Local Runway Safety Committee Update

For those not familiar with the LRSC, it is a committee headed up by the ZACL KK Airport Manager, comprised of representatives from most stakeholders at KKIA. These include reps from several charter companies and airlines, ATC, ZACL Maintenance department, Emergency Services, and so on. The LRSC is an ICAO requirement, and we meet 4 times a year to discuss matters of safety at KKIA and in Zambia as a whole.

Your AOOA representative on this committee is Gillian Coventry.

If you have any matters of safety that you would like to bring to the attention of the LRSC or the airport authorities, please contact her on 0977888878 or gillipic@gmail.com

Our last meeting was held on 21st December 2023, and I have summarised the points relevant to General Aviation as follows:

Summary of Relevant Points at LRSC meeting 21st December 2023

N.B. This is not a complete synopsis of the meeting and not in chronological order but rather a list of points relevant to AOOA members and the general aviation community. It should not be regarded as minutes of the meeting. 

1)      Pavement damage on apron

There has been no improvement to the pavement damage at the junction of the main apron and taxiways A and B since it was raised at the July meeting. Senior Civil Engineer has been instructed to inspect and compile rectification proposal. Meanwhile, NOTAM to be issued to alert pilots. ATC instructed to take into consideration when giving taxi instructions. Other damaged areas such as taxiway D between B and G will also be repaired.

2)      Lights for taxiway Juliet

Agreement by all that these are necessary but no available funds in the budget for next year. Senior Electrical Engineer has been instructed to investigate cost and options. Solar lighting (much cheaper) is one option. Another suggestion was to use the old reflectors (cats eyes) that had been removed from other areas during the airport rehabilitation, and install them as a temporary measure until funds were available for full taxiway lighting. All agreed this would be better than nothing.

3)      Ground frequency

The need for a separate ground frequency has been agreed on by all stake holders. ZACL and ATC have begun the process though it will take time to initiate. ZICTA to be contacted for approval/ frequency allocation.

4)      ATC issues:

i.        Interference on Area Control 120.5 in some sectors (loud noise when controller transmits) - ATC engineers have been investigating but are so far unable to pinpoint the fault.

ii.       Interference in the vicinity of Chingola (Kasompe) - ground radio station of some sort with music/conversation cutting into aviation frequency preventing pilot transmissions. Matter has been brought to ZACL, CAA and ZICTA. So far, no response from ZICTA. Chairperson requested details of communication so she could make an urgent follow up.

iii.      Inaudible transmissions from controllers on Approach and background noise such as telephones ringing, other conversations etc. ATC representative said he would review microphone techniques with controllers (ie not to speak from too far away from the mike) but pointed out that inaudible transmissions were not always the fault of the controller but sometimes equipment error.   

5)      FOD

Excessive FOD has been noted, sometimes on taxiways and particularly on Apron C 1 - 3. Items such as locking wire, rivets etc. suggesting maintenance has been carried out in that location and FOD from cargo loading vehicles. All personnel concerned are to be re-educated on the possible serious consequences of FOD as non-aircrew personnel may not realise the severity. ZACL maintenance assured the committee that inspections are carried out every morning covering all aprons and taxiways as well as the runway. He will instruct his team to be more vigilant on these inspections.

6)      Apron edge lights

The elevated lights around the perimeter of the apron are higher than the wings of some low wing aircraft and as such, constitute a hazard. This type of lighting is ICAO approved and thus was chosen in the planning stage of the airport rehabilitation. With budget constraints, it cannot be changed at this time. The marshallers are to be made aware of the hazard and pilots of low wing aircraft will need to ensure they turn with their wings inside the perimeter.

7)      Bird scarers

An inquiry was made as to the possibility of installing bird scarers due to the frequency of bird strike incidents. Bird scarers have previously been used and are installed at some other airports. However, there are none currently at KK. There is some doubt as to their continued effectiveness as the birds become accustomed to them. The airport authority is researching other methods of bird scaring and consulting with other airport authorities worldwide.

8)      Grass cutting

During grass cutting operations there is often long grass left at the edges of the taxiways and around signage where the mower blades cannot reach. ZACL maintenance will now augment mower cutting with hand slashing.

9)      Ground vehicles crossing runway (such as Puma vehicles going to ZAF apron)

Such ground vehicles cannot be given permission to cross the runway without a ZACL escort, even if they were in radio contact with Tower, as inexperienced drivers could be a serious safety hazard. Therefore, despite the unfortunate delays incurred, the requirement for escort will remain. Long term, ZACL will look at building a perimeter road which passes around the ends of the runways.

10)     Clearer signage for J/G4

There has been some confusion at the junction of the new taxiway G4 which is signposted and Juliet which is not signposted. Also G4 has lights and Juliet doesn’t. ZACL have taken note and will arrange signage for Juliet.

11)     Road from Gate B to airport exit

Although not an air safety issue, it does affect the majority of airport users. The road directs traffic from Gate B, around past the new terminal building before heading back to the roundabout. There seems to be no reason for this, lacks appropriate signage and is confusing. A proposal was made to redirect outgoing traffic straight to the roundabout. Incoming traffic does not require both lanes and to change would only require a signpost and reversal of road painting thus wouldn’t require a large outlay of funds. ZACL will look at options but advised us not to expect any prompt action on this.

12)     ICAO audit August 2024

Zambia, as a State, will be audited by ICAO in August 2024. This will include inspections of CAA, ZACL, Commercial Operators (Airline and charter), Ground Handlers and all airport related institutions such as emergency services, security etc. We all need to ensure we are meeting the required standards to continue Zambia’s good standing with ICAO.

13)     Proposal to appoint permanent members

Progress in matters brought to the Local Runway Safety Committee is delayed by the lack of continuity in its members. At each meeting, different representatives are sent from each company. Therefore, issues raised must be reviewed again from the beginning. To combat this, the Secretariat will now request each company to appoint a permanent representative, meaning that same representative will attend each meeting. Hopefully this will avoid wasting time in future and promote speedier resolution.