What is vehicle safety?
Driving and parking a vehicle on the airfield: who may drive, how the vehicle is prepared, why aircraft always have priority and where vehicles must stop.
Vehicle safety starts before the engine does. Only a permit holder drives airside, in a vehicle that is authorised, marked and fitted with a working beacon, with a radio or phone where the permit calls for it and a load that is secured so nothing can fall off and become debris. Vehicles use the designated roads and routes at the airport’s speed limits, and aircraft always have priority: they are large, slow to stop and have a limited view, so vehicles give way and keep clear of wingtips and jet blast.
A vehicle stops at every holding position, stop line, lit stop bar and red road-holding light or traffic light until ATC or the controlling authority gives clearance, and never enters a runway without it. In low visibility the airport’s procedures decide who may move and how. At the site the vehicle is parked inside the marked work area or an agreed position, clear of taxiway and runway strips and navigational aid areas. Before leaving, tools and loose items are cleared, the surface is checked for debris and the vehicle leaves by the agreed route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1Who is allowed to drive a vehicle airside?
Only people who hold the airport’s airside driving permit for the areas they need, in a vehicle that is authorised for airside use. Anyone without the right permit is escorted by someone who has. A company licence or a road driving licence does not replace the airport’s own authorisation.
Q2Why do aircraft always have priority over vehicles?
Aircraft are large, cannot stop quickly and give the pilot limited view of vehicles close to the aircraft. Their wingtips reach beyond the pavement edge and engines produce blast. Vehicles give way, keep well clear and never cut in front of or behind a moving aircraft.
Q3How must a vehicle be prepared before it goes airside?
As the airport requires: an amber beacon that works, serviceable lights, visible markings, a radio or phone where the permit calls for one, and a load that is secured so nothing can fall or blow off. Loose items, stones in the tyres and unsecured tools are all potential foreign object debris.
Q4Where must a vehicle stop, and for how long?
At every holding position, stop line, lit stop bar and red road-holding position light or traffic light, and at any point the permit says to stop, until clearance is received from ATC or the controlling authority. A lit red stop bar or red light is not crossed. If it is lit when clearance is given, stop and tell ATC; the lit light overrides the clearance until the controller resolves it. A runway is never entered without clearance.
Q5What changes at night or in low visibility?
The airport’s low-visibility procedures apply. Vehicle movements may be restricted, delayed or escorted, and ATC may limit who can be on the manoeuvring area, and ILS critical and sensitive areas are protected, so vehicles stay out unless ATC clears them in. Drivers slow down, keep lights and beacon on, keep radio contact where required and follow ATC or operations instructions without delay.
Q6What if the vehicle breaks down or loses its way airside?
Stop in the safest position the situation allows, keep the beacon on, and tell ATC or airport operations at once by radio or phone with the location. If the vehicle is on or close to a runway or taxiway, say so first so ATC can stop traffic. Do not try to move across a taxiway or runway unless instructed, and do not leave the vehicle unreported. Follow their instructions until the vehicle is recovered or cleared.
Q7Where can the vehicle be parked at the work site?
Inside the marked work area or at a position agreed with operations, clear of taxiway and runway strips, wingtip paths and navigational aid protected areas, and without blocking emergency access. Before leaving, tools and materials are cleared and the area is checked for debris.
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