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Why runway excursions happen & how they can be prevented.

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Runway excursion -related accidents and incidents are more common than we usually think. The 2021 ICAO safety report shows that in the year 2020, nine accidents occurred due to runway excursions accounting for 24 fatalities, 77 serious injuries, six cases of substantial damage to the aircraft, including a total of 3 hull losses. The recent Korean air incident adds to this.

What is a runway excursion?

A runway excursion involves an aircraft departing the end or the side of the runway surface. They can occur during both takeoffs and landings.

There are two main types of runway excursions. They are:

• Veer-Off: A runway excursion in which an aircraft departs the side of the runway.
• Overrun: A runway excursion in which an aircraft departs the end of the runway.

What factors lead to runway excursions?

During takeoffs.

Several factors lead to runway excursions during takeoffs. One of the most common factors that are found in many takeoff-related excursions is the use of incorrect takeoff performance.

When pilots underestimate the weight of the aircraft at takeoff, it gives pilots the option to take off from a runway intersection point without using the whole runway (the lighter the aircraft, the less runway that is required for a takeoff). This saves time as the pilots are not required to enter and backtrack the runway for the departure lineup.

As taking off from an intersection point reduces the total runway length, when weight is underestimated, the aircraft may run out of runway during the takeoff. This was allegedly what happened to Globus Airlines Boeing 737, which suffered from a near-runway excursion event in Moscow back in 2019.

The other factor involves pilots trying to stop the aircraft after the decision speed. Beyond this speed, the aircraft may fail to stop even with full braking. This happens most of the time due to poor decision-making, whereby pilots try to stop the aircraft when a failure occurs after reaching V1 speed.

The final factor is the most important, and this happens to very experienced pilots well. It involves an aircraft suffering from an engine failure right at the start of the takeoff where the rudder control is not effective enough to control the aircraft. The result is the thrust produced by the live engine causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. Practice and proper technique could prevent this from happening.

During landings

Runway excursions during landings occur not only due to pilot error. Environmental factors, runway conditions, etc., play a major role as well.

A lot of runway excursion-related accidents and incidents during landing are a result of pilots making unstabilized approaches. The inability to maintain a stable approach where the aircraft is at the correct speed, correct glide, correct heading, vertical path, etc., could lead to a runway overrun. Being too fast on the approach puts the aircraft in a high-energy state, which requires the pilots to use heavy braking . This braking might not be enough, causing the aircraft to depart the runway after touching down.

Excessive floatation over the runway can also cause a runway excursion. This often happens in an otherwise stable approach. The pilot maintains the aircraft perfectly stable during the approach but, in the end, due to his or her poor technique and, at times, due to poor judgment, the aircraft is inadvertently put in a float where it fails to touch down within the proper touch-down zone of the runway. When the touchdown eventually occurs, it may occur so far beyond the threshold that there simply is not enough room to decelerate the aircraft, leading to a runway excursion.

The common pilot errors found in such incidents and accidents include holding off the aircraft for a smoother touch down and late idling of the engine thrust.

Landing the aircraft in strong tailwinds can also cause a runway overrun. Airplanes are generally certified to a maximum landing tailwind component. When this limitation is exceeded, there is an increased chance of a runway excursion.

A lot of runway excursions also occur when pilots use the wrong runway conditions to calculate the landing performance. For instance, if the pilots calculate landing speeds and distance for a dry runway when it is wet , there is a chance of the aircraft not being able to stop in time.

In crosswind conditions, improper pilot actions could veer the aircraft off the runway. When in crosswinds, the aircraft nose is pointed to the direction of the wind while it tracks the runway center line. This is called a crab condition. Before the touchdown, the pilots kick out the crab by applying the rudder to align the aircraft to the runway centerline and, at the same time, bank the aircraft into the wind to prevent drift.

If the crab is kicked out too quickly, the aircraft may drift, and the aircraft may veer off the runway.

Research shows that the majority of the excursions are not caused by one single factor. It is usually a combination of many factors. For example, making an unstabilized approach to a wet runway in strong crosswinds puts the aircraft at a higher risk of a possible runway overrun or veer-off event.

How to prevent runway excursions

For both takeoffs and landings, nothing beats following proper procedures.

To prevent incorrect takeoff performance from being entered into the flight management system, the pilots should independently calculate the performance and do a comparison of each others' data. This prevents human error.

The pilots should never try to stop the aircraft after the decision speed V1, as this could easily lead to a runway excursion. The decision speed, V1, is to be always respected. If a failure occurs beyond V1, the pilots should get in the air and try to solve the problem in flight.

If an engine failure were to occur at a low speed, the pilots should idle the engine thrust immediately and use differential braking and small tiller movements to keep the aircraft on the runway. This should prevent a runway veer-off.

For landings, the pilots should always aim to make stable approaches. Trying to go for extra smooth touchdowns should be avoided, as this wastes the available runway distance. Any time, the approach gets unstable, or if the safety of the landing is jeopardized, a go-around must be initiated.

