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ACRP
AIRPORT
COOPERATIVE
RESEARCH
PROGRAM
SYNTHESIS 26
Sponsored by
Current Airport Inspection the Federal
Practices Regarding FOD Aviation Administration
(Foreign Object Debris/Damage)
A Synthesis of Airport Practice
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ACRP OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE* TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD 2011 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE*
CHAIR OFFICERS
JAMES WILDING Chair: Neil J. Pedersen, Administrator, Maryland State Highway Administration, Baltimore
Metropolitan Washington Airports Vice Chair: Sandra Rosenbloom, Professor of Planning, University of Arizona, Tucson
Authority (retired) Executive Director: Robert E. Skinner, Jr., Transportation Research Board
MEMBERS
VICE CHAIR
J. BARRY BARKER, Executive Director, Transit Authority of River City, Louisville, KY
JEFF HAMIEL DEBORAH H. BUTLER, Executive Vice President, Planning, and CIO, Norfolk Southern
MinneapolisSt. Paul Corporation, Norfolk, VA
Metropolitan Airports Commission WILLIAM A.V. CLARK, Professor, Department of Geography, University of California,
Los Angeles
MEMBERS EUGENE A. CONTI, JR., Secretary of Transportation, North Carolina DOT, Raleigh
JAMES CRITES JAMES M. CRITES, Executive Vice President of Operations, Dallas-Fort Worth International
DallasFt. Worth International Airport Airport, TX
RICHARD DE NEUFVILLE PAULA J. HAMMOND, Secretary, Washington State DOT, Olympia
MICHAEL W. HANCOCK, Secretary, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Frankfort
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
ADIB K. KANAFANI, Cahill Professor of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
KEVIN C. DOLLIOLE MICHAEL P. LEWIS, Director, Rhode Island DOT, Providence
Unison Consulting SUSAN MARTINOVICH, Director, Nevada DOT, Carson City
JOHN K. DUVAL MICHAEL R. MORRIS, Director of Transportation, North Central Texas Council of Governments,
Austin Commercial, LP Arlington
KITTY FREIDHEIM TRACY L. ROSSER, Vice President, Regional General Manager, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
Freidheim Consulting Mandeville, LA
STEVE GROSSMAN STEVEN T. SCALZO, Chief Operating Officer, Marine Resources Group, Seattle, WA
Jacksonville Aviation Authority HENRY G. (GERRY) SCHWARTZ, JR., Chairman (retired), Jacobs/Sverdrup Civil, Inc., St. Louis, MO
TOM JENSEN BEVERLY A. SCOTT, General Manager and CEO, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority,
National Safe Skies Alliance Atlanta, GA
CATHERINE M. LANG DAVID SELTZER, Principal, Mercator Advisors LLC, Philadelphia, PA
Federal Aviation Administration LAWRENCE A. SELZER, President and CEO, The Conservation Fund, Arlington, VA
GINA MARIE LINDSEY KUMARES C. SINHA, Olson Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, Purdue University,
Los Angeles World Airports West Lafayette, IN
CAROLYN MOTZ THOMAS K. SOREL, Commissioner, Minnesota DOT, St. Paul
Airport Design Consultants, Inc. DANIEL SPERLING, Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy;
Director, Institute of Transportation Studies; and Interim Director, Energy Efficiency Center,
RICHARD TUCKER
University of California, Davis
Huntsville International Airport KIRK T. STEUDLE, Director, Michigan DOT, Lansing
DOUGLAS W. STOTLAR, President and CEO, Con-Way, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS C. MICHAEL WALTON, Ernest H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, University of
PAULA P. HOCHSTETLER Texas, Austin
Airport Consultants Council
SABRINA JOHNSON EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency PETER H. APPEL, Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S.DOT
RICHARD MARCHI J. RANDOLPH BABBITT, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S.DOT
Airports Council International-- REBECCA M. BREWSTER, President and COO, American Transportation Research Institute,
North America Smyrna, GA
LAURA MCKEE ANNE S. FERRO, Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S.DOT
Air Transport Association of America LEROY GISHI, Chief, Division of Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S.DOT
HENRY OGRODZINSKI JOHN T. GRAY, Senior Vice President, Policy and Economics, Association of American Railroads,
National Association of State Aviation Washington, DC
JOHN C. HORSLEY, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and
Officials
Transportation Officials, Washington, DC
MELISSA SABATINE DAVID T. MATSUDA, Deputy Administrator, Maritime Administration, U.S.DOT
American Association of Airport VICTOR M. MENDEZ, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, U.S.DOT
Executives WILLIAM W. MILLAR, President, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC
ROBERT E. SKINNER, JR. TARA O'TOOLE, Under Secretary for Science and Technology, U.S. Department of Homeland
Transportation Research Board Security, Washington, DC
ROBERT J. PAPP (Adm., U.S. Coast Guard), Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of
SECRETARY Homeland Security, Washington, DC
CHRISTOPHER W. JENKS CYNTHIA L. QUARTERMAN, Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Transportation Research Board Administration, U.S.DOT
PETER M. ROGOFF, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, U.S.DOT
DAVID L. STRICKLAND, Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S.DOT
