Definition
An FAA program established to reduce the risk of runway incursions, excursions, and confusion events by improving airport surface operations through better signage, markings, lighting, procedures, training, and pilot/controller awareness initiatives.
Plain English
An FAA effort focused on keeping the runway environment safe — preventing aircraft, vehicles, or people from being on a runway when they shouldn't be, and helping pilots stay oriented while taxiing.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see RSP in FAA training material, airport safety discussions, and guidance about avoiding runway crossing mistakes or wrong-runway operations.
Why Pilots Care
Runway incursions are one of the most serious risks in everyday flying. The Runway Safety Program is the source of many of the tools pilots use daily — hot spot symbols on charts, enhanced taxiway markings, and standardized phraseology — all aimed at keeping pilots from being in the wrong place on the airport surface.
Intuition Check
Do not read RSP as a checklist item the pilot completes in the cockpit. It is a broader safety program that supports safer runway use through training, procedures, and airport improvements.
Example Sentence 1
The new taxiway hold-line markings at the airport were introduced under the FAA's Runway Safety Program.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots can review RSP resources to better understand how to avoid surface incidents during taxi operations.