There is also nothing wrong with being a little conservative when calculating runway performance. If there are any doubts over the conditions of the runway (such as the braking action), the worst possible conditions should be used. This way, even if the runway conditions are better than the calculated ones, there would be no issues as this would only reduce the actual distances required.

What is the industry doing to prevent runway excursions?

Training is a key part of preventing runway excursions. Thus, pilot training has improved over the years to train the pilots to follow the standard operating procedures and teach them the importance of those procedures.

The training syllabuses have improved to include simulator takeoff and landing scenarios in the wet and contaminated runway to show the pilot the behavior of the aircraft in such conditions and how to react to them.

The Runway Overrun and Protection System (ROPS) by Airbus is an initiative to improve pilot awareness during landings. The system is a part of the aircraft avionics that uses the airport database in the aircraft Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) to find the landing runway. This data is then used by the system to calculate an estimated landing distance that is required based on aircraft weight and prevailing weather conditions.

If the system finds that the runway is too short, it gives an aural and visual warning to the pilot to go around. Once the aircraft touches down, it transitions to the ground phase and again calculates the remaining runway distance. If the system feels that the runway is coming to an end, it can give callouts such as “MAX BRAKING” and “MAX REVERSE” if they are not already in use.

Ever been on board during a runway excursion? Let us know about your experience in the comments.

• runway excursion

How Deceptive Weather Paves the Way for Runway Excursions and How to Prevent Them

Ensuring the safety of runways, aircraft, flights, and passengers is a complex and multifaceted discipline; one that demands unwavering attention as risks and their impact continue to evolve. 

Recent studies conducted by the Flight Safety Foundation, as outlined in their 2022 Safety Report , have shed light on a significant change like airline accidents. Among the five primary categories, runway excursions now rank second. 

While this may appear as merely another statistic, it could serve as a pivotal catalyst in reshaping our perspective on runway excursions and their impact on your operations.

What is a Runway Excursion?

A runway excursion is an incident where an aircraft unintentionally departs from the runway surface during takeoff or landing. It can result in structural damage to the aircraft, potential injuries to passengers and crew, and significant operational disruptions.

Since 2017, there have been approximately 117 recorded excursion accidents . Of these incidents, 80% occurred during landing, with veer-offs being more predominant than overruns.

Runway Incursion vs. Excursion

Both runway excursions and incursions pose risks to aircraft, airport operations, and, most importantly, the safety of the passengers and crew. The difference between them, however, highlights the varying risks.

A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft accidentally or improperly exits the runway, either veering off or overshooting the end of the runway. 

On the other hand, a runway incursion is the unauthorized presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the runway's designated landing and take-off area. It is primarily classified as a 'surface incident' and typically occurs due to unauthorized movements on the runway. 

Runway incursions mainly pose a risk as surface incidents, while runway excursions impact the overall safety of the airport, often leading to potential collisions with aircraft, personnel, or other objects. 

A Common Factor In Runway Excursions: Deceptive Weather

Runway excursions involve a myriad of risk factors, and business aviation pilots often gain crucial insights for risk mitigation and safety by analyzing data from previous excursions.

According to the ASN database , the most significant risk factors include:

• Flight crew handling errors (related to speed and directional control)
• Contaminated runways
• Late or inaccurate runway or weather reports
• Mechanical failures or gear collapses
• Failure to reject
• Takeoff before V1 (the maximum speed at which a rejected takeoff can be initiated in an emergency)

With runway excursions being one of the most common causes of airport accidents, it comes as no surprise that there are quite a few elements that can pose potential risks, as we see mentioned above. However, one of the most frequent contributing factors that lead to runway excursions is deceptive weather. 

Deceptive weather conditions, such as strong crosswinds, low visibility, or slippery runway surfaces due to rain or snow, have the potential to mislead pilots into underestimating the actual challenges of the runway.  This places pressure on pilots to thoroughly assess and adapt to prevailing weather conditions, enabling them to make informed decisions and ensure optimal runway performance. 

Preventing Runway Excursions

While we cannot control the weather, there are several best practices in business aviation to minimize the risk of runway excursions.

Continuously Monitor Weather Conditions

Landing the aircraft in strong tailwinds can result in a runway overrun. Aircraft are typically certified to a maximum landing tailwind component. Exceeding this limitation increases the risk of a runway excursion. Therefore, it’s crucial to continuously monitor real-time weather conditions, especially just before takeoff or landing. 

Conduct Thorough Assessments of Runway Conditions Before Takeoff and Landing

Many runway excursions occur due to pilots using incorrect runway conditions to calculate the landing performance of an aircraft. For instance, if pilots calculate landing speeds and distance for a dry runway when it is wet, there’s a risk of the aircraft not stopping in time. To mitigate this, pilots should be in constant communication with ground personnel to receive real-time updates on runway conditions before takeoff or landing. 

Ensure Accurate Weight and Balance Calculations

Errors in weight and balance calculations often contribute to runway excursions during takeoff. Underestimating the aircraft’s weight can lead to a scenario where the pilot runs out of runway before a successful takeoff.

