FAA Issues Call to Action: Know Before You Go

In response to a troubling rise in surface safety incidents, the FAA Safety Team recently issued a call to action for all general and business aviation pilots, emphasizing the importance of familiarization with your destination airport. The goal: zero serious close calls on the ground and in the air.

The FAA Safety Team recently issued a call to action for all general aviation pilots, emphasizing the importance of familiarization with your destination airport.

As pilots, we know the flight isn’t over until the airplane is shut down and chocked. That’s why the FAA is reminding us to take advantage of the many free resources available to improve surface safety and reduce the risk of wrong surface events:

• Arrival Alert Notices (AANs): These visual graphics highlight airports with a history of runway misalignment events. Review them at faa.gov/aan.

• From the Flight Deck Video Series: Real-world footage of airport taxiways and runways helps you visualize hot spots and better understand local risks. Explore the series at bit.ly/2Mj0Cme.

• Pilot Handbook Add-ons: These airport-specific guides include tips from controllers and highlight unique airport procedures. Find them at faa.gov/flight_deck.

• Aeronautical Charts & Chart Supplements: Don’t overlook the basics—VFR charts and Chart Supplements provide crucial data about traffic patterns, obstructions, and special activities. Start planning at faa.gov/aeronav.

This initiative stems from the FAA’s Aviation Safety Call to Action earlier this spring. Learn more about that broader effort at faa.gov/GA-action.

As always, smart preflight planning and situational awareness go a long way. Let’s do our part to keep the surface environment safe for everyone.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed.Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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