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Each airport in the National Airspace System has unique and distinct characteristics,
which can sometimes lead pilots to use the wrong surface in taxi, takeoff, or landing operations.
Let's take a look at some of those tricky areas from the flight deck.
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Burlington International, BTV, is a medium-sized multi-use airport located just east of the city of
Burlington, Vermont. It serves the air carrier, general, and corporate aviation communities
as well as being home to the Green Mountain Boys of the Vermont Air National Guard.
The traffic mix of light general aviation, to air carrier to tactical
fighter aircraft makes BTV a challenging environment for pilots and controllers.
The airport configuration consists of the main Runway 1-5-3-3 intersected by the smaller Runway
1-1-9er. Both runways have parallel full-length taxiways. The taxiway system provides access to
all terminals and general aviation services located south of the main runway and to the
military facilities on the north one of the few remaining vors in the region is located at BTV
the associated VOR runway one approach makes it a prime location for student instrument training
in addition BTV has Class Charlie Airspace and pilots need to be aware of it and understand
the requirements to operate within it
Hot spot 1 is located at the intersection of Runway 1-5-3-3, Runway 1-1-9er, Taxiway Alpha,
and Taxiway Echo it is a large expanse of pavement and can be confusing to the itinerant pilot
the possibility of wrong surface departures exists where the two runways intersect pilots departing
from this area should verify aircraft heading with the runway cleared to depart they should match
Hot spot 2 is located at Runway 1-1-9er and Taxiway Charlie this primarily concerns
aircraft exiting the non-movement area and crossing the hold short line for Runway 1-1-9er
pilots need to understand their taxi instructions including route turns and hold short instructions
prior to beginning taxi once moving scanning outside the aircraft for taxiway markings
signage and above ground lights will help pilots avoid this type of error
Hot spot 3 is found at the intersection of Runway 1-1-9er and Taxiway Bravo pilots have
missed the hold short line for the runway and come in conflict with aircraft operating on the runway
Taxiway Bravo also makes a slight turn after crossing Runway 1-1-9er and this has caused
some confusion if pilots are in doubt or unsure of any clearance the best answer is to hold short and
ask the tower they are there to help and they would much rather spend a little extra time
avoiding any mistakes or incidents additionally at hot spots two and three the associated taxiways
provide direct access from ramp areas to the runway this configuration has been identified
as contributing to pilot failure to hold short at the proper location avoiding heads down time and
scanning outside the aircraft for taxiway markings and above ground signage will help mitigate this
type of error one last item to be aware of not listed as a hotspot is the mix of traffic at BTV
fast moving air carrier aircraft and military f-35s sometimes necessitate that the tower delay
smaller slower general aviation aircraft on the ground and in the air rest assured that
the controllers are working to provide the safest and most efficient service possible and will work
you in or out when it is appropriate being aware of the hot spots and other configuration issues
at BTV will help pilots make better decisions and along with the air traffic control tower
keep the operation safe and efficient we hope this short video helps you prepare for your trip
to the Burlington International Airport it's always better to know before you go.
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