To save time, lightweight aircraft may opt to take off from an intersection point instead of entering and backtracking the entire runway for the departure lineup. However, underestimating the weight and failure to adjust the amount of available runway remaining in calculations may result in the aircraft running out of runway during the takeoff from an intersection point.

A meticulous approach to weight and balance calculations ensures that the aircraft has sufficient power and runway distance for a safe takeoff. Operators should have a process to ensure proper weight and balance, including error detection, to minimize the risk of runway excursions.

Avoid Runway Excursions with ForeFlight

To effectively prevent runway excursions, flight crews must stay informed about real-time runway conditions and how they could impact takeoff or landing. 

This is where Foreflight's Runway Analysis proves invaluable.

Specify Adverse Runway Conditions to Properly Account for Their Impacts

With our Runway Analysis tool, business aviation pilots eliminate guesswork when assessing how adverse runway conditions might affect their takeoff or landing. By specifying these conditions directly within ForeFlight, pilots can integrate them into their performance calculations.

Provide Aircraft Configuration Details to Ensure an Accurate Calculation

Different aircraft types have various configuration settings designed to address the challenges posed by adverse weather or runway conditions during takeoff or landing. Runway Analysis incorporates these configuration settings to ensure that the calculated runway performance closely matches the actual circumstances.

Get Detailed Safety Warnings and Error Messages

ForeFlight provides several warning and error messages to alert you when the calculated results exceed the aircraft's or runway's limits. These include aircraft-specific alerts for invalid takeoff or landing configurations and warnings when your aircraft is out of balance.

Safety for your passengers and the flight crew is our top priority, along with minimizing any potential damage to the aircraft or airport infrastructure. Utilizing Runway Analysis not only enhances safety but also reduces the time spent on performance calculations, allowing pilots to focus on other preflight responsibilities. 

This not only optimizes and streamlines operations but also enhances flight safety by eliminating the practice of skipping calculations to save time. Pilots can now identify and resolve issues well in advance, reducing delays.

At ForeFlight, we recognize that the greatest risk of all is complacency, both in business operations and safety priorities.  That is why, as a data-driven company, we take it upon ourselves to ensure you’re well-equipped to navigate the risk landscape.

We seamlessly merge safety and convenience into one sophisticated runway and obstacle analysis tool that's fully integrated with ForeFlight's planning workflow.

To learn more about ForeFlight's Runway Analysis visit our product page here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between runway excursion and runway incursion.

Runway excursions occur when an aircraft veers off of its designated runway or fails to stop before the end of the runway. A runway incursion occurs when an object, aircraft, or personnel enters a runway without authorized permission, often blocking or halting operations. 

How often do runway excursions occur in aviation?

According to IATA's Runway Safety Analysis , runway excursions are considered the most frequent type of runway accident, averaging 18 annually worldwide. Overall, runway excursions account for 54.7% of all runway safety accidents.

Are there specific technologies or systems in place to mitigate the risk of runway excursions?

Yes, Foreflight's Runway Analysis add-on allows business aviation pilots to eliminate the guesswork regarding deceptive weather and identify any additional risk factors that may lead to runway excursions.

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Understanding Runway Excursions in Aviation: Causes and Prevention

Runway excursions in aviation are critical events that involve an aircraft departing the end or side of a runway surface during takeoffs or landings.

Despite being more common than we might think, runway excursions can have serious consequences, leading to accidents, injuries, and substantial damage.

In this article, we delve into the world of runway excursions, exploring their types, causes, and prevention strategies.

Why Runway Excursions Happen

Runway excursions are a more frequent occurrence in aviation than many of us realize.

The 2021 ICAO safety report reveals that in 2020 alone, nine accidents were attributed to runway excursions, resulting in 24 fatalities, 77 serious injuries, and significant damage to aircraft, including hull losses.

The recent Korean Air incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with runway excursions.

What is a Runway Excursion?

A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft departs either the end or the side of the runway surface during takeoffs or landings. There are two main types of runway excursions:

• Veer-Off: An aircraft departs the side of the runway.
• Overrun: An aircraft departs the end of the runway.

Factors Leading to Runway Excursions:

During Takeoffs: Several factors contribute to runway excursions during takeoffs, highlighting the importance of precise decision-making and performance calculations.

Common factors include:

• Incorrect Takeoff Performance: Underestimating aircraft weight may lead pilots to attempt takeoff from an intersection point, reducing runway length. This can result in the aircraft running out of runway during takeoff.
• Poor Decision-Making: Pilots attempting to stop an aircraft after the decision speed (V1) may struggle to halt the aircraft’s momentum, often due to a failure occurring beyond this point.
• Engine Failure: Engine failure at the beginning of takeoff can make rudder control ineffective, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway due to unequal thrust.

During Landings: Runway excursions during landings are influenced by various factors, not solely pilot error .

