on runways and taxiways. Driving on these areas
requires a Category 3 or 4 ADA and are subject to clearance by Airservices Australia’s (ASA) Air
Traffic Control (ATC).
Category 2.5
The category 2.5 ADAs will no longer be issued from 28 March 2023 and will be replaced by an
endorsement S (southern perimeter road).
The issued category 2.5 ADAs will continue to be in effect until their expiry dates.
Endorsements
ADA holders are eligible for endorsements based on their operational requirements and the
companies they work for. Further details about four types of the endorsements are provided in
the AVCH.
Endorsements will apply across all ADA categories; however, may not be transferable when an
employee changes a company.
Airside access
There are three security-controlled access gates which provide 24/7 airside/landside vehicle
access:
• Gate 4 – which is located south of Terminal 3 (off Bound Avenue)
• Gate 1 – which is located south of Terminal 2 (off Airport Drive)
• Gate 14 – which is located east of Terminal 1 (off Grogan Road into Service Road)
The primary emergency access gate is Gate 6 which is located off Dunreath Drive. This gate is
unmanned.
Remember:
Category 2 drivers may only drive on the aprons and the northern perimeter road. In order
to drive on the southern perimeter road, you will need the endorsement ‘S’. You must apply
for this endorsement if you have operational requirements to use the southern road.
You must apply for the escort endorsement if you need to escort vehicles due to
operational requirements. The maximum limit of vehicles under escort applies (refer to the
AVCH for further details).
At all times, you must have in your possession ASIC and ADA.
The vehicle you are driving must have a valid AUA permit, and you must only be driving in areas
where you have a valid operational reason.
Beacons
All vehicles operating on the movement area (e.g., aprons) must have and operate an amber
rotating beacon.
Please familiarise yourself with the speed signage around the airfield.
Headlights
When operating on aprons, headlights at night and in low visibility must be on low beam.
Mobile phones
While driving Airside you must not answer, use, or attempt to answer a handheld phone. All other
functions including texting, video messaging, online chatting, reading messages or emailing are
strictly prohibited.
Use of a mobile phone to make or receive phone calls while driving airside is restricted to the use
of an acceptable hands-free device where:
• The mobile phone is secured in a fixed mounting
• If not in a fixed mounting, use of the mobile phone does not require the driver to touch
or manipulate the phone in anyway.
Secure load
Drivers are responsible for the load they carry; therefore, it must be secure. This includes all loose
material, garbage, plastic, or wastepaper. The driver must ensure the load is adequately secured
to avoid becoming FOD.
Passenger movements
If you are driving on the Apron and you observe passengers walking to or from the terminal or
from buses to or from an aircraft, and they are in your intended route, you must stop and let the
passengers proceed. Where provided, pedestrians are to be directed to use marked pedestrian
crossings. Vehicles must stop and give way to pedestrians at all times.
Vehicle breakdown
If you break down or are involved in an accident you must call the ACC immediately. The ACC
number is located on the rear of the following cards:
• Perth Airport issued ASIC
• ADA card
• Perth Airport issued Contractor Induction card.
Airside Driving
Authority
(Category 3 & 4)
Endorsements
ADA holders are eligible for endorsements based on their operational requirements and the
companies they work for. Further details about four types of the endorsements are provided
in the AVCH.
Beacons
All vehicles operating on the movement area must have and operate at all times an amber
rotating beacon. The beacon must be visible from 360 degrees.
VeeLo
All vehicles operating on the Perth Airport manoeuvring area
(runways and taxiways) must be equipped with a serviceable
Veelo unit, which, when mounted to a vehicle transmits a signal to
the ATC, enabling identification of the vehicle. Any vehicle note
equipped with a Veelo unit will not be permitted to enter the
manoeuvring area unless under escort by a Perth Airport
Operations vehicle.
A Veelo unit is required for vehicles conducting aircraft towing,
and is encouraged for vehicles performing aircraft pushback.
Call sign
Each vehicle is allocated a call sign which is directly linked to the unique code assigned to the
VeeLo unit fitted to the vehicle. Know your vehicle call-sign.
