National Academies Press: OpenBook

Airport Operations Training at Small Airports (2020)

Chapter: Chapter 4 - Survey Results

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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 4 - Survey Results." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Airport Operations Training at Small Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25948.
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31 Introduction Each section of this chapter presents survey results for three segments of study participants. First, responses from the entire sample of airports are represented. These responses include large hub, medium hub, small hub, nonhub, nonprimary commercial service, GA, and reliever airports. Second, responses from only large airports are presented, including those from large hub, medium hub, and small hub airports. Third, and in keeping with the main focus of the synthesis, responses from only small airports are presented, including those from nonhub, nonprimary commercial service, GA, and reliever airports. Readers may find it useful to examine responses from all airports, compare and contrast responses for large and small airports, or focus only on the airport size of interest. Participating Airports The majority (75.27%) of airports participating in the study are Part 139 certificated. Even so, 45 participating airports (24.73%) are not Part 139 certificated. Although the study gathered data from airports of all NPIAS categories, nonhub primary commercial service was the most common airport size represented, with 23.63% of respondents from this airport category. Large hub was the next most common, with 19.78% of respondents from this airport category. Small hub and GA were comparable, representing 16.48% and 17.58%, respectively. Medium hub airports represented 13.19% of respondents, while reliever and nonprimary commercial service airports represented 7.69% and 1.65%, respectively (see Figure 5). The study also had wide geographic reach, with each of the nine FAA regions represented. As shown in Figure 6, the Great Lakes region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) and the Southern region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) had the highest representation, with 20.11% and 19.55%, respectively. The Eastern and Southwest regions had the next highest representation, with 15.64% and 13.97%, respectively. The Western-Pacific region represented 9.50% of participating airports. The Northwest Mountain region represented 8.94% of participating airports. The Central region represented 6.15% of participating airports. The New England region represented 5.59% of participating airports. The region least represented, Alaskan, represented only 0.56% of participating airports. Personnel and Budgets The size of airport operations departments varies greatly in terms of number of personnel. Among all participating airports, the majority of operations departments have 1–10 employees C H A P T E R 4 Survey Results

32 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Figure 6. Participating airports by FAA region. Figure 5. Participating airports by NPIAS airport category.

Survey Results 33 (see Figure 7). The average across all participating airports is 12.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) operations employees. Among participating large airports, most operations departments have 50 or fewer employees (see Figure 8). Participating large airports average 38 FTE operations employees. Among participating small airports, the majority of operations departments have fewer than 10 employees, and more than half have 5 or fewer employees (see Figure 9). Participating small airports average 6.5 FTE operations employees. The actual number of operations personnel varies significantly among participating air- ports. As expected, larger airports generally employ more operations personnel than do smaller airports. Table 2 presents the number of operations personnel by NPIAS category. Likewise, annual training budgets also vary depending on the size of airport, the resources available, and the number of personnel. Because training budgets vary so widely, Table 3 pre- sents low, average, and high training budgets for each airport category. The low and high amounts may be considered outliers. Among large hub airports, the average training budget is $220,583, which equates to $7,353 per employee. Among medium hub airports, the average training budget is $26,700, which equates to $1,669 per employee. Among small hub airports, the average training budget is $20,926, which equates to $2,093 per employee. Among nonhub airports, the average training budget is $13,168, which equates to $1,463 per employee. Among non primary airports, the average training budget is only $833, which equates to $139 per employee. Among reliever airports, the average training budget is $4,000, which equates to $1,000 per employee. Among GA airports, the average training budget is $13,278, which equates to $3,320 per employee. It is necessary to exercise caution when analyzing these data, however. Because only a few responses represent certain NPIAS airport categories (i.e., nonprimary and reliever), findings may not be Figure 7. Number of operations personnel, all airports.

34 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Figure 9. Number of operations personnel, small airports. Figure 8. Number of operations personnel, large airports.

Survey Results 35 generalizable to the entire population of airports in each category. Airports may spend much more or much less than these averages. Additionally, the data reported by participating air- ports may not allow for accurate comparisons among airport categories. For instance, some airports reported capital costs for learning management systems, while other airports reported only annual ongoing personnel training costs. Some airports reported training costs above and beyond Part 139 training requirements, to include city- or county-required training. Some air- ports may not have included all training costs. Areas of Operations Responsibility Participating airports were queried regarding the specific areas for which operations employees are responsible. Overwhelmingly, the areas of responsibility of operations employees among all participating airports are movement and nonmovement areas, representing 93.96% and 87.25% for participating airports, respectively. Terminals, security, and airside maintenance were also quite common, representing 67.11%, 59.73%, and 48.99% for all participating air- ports, respectively (see Figure 10). Among participating large airports, common areas of responsibility for operations employees are movement areas (98.53%), nonmovement areas (91.18%), terminals (63.24%), and security (55.88%) (see Figure 11). These specific areas of responsibility for operations employees are similar among small airports. At a larger percentage of small airports, however, operations employee responsibilities also include airside maintenance (62.96%), landside maintenance (55.56%), and landscaping (55.56%) (see Figure 12). Medium hub 6 16 35 Small hub 2 10 21 Nonhub 1 9 41 Nonprimary 3 6 10 Reliever 1 4 10 GA 0 4 10 NPIAS Category Low no. of employees Average no. of employees High no. of employees Large hub 11 30 50 Table 2. Employees per NPIAS airport category. NPIAS Airport Category Low Average High Large hub $9,000 $220,583 $1,500,000 Medium hub $3,000 $26,700 $60,000 Small hub $2,500 $20,926 $70,000 Nonhub $500 $13,168 $150,000 Nonprimary 0 $833 $1,500 Reliever 0 $4,000 $12,500 GA 0 $13,278 $200,000 Table 3. Average training budget per airport category.