Environmental conditions and runway states play pivotal roles:

• Unstabilized Approaches: Inability to maintain a stable approach with proper speed, glide, heading, and vertical path can lead to a runway overrun.
• Excessive Speed: Landing with excessive speed requires heavy braking, which may be insufficient to prevent a runway excursion after touchdown.
• Poor Touchdown Technique: Incorrect technique, such as floating over the runway or late engine thrust idling, can result in touchdown beyond the optimal zone, reducing deceleration space.
• Tailwinds and Crosswinds: Strong tailwinds can increase the risk of a runway overrun, while improper crosswind management can cause veering off the runway.

Preventing Runway Excursions

• Accurate Performance Calculations: Pilots must correctly assess aircraft weight and performance parameters to ensure adequate runway length for takeoff.
• Stabilized Approaches: Maintaining stable approach criteria, including correct speed and alignment, is crucial to preventing runway overruns during landings.
• Crosswind Techniques: Properly aligning the aircraft to the runway centerline and gradually adjusting for crosswinds before touchdown can mitigate veer-offs.
• Environmental Awareness: Pilots should consider runway conditions and tailwind limitations to make informed decisions during takeoffs and landings.

In the realm of aviation safety, preventing runway excursions is a paramount concern that requires a comprehensive approach.

Pilots and aviation professionals must adopt stringent measures to minimize the occurrence of these critical events. Accurate performance calculations during takeoff are essential, as underestimating aircraft weight can lead to attempting takeoff from an intersection point, potentially resulting in a runway overrun.

Stabilized approaches during landings play a pivotal role in preventing overruns, ensuring that the aircraft maintains the correct speed, alignment, and vertical path.

Crosswind techniques are vital for safe landings, where aligning the aircraft with the runway centerline and gradual adjustments before touchdown can mitigate veering off. Environmental factors, such as tailwinds and runway conditions, should always be taken into account, guiding pilots’ decisions during takeoffs and landings.

By combining these strategies and fostering heightened environmental awareness, the aviation community can collaboratively work towards reducing the risk of runway excursions, safeguarding both passengers and aircraft from potential harm.

Runway excursions remain a significant concern in aviation safety, demanding continuous vigilance and training to prevent accidents and incidents.

By understanding the causes and implementing effective prevention strategies, pilots and aviation professionals can work together to reduce the occurrence of runway excursions and ensure safer skies for all.

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Runway excursions: how to reduce the risk

Paid content by FlightSafety International 2024-05-30T12:10:00+01:00

During take-off, until V1 is reached, there are clearly defined decision points at which almost every pilot will abort the procedure if they have any concern with the conditions or performance of the aircraft. It is part of every pilot’s mental checklist.

Source: FlightSafety International

Training programmes are being tailored based on real-life operational scenarios

The same is not always true when it comes to landing. Pilots unhappy with an approach can choose the option of a go-around. However, as Richard Meikle, executive vice-president, operations & safety at FlightSafety International, points out, the action – which typically involves executing a circuit of the airfield before repeating the landing attempt – can carry “a bit of a stigma”.

“From the very beginning, pilots are taught that good pilots land airplanes. When something isn’t quite right, the mindset is: ‘I can save it’,” says Meikle. “But these are not necessarily good behaviours. We want the default among pilots to be: ‘We are going to go around unless everything is meeting performance targets.’”

Runway excursions – defined as an aircraft departing the end or side of the runway surface, and often referred to as overruns or veer-offs – are the biggest cause of accidents in business aviation, accounting for 41% of the total number of accidents between 2017 and 2022, according to the 2022 Safety Report from independent non-profit the Flight Safety Foundation. While there may be reasons behind a runway excursion that a pilot could not reasonably have been aware of until late in the approach, they are largely due to decisions rather than manipulative skills.

This may be a result of failing to identify or interpret a risk, or continuing with a landing attempt when the better option would be to go around. The industry problem is something FlightSafety has resolved to tackle through training. Its own research in 2020 and 2021 – based on partner GE Digital’s analysis of flight operational quality assurance (FOQA) data – clearly indicated runway excursions were a major concern for business aviation operators, just as they were for airlines.

“We suspected that runway excursions were a huge cause of accidents but having that information from our work with GE was the key driver to us doing something specific in this area,” says Meikle. It led to the creation of FlightSafety’s new runway excursion prevention programme in early 2022, which has since been expanded and continues to develop. Under the partnership with GE Digital, flight data from 300 operators of more than 1,000 corporate aircraft was assessed and used by FlightSafety to tailor training programmes based on real-life operational scenarios, thus preparing pilots to identify threats that are precursors to aviation accidents and incidents. These include warning signals of a possible runway excursion.

The study also highlighted those airports at which the excursion risk was highest. One feature stood out. Seven of the top 10 runways for which there was a greater incidence or risk of runway excursions had a displaced threshold, where the threshold is set at a point other than the designated beginning of the runway and reduces the length of runway available for landings. This pointed to a need for greater vigilance when approaching such runways.

