Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports Volume 1: Primer (2015)

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7 3.1 Introduction There is a saying in the aviation community that goes, “If you have seen one airport, you have seen ONE airport.” This is intended to emphasize the uniqueness of each airport. Airports can, and do, vary significantly in terms of the amount of activity that takes place at the airport and the infrastructure that is required to support that activity. The amount of infrastructure may vary greatly between airports; however, the type of infrastructure from one airport to another will usually be similar. For example, the type of signs used on an airfield to direct pilots and aircraft will be relatively consistent from one airport to another regardless of the size or complexity of the airport. The same holds true for many other types of airport infrastructure. The infrastructure at an airport is normally spoken of in two categories: airside infrastructure and landside infrastructure. The airside infrastructure accommodates the movement of aircraft around the airport and includes such things as aircraft parking aprons, taxiways, airfield lights and signs, navigational and visual aids, and runways. The landside infrastructure accommodates the move- ment of ground-based vehicles and passengers and includes such things as access roads, parking lots, garages, aviation– and non-aviation–related businesses, support buildings, and terminal buildings. Figure 3.1 depicts some of the infrastructure systems, both airside and landside, that may exist at an airport. These and other systems will be discussed briefly in this chapter. These systems are: • Airfield electrical vault, • Airfield lighting, • Airfield signs, • Airfield visual and navigational aids, • Airfield pavements, • Airfield markings, • Hangars, • Terminals and administrative/office buildings, • Maintenance and storage buildings, • Fueling facilities, • Deicing facilities, • Landside infrastructure, • Airport-owned utilities, • Obstructions to imaginary surfaces, • Fencing and gates, • Drainage, • Turf and safety areas, • Maintenance equipment, and • Airport vehicles. C H A P T E R 3 Airport Infrastructure

8 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports 3.2 Types of Infrastructure Systems In order to provide the reader with a basic understanding of the infrastructure systems at airports, each of the systems in the previous list will be briefly described, including the purpose of the system, the components that make up the system, and some basic maintenance practices. An airport may not have one or more of the infrastructure systems described here or may have a system that looks slightly different from the one pictured. The purpose is to introduce the reader to the system and provide a basic knowledge of what the system does and what maintenance may be required to keep the system operating properly. A more detailed description of the recom- mended maintenance practices is contained in the guidebook that accompanies this primer and is intended for the use of airport management and maintenance personnel. Airfield Electrical Vault The airfield electrical vault (see Figure 3.2) houses the equipment necessary to power the air- field electrical components, including runway and taxiway lights, signs, and visual and navigation Figure 3.1. Airport infrastructure systems. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Notes: AWOS = automated weather observing systems, PAPI = precision approach path indicator, REIL = runway-end identifier light.

Airport Infrastructure 9 aids. Building construction typically consists of precast concrete, cement blocks, or prefabricated steel. Older vaults may be of wood-frame construction. The electrical vault may also consist of a separate room in another building, such as the terminal or a maintenance building. The vault may be air conditioned or heated to help stabilize the internal temperature throughout the year. Maintenance of the vault generally consists of periodic inspections of the overall condition of the building, routine painting, and maintenance of the air conditioning and heating systems. Main- tenance of the electrical equipment in the vault is discussed in the sections related to the relevant airfield electrical systems. Airfield Lighting Runway and taxiway lights (see Figure 3.3) are used to designate the boundaries of the runways and taxiways at the airfield. The lights may be either mounted on posts of various lengths or may be installed flush with the pavement, depending on where the lights need to be located. The color of the light indicates its purpose; for example, blue lights desig- nate taxiways. Each light is connected to an individual transformer located underground that reduces the main-line power to the voltage and amperage required by the light. Maintenance of the lights includes the replacement of bulbs, cleaning of glass domes, clearing grass and weeds from around the lights, and testing the cable feeding power to the lights. Testing of the Figure 3.2. Airfield electrical vault. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Figure 3.3. Airfield lighting. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

