Tristar
Pattern Altitude
Professional pilots and controllers are noted for needing great skill in many areas including situational awareness. Training and experience obviously helps to hone these skills but what we can never forget is they are people too and no one is an exception to the possibility of a runway incursion.
United Flight 1448 was an example of this shown in my Aviation Safety class during a runway incursions discussion. I thought it was very interesting how so many issues played into one simple task of getting the aircraft to the ramp. Unfortunately, when weather, confusing directions (IMO), and potential safety hazards play into the situation, it can make simple tasks difficult. Pay close attention to where each aircraft is. Notice how flight 1448 didn't see the signs until it was too late and now had its nose sticking out on the runway. They made requests to taxi off. ATC instructed them to hold thier position on what she called an inactive runway. Yet, later, she cleared another aircraft onto that runway. ATC and flight 1448 were temporarily but hazardly confused. Without the other aircraft's refusal for take off, there could have been serious results. What would you have done? Also, don't forget how difficult it can be to give directions to someone who is lost and you have to do it "over the phone" without any visual references.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cofPH1y9vuw
United Flight 1448 was an example of this shown in my Aviation Safety class during a runway incursions discussion. I thought it was very interesting how so many issues played into one simple task of getting the aircraft to the ramp. Unfortunately, when weather, confusing directions (IMO), and potential safety hazards play into the situation, it can make simple tasks difficult. Pay close attention to where each aircraft is. Notice how flight 1448 didn't see the signs until it was too late and now had its nose sticking out on the runway. They made requests to taxi off. ATC instructed them to hold thier position on what she called an inactive runway. Yet, later, she cleared another aircraft onto that runway. ATC and flight 1448 were temporarily but hazardly confused. Without the other aircraft's refusal for take off, there could have been serious results. What would you have done? Also, don't forget how difficult it can be to give directions to someone who is lost and you have to do it "over the phone" without any visual references.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cofPH1y9vuw