Bedford Hanscom Airport (KBED) has seen an increase in aircraft lining up on the incorrect runway. Between October 1, 2018 and July 1, 2019 we have seen 10 events where pilots have maneuvered and at least lined up in flight on the incorrect runway. A few of these have created collision hazards with other aircraft in the traffic area or on the runway. Seven of the events involved aircraft on an IFR flight plan conducting a visual approach. Eight of these 10 events involved confusion with runways 23 and 29.
Pilots are encouraged to use all available resources and to have heightened awareness to the hazards and risks of lining up on, and possibly landing on the incorrect runway. Suggestions to avoid these circumstances include, but are not limited to:
- Landing on Runway 11 or 29, back up your final with the ILS Course, Both localizers use the 111.15 frequency
- The airport is located on the Lawrence VOR (LWM) 223 degree radial, and this is closely aligned with the final approach course to runway 23.
- Back up your visual approach with an instrument approach. Runways 11, 23, 29 all have RNAV (GPS) approaches with aligned final approach courses to the runway centerline.
- Have a GPS installed? Set KBED as the active waypoint and align your Course Deviation Indicator with the final approach in "OBS" mode.
- Using an EFB, such as ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot? Use the "Traffic Pattern" feature in your procedures/flight plan to show your entry and direct you to the correct runway.
- Using an EFB, such as ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot? Turn on the extended centerline features, as this will help you visualize your set-up to the runway.
Best of all - see your instructor, owner's group or FAASTeam Safety Rep to see what are the features that fit your aircraft, equipment and type of flying to help you avoid lining up on the wrong runway or airport and be a safer pilot.
A Letter to Airman concerning this issue at Bedford Hanscom can be found on the FAA NOTAM website - http://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/ and is also in PDF format associated with this Notice on FAASAFETY.GOV.
For further information:
Stephen K. Brown
FPM - FAASTeam Program (or Flight Proficiency) Manager
Boston FSDO – EA61
1200 District Ave.
Burlington, MA 01803
Stephen.K.Brown@faa.gov
781-238-7536
