Pilot/Controller Glossary

8/15/19

PCG R

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runway. Runway gradient is depicted on Government
aerodrome sketches when total runway gradient
exceeds 0.3%.

RUNWAY HEADING

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The magnetic direction that

corresponds with the runway centerline extended, not
the painted runway number. When cleared to “fly or
maintain runway heading,” pilots are expected to fly
or maintain the heading that corresponds with the
extended centerline of the departure runway. Drift
correction shall not be applied; e.g., Runway 4, actual
magnetic heading of the runway centerline 044, fly
044.

RUNWAY IN USE/ACTIVE RUNWAY/DUTY
RUNWAY

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 Any runway or runways currently being

used for takeoff or landing. When multiple runways
are used, they are all considered active runways. In
the metering sense, a selectable adapted item which
specifies the landing runway configuration or
direction of traffic flow. The adapted optimum flight
plan from each transition fix to the vertex is
determined by the runway configuration for arrival
metering processing purposes.

RUNWAY LIGHTS

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(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)

RUNWAY MARKINGS

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(See AIRPORT MARKING AIDS.)

RUNWAY OVERRUN

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 In military aviation exclu-

sively, a stabilized or paved area beyond the end of a
runway, of the same width as the runway plus
shoulders, centered on the extended runway
centerline.

RUNWAY PROFILE DESCENT

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 An instrument

flight rules (IFR) air traffic control arrival procedure
to a runway published for pilot use in graphic and/or
textual form and may be associated with a STAR.
Runway Profile Descents provide routing and may
depict crossing altitudes, speed restrictions, and
headings to be flown from the en route structure to the
point where the pilot will receive clearance for and
execute an instrument approach procedure. A
Runway Profile Descent may apply to more than one
runway if so stated on the chart.

(Refer to AIM.)

RUNWAY SAFETY AREA

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 A defined surface

surrounding the runway prepared, or suitable, for
reducing the risk of damage to airplanes in the event
of an undershoot, overshoot, or excursion from the

runway. The dimensions of the RSA vary and can be
determined by using the criteria contained within
AC 150/5300-13,  Airport  Design,  Chapter 3.
Figure 3

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1 in AC 150/5300-13 depicts the RSA. The

design standards dictate that the RSA shall be:

a.

Cleared, graded, and have no potentially

hazardous ruts, humps, depressions, or other surface
variations;

b.

Drained by grading or storm sewers to prevent

water accumulation;

c.

Capable, under dry conditions, of supporting

snow removal equipment, aircraft rescue and
firefighting equipment, and the occasional passage of
aircraft without causing structural damage to the
aircraft; and,

d.

Free of objects, except for objects that need to

be located in the runway safety area because of their
function. These objects shall be constructed on low
impact resistant supports (frangible mounted struc-
tures) to the lowest practical height with the frangible
point no higher than 3 inches above grade.

(Refer to AC 150/5300-13, Airport Design,

Chapter 3.)

RUNWAY STATUS LIGHTS (RWSL) SYSTEM

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The RWSL is a system of runway and taxiway
lighting to provide pilots increased situational
awareness by illuminating runway entry lights (REL)
when the runway is unsafe for entry or crossing, and
take-off hold lights (THL) when the runway is unsafe
for departure.

RUNWAY TRANSITION

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a.

Conventional STARs/SIDs. The portion of a

STAR/SID that serves a particular runway or
runways at an airport.

b.

RNAV STARs/SIDs. Defines a path(s) from

the common route to the final point(s) on a STAR. For
a SID, the common route that serves a particular
runway or runways at an airport.

RUNWAY USE PROGRAM

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 A noise abatement

runway selection plan designed to enhance noise
abatement efforts with regard to airport communities
for arriving and departing aircraft. These plans are
developed into runway use programs and apply to all
turbojet aircraft 12,500 pounds or heavier; turbojet
aircraft less than 12,500 pounds are included only if
the airport proprietor determines that the aircraft
creates a noise problem. Runway use programs are
coordinated with FAA offices, and safety criteria
used in these programs are developed by the Office of