805 Running an Airport
The director of the Portland International Jetport explains airport surface detection and runway incursions, airport use restrictions, construction at the airport, the impacts of a power outage, and many other issues faced by airports. In the news, the NTSB reacts to a violation of its investigative regulations, Boeing plans to purchase Spirit Aerosystems, a resolution to the violation of the deferred prosecution agreement, the FAA\u2019s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI), a home damaged by space junk, and a pilot caught working for two airlines at the same time.\n\n\n\nGuest\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPaul H. Bradbury is the director of the Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Portland, Maine. Since there have been many recent airport-related news stories, we asked Paul to join us and provide his insight.\n\n\n\nOne timely topic is runway incursions and surface surveillance systems. The Jetport currently employs an Autonomous Runway Incursion Warning System (ARIWS) but we also look at the\xa0 FAA\u2019s Surface Awareness Initiative and the new uAvionics deployments.\n\n\n\nWe also discuss airport use restrictions, the different Part 135 and Part 121 requirements, and the financial, security, and safety impacts of service vs. on-demand operations.\n\n\n\nOther topics include airport expansions, construction, and renovation while maintaining operations in the face of runway closures and back-taxiing on a runway. Also, residential development near the airport and land use issues such as improper zoning. Paul explains the impact of a power outage and the Jetport\u2019s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) backup project. We even talk about solar panel glare that impacts pilots, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) requirements, and whether there should be a Gate 13. (See Airports having or skipping gate 13, based on airport size [OC]).\n\n\n\nAviation News\n\n\n\nuAvionix enables ground surveillance for runway safety\n\n\n\nThe uAvionix FlightLine system provides ADS-B surveillance and surface situational awareness for Air Traffic Control towers at U.S. Airports. The system is qualified through the FAA\u2019s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) program, a component of the FAA Surface Safety Portfolio. FlightLine is designed for facilities without existing surface surveillance systems. According to uAvionix, the FAA has identified over 230 airports that are potential candidates for an SAI solution.\n\n\n\nThe first FlightLine deployments by uAvionix are for Indianapolis International Airport (KIND) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) towers. The systems were to be fully operational by June 30, 2024. Aircraft positions on the surface and in airport arrival and departure corridors are displayed on a surface map of the airport. ADS-B is the primary source of aircraft position.\n\n\n\nThe Surface Awareness Initiative includes Approach Runway Verification and the Runway Incursion Device.\n\n\n\nBoeing Sanctioned for Sharing Non-Public Investigative Information With Media on 737 Max 9 Door Plug Investigation\n\n\n\n\u200b\u200b\u200bBoeing \u201cblatantly violated NTSB investigative regulations\u201d and the NTSB announced a series of restrictions and sanctions on the company. Boeing provided non-public investigative information to the media and speculated about possible causes of the Jan. 5, 2024 door-plug blowout.\n\n\n\nNTSB said Boeing will \u201cno longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident.\u201d Also, the NTSB will subpoena the company to appear at an investigative hearing into the case scheduled for Aug. 6 and 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. \u201cUnlike the other parties in the hearing, Boeing will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants.\u201d\n\n\n\nSee also:\n\n\n\n\nNTSB rebukes Boeing after top exec discloses detail on Alaska Airlines blowout\n\n\n\nNTSB sends letter to David Calhoun, President and CEO of the Boeing Company [PDF]\n\n\n\n\nBoeing to buy supplier Spirit AeroSystems in $4.7bn deal\n\n\n\nBoeing plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock transactio...