Its that time again. As some of you may already be deicing and plowing snow, the real winter season is just starting for others. The first real test for the snow plows and deicers. Safety during these times is paramount. Our snow removal plan is activated with two Inches of dry snow or 3/8 Inch of wet snow, generally Issuing a NOTAM closing the airport until deemed safe by the Airfield Supervisor. As our maintenance crew plows the runways and taxiways we are helping keep the walkways and other facilities safe for the public. Once the maintenance crew gets a good handle on the situation the operations crew will enter the movement area and begin to clean taxiway and runway signs, Part 139.311 states all signs must be visible! It is very Important to have communications with the snow plows and the ATCT if open. We do not need a snow plow hitting a vehicle or person because he did not know the vehicle was there. NOTAMs should be Issued and updated as the situation deems necessary. ATC would appreciate updated condition reports (braking action, accumulation and snow banks)for the ATIS. We have had request for condition reports to be done every hour. We do not have a twenty four hour control tower, so NOTAMs is the best way to get the Information to the Air Traffic. If there is unsafe conditions on your airfield they need to be reported (NOTAM).
Communication is the best route to safety. Talk to the pilots and ATC on your airfield. If they have specific request do your best to work with them. The main goal is SAFETY.
Don't Just Go Through The Motions!
0 comments:
Post a Comment