Introduction:
Bristol Airport, a crucial hub in the UK’s aviation network, recently faced a critical challenge in ensuring its runway surface met the requirements of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s CAP683 regulations. To tackle this, the airport management engaged R3 to carry out a friction test survey of their runway.
What was the challenge?
Ensuring the runway surface met the requirements of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s CAP683 regulations was imperative for both safety and regulatory compliance. The task at hand was not just a routine check but a thorough friction survey of their Runway. This involved measuring the friction levels to ascertain the grip and safety of the surface for landing and take off operations.
What was the solution?
R3 conducted a comprehensive friction survey of the Runway using the Mk 2 D-Type Grip Tester, a device that meets the standards of BS 7941-2:2000 for pavement surface friction. The team ensured the surface was pre-wetted using the Findlay Irvine Automatic Watering System, maintaining a precise water film thickness of 0.25mm throughout the survey.
The R3 vehicle, a VW Transporter fitted with an automatic watering system, was prepared for the task. Maintaining a target speed of 65kph between the runway thresholds, the team executed friction runs at specific intervals from the centerline, precisely at 1.5m, 4m, 7m, 11m, and 17m, as required by the UK CAA CAP683 guidelines. Additional check runs on an un-trafficked portion of the runway ensured comprehensive coverage.
The data collection process was thorough, maintaining consistent pre-wetting and target speeds, crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable data. This data provided a detailed assessment of the runway’s surface friction, crucial for maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and identifying any maintenance needs.
The final report delivered by R3, was comprehensive, detailing the friction levels across different parts of the runway and including a Certificate of Conformity. This document was not just a regulatory requirement but a vital piece of evidence ensuring that Bristol International Airport’s runway met the highest standards of safety and reliability.
What the client said:
R3 are our preferred supplier for runway friction surveys and have always provided us with very good service.
There availability is always excellent, and the quality of data is always through and presented in a very professional format.
The surveyors that come to site are always professional, highly competent and are well able to resolve ay issues that sometimes occur during the survey, which is always welcome as we know the survey will be completed as arranged.
R3 have always provided us with a very good service, very good data and we intend to retain their services for the foreseeable future.