Coordinating Glider Activities with Powered Aircraft Operations at Airports

Transcription

1 : Recommended Funding Amount: $300,000 ACRP Staff Comments No staff comments. TRB Aviation Group Committee Comments AIRFIELD AND AIRSPACE CAPACITY AND DELAY: Supported. This is a well written proposal that could provide benefit. It is suggested the scope be expanded to include other types of unpowered activity at airports, specifically parachute landing operations. Review Panel Comments Recommended. As this problem is not unique to gliders, the scope of the proposed research should be broadened to other non-powered flight activities (e.g., balloons, parachutes). A best practices guide would be helpful. It would also be helpful to understand how significant this problem is and how many airports are affected by this type of activity.

2 FY 2014 ACRP PROBLEM STATEMENT ACRP Problem Number: Problem Statement Title 2. Background Gliders, also referred to as sailplanes, are unpowered, heavier-than-air aircraft that have been used as a vehicle to satisfy humans desire to fly well before the invention of controlled powered flight by the Wright Brothers in While gliders may share an appearance that is similar to powered aircraft, they have many unique characteristics that require specialized operational procedures, both during flight and while on the ground. As a result of the unique operational characteristics of these aircraft, airports are often required to temporarily alter or halt standard airfield procedures to accommodate glider activities, which have the potential to interrupt powered aircraft operations. The potential for conflict between glider operators, airport sponsors, and powered aircraft operators over the use of an airfield has resulted in some airports drafting rules and operating procedures to coordinate these activities in a safe and efficient manner; however, many airports throughout the county have not drafted guidelines or operating procedures to address these issues. While this lack of policies, processes, and procedures may be attributed to cooperation between glider operators, airport sponsors, and powered aircraft users, it is essential to note that most airports are unsure of the process necessary to draft effective oversight rules and procedures to coordinate glider activities with standard airport operations. Since an authoritative resource is not available through regulatory or other industry association documentation, guidance is needed to explain how airports should oversee and coordinate glider activities. There are many challenges in developing effective operating procedures for gliders so that activities can occur with minimal impact to powered aircraft operations. Listed below are just a few of the areas that a guidance document could provide insight on effective approaches to address these issues: Communication Gliders may or may not be equipped with a transmitting radio, which has the potential to cause communication conflicts between glider and powered aircraft activity, both within the traffic pattern and within the air operations area (AOA) at an airport. There have been instances where a lack of communication between glider and powered aircraft within the traffic pattern has resulted in near collisions and missed approaches. Likewise, a lack of communication between powered aircraft and gliders have resulted in instances of near collisions and potential runway incursions. Guidance is necessary to establish effective communication and/or traffic pattern procedures so that gliders and powered aircraft can operate safely if conducting operations concurrently so that potential collisions and incursions can be avoided. Pre- and Post-Flight Ground Handing The launching and recovery of gliders often involves ground support staff and vehicles to help stabilize gliders prior to takeoff, after landing, and during March 15, 2013 Page 1 of 5

3 taxiing and other maneuvering procedures. This typically requires the staging of people, vehicles, and aircraft within the AOA that would otherwise not be permitted for typical powered aircraft operations. Understanding that staging these resources on or in proximity of the runway or designated takeoff area is important. Providing guidance that regulates the positioning and coordination of these resources to limit runway occupancy times and to avoid potential collisions with aircraft and runway incursions would be valuable. Ground Based Winch Launching Procedures Ground based winches are another method to launch gliders in addition to the use of powered tow aircraft and self-propulsion. Ground based winches are vehicles or trailers equipped with a large diesel engine or electrical motor that pulls a 3,000 to 5,500 foot cable at a high rate of speed to launch a glider to an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet. While this offers a less expensive cost-per-launch, it does require safety protocols and trained staff to ensure launches and recovery of the tow line are conducted in a safe manner. Due to the unique nature of this launch procedure, guidance is needed to define, coordinate, and regulate the use of ground based winch launching equipment. Glider Operations at Single Runway Airports While airports with multiple runways may be able to support glider and powered aircraft operations at the same time, single runway airports are often limited in options to allow each activity to occur concurrently. Airports with a single runway that support glider activities have a particularly unique challenge in that temporary closure of the runway, taxiway and/or designation of a glider operations area within the runway safety area (RSA), object free area (OFA), or other area on the airfield large enough to support glider operations is necessary. Guidance is needed to define methods for a single runway to support and coordinate glider activity so the runway and/or airfield can be effectively utilized by both powered aircraft operations and gliders in a safe and efficient manner. Based upon conversations with numerous airports with glider operations, there is a desire to obtain national guidance or at least general information that can be utilized so procedures can be developed and tailored to local situations. Particular research is needed to better understand the issues facing airport sponsors, glider operators, and powered aircraft users so that effective coordination methods, techniques, and operating procedures can be development to minimize potential operational conflicts. With a comprehensive investigation of issues facing all parties, many potential benefits could be realized that include: Strengthening the relationship and level of cooperation between airport sponsors, glider operators, and powered aircraft users through the creation of operating procedures or guidelines. Enhancing the efficiency of glider operations so that launching, traffic pattern, and recovery operations minimally impact other airport operations. Identifying procedures for the staging of people, vehicles, and aircraft during launching and recovery operations so that the potential for collisions and runway incursions are minimized. March 15, 2013 Page 2 of 5