To get the message across about taking the runway excursions threat more seriously, FlightSafety set up further partnerships, including with Presage, an analytics and consultancy company that specializes in human factors in the workplace, including the cultural, interpersonal, and psychological reasons behind employee non-compliance with operational procedures. Presage had already begun an initiative with the owner flyer association Cessna Jet Pilots (CJP), called Safe to Land, which was designed to come up with standard operating procedures (SOPs) that would mitigate the risk of runway excursions by owner pilots.

With FlightSafety’s input, those Safe to Land techniques and practices are now available to CJP members. The main focus of the Safe to Land project is the establishment of new mandatory triggers for go-around decision making all the way up to touchdown. For example, many runway excursions occur following an approach that is stable up until the threshold and then becomes destabilised. Safe to Land provides visual cues and hard gates for situations such as drifting left or right of the centreline.

The results speak for themselves, as indicated by the safety record of the CJP group, which has not seen a single runway excursion since the inception of the programme.

Pilots suggested that 200ft would be an appropriate go-around cut-off

FlightSafety, with Presage, then turned its attention to the multicrew, large-jet market with a study into the go-around decision-making habits of a sample of Gulfstream G500, G600 and G650 pilots. The choice of types was significant. Although all three are fly-by-wire, the G650’s traditional yoke is replaced with active-control sidesticks on the newer platforms meaning pilots have very different ways of flying the aircraft. The research project, the first of its kind in the two-pilot segment, was launched in mid-2022 and the publication of its findings is imminent. More than 20 pilots working for about a dozen organisations, including Gulfstream itself, were questioned about their attitudes and behaviours when it comes to go-round decision-making.

Initial findings seemed to confirm FlightSafety’s hypotheses, according to Mark Kleinhans, the company’s director, safety. “One was that pilots believe they can rescue the approach if it’s unstable. There’s an attitude of ‘It’ll be fine until it’s not’,” he says. Another was that many pilots do not recognize when the aircraft is unstable. One of the actions that FlightSafety has begun to introduce into its Gulfstream training is a clear limit on how far a pilot should continue with an unstable approach before deciding to go around. Although current guidance suggests a limit of 1,000ft, the feedback from the working group of pilots suggested that 200ft might be more appropriate as a cut-off. Modern aircraft come with features that act as an insurance policy against judgement errors, such as the predictive landing performance systems on Gulfstream aircraft.

“When these types of systems alert, it is important pilots respond accordingly,” says Meikle. But even with these advancements, Meikle warns against relying solely on technology to address deviations from planned performance. “Thrust reversers, for instance, are generally not included in the performance calculations, and they absorb a lot of indiscretion in technique, but if they don’t work, all of a sudden pilots may find they have eroded any extra safety margin,” he says. The key to a safe arrival is planning, executing to plan, and abandoning the approach or landing if targets are missed or conditions push the aircraft beyond acceptable tolerances.

While FlightSafety has been focusing on specific guidance for Gulfstream and Citation pilots, it has already begun to incorporate go-around decision-making into all its training programmes. “The general concept of understanding how much margin you have on a certain runway is universal, regardless of type,” says Meikle. FlightSafety’s efforts on runway excursions come amid a wider industry focus on the problem. In November, the National Business Aviation Association, which represents largely corporate flight departments, published a guide entitled Reducing Runway Excursions in Business Aviation, urging all operators to become familiar with the wealth of knowledge and data on the subject, and incorporate it into their SOPs.

FlightSafety’s message to the industry is to recognize the scope of the issue, take the risk seriously and train pilots to recognize the factors during each stage of an approach and landing that can lead to a runway excursion. Says Meikle: “What we are really trying to drive home is that it is unrealistic to attempt to land on a runway using book numbers if you are not using the same procedures the test pilots used to derive the numbers, and even if the best of approaches was flown, there are occasions where a go-around is necessary after the aircraft has crossed the threshold.”

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Global action plan for the prevention of runway excursions (gappre).

Runway excursion is the most frequent accident type in aviation, represents one of the most serious risks in aviation and is one of the most economically significant safety events. The  European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)  2020 Annual Safety Review categorizes runway excursions as one of the top two key risk areas for large aeroplanes.

An International Air Transport Association (IATA) study of incident and accident data found that from 2005 through the first half of 2019 approximately 23 percent of the accidents in IATA’s global accident database involved runway excursion. It has been estimated that the direct cost of runway excursion events in 2019 was more than US$4 billion. Data shows that the industry has been effective in reducing the rate of commercial aviation runway excursion accidents, but the absolute number of accidents and incidents and their severity indicate a very high risk.

Runway excursion risk is a complex combination of factors involving different segments of the aviation industry including operators, airports, aircraft manufacturers and air navigation service providers . Mitigating the risk is best done cooperatively among the stakeholders. The complexity of runway excursion prevention efforts is derived from the fact that the effect of the risk and resilience factors is highly cumulative – runway condition maintenance and reporting; aircraft performance and operations; collaborative approach path management; and adherence to robust policies for safe descent and approach planning, stabilised approach, safe landing and go-around all play roles.

