One of the main challenges at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, CO, is keeping the runways and taxiways open during severe winter weather. And in that neck of the woods, snowy conditions are common.
In addition to accommodating charter flights, private aircraft, military operations and medevac services, APA also regularly receives diversions from airports in Aspen and Eagle, CO. Waiting for the weather to pass is not typically an option— especially for aircraft on lifesaving missions.
“We are one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country,” says Executive Director Mike Fronapfel.
 facts&figures
Project: Upgrading Snow Removal Fleet Location: Centennial Airport, in Englewood, CO Main Runway: 10,000 ft. long, 100 ft. wide New Equipment: Oshkosh* HT Truck & XT Broom for plowing, sweeping & blowing snow Local Dealer: O.J. Watson Cost: $1.1 million/vehicle Funding: Airport’s general operating budget Timeline: Vehicles ordered in 2022, delivered in Nov. 2024 & Feb. 2025 Key Benefit: Faster, more efficient snow removal Other Snow Removal Equipment: 18 pieces total, including a 2025 MB4 Snowblower; 2013 Western Star with Epoke deicer; 2004 Oshkosh P-Series plow Annual Operations: 305,000 (including 6,107 medevac) Main Medevac Providers: Children’s Hospital Colorado; Flight for Life Colorado; iCare Ambulance FBOs: Jet Centers of Colorado; Signature Flight Support; Modern Aviation Based Tenants: 125 Associated Project: Expanding snow removal equipment building Cost: $4.5 million Funding: Airport’s general operating budget Completed: Feb. 2024 Key Benefits: Room for new multi-function vehicles; rest area for crew members * In July 2023, Aebi Schmidt Group acquired Oshkosh Corporation’s Snow Products business and integrated the line into its subsidiary M-B Companies. |
In all, APA logged about 305,000 operations in 2025, and Fronapfel expects the 2026 total to be even higher. “We would have had more operations last year, but we had a shortage of air traffic controllers,” he shares. “This year, the control tower is fully staffed again, so I expect significantly more operations this year.”
Fortunately, APA has two new multi-function snow machines with plowing, sweeping and blowing capabilities to support its snow removal operations. An Oshkosh HT Truck and Oshkosh XT Broom that cost $1.1 million each were ordered in 2022, and the airport took delivery in fall 2024 and early 2025.
The vehicles were selected for their ability to quickly clear airfield pavement and adapt to fluctuating weather conditions. According to Fronapfel, the new equipment can clear APA’s 10,000-foot main runway and chief taxiways in about 35 minutes. “Our previous equipment would have taken approximately the same amount of time to clear the main runway and chief taxiways, but it required three different people operating three separate pieces of equipment,” notes Maintenance Director Matt Smith. “The primary advantage of the new machines isn’t necessarily a reduction in the overall clearing time, but rather that one operator can now accomplish the work using a single multi-function machine. More importantly, the new equipment provides a much cleaner finished product, removing significantly more of the compacted snow and ice from the runway, leaving a better surface for aircraft operations.”
Smith is especially excited about the new efficiencies. “Our previous plow setup included a 2023 trailer, which was outfitted on a 2011 truck. That vehicle could not keep up during a heavy snowstorm,” he remarks. “We can now clear our airfield much faster.”
With a maintenance staff of only six people, productivity is imperative. “With the previous setup, the operator would have to return to the maintenance facility and switch into a different vehicle when changing equipment. The process of having to return to the building and then change vehicles was inefficient,” Smith explains.
The cabs of the new multi-function vehicles include modern electronic controls, an adjustable heater, air conditioning and heated seats. New LED lighting improves visibility for drivers. “Our guys have to work throughout a snowstorm; we do not have shifts,” Smith relates. “So it is important that the cabs are comfortable for the driver.”
Equipment dealer O.J. Watson provided a full day of training when the first new vehicle was delivered in fall 2024, before it snowed. “We did a practice run on dry pavement so our guys got a feel for the steering, and the functions of all the buttons,” Smith says.
When the second vehicle was delivered a few months later, crew members only needed a brief refresher session, which was also performed on dry pavement.
“With the new machine, we have two separate, independent engines. One engine powers the truck and plow, and the second engine powers the broom and blower,” Smith relates. “If feasible, maintenance staff have the flexibility to unhook the broom and plow separately.”
When Every Second Counts
While all airport users will benefit from faster airfield maintenance during winter, it is especially significant for medevac providers. “They need to take off or land as quickly as possible,” Smith emphasizes.
Last year, APA supported 6,107 lifesaving flights—a noteworthy average of 16.7 medevac operations per day. Air ambulance tenants and services based at APA and elsewhere that provide emergency medical flights throughout the region depend on the airport’s operational readiness to support their lifesaving missions, even during nasty winter storms.
For instance, iCare Ambulance transferred approximately 2,700 critical patients and transplant organs between APA and area hospitals last year alone.
“Centennial Airport plays a vital role in the chain of survival by connecting nearly 16 million people across surrounding states to the expert care provided by Denver’s specialty hospitals,” said Ryan Holland, chief of iCare Ambulance LLC, in a press release earlier this year about APA’s new snow removal machines.
Children’s Hospital Colorado bases two aircraft at the airfield and transports 700 to 750 patients to its hospital and other facilities throughout the region every year.
Flight for Life Colorado, the first critical care transport program in the United States, is another key tenant. It bases two medically configured turboprops at the airport (one active, one for back-up) and conducts about 720 fixed-wing arrivals and departures annually.
Several other emergency services operate out of APA, including AirLife, Peak Medevac, HealthONE and Air Methods.
Let it Snow
To prepare for the arrival of its large new multi-function vehicles, the airport expanded its storage building for snow removal equipment. The $4.5 million project, which also added a rest area for crew members, was completed in February 2024. Like the vehicle acquisitions, the facility expansion was paid for with funds from the airport’s general operations budget, with no financing needed.
Fronapfel expects to fully utilize the expanded facility and new multi-function vehicles this winter. “Last winter (2025-2026) was very mild here, with little snow,” he relates. “We couldn’t really give these machines a full test. I anticipate that this winter will allow us to do that. I believe we are sufficiently prepared for what Mother Nature throws at us.”
