USA and Runway Status Lights - Confusion may arise - AVweb

FAA Concerned Over Runway Status Lights Confusion

The FAA remains concerned that runway status lights (RWSLs) are confusing pilots who believe air traffic control (ATC) is looped into the system. "Not all pilots understand that ATC has no idea if these lights are on or off during operation,” said Jim Fee, FAA’s Runway Safety Group manager, at the recent Air Charter Safety Symposium in Ashburn, Virginia. The fully automated system, due to be installed at 17 large airports by year-end, illuminates red lights at runway ends and entrances to signify an occupied runway. In several incursions, investigators learned that pilots saw lights but, believing controllers were overriding the system, followed ATC instructions to use an occupied runway. “Some pilots feel that controllers must know these lights are on, but they are giving me these instructions anyway,” Fee said. "It’s not that the controller knows better. It’s the exact opposite." The best course of action when ATC clearances contradict RWSL warnings? “Stop and question ATC,” Fee said