We're pleased to announce that ABARnet™, today’s leading runway friction measuring and reporting platform, complies with the aircraft braking measurement standard recently released by ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials.

The new ASTM International Standard E3266 for Friction-Limited Aircraft Braking Measurements and Reporting, published in November 2020, applies to systems that measure and report on braking forces and runway friction. This standard applies to any automated system that uses data from an aircraft to create what ASTM International calls an Aircraft Braking Action Report. According to ASTM International, any such system may be installed on an aircraft or operated remotely.

“With ASTM International Standard E3266, the aviation world now has a definitive international standard that provides objective measuring and quantifying of the actual landing risk on wet or contaminated runway surfaces experienced by commercial aircraft,” said Joe Vickers, CEO of AST.

“This important advance brings not only significant safety benefits but improved operational efficiency and runway maintenance. The new standard embodies the march of progress as we evolve from subjective assessments of runway conditions to objective, science-based measurements. We’re proud that our SafeLand™ system, which currently measures and reports on real-time data from more than 2,000 commercial aircraft wherever they land, complies with this new standard.”

The AST SafeLand™ system provides aircraft operators, airports, and regulatory bodies with live information about wheel braking coefficients based on actual braking data from previously-landed aircraft. SafeLand’s Braking Action Reports deliver real-time insight into runway conditions based on data collected from aircraft-based sensors. The aircraft sensors allow measurement of the precise braking action of landing aircraft based on surface conditions and the impact of contaminants such as water, ice, or snow. These real-time reports can be made instantly available to incoming aircraft, ground personnel, airport operations, and authorities. Using this information, pilots can improve their landing decisions while airports can improve their surface management strategies. The bottom line is enhanced safety, more efficient operations, higher runway uptime, and more reliable flight schedules for passengers.

“What are the actual runway surface conditions? What is the measured braking action? Making this information available to an incoming pilot increases safety beyond conventional subjective assessments,” said Vickers. “AST provides data-based reports based on previous landings to help approaching pilots make better safety-related decisions and airport personnel optimize runway maintenance and uptime. This is hugely valuable insight.”

Other updates regarding the new ASTM International standard include:

• Transport Canada will be the first aviation body to officially recognize ASTM International’s aircraft braking measurement standard (E3266) in their Advisory Circulars on Air Operators and Braking Action Reporting. The draft document is finished and is under comments. It is scheduled for release in 2021.

• FAA is exploring methodologies to confirm compliance, clearing the path to operationalize the application of the ASTM International standard.

• Major commercial carriers continue to broaden their adoption of the ASTM International-compliant SafeLand™ system, with approximately 300 additional aircraft being added to the AST ecosystem during the upcoming winter season.

About ABARnet™

AST’s ABARnet™ braking measurement and reporting network utilizes approved data taken directly from landing aircraft. This approach is recognized by the FAA and Transport Canada as the most precise technology for measuring actual braking friction. Our technology complies with ASTM International Standard E3266, the official aircraft braking measurement standard.

Our ABARs are hull-agnostic so we can work with today's diverse fleets – Boeing, Airbus, and other manufacturers. And ABARnet is cloud-based for easy distribution and access by participants.

With over 23 million landings recorded, AST enables advanced analytics on runway friction for airlines and airports. Network participants can review past landings and access reports for any operating region, in any required format: FICONs, NOTAMs, RCAMs, and more. This information and flexibility not only help pilots make informed landing decisions but also support airports and the FAA in optimizing surface management strategies.

The result is safer, more efficient operations and more reliable flight schedules for passengers.

Learn more about ABARs here.

About Aviation Safety Technologies

Aviation Safety Technologies (AST) is the world’s leading provider of Aircraft Braking Action Reports, which have been recognized by the FAA and Transport Canada as the most precise methodology for measuring and reporting on real-time braking action and runway friction conditions. Our mission is to elevate aviation safety and operations through data-driven insights.

AST continues to innovate as an affiliate of the Dillon Kane Group (DKG), a technology collective with a 24-year track record of innovation and growth, driving impactful solutions across diverse industries.

For more information, contact:

Joe Vickers
Aviation Safety Technologies
joe.vickers@avsafetech.com
+1 708-882-6438