56 WINTER OPERATIONS November | December 2026 AirportImprovement.com APA 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. 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.” Centennial Airport Improves Snow Removal Operations BY MIKE SCHWANZ MIKE FRONAPFEL MATT SMITH 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.
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