The PASSUR OPSnet Report 
Informing the Airport Operations Community
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See How Airports Handled the Latest Snowstorms
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Here's just a taste of how airports that use PASSUR OPSnet have handled the recent snowstorms. MKENearly 50 inches of snow means the Field Condition Reporting (FCR) application has been a lifesaver. [Read more]HPN
In its first year in the community, timely communications have improved dramatically. [Read more]BOSLogan has gone wireless to make FCR even more effective. [Read more]
DENIt's been a mild winter, but they're still putting the system to good use. [Read more]
JFK and LGAThe New York airports are using SOAP and that means they've seen tremendous benefit. [Read more] |
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| JANUARY 2009 |
Welcome to the January edition of The PASSUR OPSnet eNewsletter, developed for the national community of OPSnet users.
The PASSUR OPSnet community is unique - bringing together airports, airlines, FAA, cargo operators, FBOs and others on a single,  live platform of collaborative decision making, instant communication and information sharing, common situational awareness, and operational best practices and protocols - in order to create a more cost effective, safe and efficient airport operating environment.
Whether you're already a member of the community or you're interested in learning more, we have something for you in this newsletter. As the newsletter develops, we'd like to hear more from you about what you'd like to see. Send your ideas to me, Ron Dunsky, Executive Editor, at rondunsky@passur.com. |
| Around the Network |
 We are pleased to welcome Newark Liberty International Airport and Oakland International Airport to PASSUR OPSnet. Both airports will be using the Field Condition Report module to keep all users -- local, national and international -- aware of the latest status of their operation, along with construction and runway maintenance advisories. They will also distribute NOTAMs electronically directly from be integrating PASSUR OPSnet, which includes both eNOTAM and email capabilities. |
Two Major Snow Events Affect Airport Operations in the Midwest and Northeast
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 A pre-Christmas snowstorm made its way through the Midwest and Northweast on December 19 and 20 and impacted OPSnet cities MKE, LGA, JFK, HPN andnd BOS. Interviews with various airport operations suggest PASSUR OPSnet is getting a heck of a workout so far this snow season, with good results. In some cases, this is the airport's first year using PASSUR OPSnet. Highlights include:
Click here to learn specifics on how each airport handled the inclement weather. |
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FAA Issues Guidance on Runway Friction Reports
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The FAA issued an advisory circular (pdf) (AC) which provides guidance to assist airport operators in developing a snow and ice control plan, conducting and reporting runway friction surveys, and establishing snow removal and control procedures.
This document is filled with excellent insight into handling snow and ice events. Of particular interest is the section on friction reporting. The FAA clearly states that they have found no correlation between runway surface friction readings obtained by specialized vehicles (MU Readings), and braking action reports from flight crews (PIREPs).
"FAA-approved friction measuring equipment may be employed for conducting runway friction surveys, but the airport operator must not attempt to correlate friction readings (MU numbers) to Good/Medium (Fair)/Poor or Nil runway surface conditions. It is important to note that the manufacturers of the approved friction measuring equipment may provide a table that correlates braking action to MU values. These tables may be beneficial to airport operators for a general assessment of pavement surface condition; however, they should be used for planning purposes only and not for reporting. Under no circumstances should an airport operator attempt to convert these manufacturer values to runway braking action descriptions, as no correlation has been shown to exist."
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Tip: Master Coordination Screen "Mouse Over" Content Entries - Clear Out Old Info!
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Important! If there is nothing operationally important or out of the ordinary to report in the Facilities Status or Airside Operations and Airfield Conditions content areas, they should be left blank.  This will help make the screen easier to view and more effectively prompt the user to direct their attention to entries made.
The heart of OPSnet is the Master Coordination Screen - a compilation of the data contained in all of the other screens presented in an easy to read manner. A key component of that page is the "need to know" approach to information - if there's nothing to know, there's no information - ensuring the minimum amount of clutter and distraction for you, the user. This "need to know" approach applies to all the "free-form" text content areas, which are the mouse-over boxes viewable only when they contain information. They include:
- Facility Status Screen: Ramps/Taxiways, Gate, Jetways, Terminal, Concessions, Distressed Pax.
- The Airside Operations and Airfield Conditions section
Please ensure you are clearing out old information from these sections, to ensure users are paying attention to relevant information only.
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