< Previous10 An official publication of the International Association of Airport Executives Canadawww.iaaecanada.org | Spring 2020 11 W hen Southwest Flight 1248 slid off the runway at Chicago Midway during a snowstorm in December 2005 and caused a fatality, the unfortunate tragedy sparked a focus on the urgent need to improve the way runway conditions are measured and reported by airport operators. According to the accident report, NTSB/AAR-07/06, by National Transportation Safety Board, “The circumstances of this accident demonstrate the need for a method of quantifying the runway surface conditions in a more meaningful way to support airplane landing performance calculations.” Team Eagle has embraced the challenge. Over the past 10 years, Team Eagle, in partnership with academia, government, and industry officials, has been engaged in research and development into new methods for accurately measuring the impact of contaminants on aircraft braking availability toward allowing pilots to make a more informed and objective decision regarding landing distance calculations for contaminated surfaces (e.g., water, slush, snow, ice, de-icing, and anti-icing chemicals). Assessing the impact of variable conditions to determine the impact on an airplane’s anti-skid braking performance is now possible through the research and technological advancements in sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Team Eagle offers the world’s only real-time aircraft Braking Availability Tester (BAT TM ), which emulates an aircraft’s anti-skid braking system operation and calculates the resulting braking coefficient. This information can be then shared with pilots through current and future runway condition reporting methodologies. The BAT TM is a one decision-support and reporting automation tool for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment and International Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Reporting Format requirements. Team Eagle’s Runway Camera (RCAM) integrates specialized optic sensors and uses machine learning and artificial intelligence software to objectively identify the type of water-based contaminants, and measures both the percentage of coverage and the depth. Used as a due diligence tool, the RCAM offers GPS and video evidence for auditable reporting, and, most importantly, it delivers an objective, consistent measurement across all airport staff by removing individual subjectivity. The RCAM system comes with a sensor unit equipped with a visual and short-wave infrared camera to identify and measure percentage coverage and an infrared laser strove to measure the depth. It also includes a GPS sensor for on top of the vehicle and a window-based machine learning platform that accesses an artificial intelligence knowledge database to deliver a recommended Runway Condition Code. Significant value is added to the data collection tools through automated reporting software. The RCAM and BAT TM feed directly into WinterOps TM software that integrates multiple data points such as temperatures and friction values. The software generates the condition codes with little to no human subjectivity or intervention. Quantifying Runway Surface Conditions: Airplane Landing Performance Calculations By Cindy Porter, Manager of Marketing & Funding, Team Eagle Ltd. Accurately measuring the impact of contaminants on runways, like snow and ice, is critical. The RCAM offers GPS and video evidence for auditable reporting and delivers an objective, consistent measurement. FEATURE“Attending FOAM not only provides extensive knowledge of airport operations, it leaves you with mentorship and community.” — Anna Julia Sirghiuta, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport “The Annual FOAM Conference is a pinnacle forum in Canada for airport networking and information.” — Earl Spencer, A.A.E., Regina Airport Authority Details will be available soon at www.iaaecanada.org Three days of informative workshops, engaging industry panels, and an interactive trade show. Join your aviation industry peers in beautiful Victoria! Don’t miss out on three days of informative and timely discussions on the industry issues that matter most to you. We are pleased to invite you the POSTPONED 14 th Annual Facility, Operations & Airport Managers Conference Join your aviation industry professionals across Canada in Victoria, BC Spring 2021 SPECIAL SECTIONwww.iaaecanada.org | Spring 2020 13 WE WANT YOU TO JOIN OUR COMMITTEES! Shawn Sutherland, A.A.E., Senior Airport Consultant, Tetra Tech: “It is a relatively small group of people responsible for managing and operating airports in Canada. Working with the International Association of Airport Executives Canada (IAAE Canada) Training Committee is an opportunity to assist these colleagues in a most profound way to stay current on their responsibilities and obligations in a constructive manner. The IAAE Canada Training Committee focus is on supporting members to do their jobs better and even promote best practices at airports across the country.” Shaun Jestley, Airport Manager, Fairmont Hot Springs Airport: “I started taking courses with the International Association of Airport Executives Canada in May 2005 and have been doing my required certifica- tions