The Runway Safety Area (RSA) is defined as which of the following?

• A. The surface surrounding the runway prepared or suitable for reducing the risk of damage to aircraft in the event of an undershoot, overshoot, or excursion from the runway
• B. The area behind the control tower
• C. A maintenance zone around the runway
• D. The taxiway segment adjacent to the runway

Answer: (A)

The Runway Safety Area is the surface surrounding the runway that is prepared or suitable to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft in the event of an undershoot, overshoot, or excursion from the runway. It extends beyond the runway pavement and is kept free of obstacles, with a surface that can bear aircraft loads and support safe deceleration and recovery if an aircraft departs from the runway. The other options describe areas with different purposes: behind the control tower is for air traffic control operations, a maintenance zone is for upkeep activities, and the taxiway segment adjacent to the runway is for normal aircraft movement, not the safety boundary around the runway.