AVIATION-AIRPORTS

From the Ground Up:

By necessity, airports are stable environments - offering an orderly haven for their rhythm of arrivals and departures. Yet, airports continuously change and adapt in order to maintain this condition of stability.  Whether aircraft traffic flows or maintenance flows, integrating a strong foundation of quality geographic information systems can lend significantly to a clear and consistent perspective for  effective airport management.

Clear for Taxi:

Obviously, ground control likes to know where their planes are, but that is only one of many moving parts at an airport.  Passengers, baggage, freight, fuel, security, emergency services, maintenance crews and other support resources are continuously in play, adding to an often complex system of active services and resources.  Understanding where and how these services and resources flow and interact in an airport environment is key to successful scheduling, tasking and future planning.

Having a standardized and current perspective of airport facilities whether through aerial mapping, 3D modeling, or even LiDAR scanning, can supply a solid geospatial baseline for assigning and scheduling resources or even staging EMS and security services in an emergency. Seeing an existing airport layout from various perspectives can also help to see how it can be improved. In some instances, this can even include features surrounding the airport relating to obstacle avoidance, noise abatement, and even future expansion. 

Facilities Reporting & Maintenance:

Another aspect of successful airport management is maintaining its facilities at top condition. Giving workers the ability to identify, document, and track issues in real-time through mobile GIS systems means issues with runways, taxiways, edge lighting and other airport facilities can be promptly reviewed and acted on. Having a first hand perspective through geo-positioned location images can lead to better communication and process monitoring.

Simulation:

The airport apron is jammed with airplanes as an emergency alternate airport, Runway 27 is closed due to flooding, the main fuel distribution terminal has malfunctioned; experiencing worse case scenarios without interrupting the daily grid for a second has its benefits.  While these examples are a bit extreme, they can teach critical lessons, making simulation one of the most valuable tools GIS can offer.  Equally, flight simulation models has made significant bounds in training, conditioning pilots to new airports and environments using the latest in geographic modeling systems. 

Whether as a pilot, an air traffic controller, or airport manager - simulation allows you to stress the system, learn the lessons, and bring the knowledge to real world.

Airport GIS (AGIS):

At the national level, the FAA has recognized the importance of shared, accurate, and consistent geographic information through its own geospatial initiative known as Airports Surveying-GIS Program or (AGIS).  Its overall intention is to modernize the existing mapping, reporting, and management systems through the integration current geographic information content, networking and systems. 

Alpha Golf Lima:

Feel free to contact us at AGL for any additional details - we'll do our best to answer any questions and give you some ideas on navigating around any challenges you might have, even a pesky NOTAM or two. Other than that, you're clear for departure - left traffic.