JOSEPH C. SZABO, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S.DOT
POLLY TROTTENBERG, Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S.DOT
ROBERT L. VAN ANTWERP (Lt. Gen., U.S. Army), Chief of Engineers and Commanding
General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC
BARRY R. WALLERSTEIN, Executive Officer, South Coast Air Quality Management District,
Diamond Bar, CA
*Membership as of July 2011. *Membership as of June 2011.
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AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM
ACRP SYNTHESIS 26
Current Airport Inspection
Practices Regarding FOD
(Foreign Object Debris/Damage)
A Synthesis of Airport Practice
CONSULTANT
C. DANIEL PRATHER
Prather Airport Solutions, Inc.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
S UBSCRIBER C ATEGORIES
Aviation and Safety and Human Factors
Research Sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD
WASHINGTON, D.C.
2011
www.TRB.org
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AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM ACRP SYNTHESIS 26
Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in Project 11-03, Topic S04-06
transportation of people and goods and in regional, national, and ISSN 1935-9187
international commerce. They are where the nation's aviation sys- ISBN 978-0-309-14343-1
tem connects with other modes of transportation and where federal Library of Congress Control Number 2011300008
responsibility for managing and regulating air traffic operations
intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and © 2011 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common oper-
ating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other
industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) serves as one Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for
of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the
innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein.
The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce
Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes.
a study sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will
The ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared be used to imply TRB or FAA endorsement of a particular product, method,
by airport operating agencies and are not being adequately or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this
addressed by existing federal research programs. It is modeled after document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate
the successful National Cooperative Highway Research Program acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For
and Transit Cooperative Research Program. The ACRP undertakes other uses of the material, request permission from CRP.
research and other technical activities in a variety of airport subject
areas, including design, construction, maintenance, operations,
safety, security, policy, planning, human resources, and administra- NOTICE
tion. The ACRP provides a forum where airport operators can coop-
eratively address common operational problems. The project that is the subject of this report was a part of the Airport
The ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Cooperative Research Program, conducted by the Transportation Research
Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary Board with the approval of the Governing Board of the National Research
participants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, Council.
the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary The members of the technical panel selected to monitor this project and
of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from to review this report were chosen for their special competencies and with
airport operating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant indus- regard for appropriate balance. The report was reviewed by the technical
try organizations such as the Airports Council International-North panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and
America (ACI-NA), the American Association of Airport Execu- overseen by the Transportation Research Board and approved by the
tives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials Governing Board of the National Research Council.
The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those
(NASAO), and the Air Transport Association (ATA) as vital links
of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those
to the airport community; (2) the TRB as program manager and sec-
of the Transportation Research Board, the National Research Council, or the
retariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program spon-
program sponsors.
sor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National
Academies formally initiating the program.
The ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of air-
port professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government The Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, the National
officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and Research Council, and the sponsors of the Airport Cooperative Research
research organizations. Each of these participants has different Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers'
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cooperative research effort. object of the report.