10 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports electrical equipment located in the electrical vault is normally accomplished at the time the electrical cables to the lights are tested. Airfield Signs Airfield signs are used to indicate to pilots where they are located on the airfield and give direc- tions to runways, taxiways, and other areas of the airport. The sign depicted in Figure 3.4 indi- cates that the pilot is on Taxiway C and is at the hold line waiting to enter or cross Runway 3-21. As with runway and taxiway lights, the colors of the sign panels convey specific meanings to the pilot. The power to the signs is supplied by individual transformers located underground, simi- lar to the transformers used for runway and taxiway lights. Maintenance of the signs includes clearing the area around the signs of high grass and weeds, cleaning of the plastic sign faces, bulb replacement, and testing of the electrical cables and transformers supplying power to the signs. Airfield Visual and Navigational Aids Airfield visual and navigation aids (see Figure 3.5) include the airport rotating beacon, approach lighting systems, runway-end identifier lights (REILs), and visual glide path indicators such as precision approach path indicators (PAPIs) and visual approach slope indicators (VASIs). All of these systems are intended to aid the pilot in finding the airport, locating the runway, and making a safe approach to the runway. Required maintenance actions are dependent on the type of system but generally involve the clearing of high grass and weeds from around the system, bulb replacement, testing and maintenance of the electrical wiring, cleaning of any lenses, any calibra- tion required for the system, and preservation and repainting of the metal structures supporting the navigational aids. Some airports have automated weather systems such as automated weather observing systems (AWOS) or automated surface observing systems (ASOS), which are typically maintained through specialized contracts and, therefore, are not covered in this report. Airfield Pavements Airfield pavements (see Figure 3.6) include all runways, taxiways, taxi lanes, and aircraft park- ing aprons. These pavements will be constructed of either asphalt or concrete. It is critically Figure 3.4. Airfield sign. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Airport Infrastructure 11 important to the safety of aircraft that these pavements be maintained in good condition. Unlike automobiles, most aircraft do not easily accommodate even relatively minor flaws in pavement surfaces. Any damage or deterioration of these pavements could result in severe damage to air- craft engines and propellers and could cause injury to personnel from loose debris thrown by a spinning propeller. There are many types of pavement distress and preventive maintenance treatments that are discussed in more detail in the guidebook in Volume 2 for airport managers Figure 3.5. Airfield visual and navigation aids. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Figure 3.6. Example of airfield pavements. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

12 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports and maintenance personnel. Pavement maintenance generally consists of periodic sweeping of the pavement, sealing of cracks, and various types of surface sealing to slow or counteract the effects of environmental conditions. In more severe cases, milling and overlay of the surface with new pavement may be required. Airfield Markings Airfield marking (see Figure 3.7) consists of the painted lines, signs, and designations that appear on the pavements throughout the airport. Their effectiveness (visibility during daylight and darkness) is vital to safe navigation, although they are generally observed only peripherally. Airfield markings are the principal visual aid at general aviation airports, unlike larger airports where signs and lights provide reliable navigation from gate areas to runways. Effective visibility of airfield markings provides situational awareness, distance recognition, and enhanced safety. In general, markings that appear on runways are white, and markings on taxiways are yellow. One notable exception is surface-painted holding-position signs, which are painted on taxiways at the entrance to a runway and consist of white numbers on a red background. The type of markings on a runway is dependent on whether the runway has an instrument approach procedure to guide pilots to the runway during periods of reduced visibility and whether the instrument approach is a precision or non-precision approach. Waterborne paint and glass beads are used at the majority of airports in the United States when pavement markings are installed on runways, taxiways, and aprons. When the materials are applied well, markings can remain effective for a year or more, depending on the airport’s environment and its operations. However, pavement markings deteriorate gradually. Preventive maintenance for airfield markings involves periodic, objec- tive assessment of the condition of the markings based on specific attributes that contribute to marking effectiveness and cleaning or repainting the markings when conditions warrant. Hangars Aircraft hangars (see Figure 3.8) provide storage for aircraft to protect them from the environ- ment and provide increased security. In addition, hangars are also used as aircraft maintenance Figure 3.7. Airfield markings. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Airport Infrastructure 13 facilities. While hangars come in all sizes and shapes, they generally fall into three categories: shade hangars, T-hangars, and box hangars. Shade hangars consist of a framework with a roof, but no sides or doors. They are intended to help protect aircraft from the effects of the sun, rain, and hail. T-hangars are fully enclosed hangars that connect together in a long row. Each hangar is shaped like a “T” and interlocks with the adjacent hangar. This building style conserves space and is generally only used for the storage of smaller aircraft. Box hangars (also referred to as corporate hangars or open-span hangars) are square or rectangular hangars that generally stand alone and can be constructed to accommodate any size of aircraft. In many cases, these hangars are used to house multiple aircraft in the same hangar. Maintenance of a hangar generally consists of maintaining the structural integrity of the building (walls, roof, etc.), maintaining the doors, which can be quite large and complex and may be electrically or hydraulically operated, and maintaining any utility systems in the building. Larger, more complex hangars may also have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, offices, and restrooms. T-hangars are typically not designed with long-term maintenance in mind and require much attention. Poorly maintained hangars can result in displacing tenants and potentially losing revenue. Also, it is difficult to get government grants to replace hangars. (a) (b) (d)(c) Figure 3.8. Hangar types: (a) shade, (b) T with simple door, (c) T with bi-fold door, and (d) box. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

