AviationGPS technology helps track, monitor airfield anomalies

Published 2 January 2013

When we hear the term “airfield anomalies,” we may think of something serious such as a fire on a runway or a terrorist plot’ most of the time, however, the term could mean something as minor as birds on the runway; a new reporting system makes it easier to track and record such anomalies

When we hear the term “airfield anomalies,” we may think of something serious such as a fire on a runway or a terrorist plot. Most of the time, however, the term could mean something as minor as birds on the runway.

In the past, runway and air traffic staff would file paper reports about such anomalies, which could sometimes led to errors. Government Technology reports that , now the industry has technologies which are better suited for tracking  airfield discrepancies. At Idaho’s Boise Airport, the Eagle system is sued to enhance public safety and reduce delays. The system enables airfield inspectors to perform paperless, digital inspections easily.

“Our previous system was paper-based,” Jeremy Wheeler, Boise’s IT project manager told Govtech. “While the new system is entirely computerized and takes advantage of GIS/GPS technology for accuracy, reporting as well as inventory tracking.”

The Eagle system took more than a year to get up and running. Its safety protocols include parameters for pavement, paint marking, and lighting on runways. According to Boise CIO Garry Beaty,  the biggest reason to upgrade their system was to increase passenger safety, but there are also environmental benefits.

“For example, we have eagles that we can’t chase off,” Beaty told Govtech. “So we’re going through the Environmental Protection Agency to see if we can get the eagles relocated.”

The system allows personnel to track and query events with precise information, improving the decision-making processes which, in turn, leads to  improved safety for passengers and airport staff. In addition, airport personnel can check any date in the past in order to review issues. Every situation is plotted on a map to increase efficiency in location a problem.

“As an example, the paper-based system might record that the seventh light on the left on 10R is out west of taxiway Bravo,” Wheeler said. “You would then have to go out and try to locate that light on your own.”

If the information is incorrect, then there is the potential for inaccurate decisions, which can lead to fateful results.

“Now the system plots it out,” Wheeler added, “and you can drive directly to it using the GPS capabilities.”

Other airports are starting to use similar systems to improve safety in bad weather conditions. The Pittsburgh International Airport is currently using software to show real-time weather results to various airport departments. This allows everyone to be on the same age and to make a uniformed decision to improve ground conditions.

The Boise Airport will have an enhanced version of the Eagle system by March of next year. The new system will include new features which will allow full compliance with the Federal Aviation requirements.