Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
1.1 SMITH FIELD SNOW AND ICE CONTROL PROGRAM
The intent of this snow and ice control program is to provide guidance to all persons engaged in aviation aeronautical activities, snow removal, ice control and field condition reporting at Smith Field Airport. This plan should be viewed as being a guide in controlling and removing ice and snow at Smith Field Airport.
Due to the many variables, it is impossible to set forth with any degree of accuracy a textbook-type of instruction or step-by-step method for this work. It is suggested that persons using this guide be completely familiar with the entire physical aspects of the airport, adjacent areas, and the equipment to be used. It is also recommended that aviation operators familiarize themselves with the operational criteria contained in this program so their operations can be adjusted accordingly. Additional snow and ice control information can be found in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulation Part 139 and FAA Advisory Circulars.
Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
1.2 RESPONSIBILITIES AND SUPERVISION
The Airport Supervisor or his designee is responsible for the overall coordination of snow removal and ice control for Smith Field Airport. The Winter Operations Team consists of the Airport Supervisor and the Fixed Base Operator (FBO). The Fort Wayne -Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) Maintenance Department and Public Safety Department support this team.
The Winter Operations Team can be contacted through the Airport Supervisor’s office at 260-489-8020 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Smith Field Air Service at 260-489-5518 seven days a week between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., or the Airport Public Safety Department at 260-747-2624, which can be reached 24 hours per day.
1.3 INSPECTION AND MONITORING
During normal working hours the Airport Supervisor and FBO, will monitor the airfield and weather conditions. Outside the normal business hours the (on duty Public Safety) officer in charge (OIC) will monitor Fort Wayne International Airport’s weather and contact the Airport Supervisor if significant weather could affect Smith Field Airport. The OIC will also stay in contact with the National Weather Service for up to date weather information.
During snow or ice conditions ongoing field checks to determine the presence of snow, ice, or slush and their depths will be conducted. A determination to start snow removal procedures will be made by one of the Winter Operations Team members.
1.4 INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
Prior to the FBO issuing a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) to PSD, the on-duty person shall contact the Airport Supervisor for authorization. If the Airport Supervisor is not available, a message will be left on the Airport Supervisor’s voicemail and the FBO personnel will get authorization from the Operations Manager or the Director of Flight Operations. After receiving authorization, the on-duty personnel will proceed with issuing the NOTAM to PSD. Should airfield pavement conditions be other than normal (free of ice and snow), a NOTAM with the field conditions will be disseminated to:
A. FAA ATCT supervisor (FWA)
Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
B. FAA Flight Service Station
C. Director of Operations and Facilities
D. SMD Airport Supervisor
E. FBO (Smith Field Air Service)
F. Public Safety Department (PSD)
1.5 TENANT RESPONSIBILITIES
The FBO shall remove snow from their areas through their own forces or via contractor assistance. The FBO shall, per agreement, assist the Airport Supervisor with snow removal operations as needed.
The FWACAA and the FBO will provide snow removal up to five feet from hangar doors. It is then the responsibility of each individual tenant to remove the remaining snow at their discretion.
All snow removal must be completed in a manner so as not to create a hazard to aircraft or other property, and all snow shall be stored in properly designated areas only. Under no condition shall any tenant or contractor access the movement areas on the airport for the purpose of snow removal without prior coordination and approval from the Airport Supervisor.
All windrows and ridges created adjacent to movement/non-movement areas must be no higher than 18” within the runway obstacle free area and the taxiway obstacle free area or obstruct any runway lighting or taxiway reflectors.
Anytime an unsafe condition exists as a result of tenant snow removal operations, the tenant will be notified by the Airport Supervisor or designee, of the problem. A NOTAM will be issued notifying airmen of the condition, and the tenant will be responsible for correcting the hazard immediately. If the responsible tenant does not correct the problem in a timely manner, the Airport Authority will correct the problem and charge the responsible tenant for wages, equipment usage, and any other associated costs.
All contractors working on behalf of airport tenants must adhere to all Airport Authority Ordinances and Operations Requirements as well as procedures covered in this Snow and Ice Control Plan. All contractor vehicles must be equipped with an operable amber beacon. Contractors are restricted to only those areas leased and operated by the tenant. Contractors must comply with current Airport Security Plan requirements for airfield access.
Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
1.6 SNOW REMOVAL PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT
All Airport Authority and FBO personnel involved with snow removal and ice control are thoroughly trained in airfield operations, radio communications and the care and operation of the snow removal equipment. The Maintenance Superintendent and Airport Vehicle Mechanics are responsible for the maintenance of the equipment. The Airport Supervisor is responsible for the safe and efficient operation and overall condition of the equipment. The Airport Supervisor shall ensure all equipment is inspected and serviced prior to winter operations season and after each snow event.
All Airport Authority owned snow removal equipment is equipped with a two-way radio used to communicate on Unicom (122.8). Amber rotating beacons are standard equipment on all snow removal equipment. (See Attachment A for list of Airport Authority Snow Equipment)
1.7 AIRPORT AUTHORITY CONTRACTOR CRITERIA
All contractors used by the Airport Authority will only be used on non-movement areas or with Unicom radio capable escort provided by an Airport Authority employee.
