Aviation Safety and Security Management NOTES 1
Introduction
Civil Aviation Safety and Security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports, aircraft,
passengers and personnel associated with aviation from crime, sabotage and terrorism. Large numbers of people
pass through airports every day.
ICAO defines civil aviation security as a combination of measures and human and material resources intended to
safe guard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference.
Security and safety are considered synonymous topics, and the discussion of one invariably invokes references to the
other. However it is important to realize that there is a fundamental difference between the two.
Safety usually refers to measures taken against the threat of an accident, whereas security refers to
protection from threats motivated by hostility or malice.
Safety practices are design to prevent unintentional acts whereas security practices are designed to avert
intentional acts
Aviation Security
This is the safeguarding of the airspace against the acts of unlawful interference perpetrated on the ground or
in flight through a combination of measures and the marshalling of various human and material resources on an
international, national and airport level.
Aviation Safety
Refers to the efforts that are taken to ensure airplanes are free from factors that may lead to injury or loss.
Airplanes have always been safe – they have to be, or the manufacturer wouldn’t be in business. Commercial airline
and major manufacturers like Boeing Commercial Airplanes adhere to every safety regulation mandated by the
regulatory agencies.
Issues in Aviation Safety
1) Aircraft Accident - Any occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft that takes place between the
time a person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and the time such person has disembarked, in
which a person suffers death or serious injury as a result of the occurrence or in which the aircraft, including
cargo aircraft, receives substantial damage. (See 49 CFR part 830.) (Refer to Reporting an Accident to the
NTSB at www.ntsb.gov.)
2) Aircraft Incident - An incident is an occurrence other than an accident that affects or could affect the safety
of operations
i. Runway incursion - is an incident where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle or person is on a runway. This
adversely affects runway safety, as it creates the risk that an airplane taking off or landing will collide with
the object.
"Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the
protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft."
ii. Runway excursion - is an incident involving only a single aircraft, where it makes an inappropriate exit
from the runway. This can happen because of pilot error, poor weather, or a fault with the aircraft. Overrun
is a type of excursion where the aircraft is unable to stop before the end of the runway.
iii. Runway condition describes a runway's current status in relation to current meteorological conditions and
air safety.
i. Dry: the surface of the runway is clear of water, snow or ice.
ii. Damp: change of color on the surface due to moisture.
iii. Wet: the surface of the runway is soaked but there are no significant patches of standing water.
iv. Water patches: patches of standing water are visible.
v. Flooded: there is extensive standing water.
According to the JAR definition, a runway with water patches or that is flooded is considered to be contaminated.
Airport Security
This is intended to prevent inadvertent entry of unauthorized persons or vehicles to the aircraft movement
area and to prevent damaging collision with wildlife other than birds.
Hence airports are required to:
a. Improve or establish protection against unauthorized access to air operations areas
b. Establish authorized access to air operations area through a suitable identification system
c. Identify vehicles operating in air operations areas.
Air Carrier Security
Air carriers are required to adopt and implement a screening system that would detect weapons and explosives
in carryon luggage or on the passengers. These air carriers are a required to submit its screening program to the
regulators. The carriers security program was required to:
a. prevent or deter unauthorized access to its aircrafts
b. Ensure that a responsible agent or representative of the certificate holder would check in baggage.
c. Prevent cargo and checked baggage from been loaded aboard its aircraft unless they were handled in
accordance with the certificate holders security procedures.
Acts of Unlawful Interference.
These are acts or attempted acts such as to jeopardize the safety of civil aviation and air transport, i.e.
1. unlawful seizure of aircraft in flight,
2. unlawful seizure of aircraft on the ground,
3. hostage-taking on board aircraft or on aerodromes,
4. forcible intrusion on board an aircraft, at an airport or on the premises of an aeronautical facility,
5. introduction on board an aircraft or at an airport of a weapon or hazardous device or material intended for
criminal purposes,
6. communication of false information such as to jeopardize the safety of an aircraft in flight or on the ground,
of passengers, crew, ground personnel or the general public, at an airport or on the premises of a civil
aviation facility.
