According to Reuters, the audit will evaluate each airport’s risks, identify potential issues with procedures and equipment, and make recommendations to improve safety. FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service is conducting the review and expects to complete it by early 2025.

The agency’s study is partly in response to recommendations made in November 2023 by an independent aviation review team, which called for urgent actions to enhance safety after several close calls involving passenger jets.

As recently as September, a controller cleared a Southwest Airlines plane to cross a runway just seconds before another controller cleared an Alaska Airlines jet to take off. The Alaska aircraft was forced to abort its takeoff to prevent a collision from occurring, narrowly averting disaster.

These incidents have raised concerns among aviation stakeholders and agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board, which is currently investigating multiple close calls. Meanwhile, the FAA says it is in the process of implementing new surface-awareness technologies at airports around the country to further enhance safety and mitigate incursion incidents.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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According to The FAA National Airspace System status webpage, 11 airports remained closed to commercial traffic Thursday, with most requiring prior permission (PPR) for emergency and relief aircraft.

Airport maintenance crews throughout the Sunshine State inspected facilities for damage, as did the FAA.

• READ MORE: Here’s How the FAA Prepares Year-Round for Hurricanes 

Tampa International Airport (KTPA) remained closed midday Thursday, but said it would soon announce its plans to resume flights? “The TPA team is hard at work assessing and cleaning up the damage left in Hurricane Milton’s wake. We remain closed at this time and are working toward sharing reopening plans later today,” it said.

CLEANUP UNDERWAY: The TPA team is hard at work assessing and cleaning up the damage left in Hurricane Milton’s wake. We remain closed at this time and are working toward sharing reopening plans later today. Stay tuned to our social media for the latest updates. pic.twitter.com/A8KSk25NyS

— Tampa International Airport (@FlyTPA) October 10, 2024

Daytona Beach International Airport, which closed to commercial flights Wednesday morning, said its reopening on Friday would be determined after post-storm inspections. 

At least one Florida airport reported damage. Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB) lost a 30-by-40-foot section of roof and part of a skylight in its center terminal, USA Today reported. The airport was closed at the time and no injuries were reported.

• READ MORE: ‘Hurricane Hunters’ Fly Into the Eye of Hurricane Milton

According to the National Hurricane Center, the remnants of Milton continued to pose a risk as the storm moved offshore. “A storm surge warning remains in effect for portions of the east coast of Florida and southern coast of Georgia,” as the risk of “considerable urban flooding” lingered across the east central portion of the state, it said at 11 a.m. EST. 

The post Florida Airports Assess Hurricane Milton Damage appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Major airports throughout the state have halted operations completely, including Tampa International Airport (KTPA), which shut down on Tuesday morning. Orlando International Airport (KMCO) remains open but has paused all commercial operations.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ) also closed on Tuesday afternoon.

‘Batten Down the Hatches’

Tampa is among the cities set to be hit the hardest by Milton. The city’s main airport—Florida’s fourth busiest—shut down early to prepare facilities for the storm. John Tiliacos, the airport’s executive vice president of airport operations, said this process takes up to 24 hours.

“Our team has been planning and executing all of the preparation that we need to take for Hurricane Milton’s arrival,” Tiliacos said during a press conference.

In a Facebook post, the airport said its team has been working around the clock to “batten down the hatches.” The airport has 58 jet bridges, each of which needs to be chained down, which can take around an hour each to complete.

Aircraft and other airfield equipment also need to be secured in advance of the storm.

“Tampa International Airport is extremely close to Tampa Bay and storm surge and flooding are a top concern for us.…If you consider that we may potentially face 10 to 15 feet of storm surge, we are talking about a lot of water that will find its way onto the airport,” Tiliacos said.

The airport said it will reopen after a damage assessment is conducted.

Roughly 85 miles away, Orlando International Airport says it is also preparing for the storm, securing jet bridges and sand-bagging doors.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post How Airports Are Preparing for Hurricane Milton appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

To keep these facilities running, airports employ skilled engineers to ensure that airport infrastructure is safe. Airport engineers also plan and oversee new projects.

Here is what you need to know about becoming an airport engineer.

What Does an Airport Engineer Do?

The work of an airport engineer can be divided into two broad categories. The first is project development and design, which involves planning for new infrastructure. For example, airport engineers would be heavily involved in the design, planning, and construction of a new terminal or apron.