with the association ever since. Somewhere around 2010, I was asked to join the training committee. I have been on a lot of committees over the years but this training committee is more of a family than a committee that discusses training and courses in depth, both for and against, then makes decisions based on what will be best for the association going forward. I look forward to our conference calls, as I feel we as a group are accomplishing goals but also keeps me in touch with my friends and colleagues Canada-wide.” Interested? E-mail your expression of interest with an attached CV to headquarters@iaaecanada.org. Visit www.iaaecanada.org for more information. • Bring fresh, new ideas and influence IAAE Canada goals. • Serve your industry on a volunteer basis and grow your airport experience. • Earn continuing education credits through participation. REGISTER NOW | swiftconference.org September 21–24, 2020 Winnipeg Manitoba Equipment Expo Year OPTIONAL WORKSHOPS • GRF Implementation in Canada • Airfield Pavement Innovations SPECIAL SECTION14 An official publication of the International Association of Airport Executives Canada A s most airport operators know, we haven’t seen a fundamental change to runway condition reporting in quite some time. This has made it very straightforward to train new staff and keep experienced staff up-to-date with runway surface condition reports and the procedures associated with producing a Runway Surface Condition reading or completing a Canadian Runway Friction Index. Moving into winter season for 2020-21, all airports will be required to conform to the new assessment and reporting standards, called the Global Reporting Format (GRF) as required by the International Civil Aviation Organization. This will be a big change to the way we are currently doing business for condition reporting, specifically for reporting winter conditions. Transport Canada and NAV CANADA have spent time listening to airports and Global Reporting Format: An Airport Operator’s Perspective By Lisa Davidson, Manager, Peterborough Municipal Airport FEATURE Moving into the winter season of 2020-21, all airports will be required to conform to the new assessment and reporting standards. Photos courtesy of Lisa Davidson. to airport staff to revise the procedures for GRF over the past couple of years into a document that will work for airports of any size—whether it is a large airport with commercial operations or a smaller airport with flight school and general aviation operations, or anything in between. The new Advisory Circular (AC) from Transport Canada (AC 300-019: Global Reporting Format (GRF) for Runway Surface Condition Reporting), covers the full scope of what will be required from airport operators. The AC is quite comprehensive and provides in-depth detail on the new format, including reporting in thirds and the new runway condition code format. Peterborough Airport is participating in the trial period for GRF this year, as there are many other airports across Canada. There are bi-weekly conference calls with all participants and many stakeholders in the process. It is a productive and very open system that allows airports to report on potential problems, and the lead organizations running the calls have been very open and willing to adapt to make the new system as flawless as possible ahead of its anticipated release next winter. It also has opened the door for airports across the country to connect and relay their experiences in the process. This trial is allowing staff to learn the new procedures and format in advance of the rollout next season, and is allowing for a sort of “trial and error” period to work out any kinks and help staff understand the basic concepts of the new reporting requirements. As part of this trial, staff have undertaken some practical exercises to be able to identify condition codes and use the new Aircraft Movement Surface Condition Report forms, which are helping to familiarize staff with the whole process moving forward. The biggest impact for airport operators will be in the quality of training. The new format is easy to understand, but without proper training it will not be easy for www.iaaecanada.org | Spring 2020 15 airport staff to adapt to or implement these changes. This sort of change should see both theoretical and practical training for all staff involved in condition reporting, and it will be very important that staff are comfortable with the new process before having to use it practically. “I would rather be criticized for being over prepared than not prepared at all.” These are words often spoken by Trent Gervais, president and CEO of Peterborough Municipal Airport, and I think they are especially true in this case. We need to be sure of the safety for all operations and that everyone is trained, qualified, and ready for the changes when they come. This year, Petersborough Municipal Airport is participating in a “trial and error” period to work out any kinks and help staff understand the basic concepts of the new reporting requirements.16 An official publication of the International Association of Airport Executives Canadawww.iaaecanada.org | Spring 2020 17 T he next generation of LED inset runway guard lights is here with the introduction