14 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports Terminals and Administrative/Office Buildings Terminals and administrative-type buildings (see Figure 3.9) at a general aviation airport can range in size from a small, utilitarian building with only a small lobby or common area and restrooms to a large, complex building housing offices, conference rooms, large lobbies, pilot rest areas and flight planning rooms, FBO facilities, rental car facilities, and so forth. The larger and more complex the building is, the more infrastructure systems there are that need to be maintained. In addition to the normal structural items that require preventive maintenance, such as roofs, doors, and windows, periodic maintenance may also be required on various utility systems, such as those for electricity, plumbing, HVAC, sprinklers, security, landscape irrigation, and, possibly, emergency generators. In some cases, airport maintenance personnel may be able to properly perform preventive maintenance on these systems; however, it may be necessary for the airport to negotiate contracts with local companies for required system maintenance that is beyond the capability of the airport staff. Maintenance and Storage Buildings Maintenance and equipment storage buildings (see Figure 3.10) will vary in size and complex- ity depending on the intended use of the building. They may be similar in function and design to a simple aircraft hangar or may incorporate offices and workrooms that require plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems similar to those of an office building. In addition, maintenance buildings may also have vehicle lifts, overhead cranes, or other maintenance equipment installed that have specialized power requirements. There may also be the need for an area to store haz- ardous or flammable materials or the need for a fire suppression system. Maintenance of these buildings will be similar to a comparably equipped hangar or administrative building. Fueling Facilities Fueling facilities (see Figure 3.11) vary greatly from airport to airport. The size and makeup of the facility is dependent on the amount and type of fuel sold. The fuel tanks may be either above ground or underground and may be configured with credit card readers and hose reels so as to allow pilots to self-fuel their aircraft. The most common sizes of tanks being used at general aviation airports are 10,000- and 12,000-gallon tanks, but much larger tanks may be installed if Figure 3.9. Terminals and administrative/office buildings. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Airport Infrastructure 15 the amount of fuel being sold warrants it. Maintenance requirements will be specific to the type of system and manufacturer but generally consist of inspecting the integrity of the tanks and piping, sumping the tanks to remove water and contaminants, replacing fuel filters, lubricat- ing the pump assemblies, inspecting the containment areas, and pressure testing hoses and fuel nozzles. Fueling facilities typically must be licensed by municipalities, and federal law requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) and spill, prevention, control, and counter- measure plan (SPCC). Deicing Facilities Deicing of aircraft is performed as part of winter operations at many airports across the coun- try. Deicing facilities provide an area where pilots can have ice and snow removed from their aircraft prior to taxiing to the runway for takeoff. The deicing chemicals mix with precipitation and may be collected by the airport’s stormwater collection system. Depending on the amount of deicing done at the airport each year, the deicing facility may need to monitor the stormwater concentration for compliance with the applicable discharge permits for the airport or collect the Figure 3.10. Maintenance (left) and storage (right) buildings. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Figure 3.11. Fueling facility. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

