Engineered materials arrestor system

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EMAS bed after being run over by landing gear Functional EMAS Bed - NTSB Docket Photo.jpg
EMAS bed after being run over by landing gear

An engineered materials arrestor system, engineered materials arresting system (EMAS), or arrester bed [1] is a bed of engineered materials built at the end of a runway to reduce the severity of the consequences of an aircraft running off the end of a runway. Engineered materials are defined in FAA Advisory Circular No 150/5220-22B as "high energy absorbing materials of selected strength, which will reliably and predictably crush under the weight of an aircraft". While the current technology involves lightweight, crushable concrete blocks, any material that has been approved to meet the FAA Advisory Circular can be used for an EMAS. The purpose of an EMAS is to stop an aircraft overrun with no human injury and minimal aircraft damage. As the aircraft crushes the EMAS material, it loses energy and slows down. An EMAS is similar in concept to the runaway truck ramp or race circuit gravel trap, made of gravel or sand. It is intended to stop an aircraft that has overshot a runway when there is an insufficient free space for a standard runway safety area (RSA). Multiple patents have been issued on the construction and design on the materials and process.

Contents

Plan view, profile view, section view of a typical EMASMAX system. Diagram of an EMASMAX system.png
Plan view, profile view, section view of a typical EMASMAX system.

FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-22B explains that an EMAS may not be effective for incidents involving aircraft of less than 11,000 kilograms (25,000 lb) weight. [2] It also clarifies that an EMAS is not the same as a stopway, which is defined in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13A, Section 312. [3] Pilots are advised, if they know the airplane is going to overrun onto an EMAS installation, to maintain directional control of the aircraft and roll straight into it. By doing this, the aircraft will come to a complete stop over a short distance, regardless of the runway conditions or braking action being experienced. [4]

As of May 2017, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been working on developing a harmonized regulation regarding arresting systems.

Research projects completed in Europe have looked into the cost-effectiveness of EMAS. Arrestor beds have been installed at airports where the runway safety areas are below standards, and their ability to stop aircraft with minimal or no damage to the airframe and its occupants has proven to bring results far beyond the cost of installations. The latest report, "Estimated Cost-Benefit Analysis of Runway Severity Reduction Based on Actual Arrestments", shows how the money saved through the first 11 arrestments has reached a calculated total of 1.9 billion USD, thus saving more than $1 B over the estimated cost of development (R&D, all installations worldwide, maintenance and repairs reaching a total of USD 600 million). The study suggests that mitigating the consequences of runway excursions worldwide may turn out to be much more cost-effective than the current focus on reducing the already very low probability of occurrence. [5]

United States installations

EMAS under construction. The slope part on the left is a blast shield. EMAS Construction.jpg
EMAS under construction. The slope part on the left is a blast shield.
Higher EMAS bed with side steps to allow aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) access and passenger egress. EMAS bed with side steps.jpg
Higher EMAS bed with side steps to allow aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) access and passenger egress.

The FAA's design criteria for new airports designate Runway Safety Areas (RSAs) to increase the margin of safety if an overrun occurs and to provide additional access room for response vehicles. A United States federal law required that the length of RSAs in airports was to be 1,000 feet (300 m) by the end of 2015, in a response to a runway overrun into a highway at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. [1] At airports built before these standards were put into effect, the FAA has funded the installation of EMAS at the ends of main runways. The minimum recommended overall length of an EMAS installation is 600 feet (180 m), of which at least 400 feet (120 m) is to consist of the frangible material. [7]

As of 2017 the FAA reported that EMAS systems had been used 12 times, but that in some situations pilots tried to avoid the EMAS, steering to the grass sides in 30–40  kn (56–74 km/h; 35–46 mph) low-energy events in order to avoid publicity. [8]

As of April 2019, ESCO's EMAS is installed at 112 runway ends at 68 airports in the United States, with plans to install three EMAS systems at two additional U.S. airports. [9]

As of September 2024 the FAA reported that EMASMAX® is installed at 121 runway ends at 71 airports in the United States. [10]

Non-U.S. installations

Of the 15 non-U.S. installations, eight were provided by Zodiac Arresting Systems (two in China, two in Madrid, one in Taipei, Taiwan (Songshan Airport), two in Norway and one in Saudi Arabia), six were provided by RunwaySafe (one in Switzerland, and three in overseas departments of France – one in Reunion Island, two in Mayotte), one in Japan, one in Germany, two in Brazil and one provided by Hankge (China).

