Frangibility: A critical aerodrome safety feature

Ever wondered why the lights and signs around an airport runway seem designed to yield easily? This critical safety feature is known as frangibility.

In essence, frangibility refers to the ability of an object to break, distort, or yield upon impact, thereby minimising damage to an aircraft and its occupants.

Consider an aircraft veering off the runway. Should it strike a rigid light pole or a solid sign, the consequences could be severe. Frangible aerodrome equipment, however, is specifically engineered to shatter or collapse upon impact. This design absorbs kinetic energy, preventing the aircraft from sustaining significant structural damage or experiencing a more catastrophic event, such as a wing separation or fuel tank rupture.

This principle extends beyond asset protection; it is fundamentally about safeguarding lives. International aviation regulations, including those established by ICAO, mandate frangibility for all objects situated in critical areas near runways. This includes essential components such as approach lighting systems, runway signage and certain navigational aids. These seemingly delicate structures are, in fact, integral to a robust safety framework, diligently performing their role by breaking away when it matters most.

At Aviation Projects, we provide trusted advice about airport planning, development and operations, airspace and instrument flight procedure design and aviation safeguarding. Contact us today.