ADR.OPS.B.027 Operation of vehicles

(a)     The driver of a vehicle on the manoeuvring area shall operate the vehicle:

(1)     only as authorised by the air traffic services unit, and in accordance with the instructions issued by that unit;

(2)     in compliance with all mandatory instructions conveyed by markings and signs unless otherwise authorised by the air traffic services unit;

(3)     in compliance with all mandatory instructions conveyed by lights.

(b)     The driver of a vehicle on the manoeuvring area shall operate the vehicle in accordance with the following rules:

(1)     emergency vehicles that proceed to the assistance of an aircraft in distress shall be afforded priority over all other surface movement traffic;

(2)     subject to the provisions of point (1):

(i)      vehicles and vehicles towing aircraft shall give way to aircraft which are landing, taking off, or taxiing;

(ii)     vehicles that do not tow aircraft shall give way to vehicles towing aircraft;

(iii)     vehicles that do not tow aircraft shall give way to other vehicles that do not tow aircraft in accordance with the air traffic services unit instructions;

(iv)     notwithstanding the provisions of points (i), (ii) and (iii), vehicles and vehicles towing aircraft shall comply with the instructions issued by the air traffic services unit.

(c)      The driver of a radio-equipped vehicle, intending to operate or operating on the manoeuvring area, shall:

(1)     establish satisfactory two-way radio communication with the air traffic services unit on the appropriate air traffic services frequency before entering the manoeuvring area, and maintain a continuous listening watch on the assigned frequency;

(2)     before entering the manoeuvring area, obtain authorisation from the air traffic services unit and shall operate only as authorised by the air traffic services unit. Notwithstanding such an authorisation, entry to a runway or runway strip or change in the operation authorised, shall be subject to a further specific authorisation by the air traffic services unit;

(3)     read back to the air traffic services personnel safety-related parts of the instructions which are transmitted by voice. Instructions to enter, hold short of, cross and operate on any runway, taxiway or runway strip shall always be read back;

(4)     read back to the air traffic services personnel or acknowledge instructions other than in point (3) in a manner to clearly indicate that they have been understood and shall be complied with.

(d)     The driver of a vehicle that is operating in the manoeuvring area, when in doubt as to the position of the vehicle with respect to the manoeuvring area, shall:

(1)     notify the air traffic services unit of the circumstances, including the last known position;

(2)     simultaneously, unless otherwise instructed by the air traffic services unit, vacate the runway, taxiway, or other part of the manoeuvring area, to a safe distance as expeditiously as possible;

(3)     after actions referred to in points (1) and (2), stop the vehicle.

(e)     The driver of a vehicle on the manoeuvring area:

(1)     when operating a vehicle on a runway strip when that runway is used for landing or take-off, shall not approach the runway closer than the distance at which the runway-holding position or any road-holding positions have been established for that runway;

(2)     when a runway is used for landing or take-off, shall not operate a vehicle on:

(i)      the part of the runway strip extending beyond the runway ends of that runway;

(ii)     the runway-end safety areas of that runway;

(iii)     a clearway, if available, at a distance that would endanger an aircraft on the air.

(f)      The driver of a radio-equipped vehicle on the apron shall, if so required at the aerodrome:

(1)     establish satisfactory two-way radio communication with the responsible unit designated by the aerodrome operator before entering the apron;

(2)     maintain a continuous listening watch on the assigned frequency.

(g)     The driver of a vehicle on the apron shall operate the vehicle in accordance with the following:

(1)     only as authorised by the responsible unit designated by the aerodrome operator, and in accordance with the instructions issued by that unit;

(2)     in compliance with all mandatory instructions conveyed by markings and signs unless otherwise authorised by the responsible unit designated by the aerodrome operator;

(3)     in compliance with all mandatory instructions conveyed by lights;

(4)     give way to an emergency vehicle, an aircraft taxiing, about to taxi, or being pushed or towed;

(5)     give way to other vehicles in accordance with local regulations;

(6)     always give priority over emergency vehicles responding to an emergency.

(h)     The driver of a vehicle on the movement area and other operational areas shall:

(1)     operate the vehicle in accordance with the established speed limits and driving routes;

(2)     not be engaged in disturbing or distracting activities while driving;

(3)     comply with the communication requirements and the operational procedures contained in the aerodrome manual.

(i)      The driver of a vehicle escorting another vehicle shall ensure that the driver of the escorted vehicle operates the vehicle in accordance with the instructions given.

(j)      The driver of a vehicle shall park the vehicle only in areas designated by the aerodrome operator.

(k)     The aerodrome operator shall establish and implement procedures to ensure that drivers that operate on the movement area and other operational areas comply with points (a) to (j).