b'22 UES WINTER OPERATIONScountless smart phone apps that employees have tested over theCronce encourages other airport managers to reach out to the years, Weather Underground, MyRadar and trueWeather haveNational Weather Service office in their area and connect with the emerged as favorites.aviation program leaders to learn more about available services.Marszalkowski favors an app that provides forecasts for 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. based on zip code location. We focus on trends, lookingBudgets, Funding and Wish Lists72 hours out, and escalate our response from there, he says.Stanich values having bottom-line budget authority that allows savings in one area to cover cost overruns in another. We dont The National Weather Service in nearby Sullivan, WI, is ahave any tax levy, so we get our revenue, or a majority of it, from key partner. Since 2009, the airport has had its own Terminalfuel sales and land leases for hangars, he notes. Aerodrome Forecast, made possible by an AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) upgrade prompted by a formal requestLooking ahead, his crew members have ideas about future from the tower manager to better support FAA requirements forequipment purchases designed to reduce ongoing maintenance controllers. Stanich values the myriad of National Weather Serviceand labor costs. Holcomb and Marszalkowski propose data that is availableemail briefings, slides, webinars and forecasttransitioning to multi-function equipment, such as plow-and-detailsto help snow removal crews plan their strategies.broom combinations that allow one operator to accomplish two tasks. Marcia Cronce, a lead meteorologist and aviation program leader with the Milwaukee- Like other general aviation airports, however, UES faces funding Sullivan National Weather Service, notes thatchallenges. In particular, Stanich is frustrated that FAA only funds advances in radar and computer processingtwo pieces of snow removal equipment per airport, and a multi-have significantly improved forecasting withfunction vehiclesuch as a plow-and-broom combocounts as higher resolution scans and faster updates.two. That effectively means funding for just one machine. From an Stanich originally met Cronce at a Wisconsinoperators perspective, that makes no sense, says Stanich. The Airport Managers Association conference, andMARCIA CRONCE FAA doesnt actually say you only need one piece of equipment, their two organizations have worked togetherbut thats all theyll fund.since 2010. UES is one of only 17 Terminal Aerodrome ForecastHe and managers of other general aviation airports are working sites in the state. together to change this policy, though they know it wont be easy. Another topic of concern is that FAA applies the same standards nationwide, even in southern states that rarely need snowequipment. Stanich and his peers want to explore whether federal funding can be redesigned to a region-based approach.Premium Snowplow Cutting Edges That Was Then, This is NowMore than three years after UES shifted snow removal to in-house crews, Stanich remains energized by the change. Hes also grateful for the trust Bussler and the county placed in him and his team to lead the largest operational shift in the airports 90-year history.While the transition wasnt easy, he says it delivered unexpected year-round efficiencies and flexibility. Looking back, Stanich wishes the change had happened sooner, noting that the key financial benefits came from having greater operational controlallowing decisions on staffing, equipment and tactical storm response. The former contract model, with fixed per-inch pricing and escalating costs, proved unsustainable, he adds. Equally important is the RUPO ability to recruit and retain skilled operators over multiple seasons instead of relying on rotating contractor crews.Rubber with Hardened Poly Inserts Theres some financial benefit, Stanich says, but the greater benefit is having a veteran crew of hardworking people that make Advanced specialty airfield cutting edge this job less stressful and far more enjoyable. Im thankful for the with hardened poly inserts to protect challenges that pushed us to succeed.in pavement lights and markingsCounty resources have certainly been valuable, including creative Kueper North America, LLC | www.kueperblades.com support from Mintz for the recruitment videos. And the strategic 843-723-7361 | info@kueperblades.com procurement skills of Equipment Guru Zembruski will continue to be valuable as the industry evolves toward multi-function vehicles, In pavement light mounting and operation must comply with FAA Advisorywhich come with inherent funding challenges. Circular 150/5345-46 Specification for Runway and Taxiway Light Fixtures 03/02/2016 in order to use Kueper Plow Blades.March | April 2026AirportImprovement.com'