Definition
An automated airport surface system that warns air traffic controllers when a runway is occupied by an aircraft or vehicle while another aircraft is on final approach to land on that same runway. It uses runway sensors to detect occupancy and alerts the tower so a go-around or other corrective action can be issued before a collision risk develops.
Plain English
A safety system that tells the control tower when something is still on the runway while a plane is about to land on it, so the controller can act in time.
Context Anchor
Seen in runway safety discussions and at airports equipped with automated systems that warn landing aircraft about runway occupancy.
Why Pilots Care
Allows immediate recognition of runway occupancy so the pilot can decide whether to continue the approach or go around.
Grounding Statement
Picture an aircraft on short final seeing the normal approach lights suddenly flash because another aircraft, vehicle, or object may still be on the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not read “signal” as permission to continue. A Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal is a warning that the runway may not be safe for landing.
Example Sentence 1
The Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal alerted the tower that a vehicle was still on the runway, and the controller immediately instructed the landing aircraft to go around.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots on short final checked the signal before continuing the landing.