How to discourage walkers on the runway?

[PeteMc]

2 hours ago, Shadrach said:

Feds only require fences at airports with scheduled air service or military operations. Beyond that, security is decided at the local level.

TSA can require it based on where the airport is, number and size of planes, etc. 

The Apt I used to be at also apparently spent well over $100K (maybe it was $200K) to install high end Aircraft Cable and a high end padlock to EVERY tail tiedown to prevent theft....   Of course this was attached to the $10 tie down hook on most GA planes and no locks for the bigger jets that could actually carry a payload.  

[Joshua Blackh4t]

We had a similar issue at the grass strip I operate out of.

We maintained it well and mowed a big wide strip and then the farmer who owns the place used it as a road.

So we now have a narrower main strip, a flyover section of uncut grass and a single track for cars to drive past.

You might be able to do a similar thing, make the actual runway as narrow as legal, use the flyover space to give walkers a separate pathway that they can stay on while you land.

Then a few polite signs to stay off the main runway especially at any time there is an aircraft in operation or expected to be operating. Add in a polite note that it is a legal requirement for the runway to be 100% clear for any operations so anyone on the runway is creating an issue even if they are out of the way. (Not quite factual but doesn't have to be)

Hopefully that helps.

[eman1200]

People amaze me sometimes.

Ask them when their next haircut apt is. Let them know you can give them a haircut, just walk on the runway next time you’re landing.

[wombat]

Our airport (Twisp) has not taken any federal money.  There are a few signs around, but they are old, decrepit and totally ignored.   If I get back up to the airport today I'll try to take a couple of pictures.  There are some sections that have some old barbed wire fence across it, mostly falling down so you can just walk over it if you notice it's there at all, some that have woven wire livestock fence, and some that have none at all.

I've seen people just cross the airport and runway in a car because it's a bit of a shortcut to where they are going.

 

Yes, @Shadrach and @dkkim73; I'm really trying to balance public perception as well as safety.    Of course only pilots (and their immediate family) think the airport should be allowed to exist at all.    Everyone else thinks it's a waste of space and creates noise and pollution.   So when I talk to people walking on the airport, I am super careful about being polite and only asking them to not to walk on the runway and taxiway after I've chatted with them for a bit.

 

It's kind of extra frustrating because they actually built a walking track and ball field on the airport as well, but sometimes people just don't want to walk there, they want to walk on the asphalt.

 

 

 

[dkkim73]

@wombat Twisp? You are in the sticks  Beautiful area. Haven't been there for a while. Ski some laps for me...

It's funny because earlier I was posting and thinking about an analogy with some people we know who are big rule-followers, but only in certain realms. The husband was describing annoying some XC skiers by walking in the set (nordic) tracks. I was thinking, "duh, yeah, that's actually really annoying if you thought about it for a half-second." 

I wonder if there's some psychological trick you could do. E.g. a paint scheme or subtle signage that would make it seem unattractive or confusing to walk there. You could also put a sign something along the lines of "Rattlesnakes have been seen in the vicinity. Help protect our indigenous reptiles by not disturbing them." (that would be a double-whammy in WA state...)

"If struck by a snake, be advised it is likely a rattlesnake. Do not move quickly or ignore the wound. Call the airport manager 800-345-6787 for help. " you can put a "Thank you for removing litter!" sign underneath it to legitimize this and confuse people more. 

 

[wombat]

I've been thinking of posting some signs that point out some regulations that might make a potential walker decide to walk somewhere else.

A sign saying  "49 US Code 46504:   Interference with the performance of the duties of a flight crew can be penalized by up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000."

Or "14 CFR 121.158 No person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember's duties aboard an aircraft"

 

I could also post some regulations I wished existed.   I don't think there is anything illegal about posting a sign about a regulation that doesn't exist.

[carusoam]

Kind of like walking down a highway…  or the edge of a highway…

No cars on it now…

but when they show up, they are moving 60’ per second…

for anyone thinking they will hear it coming… not if they are landing…

 

I do a lot of walking…. The ramp is as close as I want to be to moving aircraft….

 

people don’t know where to look for landing aircraft…

and they are not familiar with how fast an airplane moves….

or they won’t know how agile a GA plane really is/isn’t on the ground….

 

put signs up so people can know…

anyone walking down the middle of a runway must be il-informed…

even abandoned runways get their fair share of planes doing low passes and and touch and gos because they can…

approach people as if you are trying to be informative and helping them out…

there is a good chance you are…

pp thoughts only not a psychologist…

 

best regards,

-a-

 

Echo always has good professional insight on safety issues..!

[carusoam]

@exM20K Dan,

[LANCECASPER]

Is this picture from the perspective of the head that was just chopped off?