The PASSUR OPSnet Report 
Informing the Airport Operations Community
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"This a ground-breaking way for us to manage high-demand resources, communicate conditions in
a dynamic operational environment, and use technology to overcome barriers to instant information
sharing with our key partners."
Boston Logan Airport | |
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| August 2009 |
| Welcome to the August edition of The PASSUR® OPSnet™ Report, developed for the national community of PASSUR OPSnet users.
This month, we start with a summary of a financial impact study on PASSUR Field Condition  Reporting. It shows how airports can save hundreds of thousands to millions per year for their carriers.
You'll find an overview of the important new contaminated runway condition reporting contained in the TALPA ARC recommendations issued for review by the FAA. We also review our migration to eNOTAMS and our upcoming user conference.
Thanks for reading. As usual, please let us know how we can improve this newsletter by contacting Ron Dunsky, Executive Editor, at rondunsky@passur.com.
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Study Shows Savings of Up to $5.3MM per Airport in Fewer Cancellations, Fewer Diversions, and Fewer Secondary Deicings
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A recently completed Financial Impact Study suggests tha  t PASSUR Field Condition Report (FCR) system can save carriers anywhere from $600K to $5.3MM annually - in schedule completion (fewer cancellations), reduced numbers of diversions, and fewer secondary deicings. The range of savings depends on the size of the airport, the size of the carrier's operations, and the rates of diversions, among other things.
The main findings of the study are:
Fewer cancellations: PASSUR FCR is used to dynamically communicate airport capacity in fast moving irregular operations, or in seasonal construction scenarios - information which otherwise would not be available to carriers in a timely enough fashion. For example, a short-haul domestic flight of 1.5 hours duration may cancel if a NOTAM for the arrival airport indicates runway closed, but will operate (launch) if operations/dispatch also sees a separate message that the closure will only last 20 minutes on PASSUR FCR. Savings are derived from additional departures processed.
Fewer diversions: In cases where diversions are considered (or made) because of incomplete, outdated or erroneous assumptions about runway availability during SWAP or winter operations, airline flight operations centers are able to prevent unnecessary diversions by being made aware of the true status and availability of the runways and airfield in general on PASSUR FCR. Savings are derived from a percentage of total diversions prevented.
Fewer Secondary Deicings: Through the use of PASSUR FCR, airports are able to communicate their fast-changing tactical plans for runway treatment BEFORE aircraft are pushed back and processed for deicing, eliminating premature deicing decisions which result in holdover times being exceeded. Savings are derived from fewer secondary deicings.
The new study updates previous financial impact reviews done by PASSUR FCR and PASSUR OPSnet users. One was done by consulting group Booz Allen Hamilton, in conjunction with Delta Air Lines; another was done by the PASSUR OPSnet Steering Committee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
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TALPA ARC Recommendations Issued for Runway Condition Communication
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After a Boeing 737 overran a runway at Midway airport during a snowstorm in December 2005, the FAA found that current industry practices did not have adequate guidance and regulation addressing operations on contaminated runways. An Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) was chartered to address Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) requirements for the industry. It was determined that communicating actual runway conditions to the pilots in terms that were directly related to expected aircraft performance was critical to the success of the project.
The final recommendations were published in April of 2009 and are now under review. The core of the recommended process is the "Paved Runway Condition Assessment Table," designed to replace language which is vague and subject to interpretation with a more standardized, clear and measurable "score" of airplane performance for each of the stated contaminant types and depths. Testing of this pilot program will be expanded to involve 10 to 20 airports during the next winter season.
Performing runway condition assessments and reporting the results in the NOTAM system are closely related, so the recommendations of the committee are presented in two sections.
- Runway Condition Reporting - Whenever a runway is not dry the airport operator must provide runway surface condition reports and maintain a vigilant inspection processes during rapidly changing conditions. The Paved Runway Assessment Table outlines the condition codes comprised of runway condition reports from airport operators and Pilot Reports (PIREPS) provided by pilots to ATC.
- Concept for runway condition NOTAMS - The system must allow for real time dissemination retrievable in several formats and easy import into air carrier dispatch centers. It incorporates into the NOTAM template detailed, comprehensive drop down menus with performance related selections.
The ARC working group sees this as a living document and any changes that result from additional experience gained during the pilot program must be fully coordinated with all stakeholders and incorporated into both sections of this recommendation.
PASSUR is closely involved in reviewing how the TALPA ARC fits into the existing NOTAM/FCR template, and is preparing to integrate the template into the FCR software for coming trials. |
Migration to eNOTAMs is Happening Now
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| Current users of PASSUR OPSnet and the Field Condition Report system will be thrilled to know that we are now actively rolling out our eNOTAM integration with your system. The advantages, in a nutshell, are much more timely distribution of complete field conditions (NOTAM and non-NOTAM) to all constituencies, so that decisions can be optimized (see FCR financial impact study above). All the relevant information is now gathered in one place, and available immediately with no delay.
When you have been notified about the rollout, here is what you can expect to see happen.
- You will be sent a written plan with the full rollout process. Once you have received the plan, we will review it with you verbally to make sure that everything is clear.
- We will then collaborate with you on the layout of the new eNOTAM component within your current setup. Below is an example from Milwaukee.
- A new test site will be created where you can test and train while the current production site remains unchanged.
- We will mutually establish a cutover date when the old system will be replaced with the new one.
- Once implemented, NOTAMs entered into PASSUR OPSnet/FCR will automatically and immediately be sent to Flight Services, update the PASSUR website, and email to a list of your users. It is also stored in the program log for retrieval in reports.
The plan has worked well to date, and we look forward to rolling this out to all of you in the near future. If you have any questions, please contact Frederick Roe at 888-340-3712 |
| Save the Date: The Annual PASSUR OPSnet User Conference |
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When: September 16th-17th, 2009
Join us for dinner on Wednesday night, and the conference Thursday. Please contact your PASSUR representative regarding attendance.
Details to come...
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