What is a runway protection area?
Beyond each runway end is ground that is kept clear, graded and, where lights are needed, fitted only with frangible fixtures. It limits the damage when an aircraft undershoots, overruns or leaves the runway.
Runway protection area is a layout term for the ground around and beyond a runway end that is kept clear and graded so an aircraft that undershoots, overruns or veers off is less likely to be damaged. It is not a single defined term in the standards. In ICAO Annex 14 it is made up of the runway strip, which extends at least 60 m beyond the runway end (30 m for a non-instrument code 1 runway), and the runway end safety area (RESA) beyond it. A RESA is required for code 3 and 4 runways and for instrument code 1 and 2 runways. It is at least 90 m long, with 240 m recommended where practicable for code 3 and 4 (120 m for instrument code 1 and 2), and at least twice the runway width.
For AGL, the rule is that the area stays clear of everything except frangible objects that are needed for air navigation. Elevated runway, stopway and taxiway lights must be frangible and low enough to clear propellers and engine pods, so edge, threshold and end lights are built to break away on impact. In the United States the FAA uses different terms: the runway safety area (RSA) is the cleared, graded area, while the runway protection zone (RPZ) is a trapezoid beyond the end that is controlled for land use to protect people and property on the ground. It is a land-use control, not a rule for where lights go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a runway protection area?
The area around and beyond a runway end that is kept clear and graded to reduce the damage if an aircraft undershoots, overruns or veers off. The term is used informally: ICAO calls the parts the runway strip and the runway end safety area (RESA), and the FAA calls them the runway safety area (RSA) and runway protection zone (RPZ).
Q2How big is the RESA under ICAO Annex 14?
It extends from the end of the runway strip for at least 90 m, with 240 m recommended where practicable for code 3 and 4 runways, and is at least twice the runway width. A RESA is required for code 3 and 4 runways and for instrument code 1 and 2 runways, where 120 m is recommended. Confirm the figures for your edition and your state's rules.
Q3Can lights be installed inside it?
Only those needed for air navigation, and they must be frangible, so they break away on impact. Elevated runway lights are frangible and kept as low as practicable.
Q4Is the FAA runway protection zone the same thing?
No. The FAA runway protection zone is a trapezoidal area beyond the runway end that is controlled for land use to protect people and property on the ground, while the runway safety area is the graded, cleared area that protects aircraft.
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