Looking close at airfield violations

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Rachel Bader
  • 60th Operations Support Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  According to Air Force Safety Automated System in 2009, 91 percent of airfield drivers who committed a runway incursion were trained. 

The definition of a Controlled Movement Area Violation is an airfield infraction caused by aircraft, vehicles or pedestrians entering the Controlled Movement Area without specific Air Traffic Control Tower approval. This also includes runway incursions, the most serious form of CMAVs.  The purpose of the CMA is for the tower to establish control over aircraft and vehicle traffic.

A violation results in the immediate suspension of the individual's airfield driving privileges. Common causes of violations and incursions are attributed to inadequate training, not fully comprehending airfield driving training concepts, not correctly applying operating procedures, drivers not accomplishing annual refresher training, being unfamiliar with airfield or complex configurations, inexperienced drivers on the airfield and drivers assuming authorization to enter runway in response to aircraft emergencies.

In order to be qualified to operate a vehicle on the airfield, you must receive a license from airfield management. You can obtain the required training from your unit airfield driving program manager. Once training is complete and you've successfully passed the wing airfield driving test administered by airfield management, you will receive your AF Form 483, certificate of competency for airfield driving.  While driving a government-owned vehicle or privately owned vehicle with proper authorization on the airfield, you must have this document in your possession.

The airfield is a large, complex environment and just because you have the credentials to drive on the airfield does not mean that you have the authority to drive in the controlled movement Area. Vehicle movement in the area is strictly controlled by the tower and direct verbal approval is required before entering.

At airfield management, our job is to ensure a safe and efficient airfield and we take that charge seriously. You can do your part by ensuring that your training is current and documented, you have an AF Form 483 in your possession, a privately owned vehicle pass, if applicable, and all required visual aids in their vehicle while driving on the airfield.