I would like to share a story with you I was told a few years ago. It is a true story and not exaggerated at all.
I will leave names out of it to protect the guilty (lol)
It was 10pm, ATCT is closed. Snow falling moderately, the shift ending in one hour. There was not enough snow on the ground to activate the snow removal plan, but the situation was being monitored closely. It was decided that one more condition report would be conducted before the shift ended. The airport vehicle proceeded to the movement/non movement marking, the driver thinking no one is around, its a snow storm, who would be flying in this mess. Proceeding onto the taxiway with out announcing over the CTAF the position on the airfield. As the vehicle approached the hold position sign something told the driver to announce his position before entering the runway. As the announcement was made "Attention all Airport Traffic, Airport Vehicle on Taxiway Bravo Proceeding on to Runway 24 for a Condition Report", the reply was "B1900 1/2 Mile Final for Runway 24". After taking a big breath and quickly thinking OH MY GOD, the airport vehicle replied "I will Hold Short of Runway 24". This could have been a disaster. There are other factors that played in this story, but that's not what this is post is about. Its about using your CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency). When the ATCT is not In operations we need to communicate with aircraft and vehicles utilizing our airfield. Do you know the CTAF on your airfield? Please be safe, take your time, follow the rules.
Don't Just Go Through The Motions!
I will leave names out of it to protect the guilty (lol)
It was 10pm, ATCT is closed. Snow falling moderately, the shift ending in one hour. There was not enough snow on the ground to activate the snow removal plan, but the situation was being monitored closely. It was decided that one more condition report would be conducted before the shift ended. The airport vehicle proceeded to the movement/non movement marking, the driver thinking no one is around, its a snow storm, who would be flying in this mess. Proceeding onto the taxiway with out announcing over the CTAF the position on the airfield. As the vehicle approached the hold position sign something told the driver to announce his position before entering the runway. As the announcement was made "Attention all Airport Traffic, Airport Vehicle on Taxiway Bravo Proceeding on to Runway 24 for a Condition Report", the reply was "B1900 1/2 Mile Final for Runway 24". After taking a big breath and quickly thinking OH MY GOD, the airport vehicle replied "I will Hold Short of Runway 24". This could have been a disaster. There are other factors that played in this story, but that's not what this is post is about. Its about using your CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency). When the ATCT is not In operations we need to communicate with aircraft and vehicles utilizing our airfield. Do you know the CTAF on your airfield? Please be safe, take your time, follow the rules.
Don't Just Go Through The Motions!
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