Category - Runway/Ramp

Logan Int'l Builds Concrete Pier Over Boston Harbor to Support Runway Safety Area Extension

Surrounded on three sides by environmentally protected waters, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) faced formidable challenges when complying with FAA-required runway safety area improvements.

Collin County Regional Thinks Big with Replacement Runway

Runway 18-36 at Collin County Regional Airport (TKI) is more than a new takeoff and landing surface. It's the centerpiece of $43.4 million in recent airfield improvements and a concrete example of local optimism and support for the North Texas general aviation airport.

Mitchell Int'l Finishes Runway Safety Area Improvements Ahead of Deadline

Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) undoubtedly gained favor with the FAA in August, when it completed a seven-year, $70 million series of runway safety area (RSA) projects three years ahead of a congressional deadline.

Taxiway Modifications Ease Traffic Congestion During Runway Expansion at Fort Lauderdale Int'l

In January, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida broke ground on a $791 million expansion of Runway 9R-27L that will claim it a spot of distinction in the U.S. airport system. When completed in 2014, the south end of the 8,000-foot runway will reside 65 feet above ground and extend over both railroad tracks and U.S. Highway 1.

Denver Int'l Upgrades Airfield Lighting

Before a $6.64 million airfield lighting project was completed at Denver International (DEN) last spring, the airport's surface movement guidance and control system (SMGCS) needed a major upgrade. The system, which was installed in the 1990s, included stop bar lights at runway entrances for all six runways but no in-pavement runway guard lights. In addition, its multimode fiber optic cable was old and some of the connectors were starting to break off, explains DEN's Electrical Support Engineer Heather McKee.

Air Force Academy Ditches Grass for Synthetic Turf

When the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, (KAFF) invested $5.4 million in 19 new gliders last year, officials knew that its sailplane landing area would no longer suffice. Dried clumps of native grasses made for an extremely rough landing surface that was overstressing and fatiguing the aircraft.

Bob Sikes Airport Installs New Fuel-Resistant Asphalt

What began as an ordinary apron rehab at a general aviation facility in the Florida Panhandle ended with all the markings of an industry-changing project.

Fairchild Air Force Base Reconstructs Sole Runway

When the sole runway at Fairchild Air Force Base exhibited signs of excessive deterioration, civil engineers recommended shutting down the landing surface for complete reconstruction. The decision was pivotal, as Fairchild's airfield (SKA) is home to the 141st Washington Air National Guard Refueling Wing and the 92nd Air Refueling Wing (part of the Air Mobility Command) - groups that provide core aerial refueling activities for the U.S. Air Force. In essence, they maintain an air bridge across the nation and world to support U.S. and allied forces.

San Diego Int'l Switches to LED Runway Status Lights

Despite the best efforts of air traffic controllers, pilots and ground support staff, runway incursions can still occur. One of the FAA's frontline strategies to help further reduce incursions - Runway Status Lights (RWSL) - took another step forward in November, when the system at San Diego International Airport (SAN) was updated with LEDs.

Despite Mild Winter, O'Hare Flexes its Snow Ops Muscle

As one of the busiest airports in the country, operations at O'Hare International (ORD) can impact the entire air traffic system. Even during unpredictable winter weather, it's vital for the large Chicago hub to run safely and smoothly. Thanks to its award-winning operations team, ORD continues to meet the challenges that roll in with the Windy City's winter storms.

Alternate Landing Surface Keeps Air Traffic Moving at Northwest Arkansas Regional

When Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) was built in 1998 to replace the commercial component at Fayetteville's Drake Field, no one expected its sole runway would need to be completely reconstructed 13 years later.

Vancouver Int'l Installs Ground Run-up Enclosure to Cut Maintenance Noise in Half

With round-the-clock operations and an urban location, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has long been attuned to noise issues. In December, Vancouver Airport Authority finished a $12 million project to help keep peace with YVR's neighbors. A new ground run-up enclosure (GRE) - Canada's first - is expected to cut the acoustic impact of ground run-ups in half. The structure will also serve as a deicing station - another industry first.

