Friction Testing Equipment Qualification Protocol
Background
According to the NLR Air Transport Safety Institute runway excursions of commercial aircraft during the period 1997 – 2005 is ranking second in the top ten of accident categories, with a contribution of almost 12% [1]. The risk of a runway excursion on a slippery (non-dry) runway increases 8 to 10 fold. This clearly shows the need for accurate reporting mechanisms of runway slipperiness and adequate maintenance standards.
The information and technology centre for transport and infrastructure CROW initiated a working group ‘Friction measuring equipment for airfield pavements’ in 2002. During a three phase project a literature study on tire-surface friction on wet pavements was conducted by NLR on contract basis [2], as well as an evaluation study of the ESDU method for correlating self-wetting friction measurement devices [3]. KOAC•NPC was contracted to perform a correlation trial and harmonisation modelling of friction measurements on runways in 2005 [4]. Finally a qualification protocol was drafted for the acceptance of candidate self-wetting friction measurement devices on Dutch airfields [5]. This protocol was expected to become effective in 2007 after publication for public comment, however until the revision date of this document no publication has taken place. The cause may be the reduction of national legislation with the increasing responsibility of EASA.
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