of Eaton’s Crouse-Hinds Airport Lighting PRO APF Series L-852G, In-pavement Runway Guard Light (IRGL). The IRGL fixture is used for runway incursion protection and traffic control on taxiways, just before active runways. This fixture is suitable for use with a runway status light program. They are required for surface movement guidance control system operations during low-visibility conditions as defined in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-30 and AC 120-57A. These unidirectional lights are designed for use in all weather conditions with any kind of control system, including the Digitrac Control and Monitoring System. Among the most compelling features in this new offering, which includes both eight-inch and 12-inch inset formats, is the AP1 universal power supply with patented WaveTrac TM technology. This unique capability reduces power consumption and provides for an industry-leading power factor of 0.98 volts or better. AP1 power supplies also offer an industry-leading minimum start-up voltage of 1.5 volts, which helps save money and reduce regulator sizing in new installations. A special feature of guard lights is the autonomous synchronization of the flash pattern for multiple lights on the same circuit. Lights can be designated as “first-on” or “first-off” when installed, and they will use the timing of the AC current waveform to ensure they remain in sync with each other. These fixtures operate on any constant current circuit and can be combined with other steady-burn fixtures in any configuration. Changing the fixture flash mode is easy with Crouse- Hinds’ exclusive Bluetooth app, which runs on any Android tablet or smartphone device. This app also supports additional diagnostic information to be collected from the fixtures. Additional important features include: • ETL certification; • Long life LED technology with rated projected life greater than 50,000 hours at 6.6 amps; • Low profile, less than 0.25 inches (six millimeters); • Dust- and water-tight to IP 67 volts; • Operating temperature ranging from -40oC to +55oC; and • Compatible with all known closed-circuit refueling types. With enhanced optical performance and unmatched reliability, you can count on these guard lights for your airport operations. By Sheila Cowles, Global Product Marketing Manager, Eaton Emerging Technologies: Next-Gen Inset Runway Guard Lights FEATURE An up-close look at the Airport Lighting PRO APF Series L-852G guard light. These unidirectional lights are designed for use in all weather conditions with any kind of control system, including the Digitrac Control and Monitoring System.18 An official publication of the International Association of Airport Executives Canadawww.iaaecanada.org | Spring 2020 19 C anada Heavy Equipment College (CHEC) is proud to be a new member of IAAE Canada! CHEC is a professional heavy equipment training organization providing on-site training to: • Twenty-eight remote northern airports; • Municipal public works and utilities departments all over Canada; • Fire departments; • Construction companies; and • Trucking companies. The college has an arsenal of experienced heavy equipment instructors positioned all across Canada. CHEC can send an instructor to any airport in Canada to provide on-site heavy equipment training using your airport equipment. Below are a few examples of CHEC’s on-site courses that can be provided for any airport in Canada: • Municipal Airport Motor Grader Snowplow Training; • Municipal Airport Tandem Truck Snowplow Training; • Municipal Airport Loader Snowplow Training; • Municipal Airport Motor Grader Snowplow Training; and • Many more! There are three measurable cost advantages to having an instructor come to your airport to provide training on-site for your staff using your equipment. You don’t have the travel costs involved with sending your staff to CHEC’s 20-acre training yard located in Cambridge, Ontario; your staff will be trained on the actual equipment they will be using on-the-job; and the hands-on, practical (in-seat) portion of the programs are completed for only a few employees at a time. Therefore, you do not have to pull your entire staff away from their regular jobs / duties all at once. The rest of your staff can continue doing their jobs / duties until they’re scheduled to be with the instructor. Many organizations today still do not understand the importance of spending the time and effort to ensure their staff is properly trained. Although training costs do come right off the bottom line, it is important to understand that proper training has many unseen, yet verifiable, benefits to add to the bottom line. Properly trained operational staff will reduce costs, including: • Reduced waste of material (gravel, salt, and sand); • Reduced damage to equipment and property; • Reduced injuries; and • Reduced maintenance costs. For more information, please contact CHEC via the website: http://www. chectraining.com. On behalf of the CHEC, I would like to say that CHEC is proud to be a part of the IAAE Canada, and looks forward to a long, mutually beneficial partnership. The Hidden Benefits of Properly Training Your Airport Staff By Ted Butler, Corporate Sales Director, Canada Heavy Equipment College CORPORATE CORNERNext >