The first EMAS installation within the Australasia area is planned to be at Queenstown International Airport (NZQN / ZQN) in New Zealand. An EMAS arrestor bed will be installed at each end of the Runway 05/23 using the EMASMAX system developed by Runway Safe AB. [11]

In November 2024 Wellington International Airport (NZWN / WLG) in New Zealand also announced that part of a NZ$500m programme of infrastructure works will include the installation of an EMAS system and thus provide a small increase in the operational length of the runway. Installation works are due to commence in March 2025. [12]

United Kingdom installations

The first EMAS installation in the United Kingdom was at RAF Northolt (EGWU / NHT) in West London, United Kingdom. The EMAS installation occurred as part of a wider airfield improvement programme that took place in 2019 that included the resurfacing of the runways. [13] The EMAS installation on Runway 07/25 was undertaken by Martin O'Connell Associates [14] to implement the Runway Safe AB solution. [15]

Over the winter of 2022/23 two EMAS arrestor beds were installed at each end of Runway 09/27 at London City Airport (EGLC / LCY) in London, United Kingdom. The chosen solution was developed by Runway Safe AB [16] and installed by blu-3 (UK) Limited. [17]

Runway 27 departure end EMAS installation at London City Airport Lcy-resa-works-1w-02-05-23.webp
Runway 27 departure end EMAS installation at London City Airport

FAA-approved manufacturers

As of February 2018, there were three recognized EMAS materials (from two manufacturers worldwide) that meet the FAA requirements of Advisory Circular 150-5220-22B, "Engineered Materials Arresting Systems for Aircraft Overruns." (The FAA must review and approve each EMAS installation.) [18]

The first EMAS was developed in the mid-1990s by ESCO/Engineered Arresting Systems Corp. (later Zodiac Arresting Systems) as part of a collaboration and technical acceptance by the FAA. The fourth generation EMAS arrestor beds are composed of blocks of lightweight, crushable cellular concrete material, encased in jet blast resistant protection, designed to safely stop airplanes that overshoot runways. Zodiac's EMAS is installed on over 110 airport runways at over 65 airports on three continents.[ when? ] Zodiac's EMAS has undergone aircraft test runs at speeds up 55 knots (102 km/h; 63 mph) and is the only EMAS that has safely stopped aircraft in emergency overrun situations at commercial airports. Zodiac stopped production of EMAS systems as the U.S market slowed down and competition increased in the international market. [19]

The Swedish company Runway Safe AB developed an EMAS system, a foamed silica bed made from recycled glass contained within a high-strength plastic mesh system anchored to the pavement at the end of the runway. The foamed silica is poured into lanes bounded by the mesh and covered with a poured cement layer and treated with a top coat of sealant. [20]

A third manufacturer, certified by the Chinese CAAC, has a product that is very similar to the original Zodiac EMAS; however, it is not FAA approved. [21]

Incidents

There have been numerous cases of EMAS systems working as designed in real-life scenarios, these examples include:

Additional media coverage of EMAS statistics, installations, and general news include:

