SAFETY NET
RUNWAY STOP BARS - WHAT EVERY
PILOT MUST KNOW
Runway incursions are a serious safety threat. Globally they have caused major
accidents. Many runway incursions occur when pilots acknowledge air traffic control
(ATC) hold short instructions but then proceed beyond the runway holding point.
Stop bars are intended to provide additional protection CASA LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
of runway/taxiway intersections to reduce runway
incursions by: The requirement for a pilot or vehicle driver to stop at
an illuminated stop bar is clearly given in Australian
enhancing visibility of holding points legislation and pilot documentation (CASA Instrument
reinforcing the control of aircraft and vehicles in the Number 466/07).
vicinity of holding points
These requirements are consistent with the ICAO
increasing the defence against controller error in
position as stated in Annex 2 Rules of the Air:
aircraft or vehicle identification.
aircraft taxiing on the manoeuvring area shall stop
Stop bars also enable low visibility operations such as
and hold at all lighted stop bars and may proceed
CAT II/III instrument landing system approaches.
further when the lights are switched off.
WHAT IS A STOP BAR? WHAT IF ATC GIVE A CLEARANCE BUT THE
Stop bars are a series of unidirectional lights at right STOP BAR IS STILL ILLUMINATED?
angles to the taxiway centreline. The lights are spaced
three metres apart and located 0.3m before the Pilots must remain behind an illuminated stop bar until
holding point. it is switched off.
Stop bars show red in the direction of approach to the If you have been issued an instruction to proceed and
stop bar from the taxiway and are controlled by ATC. the stop bar has not been switched off:
DO NOT cross the illuminated stop bar AND
STOP AT THE RED LIGHT immediately query the instruction with ATC.
Pilots must comply with the following when stop bars
are in operation: WHERE ARE STOP BARS CURRENTLY
USED?
never cross an illuminated stop bar
only proceed past a stop bar when ATC provides Stop bars have been installed at Melbourne and
the appropriate verbal instruction AND switches the Sydney airports. Stop bars and Runway Guard
stop bar lights off. Lights (RGL) are positioned at all runway/taxiway
intersections. More details for each aerodrome are
Recommended practice: available in ERSA.
Ensure that at least one member of the crew is able
to sight the stop bars FOR MORE INFORMATION
15-094MAY Corporate Communication
Check stop bars every time before entering Safety Improvement Branch
the runway
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Check stop bars when reading back ATC clearance
to enter the runway
NOTE: Under normal operations, when stop bars are
extinguished, lead on lights come on.
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