Canadian Airport Lights the Way to Increased Business

The new, improved Niagara District Airport (YCM) is open and ready for business. With the aid of a $12 million grant from the Canadian Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Niagara District Airport Commission took a build it and they will come approach to stimulating air traffic and associated business development at the airport.

O'Hare Int'l Applies Cooler, Greener Taxiway Asphalt

In an ongoing effort to find ways to go green and boost social responsibility during its massive modernization program, O'Hare became the first airport in the Midwest to apply warm-mix asphalt to an airport taxiway.

Memphis Int'l Trains Local Contractors in Airfield Maintenance

Memphis International Airport (MEM) spends about $1 million a year maintaining its 5,000 acres of pavement, and contractors outside the region typically win the work.

Denver Int'l Revamps Pavement Markings Program

As the third largest international airport in the world, Denver International Airport (DEN) has a large volume of pavement markings to maintain throughout its 53-square-mile footprint. Surfaces include 500 lane miles of roadway (inside and outside the fence), six runways totaling 76,000 linear feet, 46,000 parking spots and about 50 lane miles of underground tunnel used to transfer baggage between concourses. In addition, there are deicing pads, aircraft parking areas and holding lots for cabs, limousines, buses and courtesy vans.

Manassas Apron Project Reaps Rewards from Reclamation Efforts

When Manassas Regional Airport completed the final phase of its nearly $11 million East Apron Rehabilitation and Expansion Program last fall, airport officials felt like they received a "two-fer." Recycling existing pavement saved both time and money.

Orlando Int'l Maximizes Taxiway Lighting Efficiency with Advanced Power Supply System

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has a long history of cutting-edge airfield improvements. More than 20 years ago, it was one of the first airports to convert to a computerized lighting control system. Last year, it was the first to install an operational FAA-sponsored runway status light system.

Denver Int'l & Portland Jetport Stand Ready for New Glycol Regs

Airports throughout the country are taking stock of their aircraft deicing strategies and wastewater systems as they anticipate new effluent limitation guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October. The updated federal standards are expected to require commercial airports to collect a predetermined portion of their dispensed glycol and treat the resulting wastewater on- or off-site.

Collaboration & Quality Control Yield Lasting Runway Markings at Ocala Int'l

In early 2009, Runway 18-36 at Ocala International Airport in Florida was a patchwork of different pavements, and it had been nearly 20 years since its last rehabilitation or significant maintenance.

Charlotte Douglas Int'l Takes Over Deicing Operations

In an effort to control glycol recovery and improve deicing times, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) took over US Airways' deicing operations last winter and purchased 28 new deicing trucks.

Arcata-Eureka Airport Adds Runway Safety Area

Extra runway length helps small regional airports attract larger jets and more passengers. But options are limited when an airport's runway ends at a cliff that drops 200 feet into the Pacific Ocean.

Abbotsford Int'l Chooses Prefab Field Electrical Center

In the midst of already heavy airside construction, simplicity was the guiding principle when Abbotsford International in British Columbia, Canada, chose a prefabricated airfield lighting field electrical center (ALFEC) and associated control and monitoring system for its air traffic control tower.

Fort Wayne Int'l Improves Airfield Safety with Perimeter Road Reconstruction

Until late last year, Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) in Indiana operated under trying circumstances, to say the least. Because the airport's fixed-base operations (FBO) and fuel farm were located on opposite sides of the airfield, fuel trucks regularly crossed an active runway to conduct standard fueling operations.

San Diego Int'l Uses Mobile System to Test Runway Lighting

At San Diego International Airport (SAN), runway lighting is tested on the go. A pickup pulls a two-wheeled trailer that houses an array of sensors, which feed data to a laptop computer in the cab of the truck. The trailer is also equipped with a global positioning system that pinpoints and records the exact location of underperforming lights.

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