Research problem statements for the ACRP are solicited period-
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and expected products.
Once selected, each ACRP project is assigned to an expert panel,
appointed by the TRB. Panels include experienced practitioners and
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professionals, the intended users of the research products. The panels
prepare project statements (requests for proposals), select contractors,
and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the Published reports of the
project. The process for developing research problem statements and
selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing coop- AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM
erative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, are available from:
ACRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation.
Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the Transportation Research Board
intended end-users of the research: airport operating agencies, service Business Office
500 Fifth Street, NW
providers, and suppliers. The ACRP produces a series of research Washington, DC 20001
reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, the FAA, and other
interested parties, and industry associations may arrange for work- and can be ordered through the Internet at
http://www.national-academies.org/trb/bookstore
shops, training aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that
results are implemented by airport-industry practitioners. Printed in the United States of America
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The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished schol-
ars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology
and to their use for the general welfare. On the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in
1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and techni-
cal matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.
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emy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration
and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for
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The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate
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and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the
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ACRP COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT 11-03 COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS STAFF
CHRISTOPHER W. JENKS, Director, Cooperative Research Programs
CHAIR CRAWFORD F. JENCKS, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research
JULIE KENFIELD Programs
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. MICHAEL R. SALAMONE, Senior Program Officer
JOSEPH J. BROWN-SNELL, Program Associate
MEMBERS EILEEN P. DELANEY, Director of Publications
RANDALL P. BURDETTE
Virginia Department of Aviation SYNTHESIS STUDIES STAFF
KEVIN C. DOLLIOLE STEPHEN R. GODWIN, Director for Studies and Special Programs
Union Consulting, Inc. JON M. WILLIAMS, Program Director, IDEA and Synthesis Studies
LINDA HOWARD JO ALLEN GAUSE, Senior Program Officer
Bastrop, Texas GAIL R. STABA, Senior Program Officer
ARLYN PURCELL DONNA L. VLASAK, Senior Program Officer
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey DON TIPPMAN, Senior Editor
BURR STEWART CHERYL KEITH, Senior Program Assistant
Seattle, Washington DEMISHA WILLIAMS, Senior Program Assistant
DEBBIE IRVIN, Program Associate
FAA LIAISON TOPIC PANEL
PAUL DEVOTI MICHAEL J. BEGIER, U.S. Department of Agriculture
KEVIN B. BLEACH, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
ACINORTH AMERICA LIAISON CHRISTINE GERENCHER, Transportation Research Board
A.J. MULDOON EDWIN E. HERRICKS, University of Illinois--UrbanaChampaign
JOHN OSTROM, Metropolitan Airports Commission--Minneapolis
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION LIAISON St. Paul International Airport
JOHN L. COLLINS BRETT PATTERSON, Vancouver International Airport Authority
STEPHEN M. QUILTY, SMQ Airport Services, Lutz, FL
TRB LIAISON RYAN E. ROCHA, San Antonio Airport Systems
CHRISTINE GERENCHER TRICIA HALPIN, Federal Aviation Administration, Des Plaines, IL
(Liaison)
RICHARD MARCHI, Airports Council InternationalNorth America
(Liaison)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The research reported herein was performed under ACRP Project S04-
06 by Prather Airport Solutions, Inc. Dr. C. Daniel Prather, Principal,
was the Project Director and Principal Investigator. Research assistants
participating in the project were Mr. Michael Smalley, Mr. Brian
Clifton, and Ms. Jennifer Johnston.
Cover figure: During a B747 departure under takeoff thrust, a 1,000-
foot portion of the runway asphalt shoulder pavement failed, creating a
significant amount of FOD, causing a 1 hour runway closure, and
requiring a sweeper to remove the FOD. Used with permission.
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FOREWORD Airport administrators, engineers, and researchers often face problems for which infor-
mation already exists, either in documented form or as undocumented experience and prac-
tice. This information may be fragmented, scattered, and unevaluated. As a consequence,
full knowledge of what has been learned about a problem may not be brought to bear on its
solution. Costly research findings may go unused, valuable experience may be overlooked,
and due consideration may not be given to recommended practices for solving or alleviat-
ing the problem.