GAPPRE Development

The Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (GAPPRE) was developed by an international group of aviation professionals from more than 40 different organisations divided into six working groups. The work was coordinated by EUROCONTROL and  Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) . GAPPRE was reviewed and validated by EASA, IATA, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and Airports Council International (ACI).

GAPPRE comprises a set of consensus-based recommendations representing industry best practices and interventions that go beyond regulatory compliance. The recommendations address both risk and resilience factors. Some of the recommendations can be addressed and implemented right away and others will need to be developed over time.

GAPPRE is divided into two parts.

Part 1  contains the agreed recommendations to aerodrome operators, ANSPs, aircraft operators, aircraft manufacturers, regulators and the  International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)  and research and development recommendations for States, international organizations and the industry. Also included is a list of abbreviations and acronyms. Part 1 originally published on its own in January 2021.

Part 2  contains guidance and explanatory material (GEM), as well as best practices, that support the recommendations. The development of the material in Part 2 was based on the following principles:

• Provide further context to the targeted audience in order to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations contained in Part 1.
• Provide explanation, wherever possible, of the recommendation drivers.
• Incorporate advice for both normal and non-normal operation within the GEMs targeted at the operational actors.
• Use the principles of conservatism and defence in depth.
• Address organisations as Aircraft Operators, Airports and ANSPs rather than individuals like pilots and air traffic controllers.

The guidance and explanatory material is not intended to be limiting or prescriptive. It is based on best practices and materials shared by the industry in support of the GAPPRE implementation. The authors caution that the boundaries set by national regulators and internationally accepted provisions should be respected.

An expanded version of GAPPRE, containing both Parts 1 and 2, was published in May 2021 and can be downloaded below or from  Flight Safety Foundation's website .

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• Runway Incursion
• Local Runway Safety Teams (LRST)
• European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (EAPPRE)
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Further Reading

• Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions , Part 1 Recommendations and Part 2 Guidance and Explanatory Material, EUROCONTROL/Flight Safety Foundation, 5 May 2021.
• Pilot’s Best Practices for the Prevention of Runway Excursions , European Cockpit Association, January 2022.

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The Top 12 Things to Do in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Take a first-rate trip to Russia's fifth city

Ershov_Maks/Getty Images

Although it's Russia's fifth-largest city, you could be forgiven for never having heard of Nizhny Novgorod. Notwithstanding that another Russian city is simply called " Novgorod ," the current name of the city just doesn't have a memorable ring to it. (By contrast, its name during the Soviet years — Gorky, like the famous author — was much more iconic.) At any rate, this city of just over a million around six hours east of Moscow is more than worth a visit. These are just 12 reasons why!

Tour the Kremlin's 13 Towers

Like most every other city in Russia, Nizhny Novgorod is home to a Kremlin. (The word "kremlin" means "citadel" in Russian, and has nothing to do with the modern Russian government) One thing that elevated the Kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod above others in Russia (with the possible exception of the Moscow Kremlin and one or two others), however, is the fact that its wall has 13 towers. During the summer months, at least one free walking tour per day operates from the main entrance of Nizhny Novgorod's Kremlin.

Climb Russia's Longest Staircase

Named for one of the most famous Russian pilots of the early aviation age (Valery Chkalov), the Chkalov Stairs connect two of Nizhny Novgorod's public squares, which sit on the upper and lower embankments of the Volga River, respectively. Built in 1943 (during the period when Nizhny Novgorod was known as Gorky), the Chkalov Stairs currently have the distinction of being the longest staircase in Russia.

Go Wild at Limpopo Zoo

One thing that surprises many travelers to Nizhny Novgorod is how amazing its zoo, colloquially known as Limpopo is. In addition to being home to a tropical botanical garden (which, not surprisingly, is indoors), the zoo hosts a variety of reptiles, mammals and birds. There's also a small sculpture park on the grounds of Nizhny Novgorod's zoo, including both original and replica pieces.

Shop (or Just Stroll) Along a Storied High Street

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street has been the de-facto "Main Street" of Nizhny Novgorod for more than 200 years. Well, minus the Soviet Union period, during which the cafes that once (and now) lined it became somewhat worthless, since intellectual conversations were basically forbidden. These days, you can come here for a cup of Russian tea then shop at the dozens of boutiques you'll find on either side of the street.

Sun Yourself at the Spit

Nizhny Novgorod sits at the confluence of the Oka and Volga Rivers, with the triangle of land at the point they meet being known as the Nizhny Novgorod Spit. Ignoring the unfortunate double-meaning of its name for a moment, this is actually a wonderful place to get a tan, if it's summer in the city and the sun happens to be shining. Even if not, photographers will enjoy a trip here for a view of the Kremlin and city center across the Volga.

Marvel at the Open-Air Museum of Rozhdestvenskaya Street

Like Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, Rozhdestvenskaya Street has long been one of the most important streets in Nizhny Novgorod. However, while the former has become a primarily commercial artery in recent decades, the charm of the latter is in its well-maintained buildings, which hearken back to the mid-18th century. In fact, some locals go so far as to consider Rozhdestvenskaya Street an "open-air museum."

