Which positions are responsible for visually scanning the runway?

• A. Tower Control and Local Control
• B. Local Control and Ground Control
• C. Local Controller and Ground Controller
• D. Ground Control and Flight Data

Answer: (B)

The runway is watched by the people directly managing the aircraft on and around the surface to maintain safe movement. The Local Controller focuses on the runway area, handling arrivals and departures and keeping a current visual picture of runway occupancy and aircraft in the airspace near the runway. The Ground Controller watches and guides aircraft as they taxi on the movement areas, including runways when needed, and must visually detect potential conflicts on the surface. Together, Local Control and Ground Control provide continuous visual scanning of the runway environment to prevent collisions and coordinate clearances. Flight Data isn’t involved in visually scanning the runway, and Tower Control is generally tied to overall takeoff/landing approvals, but the on-scene observers for runway scanning are Local Control and Ground Control.