The power of insight

Imagine it. A pilot is on an approach to a runway on a snowy February day. It’s a mild snowstorm but contamination is accumulating on the runway. How much? What is its impact on the pilot’s ability to brake and safely stop on the runway? How should the pilot prepare?

Traditionally, the incoming pilot is given a subjective Pilot Braking Action Report (PBAR) from the pilot who just landed. “Braking is medium at touchdown, poor at turnoff.” These are the best pilots in the world, specialists at the top of their craft. So this advance perspective is helpful. Unfortunately, these pilots are not provided with training to standardize those assessments. One pilot’s subjective PBAR may differ from another’s.

FAA News

What pilots really want is science-based data about the deceleration and braking action experienced by previous pilots, and how to best execute the safest possible landings. They want FAA-recommended Aircraft Braking Action Reports (ABARs) leveraging real-time data from aircraft sensors.

FAA recommends ABARs to help mitigate potential runway excursions

The answer is SafeLand™

The SafeLand™ Surface Management System delivers real-time data about deceleration, braking action, and runway conditions. This data is gathered by aircraft-based sensors and presented in easy-to-use Aircraft Braking Action Reports (ABARs). ABARs are the FAA's preferred methodology for measuring and reporting on actual braking friction. These ABARs are made instantly available to the pilots approaching today's runways as well as airport operations, airline management, and other stakeholders. SafeLand™ is the FAA's recommended methodology for measuring and reporting on braking friction experience by landing aircraft. It is compliant with ASTM International Standard E3266., which applies to automated systems that measure and report on braking forces and runway friction.

Insight for both airlines and airports

Insight into 17M+ landings

AST is currently reporting on 6,000+ landings a day by more than 2,000 jet transport aircraft across the globe. The number of aircraft reporting into our system is steadily increasing. Our database contains 14 million+ recorded landings, with insight into landing and braking trends that were previously incalculable.

Inside our methodology

90-minute forecasts for your runways

AST's new Friction Forecaster™ is a state-of-the-art forecasting model that can reliably predict runway conditions and available friction for landing aircraft. Leveraging this insight, you can optimize the planning, timing, and use of your maintenance crews and resources, such as when to plow and when to use chemical treatments. The goal is to continuously maximize runway availability and airport operations in the face of shifting weather patterns.

Get ahead of changing conditions

A win-win for airports and airlines

Airports

Airside and Landside – both teams are seeing improvements in how surfaces are managed to serve the needs of the airport.

I'm an airport

Airlines

From Flight Operations to the Chief of Safety, everyone agrees. Pilots should have more information, faster.

I'm an airline

This U.S. airport has changed the game

You're looking at a SafeLand report illuminating the surface conditions at a major U.S. midwest airport. Contaminant type, depth, and coverage are accurately measured and reported. We also include air temp and surface temp. Color-coding clearly indicates which surfaces are in better shape than others. Everything is in compliance with FAA TALPA requirements that determine Runway Condition Codes (RwyCC).

Experts agree on the value of AST

Quote Start "Landing overrun accidents in slippery conditions continue to occur. A significant contributing factor is the lack of timely, accurate information on runway friction conditions in adverse weather conditions for pilots of landing airplanes to assess landing distance safety margins." Quote End

FAA Broad Agency Announcement DTFACT-13-R-00009