Runway Incursion on a Busy Regional Aerodrome

Hazards: (1) the twin on 3 nm final for Runway 18 - at, say, 120 kt that is about 90 seconds to the threshold; (2) the aircraft on downwind for Runway 27, which could conflict at the runway intersection; (3) the trainee's aircraft accelerates slowly, so a rolling departure takes longer than a typical light aircraft; (4) the instructor is absent, so the trainee is effectively unsupervised and must act conservatively; (5) the trainee's anxiety is itself a hazard - it creates pressure to depart into a conflict.

Correct sequence: do not enter or line up on the runway. Broadcast position and intentions again on the common traffic advisory frequency, stating that the aircraft is holding short and will wait. Monitor the twin's transmissions and confirm it is landing on Runway 18. Wait until the twin has landed and vacated, and the Runway 27 traffic is clear of the intersection, before lining up. If the trainee is unsure, the safest action is to remain holding short and wait for the instructor. There is no requirement to depart before the inbound aircraft, and the common traffic advisory frequency is advisory only - see-and-avoid remains the pilot's responsibility.

Regulatory: the trainee is a student pilot and may only operate under the supervision and authority of the instructor, in accordance with the privileges of the student licence and the flight training syllabus. The instructor remains responsible for the flight and for the student's supervision. Leaving the cockpit on an active apron with the engine running and the student in control is poor practice and may breach the operator's safety management procedures. If the student were to move the aircraft, the flight would be conducted without the required supervision.

Human factors: the student is anxious to depart, which is a classic pressure-to-continue error. The absence of the instructor removes the normal cross-check and the person who would say 'wait'. The student may also feel that waiting looks indecisive. A structured response is to apply a simple decision rule - no departure until the runway and approach are confirmed clear and the instructor is back in the cockpit - and to communicate that intention on the radio. The instructor, on returning, should debrief the decision and reinforce that holding short is the correct, not the weak, choice.

Broadcasts on the common traffic advisory frequency should follow a standard format: aerodrome name, aircraft type and callsign, position, intentions, and the runway in use. For example: '[Aerodrome] traffic, [type and callsign], holding short Runway 18, will wait for the twin on final, [aerodrome].' The broadcast should be made before entering the runway and again before departure. The trainee should state clearly that the aircraft is holding short and will not enter, so the inbound twin and the Runway 27 traffic know the situation. The trainee should also listen out for the twin's 'short final' and 'vacating' calls and for the Runway 27 aircraft's downwind and base calls. Because the frequency is advisory, the trainee must still look outside and confirm the runway and approach are clear before lining up. If a broadcast is stepped on or unclear, the trainee should repeat it rather than assume it was heard.