Vehicle unserviceability
If your vehicle becomes unserviceable at any time on the manoeuvring area, contact ATC
immediately to advise them of your location, and then remain with the vehicle. A PAPL Airport
Operations Officer (AOO) will co-ordinate with ATC for assistance.
ATC procedures
Drivers of vehicles must obtain an ATC clearance and instructions before entering the
manoeuvring area.
Once receiving an ATC clearance or instruction you should:
• Ensure that you understand the instruction and ask for clarification if unsure
• Read back the clearance or instruction including your vehicle call-sign
• Monitor ATC clearances/instructions issued to other vehicles and aircraft to help you achieve
an awareness of what is happening around you
• Be cautious of similar sounding call-signs of other aircraft and vehicles. Call-sign confusion is
a common causal factor of runway incursion incidents
• Avoid over-transmitting other aircraft or vehicles when reading back an ATC clearance – over-
transmitting can contribute to a runway incursion incident. If you are unsure that ATC has
received your read back then you should ask for clarification
• Listen carefully to avoid responding to a clearance/instruction intended for someone else
• Advise ATC if you anticipate a delay, or are unable to comply with their instructions
• Look for light signals from the tower if you suspect radio problems.
Conditional instruction
A conditional instruction or clearance means the tower may give approval to undertake a task or action
and include a condition as part of the approval.
Note: If your request is complex, you should consider contacting ATC by phone to discuss any
special procedures that may be required prior to the first radio transmission.
Your transmission:
“PUSH BACK AND TOW APPROVED VIA THE APRON, TAXIWAY BRAVO AND THE SEVEN
ZERO ZERO LANE TO BAY SEVEN ZERO THREE. TUG TWENTY-TWO.”
All instructions from ATC must be carried out promptly and safely – if you are not 100% sure
of an instruction or clearance, DO NOT MOVE. Confirm the instruction or clearance and if you
hear a conflicting transmission on either frequency, advise ATC immediately!
If you have been given a clearance to cross or enter a runway, you must monitor transmissions
for that runway. If you detect a landing or take-off clearance on the runway you are operating
on, confirm your clearance immediately, conduct a visual check and if you are in any doubt
vacate the runway without delay.
Anyone using a radio (VHF to communicate with ATC) is required to hold an Aeronautical Radio
Operator Certificate (AROC). All instructions by ATC must be responded to immediately.
Unauthorised transmissions on an ATC registered frequency may lead to prosecution.
Radio frequencies
Radio frequencies (MHz) currently in use at Perth Airport are as follows:
127.4 Perth Tower Aerodrome Controller
121.7 Surface Movement Controller (West)
122.2 Surface Movement Controller (East)
123.8 Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
Signal strength
Readability of radio signals (i.e., how well a transmission is able to be heard)
1. Unreadable
2. Readable now and again
3. Readable but with difficulty
4. Readable
5. Perfectly readable.
In general, numbers except whole thousands are to be transmitted by pronouncing each digit
separately.
Communication
Mobile telephones and radios can be a distraction. If you must use a hands-free
phone – keep the call short. Concentrate on what you are doing.
Important contacts
Airport Control Centre (ACC)
Phone: (61) 8 9478 8572
Airfield Safety & Operations Manager
Phone: (61) 8 9478 8434
Mobile: (61) 439 528 530
Airfield Duty Manager (ADM)
Phone: (61) 8 9478 8424
Mobile: (61) 419 195 790
Emergencies
In case of emergency contact 000 (if life threatening situation) then ACC on (61) 8 9478 8500.
References
Airports Council International (ACI), Runway Safety Handbook, First Edition, 2014
Airservices Australia, An airside driver’s guide to Runway Safety, Six Edition, October 2016
Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Part 139 (Aerodromes) Manual of Standards 2019 (as
amended).
COPYRIGHT
© Copyright – 2023 Perth Airport Pty Ltd
Copyright in this document vests in Perth Airport Pty Ltd. Enquiries regarding copyright should be
addressed to Perth Airport.
AOS005