The PASSUR OPSnet Report 
Informing the Airport Operations Community
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"PASSUR OPSnet will allow us to prepare for and shape our economic rebound by optimizing our operational flexibility, strengthening our stakeholders' confidence, improving our situational awareness, and accelerating our decision-making and execution."
Mike Ehl
Director of Aviation Operations
Port of Seattle | |
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| January 2010 |
Welcome to the January edition of The PASSUR® OPSnet™ Report, developed for the national community of PASSUR OPSnet users.
We're starting off the new year with a look at our newest Field Conditions Reporting (FCR) customer, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC). We speak with David Crowner, Senior Manager of Aviation Operations on the airport's decision to join the network of PASSUR OPSnet users.
We're also taking you for a spin around the newly renamed Tarmac Delay Monitor. With the DOT about to put new legislation into effect regulating onboard wait times, this is a solution that you'll want to review.
We finish up with some tips for you on how to use OPSnet during deicing situations.
As a reminder, PASSUR OPSnet is a web-based collaborative program that creates instant communication and information sharing with all key aviation players in real time, resulting in coordinated decision making, effective use of resources, and consistent public information. PASSUR OPSnet is accessed by aviation professionals around the world who need to know the precise and detailed condition of the airport operation in real time.
As always, please let us know how we can improve this newsletter by contacting Ron Dunsky, Executive Editor, at rondunsky@passur.com. |
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| Talking to SEA-TAC About the Decision to Sign Up for PASSUR OPSnet Field Conditions Reporting (FCR) |
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Earlier this month, SEA-TAC became the tenth airport to sign up for PASSUR OPSnet's Field Condition Reporting (FCR) with automated integration with eNOTAMs. We spoke with David Crowner, Senior Manager, Aviation Operations for the Port of Seattle about their decision.
PASSUR: Thanks for taking a few minutes to chat with us. Can you tell us why you decided to look at using PASSUR OPSnet FCR?
David: I was tasked with coordinating communication at SEA-TAC. That means that it's my responsibility to ensure that we've coordinated all of our efforts to collect information and distribute it in a timely and effective manner. PASSUR OPSnet is ideal for  that. We can provide real-time information to our stakeholders and tenants in a timely way so they have the critical information to make the decisions they have to make.
PASSUR: Have you told the carriers that you'll be using FCR going forward?
David: Yes. We had a couple people from PASSUR, including your president, James Barry, come out here to talk to our station managers about it. Alaska is our primary carrier, and they're already familiar with PASSUR so it's just a good fit.
PASSUR: Are the carriers receptive to this?
David: Yes, but you know, it's a different way of doing business for them, so it takes some education. It's the local folks who usually have to interface with us to get field condition reports so they can get that info to the guy in the dark room somewhere who is making flight decisions. Now that doesn't have to happen.
PASSUR: So it's something you can take off their plates, which I imagine they'll like during irregular operations?
David: It's one thing we can take off our plate. They usually call us wanting the big picture about what's happening, but now the PASSUR system will be a key for them to be able to get that picture when they want it. Also, since it's going directly through to the decision-maker to launch the flight, it's seamless for them as well.
PASSUR: How do you plan to integrate this into your standard operating process?
David: We're designing our system so that it's a year-round tool. We've incorporated things like elevator and escalator outages, emergency conditions, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) issues, bird hazards, etc. It's going to be a year-round tool to paint the operational picture for our tenants when they want it.
To learn more about signing up for FCR at your airport, contact Frederick Roe at 203-887-4940 or froe@passur.com. |
| Tarmac Delay Monitor Can Help Your Airport Abide by New DOT Rules |
Now that the DOT has issued a final rule requiring, among other things, that airlines not keep  passengers onboard an aircraft for more than 3 hours off the gate, it is more important than ever for your airport to help your carriers ensure this doesn't happen. The final DOT report stresses the need for airline-airport coordination and collaboration to addresses this problem. PASSUR Tarmac Delay Monitor can help.
A module of PASSUR OPSnet, the Tarmac Delay Monitor will display an alert onscreen and in an email when an aircraft has been stranded off the gate for too long (authorized users set the alert rules). Emails will automatically be sent with the alert to the people who are responsible for making sure that the airplane doesn't stay out there too long. You can coordinate with the airline directly via OPSnet to find a solution that works for everyone, in a secure and confidential environment.
The module helps address some of the key requirements of the new DOT ruling:
- Monitoring lengthy tarmac delays at multiple airports from one location with a dedicated airline employee
- Coordinating effectively with airports
- Providing a detailed record of how tarmac delay events were managed
The system works by tracking out and off messages for departures, and on and in messages for arrivals. It is designed so that different alerts, messaging and tracking of the incident can be done one-on-one with each carrier from one screen. Airlines and airports can use the module both independently, within their own operation, as well as in a collaborative capacity.
At left, you see a screenshot displaying how you can set when your alerts should be sent, who should receive them, and whether departures, arrivals, or both should be included. To learn more about how PASSUR OPSnet's Tarmac Delay Monitor can keep your airport out of the headlines, contact Frederick Roe at 203-887-4940 or froe@passur.com. |
| Useful Tips for Using OPSnet During Deicing Operations |
| We know that airlines and their passengers benefit from the information and collaboration at PASSUR OPSnet airports. Here are some tips for them on how to use PASSUR OPSnet during deicing operations.
During winter airport deicing operations, PASSUR OPSnet is used to communicate, coordinate and, when departure demand exceeds capacity, meter departures (the departure metering program is in place at four of the PASSUR OPSnet airports). When planning your flight schedule prior to a snow event, many changes to the flight schedule are necessary. Based on the forecast, the schedule may need to be thinned. Here are some effective options:
- If flights are cancelled, remember that your allocation of slots is not affected in any way. Your slot allocation is based on the number of flights normally scheduled to operate by hour. Thinning the schedule by canceling flights will not result in a decrease in the number of slots you are eligible to use.
- If you have a period of peak flight activity and you are not able to deice all the flights as scheduled, consider changing departure times in advance. This will spread the work load out and minimize passenger inconvenience.
- Use the online Slot Calculator to determine your slot allocation based on various departure rates. Adjust your tactical departure plan as appropriate.
- Enter flight cancellations in the cancelled flight screen as soon as possible. This information is very useful to the FAA in assessing departure and arrival demand. Timely dissemination of this information can result in the avoidance of traffic management initiatives and departure metering when demand does exceed capacity.
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