4 Establishing procedures and operating guidelines for ground based winches so that glider launches and tow line recovery can be conducted safely, efficiently, and with minimal impacts to other powered aircraft and glider operations. Providing techniques and methods to most effectively and efficiently conduct glider activity at single runway airports so that other airport operations are minimally impacted. Increasing the insurability of glider operators and airport sponsors through the application of the study findings so that operating procedures and guidelines can be developed to demonstrate to insurance underwriters that a level of safety is being maintained. Through this research effort, a better understanding can be gained of the challenges and issues facing airport sponsors that have glider operations at their facility so that methods, guidelines, and procedures can be developed to minimize impact to other airport operations. Likewise, this research effort also serves to benefit glider operators so that methods and procedures can be developed to improve the safety and efficiency of launching and recovery operations. 3. Objective The objective of this project is to research the challenges and issues facing airport sponsors so that methods, guidelines, and operating procedures can be developed to coordinate glider activities with powered aircraft operations. 4. Proposed Tasks The following tasks are proposed to complete this project: Task 1: Research Existing Documentation A review of existing documentation from the FAA and industry associations will be conducted in addition to a review of gliding operating procedures that have been developed at airports across the country. Task 2: Interviews Interviews will be conducted with airports that have glider operations to collect information on challenges, techniques, methods, and best practices that have been used to coordinate gliding activities with powered aircraft operations. Task 3: Analysis of Information Information collected from the documentation research and interviews will be gathered and analyzed to identify the primary challenges airports face that have glider activity. Likewise, methods, techniques, and best practices that have been successfully implemented at airports to coordinate glider activities with powered aircraft operations will be identified. Task 4: Guidebook A final guidebook and sample guidance/procedures document will be prepared to present the findings of the study which will include a summary of the documentation research, interviews, and analysis of information. March 15, 2013 Page 3 of 5

5 Task 5: Sample Glider Operating Procedures Document A sample glider operating procedures template will be provided for airports to reference when drafting guidelines and operating procedures for glider activities at their facilities. 5. Estimated Funding: The estimated cost of this project is $300, Estimated Research Duration: The total estimated time to complete this project is 15 months. 7. Related Research: There is limited published research and documentation on the issues and concerns that face airport sponsors with glider activities at their facilities. A few airport master plans have addressed facility and operational improvements that are needed to better coordinate glider activities while industry newsletters and guidance documents have provided information on specific issues such as the use of ground-based winches or techniques that should be considered during takeoff, soaring, or landing. The Federal Aviation Administration s (FAA) Glider Flying Handbook serves as a technical manual for glider operators and provides operational information for the launching and recovery of gliders at airports. Additionally, the Soaring Safety Foundation s (SSF) Safety Officer Training Guide provides safety guidance on the coordination of glider activities at an airport. 8. Process Used to Develop Problem Statement: This statement was developed based on discussions that were had between aviation planners and airport officials on the issues facing airports with glider operations and the lack of industry guidance on how to address these concerns. The following individuals provided ideas and shared information about the need for additional guidance on the challenges facing airports with glider activities: Ms. Stephanie A.D. Ward, AICP Mr. Paul Strege, C.M. Mr. Joseph Malak Manager, Aviation Planning Project Manager Airport Manager Mead & Hunt, Inc. Mead & Hunt, Inc. Lenawee County Airport Lansing, Michigan Madison, Wisconsin Adrian, Michigan Mr. Mark Breukink, PE Business Unit Leader, Aviation Services Mead & Hunt, Inc. Lansing, Michigan Mr. Bob Gehring Chair, Hartford Airport Committee Hartford Municipal Airport Hartford, Wisconsin 9. Person Submitting Problem Statement and Date: Zachary Puchacz, ACE Aviation Planner Mead & Hunt, Inc Port Lansing Rd. Lansing, MI March 15, 2013 Page 4 of 5

6 (517) Submission date: March 15, 2013 March 15, 2013 Page 5 of 5