Infrastructure projects can also include rehabilitation or improvements of existing facilities. For example, an engineer may oversee the replacement of the runway lights on an airfield or an update to the heating and cooling system inside an air traffic control tower.

The second category of work that an airport engineer does is ongoing monitoring and maintenance work. Many parts of the airport—including the runways, taxiways, and buildings—require regular inspections and tests. Engineers are responsible for conducting this work and identifying and managing any required repairs.

Although the work experience of an airport engineer can vary depending on their employer and expertise, day-to-day tasks of an airport engineer can include the following:

• Overseeing and participating in design studies and project plans: This involves tasks like performing technical design work, attending meetings, and directing consultants and contracted firms.
• Managing ongoing construction and maintenance projects: Work at an airport is conducted either by airport employees or contracted companies. Engineers are often responsible for overseeing infrastructure repairs and construction.
• Participating in the procurement process: Engineers assist in preparing requests for proposals and evaluating submissions for maintenance and construction work. This includes providing advice on the scope of work as well as technical requirements and constraints.
• Conducting site visits and inspections: There are countless elements of an airport that require regular testing and checks, ranging from baggage systems to airfield drainage networks. Engineers may be tasked with performing these inspections.

Most airport engineers are employed either directly by an airport authority (or a government body that runs an airport) or by an engineering firm that provides services to airports.

What Skills and Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Airport Engineer?

Airport engineers need to have strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. The role of an airport planner also requires other important workplace competencies such as communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as a team, and organizational skills.

Airport engineers typically have a background in civil engineering, which is the engineering branch dedicated to the design and construction of buildings and public works. Most positions require a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering, as well as a professional engineering designation or license in the relevant jurisdiction.

Some job postings will also require prior experience as an engineer. Knowledge of airports or other public infrastructure is also typically considered an asset. Certain positions also require proficiency in design software like AutoCAD.

How Much Do Airport Engineers Make?

Entry-level airport engineering jobs typically have an annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000. Experienced engineers can make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 median pay for a civil engineer in the United States was $95,890. 

The post How to Become an Airport Engineer appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

But headquartered in the same region is Oshkosh Corp., which—among other functions—is a major player in fire truck manufacturing. The firm also specializes in aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment with its line of specialized trucks.

Oshkosh Corp. has carved a niche in the firefighting industry with its line of airport fire trucks. These specialized vehicles are designed to handle the unique challenges posed by aviation accidents, offering a level of capability that sets them apart.

Among these are water tanks that are significantly larger than those of traditional municipal fire trucks, ensuring that firefighters have ample water to combat large-scale fires without needing frequent refills. The fire trucks boast powerful pumps capable of delivering high-pressure water streams, essential for penetrating the outer skin of aircraft and reaching internal fires. Many of these vehicles are also outfitted with advanced foam systems that can create a blanket over fires, helping to suppress flames and reduce the spread of smoke.

The company’s Striker 8×8 model can hold up to 4,500 gallons of water and 630 gallons of foam at a time. In comparison, a normal municipal fire truck can hold around 1,500 gallons of water alone.

In addition to their water capacity and firefighting capabilities, these vehicles are designed to handle various terrain, including runways, taxiways, and grassy areas. Some of Oshkosh’s Striker models can go from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 35 seconds.

Over 5,000 Oshkosh Striker vehicles have been made and shipped to airports around the globe. The company is also rolling out an electric fire truck called Volterra, which has already been adopted by some airports.

AirlineGeeks had the opportunity to visit Oshkosh’s manufacturing facility in its namesake city. A video from the tour is below:

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Why Airport Fire Trucks Are So Unique appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Eight members of the Last Generation—an organization aiming to persuade the German government to sign on to an international ban on the use of oil, gas, and coal by 2030—used bolt cutters to breach fences at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB), Cologne Bonn Airport (EDDK), Nuremberg Airport (EDDN), and Stuttgart Airport (EDDS).

Once they reached the tarmac at about 5 a.m. local time, protestors stuck themselves to the ground, raising signs that read “Oil Kills” and “Sign the Treaty.” Flights at Cologne Bonn and Nuremberg were briefly suspended due to police efforts to remove the protestors. The activists did not reach the airports’ main runways.

All eight protestors were detained by police but later released, Last Generation said in a post on X.

“Friends, if you are worried about your flights: We are not the ones who will prevent most of them,” the group added.

Last Generation, which has a presence in several countries, is known for its disruptive, headline-grabbing protests, such as throwing mashed potatoes and pea soup at famous paintings in museums.

