Runway Safety continues to be one of the FAA’s highest priorities. In an effort to bring awareness to the aviation community, the San Antonio Air Traffic Control (ATC) Team is requesting that all General Aviation (GA) Pilots operating in and out of San Antonio International Airport exercise a high level of cockpit Situational Awareness (SA). It is requested that pilots, along with the required readback of runway takeoff and landing runway assignments, clarify any ATC runway assignments if they are unclear or questionable.
On June 10th 2024, San Antonio International Airport re-opened Runway 13L/31R to the general aviation community. Runway 13L/31R has been closed for the past 3 years and its return to service will require increased awareness to avoid a Wrong Surface Event. Please be vigilant when hearing and responding to air traffic control runway assignments.
Pilots should be aware of likely errors –
Error - Runway assignment can be easily mistaken between 13R & 13L. Opposite direction numbers 13 & 31 can also be easily transposed.
Solution – Be attentive; If in doubt, request clarification.
Error - Runway 13L threshold is not abeam the 13R threshold, rather it is offset more than 2,400 feet.
Solution – Review the airport diagram prior to arrival; Expecting the offset threshold, actively look for the LEFT runway; Take in the whole view of the airport from the cockpit and don’t automatically line up with the first runway in sight.
Error - Runway 13L is dark in color (asphalt), as opposed to the lighter color (concrete) of the Primary Runway 13R.
Solution – Being aware of the runway surface color, seek the darker surface runway when assigned to Rwy 13L.
Error - Parallel Taxiway-Romeo (Twy R) abeam the GA Runway, which is light in color (concrete), can be mistaken as a Runway.
Solution – Being aware of the runway surface color, seek the darker surface runway when assigned to Rwy 13L.
Bottom Line – San Antonio International Airport is a busy and complex airport. Thorough Pre-Flight Planning, effective communications with ATC, and increased Situational Awareness will avoid the potential errors.
Direct questions to:
Garic Watson, ATC Support Specialist
Garic.Watson@faa.gov
Wk Ph 210-805-5530
