Central Region Introductions

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• Part 139.327
• Self Inspection Program

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TOPICS

• Review Section 327 of FAR Part 139
• Elements of a successful inspection program.
• FAA inspection results.
• Inspection personnel training.
• Inspection techniques.
• Non-standard marking/lighting/signs.
• FAA Navaids.

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139.327 SELF INSPECTION PROGRAM

• Self Inspections are required to be conducted
• ? Daily, except as otherwise required by the ACM
  or ACS.
• ? During and after construction activities or
  weather conditions that may affect safe air
  carrier operations.
• ? Immediately after an accident or incident.

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139.327 SELF INSPECTION PROGRAM

• Airport Operators must provide
• ? Equipment for use in conducting safety
  inspections of the airport.
• ? Procedures, facilities, and equipment for
  reliable and rapid dissemination of information
  between airport personnel and its air carriers.

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139.327 SELF INSPECTION PROGRAM

• Airport Operators must provide
• ? Procedures to ensure that qualified personnel
  conduct the inspections.
• ? A reporting system to ensure prompt correction
  of unsafe airport conditions.

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139.327 SELF INSPECTION PROGRAM

• Airport operators must prepare and keep a record
  of inspections showing conditions found and all
  corrective actions.

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Airport Operator Responsibility

• Procedures addressed in ACM/ACS.
• Airport self inspections are normally conducted
  twice a day, including a night inspection.
• Inspection personnel receive at least on-the-job
  training.
• Checklists are used to document all inspections.

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Airport Operator Responsibility

• Elements of a Successful Self Inspection Program
• Airport management emphasis
• Knowledgeable inspection personnel
• Effective inspection techniques
• Good documentation
• Effective system for corrective actions and
  follow-up

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FAA Inspections

• An FAA inspection of the movement area is
  actually an evaluation of the airports self
  inspection program.
• Discrepancies to Part 139 are noted on a Letter
  of Correction and entered into a national FAA
  computer database.

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FAA Inspections
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FAA Inspections

• FY94 FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98
• Total
• Discrepancies 82 84 80 107
  97
• 61 62 48 58
  63
• Percent of Discrepancies in the
  Movement Area

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Inspection Personnel

• If airport self inspection personnel are not
  adequately trained, the certificate holder is not
  in compliance with part 139.327(b)(3).

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Training Program for Inspection Personnel

• Establishing a formal training program consisting
  of classroom and OJT should reduce the number of
  part 139 discrepancies noted during FAA
  inspections and enhance safety for aircraft
  operations.
• Recurrent training may also need to be conducted
  periodically.

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Training Program for Inspection Personnel

• Training Topics
• Airport Familiarization
• Part 139
• ACM/ACS
• Marking/Lighting/Sign Standards
• Vehicle Procedures Communications
• Inspection Techniques Records
• Reporting Procedures
• SMGCS

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Problems With Inspection Techniques

• Going through the motions.
• Daily Inspections are vary routine.
• Ineffective inspections of pavement lips and
  safety areas.
• Driving down the runway centerline makes it
  difficult to observe pavement lips and surface
  variations in safety areas.
• Gradually deteriorating conditions.
• Difficult to notice.

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Problems With Inspection Techniques

• Examples of Gradually Deteriorating Conditions
• Rubber buildup
• Faded markings
• Faded wind socks
• Surface variations due to erosion
• Over 3 inch pavement lips due to settling of soil
  after projects
• Turf buildup along pavement edges due to sand
• Exposed light stakes due to frost heave

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Non-Standard Marking/Lighting/Signage

• Since 1991 the area with the most discrepancies
  has been Section 139.311, Marking and Lighting.

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Non-Standard Marking/Lighting/Signage
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Non-Standard Marking/Lighting/Signage

• Factors
• Specific part 139 requirements for marking and
  lighting systems went into effect in 1991.
• Airports continuously have AIP projects.
• High emphasis by FAA on meeting FAA standards,
  due to past accidents where non-standard
  marking/lighting/signage was a contributing
  factor to the accident.

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Non-Standard Marking/Lighting/Signage

• Airport operators should check project plans and
  conduct inspections during construction.
• Designate an Airport Marking Lighting Guru.
• Unique or non-standard application of FAA
  standards must be coordinated with FAA
  documented in the ACM.

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FAA NAVAIDs

• There has been an ongoing problem with FAA
  NAVAIDs not meeting part 139 requirements.
• Bases not maintained at grade level.
• Non-frangible installations.
• Trenches left during construction.
• Equipment shelters located in safety areas.

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FAA NAVAIDs

• Airport operators should closely monitor FAA
  NAVAIDs and new installations.