36 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Training Methods Among all airports participating in the study, 22.82% have a dedicated training department. Among participating large airports, 33.82% have a dedicated training department whereas, among participating small airports, only 13.58% have a dedicated training department. Even if the air- port has a dedicated trainer, training is generally handled within the operations department rather than by a separate training department. At the majority of both large and small airports, training is handled by an employee with additional duties rather than by a dedicated trainer. Participating airports were asked about the specific training methods they currently use. Among all airports participating in the study, numerous training methods are in use (see Figure 13). Figure 11. Areas of operations responsibility, large airports. Figure 10. Areas of operations responsibility, all airports.

Survey Results 37 Figure 12. Areas of operations personnel responsibilities, small airports. Figure 13. Training methods in use, all airports.

38 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports The most common method for training operations employees is on-the-job training, indicated by 85.81% of participating airports. Other common methods include computer-based training (70.27%), PowerPoint presentation (68.24%), conferences (68.24%), video (56.76%), quizzes/ tests (55.41%), airport library/references (55.41%), and discussion (53.38%). Among partici- pating large airports, on-the-job training (86.76%), computer-based training (85.29%), and PowerPoint presentations (79.41%) are most often used (see Figure 14). Among participating small airports, the most common training methods are on-the-job training (85.00%), confer- ences (65.00%), and PowerPoint presentation (58.75%) (see Figure 15). Training Topics To provide a better understanding of training topics included in airport operations training programs, the survey queried participating airports on this subject. Among all participating air- ports, at least 75% of participants include the following 11 topics, shown in order of popularity (see Figure 16): 1. Airfield self-inspections (94.96%) 2. Airfield familiarization (96.40%) 3. Wildlife hazard management program (89.93%) 4. Airport emergency plan (88.49%) 5. Movement area (87.77%) 6. Airfield nightly inspections (86.33%) Figure 14. Training methods in use, large airports.

Survey Results 39 7. Aeronautical radio procedures (84.17%) 8. Airport rules and regulations (84.17%) 9. NOTAMs (84.17%) 10. Airport standard operating procedures (79.86%) 11. 14 CFR Part 139 and Airport Certification Manual (77.70%) Among participating large airports, at least 75% of respondents mention the following 13 training topics, shown in order of popularity (see Figure 17): 1. Airfield familiarization (100%) 2. Airfield self-inspections (98.41%) 3. Movement area (98.41%) 4. Airfield nightly inspections (96.83%) 5. 14 CFR Part 139 and Airport Certification Manual (95.24%) 6. Wildlife hazard management program (95.24%) 7. Airport emergency plan (93.65%) 8. NOTAMs (93.65%) 9. Aeronautical radio procedures (88.89%) 10. Airport rules and regulations (88.89%) 11. 14 CFR Part 77 Obstructions to Air Navigation (87.30%) 12. Airport standard operating procedures (87.30%) 13. Emergency management (87.30%) Figure 15. Training methods in use, small airports.

40 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Figure 16. Training topics, all airports.

Survey Results 41 Figure 17. Training topics, large airports.

