weather impacts to columbia metropolitan airport operations doug anderson – ops 12...
TRANSCRIPT
Weather Impacts to Columbia Metropolitan
Airport Operations
Doug Anderson – “Ops 12” [email protected]
Topics
• Department Overview
• The Airport System
• Severe Weather Processes
• Operational Impacts
• Recent FAA Changes to Airport Winter Ops
IntroducingCAE’s Operations
Department•12 people with diverse educational/aviation backgrounds
• Airline Ops, Pilots, Movement Controllers, Safety, Law Enforcement, Security, Military Airfield Ops, Meteorology
•Diversity aids “big picture” decision-making•Emergency, routine and non-routine airport events•2600+ acre facility … we make it happen!
•Established as a separate department in 1995• 2 Coordinators on duty at all times• (803) 822-5050, [email protected]
Airport Operations Center
Areas of Responsibility
• Airfield Certification, Inspections, NOTAMs• FAR Part 77 & 139 Compliance/Certification• Emergency and Routine Dispatch• Tenant Severe/Winter Weather Notification• Airport Facility Inspections• Airfield Driver Training and Orientation• Maintenance Work Order Submittal• And….anything else to keep CAE running!
Airport System
• Landside Component (ground movement)• Passengers, cargo to/from from the air interface
• Roads, parking, pax/cargo unloading ramps• GA (FBOs), fuel farms, pax/cargo terminals (the “bridge”)
• Airside Component (air movement)• Air interface - aircraft around airport, to/from the air
• Airfield - runways, taxiways, aprons, approach systems, lighting, etc.
• Airspace – just as important as any ground-based asset
Airport System
• Weather…especially unplanned creates DELAYS
• Can lead to poor operational decisions, affects:• Capacity…ability to handle traffic volume over time• Safety (concern #1)• Costs up...revenues (concern #2) down
• We are a heavily-dependent “weather intel” user• Good intel aids decision processes
Severe Weather Processes•Receipt of NWSFO Columbia Watch/Warning
•Also receive crash phone calls from tower….tornado!
•Disseminate to airport agencies/tenants•Radio, telephone:
•Fixed Base Operators (General Aviation and Fueling)•Airlines•Cargo Carriers•Airline Maintenance•Contractors (airport construction)•Key CAE Staff, Police and ARFF
Severe Weather Processes
•Increase METWATCH, Airfield/Facility Inspections•Winter weather…pavement condition, friction surveys•Implement Snow/Ice Control Plan (more later)
•Anticipate and implement emergency plans
•Protect people…shelter areas…evacuations•Increase airfield, facility inspection frequency•Issue NOTAMs•Coordinate, aid in accomplishing recovery/repair efforts
Weather Impacts
•Low Ceilings and Visibilities• Maintenance coordination – generators for Cat II/III ILS• Airfield lighting, NAVAIDs, approach lighting• Other airports….divert flow & parking, ramp space• Vehicular traffic flow, public safety• Passenger overflow/security and public safety issues
•Precipitation•Airside
• Ponding, taxiway and runway friction/safety• Airfield marking/lighting
•Landside• Vehicle/pedestrian traffic safety• Physical plant impacts
Weather Impacts
• High winds• Runway selection/crosswinds
• Airside flow impeded
• Airfield fixtures…lighting, signage• Power issues• Road blockages
• Landside flow impeded
• Ramp safety…projectiles/maintenance• Passenger/employee comfort/injuries (response)
• Thunderstorms• All of the above, plus
• Fueling and airfield lightning safety
July 18, 2007
Lightning Damage!
High Winds
Erosion
Drainage/Runoff
Drainage/Runoff
Ponding…attractant to wildlife
Old Man Winter
Climatology data helps CAE plan each season…chemical, equipment and personnel
Winter Weather Operations
•New to CAE…NAC Dynamic Friction Tester
ImpactsEarly notice helps us swing into gear!
Implement Snow and Ice Control PlanRecall Personnel, Position EquipmentBegin Anti-Ice Agent ApplicationContinuous Monitoring…Continuous ActionRunway/Taxiway/Ramp Condition SurveysTimely and Accurate Notices to Airmen
Winter Weather Operations
•Pavement Area Condition•Braking Action•Directional Control •Runway Incursion Potential•Roads, Parking Areas and Traffic Safety
•Plowing Operations…Safety Issues•Obscured lighting/signage/NAVAIDs•Damaged lighting/signage•Windrowed/drifted snow…obstruction hazards
CAE Snow Removal Priorities
FAA Winter Ops Guidance•FAA Advisory Circular 150/520-30C (12/9/08)•Weather Support to Deicing Decision Making (WSDDM) systems, surface condition sensors & other technology•Changes this winter:
•No known correlation between “Mu” and braking action•‘MEDIUM’ braking action term no longer used
•ICAO term ‘FAIR’ now used instead
• 2 consecutive ‘POOR’ braking action PIREPs•Must conduct runway condition assessments•Continuous monitoring, timely & accurate NOTAMs required
•Any PIREP of ‘NIL’ closes the runway
The Bottom Line…
•We appreciate your efforts!•Airport system interfaces landside to airside•Weather impacts the entire airport system•It’s not just ceilings and visibility!•Your support key to a safe facility enabling safe aircraft operations and landside passenger flow
•How can we support you?
Questions?
Thanks for your time!