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To prevent aircraft overruns, airports need runway surfaces that stay safe and consistent in every season, especially in wet weather. Once moisture hits the pavement, braking performance drops fast, and that effect only gets worse when layers of rubber begin to build up in the touchdown zone. Over time, that rubber creates a slick film that turns a safe landing surface into a real hazard.
For FAA Part 139 airports, keeping surfaces in top shape is not just a best practice, it is a requirement. Regular inspections, friction testing, and proactive pavement care are how airports protect passengers, aircraft, and their own liability exposure.
Aircraft overruns usually happen when a landing aircraft can’t slow down enough to stop before the end of the runway. Wet weather plays a big role in that. Water sits on top of rubber buildup and creates a layer that separates the tire from the microtexture of the pavement. With no grip, the aircraft loses braking action, and stopping distances grow quickly.
That’s why rubber removal is such an important part of any pavement maintenance program. Even a small amount of rubber can make a big difference, and staying ahead of it is one of the easiest ways to prevent aircraft overruns year after year.
Why EMAS Isn’t the Fix
Yes, EMAS works. It can stop an aircraft in an overrun, and it has saved lives. But it is a last-resort tool. Once an aircraft reaches the EMAS bed, the airport is looking at aircraft damage, investigations, and a lot of paperwork. The goal should be to prevent aircraft overruns long before an EMAS ever comes into play.
Great runway friction is what makes that possible, and that starts with smart, consistent pavement maintenance.
The Water Blasting Problem: A Cycle That Costs Airports More
High-pressure water blasting is the go-to method for rubber removal at many airports because it seems faster and reduces immediate runway downtime. But here’s the part that isn’t talked about enough:
Water blasting forces airports into doing more maintenance, not less.
The pressure is so intense that it gradually erodes the fine texture of the pavement. That microtexture is what provides grip, especially in wet weather. Once that texture is damaged, friction drops more quickly after each cleaning. The runway becomes slick sooner, which means airports have to clean more often just to stay compliant.
It turns into a vicious cycle:
- Rubber builds up
- The airport brings in water blasting
- The blasting removes rubber but strips texture
- Friction drops faster
- Rubber removal has to happen again even sooner
- The surface continues to get weaker
- Eventually the pavement needs to be resurfaced long before its expected lifecycle
In the end, the time and cost savings that made water blasting attractive in the first place disappear. Airports end up with more frequent downtime, more frequent cleanings, and higher long-term pavement rehabilitation costs.
There’s a better way to prevent aircraft overruns without damaging the runway you’re trying to protect.
Prevent Aircraft Overruns the Smarter Way with Avion50
Avion50 breaks the cycle by giving airports a safe, fast, and cost-effective way to remove rubber without tearing up their pavement.
Instead of paying for expensive contractors or investing in high-pressure water systems, airports can use equipment they already own. Snow brooms, spray rigs, and water trucks all work with Avion50’s fast-acting formula. That means you can clean when it works for your schedule, not when an outside crew is available.
Here’s why Avion50 is such an effective tool for preventing overruns:
- It preserves runway texture instead of damaging it
- It is biodegradable and environmentally safe
- It works fast and lifts rubber without harsh chemicals
- It costs just pennies per square foot, making routine maintenance realistic for airports of any size
- It integrates easily into seasonal training and in-house maintenance planning
By keeping friction high and rubber buildup under control, Avion50 helps airports stay ahead of safety issues and gives pilots the braking action they need in wet conditions.
Taking Back Control of Runway Safety
At the end of the day, the best way to prevent aircraft overruns is through consistent, proactive pavement maintenance. When airports control their own cleaning schedule, protect their pavement texture, and avoid the hidden costs of aggressive water blasting, they’re able to maintain safer runways year-round.
Avion50 gives airports that control. It keeps rubber buildup from becoming a safety risk and helps operators maintain compliance without stretching their maintenance budgets or sacrificing the long-term health of their pavement.
If you want to prevent overruns, restore friction, and extend pavement life all at once, Avion50 is how you do it.