In recent months, though, the group has turned its attention to airports.

According to the United Nations, the transport sector is responsible for about a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with aviation accounting for roughly 12 percent of those emissions. Various sources place aviation’s share of global carbon dioxide emissions between 2 and 4 percent.

In July, Last Generation shut down hundreds of flights at Frankfurt Airport (EDDF), the country’s busiest airfield, and Cologne Bonn using similar tactics. In May, activists targeted Munich Airport (EDDM), canceling 60 flights. The group has also spray painted private jets, sometimes causing tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage.

German airport association ADV on Thursday condemned the recent demonstrations, calling on the German government to implement stricter penalties for the protestors.

“[Thursday’s] disruptive actions at several airports are a concerted act of criminal blackmail,” the association said. “This is not a peaceful protest and there are no supposedly higher goals at stake. These are malicious intrusions into air traffic and into the personal rights of every traveler who cannot take their flight as scheduled.”

Nancy Faeser, Germany’s federal minister of the interior and home affairs, similarly criticized the activists, calling their actions “dangerous and stupid.”

“We have proposed severe prison sentences,” Faeser said in a post on X. “And we are requiring airports to make their facilities much more secure.”

The proposal Faeser refers to is a bill that was passed by the country’s cabinet last month but requires further approval to take effect. The measure would implement prison sentences of two to five years for people who break through airport perimeters, a violation that currently carries only a fine.

“They repeat themselves, so again: Their political failure is dangerous and is driving us ever deeper into catastrophe!” Last Generation responded to Faeser.

In another post, it said: “Things cannot go on like this. While storms and disasters are increasing worldwide and the climate catastrophe is also clearly noticeable here in Germany, it is unacceptable that our government continues to invest in fossil industries and energies.”

The aviation industry writ large has committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with regulators and private companies backing plans put forth by organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

However, not all stakeholders agree on how to get there, and some experts believe the industry is running out of time to change its trajectory. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are being developed by several companies, are expected to play a large role in the push for decarbonization, but airlines have concerns around its costs and production. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen face similar barriers to scale.

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The funding comes from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program that helps cover the cost of airport improvements for projects such as expansion and remodeling of passenger terminals, baggage system upgrades, and runway and ramp rehabilitation.

• READ MORE: FAA Boosts Infrastructure Funding at 71 U.S. Airports

“Millions of Americans fly every day, and it’s important that our nation’s airports be equipped to handle such a volume of passengers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The grants we’re announcing [Thursday] will make key improvements to ensure passengers move safely and efficiently through our airports and is another example of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to modernizing our nation’s aviation systems.” 

Safety and Efficiency

According to Shannetta Griffin, FAA associate administrator for airports, “these grants help make key improvements that enhance safety and efficiency at airports of all sizes across the nation.”

This round of funding includes:

• $6.4 million to Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (KCOS) to rehabilitate the existing terminal building to accommodate a 14,000-square-foot federal inspection service facility that will allow passengers to clear customs more efficiently upon arrival. The space will be reconfigured to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and increase energy efficiency.
• $3 million to Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB) in Florida to install a new baggage system.
• $1.8 million to South Bend International Airport (KSBN) in Indiana for reconstruction of existing Taxiway B pavement, which airport officials note has “reached the end of its useful life,” as well as a redesign of the taxiway and ramp layout to improve operational safety of the nonmovement area. The airport dates back to 1929 when Vincent Bendix, the founder of the Bendix Aviation Corporation, purchased 610 acres northwest of South Bend on which to build an airport. Bendix was the sponsor of several air races. The airport is one of the oldest constantly functioning facilities in the Midwest.
• $1 million to Friday Harbor Airport (KFHR) in Washington state for improvements to the fuel farm, including the installation of a supplemental tank for jet-A fuel.

A search of airports selected for project funding may be found here. Airports are listed as large and small, airline hubs and non-hubs.

A full list of  fiscal 2024 AIG grants may be found here.

To date, nearly $9 billion of the $15 million total of AIG funding has been made available to airports across the country.

The post FAA Announces $76 million in Airport Modernization Grants appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The notice is to inform pilots and aircraft operators of possible impacts to traffic and safety along the path within 50 nautical miles of the center of the eclipse between the hours of 10:00 UTC April 7 to 04:00 UTC April 10.