Ride Russia's Newest Cable Car

Russian investment in infrastructure isn't quite as dramatic as that of, say, China, but the Federation has nonetheless built a selection of interesting and modern transportation systems since the fall of the USSR. Among them is the just-opened cable car, which travels from the center of Nizhny Novgorod over the Volga River to suburban Bor. At any rate, a ride over the river and back is definitely worth inclusion on your list of things to do in Nizhny Novgorod.

Taste Traditional Shchi Soup

Shchi is one of Nizhy Novgorod's most delicious local specialties, available in most every local restaurant that serves Russian food. From above, a bowl of shchi seems incredibly complicated, with a colorful palette that suggests the inclusion of dozens of diverse ingredients. In fact, the magic of shchi is in its simplicity. Building on the traditional pan-Russian recipe of cabbage, pork fat and salt (yes, just three ingredients), locals in Nizhny Novgorod sometimes add minced meat or egg whites as bonus items, then top the tangy soup with a dollop of sour cream.

Survey Amazing Russian Orthodox Architecture

Think the only amazing Russian Orthodox churches are in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Think again. Nizhny Novgorod boasts several amazing examples of Russian Orthodox architecture. From the brilliant golde domes John the Baptist Cathedral near the Volga River, to the expansive grounds of 14th-century Pechersky Ascension Monastery, Nizhny Novgorod is an architecture buff's dream!

Take a Look Back in Time

Nizhny Novgorod's historical center is relatively large and well-preserved, but a stroll (or 10) through it isn't the only way to get a feel for the city's centuries-long past. Head to the Russian Museum of Photography, which not only showcases a variety of images of Nizhny Novgorod that date back a century or even longer, but also spotlights the equipment Russian photographers have used throughout the years, and notable figures in Russia's photography history as well.

Visit the Convent from the Movie "Salt"

You'd be forgiven if you've entirely forgotten the 2010 film "Salt." However, if you remember any destination from this spy thriller, it's likely the facade of Makaryev Convent, which is located within day-trip distance of Nizhny Novgorod. Having served as a monastery from its consecration in the early 15th century up until the beginning of the Russian Revolution, Makaryev became a convent after the fall of the Soviet Union , and is now home to 22 nuns.

Take an Excursion to a 12th-Century Tea Town

Another worthwhile day trip from Nizhny Novgorod is to the town of Gorodets, which sits about an hour to its northwest. With a history dating back to the 12th century, Gorodets boasts an interesting array of architecture and museums, including one dedicated to samovars. 

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Top 10 Things To Do And See In Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Located about 400km east of Moscow , Nizhny Novgorod is one of the most important centers of cultural, economic, and political activity in European Russia . Widely considered, after St Petersburg and Moscow, to be Russia’s ‘third city’, Nizhny is fast becoming a hot-spot for Russian and global tourists alike, attracted by the city’s up-and-coming reputation and stunning landscape.

The Kremlin

Jutting out from the cliffs that overlook the meeting point of the great Volga and Oka rivers, Nizhny Novgorod ‘s ancient Kremlin boasts of some of the best views in the city. Designed by an Italian architect, the 13 magnificent towers and the 12 meter high walls of Nizhny’s Kremlin date back to 1500. On this very spot in 1612, heroes of Russian history Kuzma Minin and Count Dmitry Pozharsky defeated the invading Polish army in extraordinary circumstances. This moment has become legend in Russian history and a statue in honor of these two lies at the foot of St Basil’s in Moscow. The Kremlin is the historic center of the city where you will find an art museum and the lovely Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, as well as a striking monument to those that fought in the Second World War and its flame eternally flickering on in their memory.

Ride on the cable car

Completed in 2012, taking a ride on Nizhny Novgorod’s cablecar has fast become a favorite activity of tourists. The trip offers unparalleled opportunities to view the city’s gorgeous natural landscape from this bird’s eye position. The 3660m long gondola lift connects Nizhny to the town of Bor and stretches across the Volga River for 900 panoramic meters. The gondola acts as both a convenient means of transportation and a fantastic sight-seeing expedition – come at sunset for a golden-bathed view of the river and surrounding landscape.

The house-museum of Maxim Gorky

During the Soviet era, Nizhny Novgorod, birthplace of celebrated Russian writer Maxim Gorky , was renamed ‘Gorky’ in honor of this national hero. This home has been preserved in a state as accurate as possible to how it was left by Gorky and is so successful in this that it would seem as though the writer still lived there. The museum ‘s historic interiors and authentic furnishings will transport you back to the 1900s and the creative world of this icon of Russian literature. Come and make the most of this unique experience to delve into the childhood world of this Russian father of social realism. Museum booklets and guided tours are available in English.

Nizhegorodskaya Yarmarka

A yarmarka is something akin to a fair, and this historic former market place was restored in 1991, the site now playing home to a superb modern exhibition center. The city’s yarmarka plays host to international events, fairs, and conventions. In 2011, for the 20 year anniversary of the fair’s refounding, a vast array of exhibitions were organized, attended by thousands including members of the British royal family, Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Gorbachev , and Margaret Thatcher . The fair is not only a buzzing center of business and culture, it is also one of the city’s most impressive sights.

