Airports

EMAS is being used as a new and unique type of overrun protection for commercial airports. The material is strategically placed at the end of a runway in the form of a bed that crushes under the weight of an aircraft as it travels off the end of the runway. Resistance provided by the crushed material decelerates the aircraft and brings it to a safe stop within the overrun area.

The FAA has tested and approved ESCO's EMAS for use at commercial airports throughout the United States. In March of 2004, FAA issued Policy Order 5200.9 providing EMAS equivalency to a Standard Runway Safety Area (RSA), allowing airports to comply using EMAS in a shorter RSA without having to acquire additional land.