16 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports deicing fluids and ice and snow that are removed from the aircraft and provide for their proper disposal. ACRP Report 72: Guidebook for Selecting Methods to Monitor Airport and Aircraft Deic- ing Materials provides a process for identifying and selecting methods to monitor stormwater that is subject to runoff containing deicing materials. In most cases, the maintenance of the deic- ing facility consists of normal pavement maintenance and the maintenance of the stormwater drainage system, which will be discussed later in the chapter. Landside Infrastructure Landside infrastructure (see Figure 3.12) consists of those facilities that are used to provide access to the airport by the general public. This includes access roads, automobile parking lots, parking lot access control systems, and lighting systems. The paved areas (roads and parking lots) will face the same circumstances and have similar maintenance requirements as the airfield pavements discussed earlier. The same is true for the markings painted on the roads and parking lots—they will need to be maintained in much the same fashion as the airfield markings. Due to the priority placed on airfield pavements by the FAA and many state aviation agencies, it is not unusual to see access road and parking lot maintenance deferred due to a lack of available maintenance funding. While the priority of airfield pavements is understandable, the repair or replacement of access roads and parking lots may be no less costly, and preventive maintenance of these pavements should not be ignored. If entrance to the parking lots is controlled through some type of electric gates, then they will need to be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating and maintenance manuals. Road and parking lot lighting systems are much simpler and straightforward than airfield lighting systems. In most cases, maintenance of these lighting systems consists of inspecting the light poles for damage from vehicles and replacement of the lightbulbs and any photocell sensors when they have failed. However, due to the height of the light poles, it will most likely be necessary to use a bucket truck to replace the bulbs. Therefore, the airport may need to enlist the aid of the municipality’s public works department or hire a local electrical contractor to perform bulb replacement. Airport-Owned Utilities In some circumstances it may be necessary for the airport to own the utilities at the airport and serve as the vendor of those utilities to airport tenants. This may include utilities such as water when the airport owns the well supplying water to the airport, water storage tank (see Figure 3.13), Figure 3.12. Landside area of the airport. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Airport Infrastructure 17 sanitary sewer lines or septic systems, electric power if it is produced from a power generating system on the airport, or a fiber-optic cable system for Internet connectivity. In any case, the airport takes on the responsibility of a utility company and must provide uninterrupted service to airport tenants. Some utilities, such as water systems, are more maintenance intensive than others and may require detailed recordkeeping showing that the airport is meeting the regulatory requirements for that particular utility. If the airport staff are properly trained in the maintenance of the system, the airport may be able to perform all of the required maintenance. If not, it may be necessary for the airport to enter into a contract with another company to provide the required maintenance to the system. Obstructions to Imaginary Surfaces The FAA has designated specific areas surrounding airports that are to be kept free of obstruc- tions in order to enhance the safety of aircraft flying into and out of the airport. These areas are referred to as “imaginary surfaces” and are based on 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 77. Most of these surfaces begin at ground level and gradually slope up and away from the airport’s runways at various rates depending on the designation of the imaginary surface. It is the responsibility of the airport owner to keep these surfaces clear of obstructions. The most common obstructions are trees, towers, and buildings in the vicinity of the airport. In those cases where the obstruction cannot be removed, for example a building on property that the airport does not own, the FAA strongly encourages the airport to provide obstruction lighting Figure 3.13. Airport water storage tank. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