There is information on nearly every subject of concern to the airport industry. Much of
it derives from research or from the work of practitioners faced with problems in their day-
to-day work. To provide a systematic means for assembling and evaluating such useful
information and to make it available to the entire airport community, the Airport Coopera-
tive Research Program authorized the Transportation Research Board to undertake a con-
tinuing project. This project, ACRP Project 11-03, "Synthesis of Information Related to
Airport Practices," searches out and synthesizes useful knowledge from all available
sources and prepares concise, documented reports on specific topics. Reports from this
endeavor constitute an ACRP report series, Synthesis of Airport Practice.
This synthesis series reports on current knowledge and practice, in a compact format,
without the detailed directions usually found in handbooks or design manuals. Each report
in the series provides a compendium of the best knowledge available on those measures
found to be the most successful in resolving specific problems.
PREFACE In an effort to better control FOD (Foreign Object Debris/Damage) and minimize the
By Gail R. Staba hazards associated with FOD on the air operations area, many airports have developed com-
Senior Program Officer prehensive FOD management programs, beginning with FOD inspections. In general, FOD
Transportation inspections range from a simple visual inspection to continuous monitoring technologies.
Research Board This synthesis report details the components of a comprehensive FOD management pro-
gram, and compiles current practices, techniques, and lists of tools available for use, or
those currently being used by, airports for FOD inspections.
C. Daniel Prather, Prather Airport Solutions, Inc., Murfreesboro, Tennessee, collected
and synthesized the information and wrote the report. The members of the topic panel are
acknowledged on the preceding page. This synthesis is an immediately useful document
that records the practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge avail-
able at the time of its preparation. As progress in research and practice continues, new
knowledge will be added to that now at hand.
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CONTENTS
1 SUMMARY
3 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
Background, 3
Natural Materials, 5
Overview of Study, 10
13 CHAPTER TWO INSPECTION
Current Requirements and Guidelines, 13
Inspection Areas, 13
Inspection Techniques, 15
Prevention Techniques, 15
Current Equipment and Technology Aavailable for Iinspection, 16
Current Airport Inspection Practices, 17
19 CHAPTER THREE DETECTION
Current Equipment and Technology Available for Detection, 19
Foreign Object Debris Risk Assessment, 22
Current Airport Detection Practices, 23
25 CHAPTER FOUR REMOVAL
Current Equipment Available for Removal, 25
Current Airport Removal Practices, 29
31 CHAPTER FIVE DOCUMENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
Documented Items, 31
Database, 31
Assessing Performance, 32
Improving Foreign Object Debris Management, 33
Current Equipment and Technology Available for Documentation, 33
Current Airport Documentation Practices, 35
37 CHAPTER SIX TRAINING AND PROMOTION
Human Factors, 37
Culture, 38
Training, 38
Promotion, 39
Current Airport Training, Promotion, and Management Practices, 42
45 CHAPTER SEVEN CONCLUSIONS
47 ACRONYMS
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48 REFERENCES
50 BIBLIOGRAPHY
51 APPENDIX A PARTICIPATING AIRPORTS
52 APPENDIX B AIRPORT SURVEY OF INSPECTION PRACTICES QUESTIONNAIRE
66 APPENDIX C SURVEY OF MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIERS OF AIRPORT INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY
AND EQUIPMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
71 APPENDIX D SAMPLE FOD AND DAMAGE PREVENTION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
76 APPENDIX E SAMPLE FOD PROGRAM AND INSPECTION GUIDANCE
78 APPENDIX F SAMPLE FOD WALK GUIDANCE
81 APPENDIX G SAMPLE FOD INSPECTION FORM
83 APPENDIX H SAMPLE LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR UNPLANNED RUNWAY CLOSURES
86 APPENDIX I LISTING OF EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FOR FOD MANAGEMENT