All contractor vehicles must be equipped with operable amber beacon as per FAA specifications. (The Airport Authority does not currently have a dedicated contractor for snow removal)
1.8 SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS
Snow removal will normally commence when wet snow or slush generally accumulates to 1/4 inch on fifty (50) percent or more of the runway surface or when 1 inch of dry snow accumulates on fifty (50) percent or more of the runway.
The Airport Supervisor or his/her representative will monitor snow accumulations closely and will take action to close any runway to landing and departing traffic whenever wet snow or slush has been accumulated to 3/4 inch or dry snow has accumulated to 2 inches or more on more than fifty (50) percent of the runway surface.
Prior to plowing any runway(s), a NOTAM shall be issued to close the affected runway(s) when conditions exist that adversely affect the safe use of the runway. A NOTAM shall be issued whenever personnel are conducting snow removal operations on the Movement Area using the following phraseology: “Personnel and Equipment conducting snow removal operations on the Movement Areas.” Whenever possible, the first pass of the plow truck will be made down the center of the runway. Each subsequent pass will push the snow to the same side of the runway centerline that the truck is on. This will ensure that the snow banks on either side of the runway are evenly distributed.
Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
In the case where heavy winds are present, the first pass will be made on the side of the runway from which the wind is blowing and be pushed toward the opposite side of the runway. In all cases, special attention will be made not to leave snow ridges or snow chunks on the Movement or Non-Movement Areas. Every effort will be made to remove any and all snow, ice, and any other condition from the Movement and Non-Movement Areas that could aversely affect the safe and efficient operation of the airport. A blower or front-end loader will be used to disperse all windrows and ridges into the open grass areas, when able. Blowers and front-end loaders will be made available based on the equipment and staffing needs of Fort Wayne International Airport.
The Airport Supervisor or FBO will install marker flags to help identify the edge of Runway 13/31. After each snow melt, the flags will be reinstalled by the Airport Supervisor or FBO.
In the event of heavy snow accumulation, the height of snow banks alongside usable runway, taxiway and ramp surfaces must be such that all aircraft propellers, engine pods, rotors, and wing tips will clear each snowdrift and snow bank when the aircraft’s landing gear traverses any full-strength portion of the movement area. No person will intentionally move snow or ice onto Runways, Taxiways, ramp areas, hangar entrances or hangar drives, or access roads.
In the event that the snow removal crew is unable to comply with the requirements stated above, the Airport Supervisor shall issue a NOTAM to describe the conditions and will notify the ATCT.
Snow removal priorities are as follows:
Runways
Taxiway A
Ramp
Parking lot
Ludwig Rd access gate
Hangar drives
Hangar entrances
Access Roads
RAN Hangar ramp
Cook Rd access gate
These priorities are subject to change depending on wind conditions, pavement conditions, or times of the day.
The FBO will revisit all plowed areas at least twice per day to ensure no snow drifts, ice covers, or other conditions that could adversely affect the safe and efficient operation of the airport exist. This will take place at opening, closing, and as needed throughout the day. The FBO will ensure the conditions of the airport prior to calling the Airport Supervisor. The FBO shall call the Airport Supervisor prior to issuing or cancelling a NOTAM. The FBO shall broadcast NOTAMed conditions along with weather information to every departing and arriving aircraft on initial call-up to the extent possible.
Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
The FBO will solicit Braking Action reports from at least one landing aircraft per hour, during a snow event. This information will be recorded on the NOTAM form in terms of Good, Fair, Poor, or Nil. The following phraseology will be used to solicit Braking Action, “(callsign) Say Braking Action in terms of Good, Fair, Poor, or Nil.” One copy will be faxed to PSD, one copy will be passed to the Airport Supervisor, and one copy will be posted at the front counter in the terminal building.
Signs and lights will be checked frequently by the Airport Supervisor and the FBO, and will be cleared, as manpower is available.
Snow removal operations, within the public parking lot area is performed by FBO personnel.
Smith Field Airport
Snow and Ice Control
TAB : 1
Operations Manual
Program
Date Issued : 10/30/2006
Date Revised: 11/6/2006
ATTACHMENT A
SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT LIST
RADIO CALL SIGN
PLOWS
*Airport Truck 77
1991 IHC, 14 ft. Front Blade 11 ft. Underbody Scrapper 5 cu. Yd. Spreader
*Airport Truck 40
2000 Ford 3/4 Ton Pickup 8 ft. Front Blade with liquid deicer sprayer
BLOWERS Airport Blower 15 1993 Oshkosh Snow Blower with 9 ft. Head Airport Blower 16 1988 Oshkosh Snow Blower with 9 ft. Head Airport Blower 17 2005 Oshkosh Snow Blower with 9 ft. Head
LOADERS
Airport Loader 23 1990 Case End Loader with 8 yd. Snow Bucket & 24 ft. Ramp Blade
Airport Loader 31 2000 Hyundai Loader with 8 yd. Snow Bucket & 20 ft. Ramp Blade
Airport Loader 58 1998 Hyundai Loader, with 8 yd. Snow Bucket and 20 ft. Ramp Blade
* These vehicles are primarily used at Smith Field, but this is subject to change without notification. |