Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

These NOTAMs are informational in nature. Current NOTAMs are available from Flight Service Stations at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433). Notices, restrictions, and advisories may change at any time and without notice. Do not attempt any operation in the National Airspace System without first obtaining and understanding a thorough pre-flight briefing.

NOTICES TO AIRMEN (NOTAM) FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATIONAL EVALUATION OF RUNWAY STATUS LIGHTS (RWSL) AT THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DALLAS, TEXAS

PURPOSE

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be conducting an assessment of Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs), part of the Runway Status Lights System (RWSL), on Runway 18L/36R at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) commencing on or about December 22, 2005, and continuing for approximately one year. The existing Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) will continue to operate along with the newly installed THLs. RWSL is an experimental system that uses both primary and secondary surveillance to dynamically turn on/off lights. RWSL seeks to improve airport safety by indicating when it is unsafe to cross, enter or take off from a runway. RWSL is an automatic, advisory backup system expected to prevent or reduce the severity of runway incursions.

LIGHTING

RWSL conveys the runway occupancy status, indicating when a runway is unsafe to enter through the use of in-pavement warning Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) and when it is unsafe to take off through the use of in-pavement warning Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs). RELs and THLs have been installed on Runway 18L/36R.

The RELs are a series of five red, in-pavement lights spaced evenly along the taxiway centerline from the taxiway hold line to the runway edge. One REL is placed just before the hold line and one REL is placed near the runway centerline. All RELs are directed toward the runway hold line and are oriented to be visible only to pilots and vehicle operators entering or crossing the runway from that location. RELs are operational at the following intersections of Runway 18L/36R:

• West Side: at Taxiways Y, Z, WJ, WK, G8, WL, WM, B, and A

• East Side: at Taxiways Y, Z, B, and A

THLs are directed toward the approach end of the runway and are visible to pilots 1) in position for takeoff, or 2) just commencing departure, or 3) on final approach to land. There are four sets of THLs, each comprising a series of eleven red in-pavement lights at 100’ spacing along the runway centerline. The four sets of THLs are operational at the full-length and intersection departure positions on Runway 18L/36R, as follows:

• Runway 18L: from 875’ beyond the runway threshold for a length of 1000’ and
  from 875’ beyond the northern edge of the Y taxiway intersection for a length of 1000’
  

• Runway 36R: from 875’ beyond the runway threshold for a length of 1000’ and
  from 875’ beyond the southern edge of the A taxiway intersection for a length of 1000’

Full Text (pdf)

FAA Pilot NOTAMS

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