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Boburg, Shawn (17 September 2013). "Teterboro Airport gets $1M for runway project". northjersey.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  2. ↑ FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-22B (PDF)
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13A (PDF)
  4. ↑ Freeze, Christopher; Sedin, Jeff (August 2021). "EMAS: Don't Swerve, Go Straight Ahead". www.alpa.org. Air Line Pilots Association. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "Estimated Cost-Benefit Analysis of Runway Severity Reduction Based on Actual Arrestments" (PDF).
  6. 1 2 Jacobs, Kenneth (1 March 2006). "Runway Safety Areas - An Airport Operator's Perspective". Federal Aviation Administration. pp. 8, 9, 13. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  7. ↑ FAA AC 150-5220
  8. ↑ John Croft (2 August 2017). "FAA Confirms Cases of EMAS Phobia". Aviation Week Network.
  9. ↑ "Fact Sheet – Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) | Federal Aviation Administration". www.faa.gov. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Queenstown Airport to install first EMAS in Australasia". Queenstown Airport. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "Wellington Airport's $500m upgrade plan". RNZ. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "DIO starts work on Northolt runway resurfacing – Inside DIO". insidedio.blog.gov.uk. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "Martin O'Connell Associates Limited". martinoconnell.co.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "NHT – Royal Air Force Station". Runway Safe. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  16. ↑ Runwaysafe (21 October 2022). "London City airport invests in safety enhancing technology EMAS". Runway Safe. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  17. ↑ Harry (14 October 2022). "blu-3 secures landmark aviation contract for London City Airport". Blu-3. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "AC 150/5220-22B - Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for Aircraft Overruns".
  19. ↑ "Fact Sheet – Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)". Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
  20. ↑ FAA Fact Sheet – Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)
  21. ↑ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) Implementation In China, vol. A40-WP/331. 2019, p. 3–5.
  22. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Saab 340B N232AE, Saturday 8 May 1999". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  23. ↑ "Plane Overshoots A Runway at J.F.K." The New York Times. Associated Press. 31 May 2003. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  24. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Incident Dassault Falcon 900 N699BG, Monday 17 July 2006". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  25. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Runway excursion Incident Airbus A320-231 F-OHME, Saturday 19 July 2008". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  26. ↑ "PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-200 N246PS operating as US Airways flight 2495 from Charleston, West Virginia (CRW) to Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) with 30 passengers [sic] and 3 crew, overran the runway following a rejected take-off. The aircraft was stopped by the EMAS at the end of the runway, sustaining only minor damage to its landing gear doors."
  27. ↑ "Private jet overshoots runway at Teterboro Airport". Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  28. ↑ "A Cessna Citation landed at Key West. The flight, which originated in Fort Lauderdale with 3 passengers and 2 crew, had a brake failure upon landing in Key West and was successfully stopped by the airport's newly installed EMAS. Only minor injuries were reported." "No one is hurt after small plane crash lands at Key West Airport". NJ.com. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  29. ↑ "Aviation Accident Brief ERA12IA060". NTSB.
  30. ↑ "EMAS Saves Falcon 20 at Chicago Executive". Aviation International News. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  31. ↑ Mele, Christopher (27 October 2016). "Plane With Mike Pence Aboard Skids Off La Guardia Runway". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  32. ↑ Walker, Karen (27 October 2016). "LaGuardia runway EMAS saves US VP candidate aircraft". Air Transport World. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  33. ↑ Hradecky, Simon. "Accident: Eastern Air Lines B737 at New York on Oct 27th 2016, overran runway on landing long". avherald.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  34. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Raytheon Beechjet 400A N570TM, Sunday 4 February 2018". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  35. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Runway excursion Incident Boeing 737-7H4 (WL) N752SW, 06 Dec 2018". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  36. ↑ Rice, Glenn (27 February 2019). "Wheeler Downtown Airport reopens after airplane slid off runway in icy weather". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ↑ CHICAGO (CBS) (5 February 2021). "Plane Slides Off Runway at Chicago Executive Airport". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  38. ↑ "Plane Slides Off Runway At Chicago Executive Airport In Wheeling - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  39. ↑ "Small plane skids off runway at Reading Regional Airport". 6abc Philadelphia. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  40. ↑ "Airplane that ran off runway at Reading Regional Airport remains there a day later". Reading Eagle. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  41. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Incident Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros N20GX, Wednesday 22 September 2021". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  42. ↑ Miles, Mandy (21 March 2022). "PRIVATE PLANE GOES OFF THE RUNWAY AT KEY WEST AIRPORT SUNDAY EVENING". Florida Keys Weekly Newspapers. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  43. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Cessna 402C N404PJ, Sunday 9 April 2023". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  44. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Beechcraft 300 Super King Air N93GA, Wednesday 18 October 2023". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  45. ↑ 11Alive (19 October 2023). Plane overshoots runway during landing at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, officials say . Retrieved 12 January 2025– via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  46. ↑ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Hawker 900XP N526FC, Saturday 20 July 2024". asn.flightsafety.org. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  47. ↑ "KMDW Airport Diagram" . Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  48. ↑ Oldham, Jennifer (14 October 2006). "Yankee Player's Jet Overruns Runway in Burbank". Los Angeles Times . The airport installed the $4-million safety system after a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 skidded off the same runway and onto a street in 2000, injuring 43 passengers and the captain on the same runway.
  49. ↑ FAA Fact Sheet
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