The Nizhegorodsky State Art Museum

Located inside Nizhny Novgorod’s ancient Kremlin, the building that houses this art gallery was once the home of the governor of the city. The exhibits are wide-ranging and include everything from 14th century religious icons, to work by 20th century contemporary Russian masters. Particularly dazzling is the collection by Russian painter Nicholas Roerich. There is also a large arts and crafts collection which demonstrates the exquisite handiwork of Russian artisans throughout history.

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street

The chkalov staircase.

An idyllic spot from which to watch the sun’s rays set over the city, this monumental creation was constructed by the Soviet government and is unique to the city of Nizhny Novgorod. The staircase derives its name from pilot Valery Chkalov who, in 1937, became the first man to fly from Moscow to Vancouver through the North Pole. A monument to Chkalov stands at the top of the stairs. The construction of the staircase cost almost 8 million rubles – an immense sum at the time. Over 1,500 stairs connect the city center with the river embankment – making Chkalov’s landmark the longest flight of stairs along the Volga. Nowadays the staircase is a favorite meeting place and relaxation spot for locals.

The Rukavishnikov Estate Museum

The Rukavishnikovs were a family of immensely wealthy merchants originating from the region around Nizhny Novgorod. This superbly restored palace , their former home, has been transformed into a museum of Russian history and gives a realistic snap-shot of life for the wealthy under tsarist rule. The ornate 19th century interiors and exquisite facade are sure to dazzle with their beauty while the lush green of the surrounding natural landscape provides a tranquil getaway from the city center. Lavish furnishings, priceless antiques, and glistening gold will transport you back in time to a world of balls, carriages, banquets, and tsars. Join the world of Russian noble ladies and gentlemen for a day in this stunning palace.

The Sakharov Museum

Nizhny Novgorod’s Sakharov Museum is dedicated to dissident Russian scientist Andrei Sakharov . The nuclear physicist and human rights activist was exiled for six years to the very flat in which the museum is now housed. Sakharov’s support for civil reform and improved human rights in the Soviet Union earned him harsh persecution from the Russian government, but also, in 1975, a Nobel Peace Prize . Sakharov was incarcerated here until 1986 when a KGB officer arrived to install a phone in the flat. Just after the phone was installed it began to ring: the caller was Mikhail Gorbachev, ringing Sakharov to inform him of his release. This phone is now one of the museum’s most treasured artifacts.

The National Centre of Contemporary Art

Inside the walls of Nizhny’s Kremlin can also be found one of the best modern art galleries in Russia. Linked to galleries in both St Petersburg and Moscow, this top-ranking exhibition center houses regularly changing displays of both Russian and international art as well as interactive exhibits and a media library. Progress is also on-going of adding a concert hall, extending the exhibition areas, and creating a restaurant. These additions aim to make art contemporary, not simply a detached, unrelatable concept, but bring it closer to the Russian people.

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Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

You are here, about nizhny novgorod.

If you are still wondering, whether Nizhny Novgorod travel would be something you'd like to experience, let us help you - it would. This colorful Russian city full of cultural heritage might exceed your expectations since it has something to offer for everyone.

Reasons to Travel to Nizhny Novgorod

Art enthusiasts will surely enjoy the State Gorky Literature Museum which was named after the great Russian author Maxim Gorky. Bet you didn't know that Nizhny Novgorod was his birthplace? Do not worry, now you do.

There are also multiple art galleries and installations such as The Blogger's Bench which provides free Wi-Fi access if you are in the mood of blogging about your experience.

The musician community will not be disappointed as well, as the city has multiple live music bars and cafes open for the public and is often the place where great concerts are staged. If you are not that into art, there are plenty of other places worth putting on your Nizhny Novgorod itinerary, f.e., the grand red-brick Kremlin.

The Cathedral of Archangel Michael, which is actually the only church that has stood the test of time in Kremlin, along with multiple ancient towers is what makes this site a must-see. By the way, the magnificent church of St. Elijah is right around the corner, so make sure to make a little detour during your Nizhny Novgorod tour after seeing the Kremlin.

Another thing you should not miss during your Nizhny Novgorod sightseeing is the panorama of Strelka, overlooking the amazing view of the confluence of the rivers Oka and Volga and also the Fedorovsky Embankment, a perfect place for a stroll in the evening.

If you want to take a look at the scene from a different angle, hop on a boat trip along the two rivers! Nowadays Nizhny Novgorod is the fifth-largest city in the Russian Federation, somehow managing to maintain the unique heritage alongside its cultural versatility, thus looking at pictures is not enough, feel like exploring it yourself?

Best Things to Do in Nizhny Novgorod

• Witness the ancient Novgorod Kremlin
• Get inspired by the scenic panoramas of the Volga River
• Explore diverse museums of Nizhny Novgorod

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