• READ MORE: NASA Gears Up for 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

The notice includes a general section advising of possible delays issued in the form of ground holds such as Expect Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) for IFR departures and arrivals, airborne holds and reroutes. The FAA also warns that VFR flight following services, practice approaches and touch-and-go operations involving airspace in the path of the eclipse may be “extremely limited and possibly prohibited” for the duration of the time period.

• READ MORE: FAA Tells Pilots to Plan Before 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

The Domestic Notice also includes a list—with contact information—of 458 airports in the pathway. The airports are listed by the eight Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) they fall into. There are also NASA-generated maps showing the eclipse pathway and the times when the eclipse will be in totality along the route and a link to the NASA website page that contains full information on the event.

• Shop in Space

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post FAA Issues Domestic Notice on Eclipse’s Impact on Operations appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Projects include taxiway improvements, aircraft rescue, firefighting and snow removal equipment.

The $110 million in grants from the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2022 that allots $15 billion  over a span of five years. According to the FAA, nearly $9 billion in AIG funding has been awarded to airports.

• READ MORE: Federal Airport Improvement Grants to Fund Tower Upgrades

“These grants help airports across the nation sustain and improve critical infrastructure to advance the safest, most efficient airport system in the world,” Shannetta Griffin,  FAA associate administrator for airports, said in a statement.

FAA said projects funded through the latest round of grants include:

• $43 million for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT) in North Carolina to construct a new 6,400-foot, end-around taxiway at the Runway 18C end to increase safety and reduce air traffic delays. 
• $617,763 for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI) in Glen Burnie, Maryland, to rehabilitate a portion of the existing Taxiway T lighting system to extend its useful life and enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions. 
• $326,000 for Omak Airport (KOMK) in Washington to reconstruct 2,000 feet of the existing Taxiway A north pavement that has reached the end of its useful life.  

• $8.6 million for Gerald R. Ford International Airport (KGRR) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to reconstruct the existing aircraft rescue and firefighting building to continue housing eligible vehicles, equipment, supplies, and personnel.  
• $1.3 million for Jamestown Regional Airport (KJMS) in North Dakota to rehabilitate an existing on-airport roadway to provide a path for aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks, airport vehicles, and ground service equipment to operate without entering airfield movement areas. 

• $881,000 for Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall Airport/Ryan Field (KMML) in Marshall to construct a 2,470-square-foot building to store snow removal equipment. 
• $722,220 for Pocatello Regional Airport (KPIH) in Idaho to acquire a new wheel loader with ramp plow and bucket.  
• $497,484 for Walla Walla Regional Airport (KALW) in Washington to acquire replacement snow removal equipment with plow and deice distributor. 
• $448,000 for Mora Municipal Airport (KJMR) in Minnesota to acquire a replacement carrier vehicle with plow and sweeper attachments. 
• $292,000 for Marshfield Municipal Airport-George Harlow Field (KGHG) in Massachusetts to acquire replacement snow removal equipment. 
• $113,003 for Glen Ullin Regional Airport (D57) in North Dakota to acquire a new blower attachment. 
• $41,951 for Big Horn County Airport (KGEY) in Hardin, Montana, to acquire a new truck and plow equipment. 

More information about airport infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Instructure Law and where they are located may be found here.

The post FAA Boosts Infrastructure Funding at 71 U.S. Airports appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

On Monday, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (KSBA) was closed due to flooding from as much as 10 inches of rain. According to the airport website, the facility will remain shut down until further notice—more specifically until the water recedes and authorities can check for and repair any damage.

The airport saw 35 flights were canceled on Monday.

According to multiple media sources, Santa Barbara County has been hammered by heavy rain, leading to landslides, downed power lines, and flooding in multiple areas, including the airport that sits at an elevation of just 13.5 feet above sea level. The facility is located in the city of Goleta and bordered by a wetland area known as the Goleta Slough. Local aviation sites note the airport closes frequently due to flooding caused by heavy rains. The entire area is under a flood warning, and there have been multiple evacuations.

FAA NOTAMs have been published to warn pilots that Runways 15R/33L and 15L/33R are closed, and the safety area of Runway 07/25 has standing water.

• READ MORE: California Airports Reeling from Heavy Rain

Early in its use, the airport, opened in 1914, had a seaplane base established by the Lockheed brothers. In 1942 the government took over the airport to create Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, but it reverted to civilian use in 1946. Today it covers 948 acres with three runways and is served by several major airlines in addition to general aviation operations.

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