People use the phrase 'Don't paint yourself into a corner' to offer advice about everything from business strategies to personal relationships. It also can apply, somewhat literally, to airports that establish years of fixed budgets for airfield marking projects. Sadly, many end up overspending.
The Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, held at Florida's Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), is one of the world's largest aviation events. The popular fly-in and airshow are such a big to-do that the FAA dispatches its most experienced air traffic controllers to manage the 1,200+ daily operations it draws. This would have been the 46th Sun 'n Fun, but like most large events in 2020, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central Iowa may not be the first location that springs to mind for cutting-edge technology breakthroughs, but Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is defying that stereotype. The small hub facility is the first U.S. airport using electrically conductive concrete with embedded electrodes to heat airside pavement. Two test slabs installed on DSM's general aviation apron in 2016 are producing promising results.
With winter weather that is beyond unpredictable, Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) needs top-notch expertise and equipment to keep its airfield clear for aircraft operations. 'There's no typical winter here in Buffalo,' says Airfield Superintendent Joe Guarino. 'There's always something different that happens during a snow event.'
Robbie Lambert recalls his flight instructor repeatedly telling him, 'If you can land at Paoli, you can land anywhere.' It was a profound statement coming from an experienced veteran who once worked as a bush pilot in Alaska. 'With practice, Lambert learned to navigate the challenges of Runway 2-20 at Paoli Municipal Airport (I42) in southern Indiana'and now serves as president of the Paoli Board of Aviation Commissioners.
It's common for airports to uncover unexpected challenges such as unmarked utilities, protected wildlife or even buried aircraft and other military surplus during airfield projects. At Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC), the ground beneath the airfield literally shook during its recent runway rehabilitation.
Earlier this year, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) partnered with one of its long-time vendors to provide two days of airfield pavement and joint repair training at the airport. About 30 DFW pavement maintenance workers and in-house quality control/quality assurance personnel attended the first full-day session on Jan. 29. The following day, members of its Design Code and Construction staff joined contractors from around the country for similar training.
Tom Werner, executive director at Duluth International (DLH), is currently celebrating two big milestones: his 20th year working at the northern Minnesota airport and the recent full-length, full-depth reconstruction of its 10,150-foot main runway. As Werner describes it, the $38 million project spanned five calendar years and completely restored the airport's very backbone.
When Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) in Pullman, WA, cut the ribbon on its new $154 million runway last October, officials celebrated much more than a major capital improvement. They celebrated one of the last steps in a complicated venture that spanned more than 10 years and required cooperation among a long list of key stakeholders.
Last summer was all about opportunity for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida. Its primary runway, 10L-28R, needed to close for 120 days while crews performed a complete rehabilitation; so management took the opportunity to improve several other airfield assets as well.
The newly rebuilt runway at St. George Regional Airport (SGU) doesn't look at all unusual. But its routine appearance belies what's hidden below: a clever feat of engineering and earthwork designed to stop the pavement heaving that doomed the original runway.
Four years of passionate perseverance, determination and hard work paid off on July 19, when Yeager Airport (CRW) finished the $25 million reconstruction of its runway safety area. Completing the project was an important milestone as the West Virginia airport continues to recover after a massive airfield landside that occurred on March 12, 2015.