18 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports on the building to make it more visible to pilots at night or in reduced visibility conditions. The airport should maintain the property it owns in a manner that precludes shrubs and trees from growing to a height where they would become obstructions. The airport is encouraged to enter into agreements with adjacent landowners to remove obstructions on the landowner’s property or light the obstruction in accordance with FAA recommendations. Municipalities should adopt a zoning ordinance to protect the airport. Airport obstructions that are hazards can adversely affect the runway length or restrict instrument operations (see Figure 3.14). Fencing and Gates Airport fencing generally serves two purposes—to prevent wildlife from entering the airport and becoming a hazard to aircraft and to secure the airport from unauthorized entry by persons or vehicles. The type and size of fencing used will vary according to its purpose. The most com- mon types are chain-link fencing for security purposes and wildlife fencing to control the entry of larger animals. Frequently, barbed wire will be installed on the top of chain-link fencing to prevent people from climbing over the fence. Gates (see Figure 3.15) are normally provided at Figure 3.14. Trees obstructing transitional area of a runway. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Figure 3.15. Airport fencing and gates. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Airport Infrastructure 19 strategic locations to allow pedestrian or vehicular entry to the airport. Various security devices and opening systems are used to provide access to authorized persons and automatically open and close the gates. Electrically operated gates are most commonly used for vehicular access. Common maintenance practices include the inspection of the fences for damage or evidence of animals burrowing under the fence, lubrication of gate fittings, and lubrication and mainte- nance of electrical opening devices. Drainage Airports need to provide adequate drainage for large amounts of land to ensure that the pave- ments remain free of standing water and that no flooding occurs during heavy rain events. These drainage systems (see Figure 3.16) could be as simple as ditches and culverts draining the water off the airport property or as complex as underground storm drainage systems with detention ponds and outlets designed to release water at a predetermined rate. In addition, the drainage systems need to take into consideration the security requirements of the airport and not provide a means of access for animals or unauthorized personnel. Drainage systems must provide for a free flow of water to prevent ponding that could attract wildlife such as birds and small mam- mals. Maintenance requirements include the cleaning or mowing of drainage ditches, cleaning of inlets and outlets of culverts and stormwater systems, and maintenance of security devices to prevent unauthorized access to the airport. It is poor practice to overlook maintenance of drainage systems until they are clogged. Turf and Safety Areas Turf areas (see Figure 3.17) include any area of an airport upon which grass or some form of vegetation (other than trees and shrubs) is intentionally grown. In some cases, the turf may be irrigated to maintain the health of the turf and encourage growth. Turf areas may be carefully landscaped for the sake of appearance, such as around terminal or administrative buildings or along the airport access road, or may simply be permitted to grow in a more natural state, such as in safety areas or more remote areas of the airport. The type of vegetation planted must be Figure 3.16. Drainage. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

20 Preventive Maintenance at General Aviation Airports carefully selected so as to avoid varieties that produce seeds or any type of berry that will attract birds or small mammals. In all cases the height of the turf must be controlled by cutting or the application of growth inhibitors to discourage wildlife from entering the airport and establish- ing unwanted and potentially harmful colonies that could threaten the safety of aircraft. In addition, turf areas should be periodically inspected for the presence of burrowing animals that may attract larger predators onto airport property. The removal or eradication of certain types of burrowing animals may require a permit from state or federal wildlife agencies. Runway and taxiway safety areas should be maintained per FAA standards to protect the airspace and provide for aircraft that may overshoot/undershoot the pavement. Maintenance Equipment Airports use a variety of maintenance equipment (see Figure 3.18) to ensure that the air- port remains operational and that the airport grounds are properly maintained to reduce wild- life attractants and enhance the safety of aircraft operating at the airport. This equipment may Figure 3.17. Turf area. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc. Figure 3.18. Example of maintenance equipment. Source: Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Airport Infrastructure 21 include mowers, tractors, snowplows, snowblowers, backhoes, front-end loaders, and various smaller pieces of equipment used to maintain the landscaping. The maintenance of this equip- ment is specific to the piece of equipment and the manufacturer. Airport personnel should refer to the operations and maintenance manuals provided with the equipment to determine the appropriate maintenance actions to be performed and the maintenance schedule to follow. Personnel should be trained to operate in the complex airfield environment before being allowed to work independently. Airport Vehicles Airport vehicles include any cars, pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and gas or electric carts that the airport may use for general transportation and light maintenance duties. As with the maintenance equipment, maintenance of these vehicles is specific to the vehicle and manufac- turer, and airport personnel should follow the recommendations found in the vehicle’s opera- tions and maintenance manuals.