42 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Among participating small airports, at least 75% of participating airports mention the following nine topic areas, shown in order of popularity (see Figure 18): 1. Airfield familiarization (93.42%) 2. Airfield self-inspections (92.11%) 3. Wildlife hazard management program (85.53%) 4. Airport emergency plan (84.21%) 5. Aeronautical radio procedures (80.26%) 6. Airport rules and regulations (80.26%) 7. Movement area (78.95%) 8. Airfield nightly inspections (77.63%) 9. NOTAMs (76.32%) Initial Training Among all participating airports, employees receive on average 217 hours of initial training. Participating airports use various sources of training. Among all participating airports, the most common sources of training include in-house printed or e-materials (73.08%), in-house lecture (70.77%), in-house PowerPoint (70.00%), in-house video, and AAAE ANTN Digicast videos and tests (47.69%). Most “Other” responses (20% of participating airports) reference on-the- job training (see Figure 19). Among participating large airports, employees receive on average 312 hours of initial training. The lowest reported is 8 hours per employee, whereas the highest reported is 1,040 hours per employee. The most common sources of training include in-house PowerPoint (76.67%), in-house printed or e-materials (76.67%), in-house video (68.33%), and in-house lecture (68.33%) (see Figure 20). Among participating small airports, employees receive 104 hours of initial training on average. The lowest reported is 0 hours per employee, whereas the highest reported is 500 hours per employee. Similar to all participating airports, small airports commonly source training from in-house lecture (72.68%), in-house printed or e-materials (70.00%), in-house PowerPoint (64.29%), AAAE ANTN Digicast videos and tests (45.71%), and in-house video (44.29%) (see Figure 21). Recurrent Training Among all participating airports, employees receive on average 31 hours of recurrent training. The most common sources of recurrent training among all participating airports include in-house PowerPoint (73.64%), in-house lecture (68.22%), in-house printed or e-materials (65.89%), in-house video (55.81%), and AAAE ANTN Digicast videos and tests (45.74%) (see Figure 22). Among participating large airports, employees receive on average 40 hours of recurrent training. The lowest reported is 7 hours per employee, whereas the highest is 250 hours per employee. The most common sources of training are in-house PowerPoint (83.05%), in-house printed or e-materials (71.19%), in-house lecture (64.41%), and in-house video (62.71%) (see Figure 23). Among participating small airports, employees receive on average 30 hours of recurrent training on an annual basis. The lowest reported is 0 hours per employee, whereas the highest reported is 160 hours per employee. Similar to all airports, the most common sources of training among small airports include in-house lecture (71.43%), in-house PowerPoint (65.71%), in-house printed or e-materials (61.43%), in-house video (50.00%), and AAAE ANTN Digicast videos and tests (48.57%) (see Figure 24).

Survey Results 43 Figure 18. Training topics, small airports.

44 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Figure 19. Sources of initial training, all airports. Note: ACE = Airport Certified Employee; ASOS = Airport Safety and Operations Specialist. Figure 20. Sources of initial training, large airports. Note: ACE = Airport Certified Employee; ASOS = Airport Safety and Operations Specialist.

Survey Results 45 Figure 21. Sources of initial training, small airports. Note: ACE = Airport Certified Employee; ASOS = Airport Safety and Operations Specialist. Figure 22. Sources of recurrent training, all airports. Note: ACE = Airport Certified Employee; ASOS = Airport Safety and Operations Specialist.

46 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports Figure 23. Sources of recurrent training, large airports. Note: ACE = Airport Certified Employee; ASOS = Airport Safety and Operations Specialist. Figure 24. Sources of recurrent training, small airports. Note: ACE = Airport Certified Employee; ASOS = Airport Safety and Operations Specialist.

Survey Results 47 Effective Training Strategies In an effort to determine practices currently in use to train airport operations personnel, the survey asked participants about their most effective methods for training employees with some aviation experience or education, as well as for training those without aviation experience or education. The word cloud in Figure 25 presents a visual of terms mentioned most often by participating small airports in training those with some aviation experience. These open-ended responses were analyzed for common themes among the respondents. In training airport operations personnel with some aviation experience or education, the following themes are apparent among participating airports: • Focus on standardization to the airport • On-the-job training, sometimes combined with classroom sessions • Online training tools: ANTN and Airport Certified Employee (ACE) • Conference sessions Figure 26 presents the most commonly mentioned phrases for training airport operations personnel without some aviation experience or education. Figure 25. Word cloud of most common phrases related to effective training strategies for those with some aviation experience or education. Figure 26. Word cloud of most common phrases related to effective training strategies for those without aviation experience or education.

48 Airport Operations Training at Small Airports In training airport operations personnel without aviation experience or education, the follow- ing themes are apparent among participating airports: • Structured classroom training followed up with on-the-job training • Formal training courses: AAAE, Airport Safety and Operations Specialist (ASOS), ANTN • Conference sessions • Use of periodic evaluations to ensure retention • Sending employees to attend classes at local colleges • Training conducted in the same way as for those with experience • Refusal to hire those without previous aviation experience Innovative Training Practices Participating airports were also asked about unique or innovative training practices that they implement in training airport operations personnel. Although the case examples in Chapter 5 of this report highlight unique training practices, analysis of the open-ended responses to this question reveals the following themes: • Airport exchange programs • Rotation of on-the-job training to ensure employees are trained by more than one person • Scenario-based training – Driving simulator setup – LiveATC (air traffic control) for radio training For specific examples of innovative training practices, please review the 14 case examples in the following chapter.

Next: Chapter 5 - Case Examples »
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Managers of airports of all sizes face a perennial dilemma: how to efficiently train operations personnel to meet Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 139 requirements and ensure a safe and secure airport environment.

The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program's ACRP Synthesis 112: Airport Operations Training at Small Airports focuses on airport operations employees and aims to better understand current training methods and programs in use by small airports in the United States (including nonhub, nonprimary commercial service, reliever, and general aviation) to initially and recurrently train airport operations employees.

Supplemental material to the report includes several appendices, including Appendix H, Appendix I, Appendix J, Appendix K, and Appendix L.

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