Mr. David Whatley

1
AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS

• Mr. David Whatley
• Director
• Aviation Weather Program
• Federal Aviation Administration

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
Overview

• Snow Removal
• De-icing Operations
• Refueling Operations
• Equipment Protection
• Ground Support Personnel Effectiveness
• (Maintenance and Baggage Handlers)

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
Snow Removal

• Customer
• Airport Operations
• Needs
• Forecasts of snowfall onset
• Forecast and observations of rate of accumulation
  (e.g. DCA 0.5" per hour)
• Forecasts of snowfall termination
• Temperature forecasts dictate spraying and/or
  sanding (after plowing/sweeping)

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
De-icing Operations

• Customers
• Air Carriers
• General Aviation Operations
• Fixed Base Operators (FBOs)
• Needs
• Forecasts of freezing precipitation (Snow,
  Freezing Rain, Ice Pellets, etc) including
  accumulation rate
• (e.g. forecasts issued 3 times per day in percent
  probability in hourly increments out to 16 hours)

5
AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
De-icing Operations

• Needs
• Forecasts and observations of rain on cold wings
• Updates on actual accumulation (drives fluid type
  and hold-over times)
• Forecasts and observation of ice pellets, frost,
  ice fog, ice crystals
• Forecasts and observations of sudden wind shifts
  (reposition equipment)

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
Refueling Operations

• Customers
• Air Carriers
• FBOs
• Needs
• Forecasts of lightning potential
• Observations of lightning within 3 nautical miles
  of airport

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
Equipment Protection

• Customers
• Air Carriers
• FBOs
• Airport Operations
• Needs
• Forecasts and observations of gust front
  occurrence
• Lead-time for stowing equipment

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
Ground Support Personnel Effectiveness

• Customers
• Airport Operators
• Air Carriers
• FBOs
• Needs
• Forecasts and observations of temperature and
  wind chill factor
• Mitigation of effect on people and equipment

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AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONSWEATHER SUPPORT
REQUIREMENTS
Summary

• Weather factors into the daily airport ground
  operations
• Goals
• Improve the safe, efficient, and effective
  throughput at air terminals by improving the use
  of existing weather capabilities and developing
  new technologies