AIM Text
- Certain airports are equipped with a means of rapidly stopping military aircraft on a runway. This equipment, normally referred to as EMERGENCY ARRESTING GEAR, generally consists of pendant cables supported over the runway surface by rubber “donuts.” Although most devices are located in the overrun areas, a few of these arresting systems have cables stretched over the operational areas near the ends of a runway.
- Arresting cables which cross over a runway require special markings on the runway to identify the cable location. These markings consist of 10 feet diameter solid circles painted “identification yellow,” 30 feet on center, perpendicular to the runway centerline across the entire runway width. Additional details are contained in AC 150/5220-9, Aircraft Arresting Systems for Joint Civil/Military Airports.
- Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS). EMAS, which is constructed of high energy-absorbing materials of selected strength, is located in the safety area beyond the end of the runway. EMAS will be marked with yellow chevrons. EMAS is designed to crush under the weight of commercial aircraft and will exert deceleration forces on the landing gear. These systems do not affect the normal landing and takeoff of airplanes. More information concerning EMAS is in AC 150/5220-22, Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for Aircraft Overruns.
FIG 2-3-42
Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS)
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 2-3-14.
Research Notes
AIM 2-3-14 covers Aircraft Arresting Systems — emergency aircraft stopping systems.
Major types:
- Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS): Crushable concrete blocks at the runway end. Aircraft sinks in and decelerates. Used at airports without sufficient runway end safety area.
- Tail hook + arresting cable: Military aircraft. Cable stretched across runway, hooks tail hook on landing.
- Net barriers: Catch aircraft that overrun the runway. Less common in U.S. civil aviation.
Operational consideration: Engaging an arresting system damages the aircraft and the system. Used only in emergencies. Pilots must be aware of arresting systems at airports with limited overrun protection.
Reference: AIM 2-3-14; AC 150/5220-22B (EMAS for Aircraft Overruns).