Definition
A working group convened by the FAA at a specific airport to identify, analyze, and address risks of runway incursions, excursions, and other surface-movement hazards. The team typically includes air traffic controllers, airport operators, pilots, and FAA safety specialists, who jointly review local incidents, signage, markings, procedures, and recommend corrective actions.
Plain English
A group of aviation experts that meets at a particular airport to study how runway accidents and close calls happen there, then proposes fixes to make the runways safer.
Context Anchor
You may see RSAT in FAA safety material, airport safety meetings, or discussions about runway safety improvements at a specific airport.
Why Pilots Care
Helps reduce the risk of runway accidents by addressing local safety issues proactively.
Intuition Check
Do not read RSAT as a clearance, checklist item, or emergency response team. It is a runway safety planning group, not an instruction to a pilot.
Example Sentence 1
After several incursion events at the airport, the FAA convened an RSAT to review taxi procedures and recommend changes.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots may be invited to participate in RSAT meetings to provide operational insights.