b'84 MCIINFO TECHNOLOGY and he was intrigued by virtual ramp control. During the designsubcontractor to operate the system. The project kicked off process, he and his technology team visited Fort Lauderdale- promptly in January 2022 for a Feb. 28, 2023, go-live date. Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which has been usingThe schedule was critical, and there was no room for error, a VRCS since 2017. Its system is an integration of manyTrommel says. Between the contract award and having the components. system ready was about 13 months, which is pretty quick. The team then saw the Saab system in action at George Bush International Airport (IAH) in Houston, and was impressed.Staffing Up Here, United Airlines is responsible for staffing the ramp controlNathan Bourgeois, division manager of positions. At FLL, however, the airport partners with RobinsonAviation Services for Robinson, brought a Aviation Inc. for operating staff. After seeing both approacheshost of experience to MCI. Bourgeois has and reviewing the proposals, Redhead felt a collaboration withbeen with the company for 18 years10 as a Robinson would work at MCI, too.traffic controller and six years managing an air One of the reasons I was impressed with Saab is becausetraffic control tower; then he became an area they offered a turnkey contract, Redhead says. I got a goodmanager for 42 towers.NATHAN BOURGEOISfeeling meeting with the individuals at Robinson Aviation, and ICurrently, Robinson Aviation provides air traffic controllers and liked that I could have one contract.operates more than 100 air traffic control towers for the FAA. MCI released a competitive request for proposals in summerEssentially, we are an air traffic control staffing agency, 2021 for the technology, equipment installation, infrastructureBourgeois explains. The expertise we have allows us to reach work and equipment support, and Saab won the contract overpast air traffic control, and ramp control is a great place for several other bidders. In December of the same year, MCIthat. The ramp environment is the last part of the air and space awarded the contract to Saab, with Robinson Aviation as asystem that is uncontrolled; we provide order. POSITIVE ENERGYYou have sustainability and energy management concerns. We have answers, and our services range from energy audits and retro-commissioning to energy resiliency roadmaps.HANSON-INC.COM/FLYHanson Avaition Positive Energy.indd 1 4/13/2023 8:51:02 AMSeptember 2023AirportImprovement.com'