Definition
An FAA Advisory Circular titled 'Engineered Materials Standards for Aircraft Overruns,' which sets the design and performance standards for Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) installed at the ends of airport runways to safely decelerate aircraft that overrun the runway.
Plain English
An FAA guidance document that tells airports how to design and build the crushable concrete beds at the end of runways that stop aircraft if they roll off the far end.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbook references, figure captions, and airport design discussions about EMAS installations at runway ends.
Derivation
AC stands for 'Advisory Circular,' the FAA's standard format for issuing non-regulatory guidance. The number 150/5220-22A identifies the series (150 = airports), the topic group (5220 = airport safety equipment), and the specific document (22), with 'A' marking the first revision.
Why Pilots Care
EMAS built to this standard gives pilots an extra safety layer during runway overruns, reducing the chance of aircraft damage or injury.
Intuition Check
AC here does not mean alternating current or air conditioning. In this FAA reference, it means Advisory Circular, a guidance document.
Example Sentence 1
The EMAS bed at the end of Runway 13 was designed and installed in accordance with AC 150/5220-22A.
Example Sentence 2
Before landing at an unfamiliar airport, the pilot reviewed the runway information and confirmed it had an EMAS system meeting AC 150/5220-22A requirements.