Into the Fog: STL Photo of the Week

Posted on November 02, 2018 in

Fog, while not an uncommon weather phenomenon, presents an additional challenge to an already complex system of rules and regulations that maintain airfield safety. On the morning of Friday, November 2 heavy fog set in at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), requiring the initiation of a special set of procedures. When visibility on the airfield falls below 1200 feet Runway Visibility Range (RVR), the Air Traffic Control Tower will initiate Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS) procedures. When SMGCS procedures are in place, the brightness of the airfield lighting is increased and a pre-approved low visibility taxilane route for aircraft is adhered to. The initiation of SMGCS also requires additional runway and taxiway inspections to ensure all airfield lights are functioning properly. Once visibility is over 1200 feet RVR, Air Traffic Control will terminate the SMGCS procedures. STL was under SMGCS procedures for 86 minutes on the morning of November 2.