In the Spotlight

First International Conference on Sustainable Airport Pavement Management (SAPM): Dr. Navneet Garg from the FAA Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) branch delivered the Keynote Speech, Addressing Sustainability at Airport Pavements, at the First International Conference on Sustainable Airport Pavement Management, held in Singapore on September 24-25, 2024. The conference was jointly organized by the Pavement Engineering Society (Singapore), Changi Airports International Pvt. Ltd, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. The conference was the first of its kind that addressed emerging issues in sustainability and managing airport pavements. 

Dr. Garg also participated in a panel discussion on the upcoming transition from Aircraft Classification Number-Pavement Classification Number (ACN-PCN) to Aircraft Classification Rating-Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR). The conversation highlighted the challenges many airports face when adapting to this new system and underscored the importance of accurate data collection for pavement classification ratings. It was a thought-provoking session featuring perspectives from global experts such as Cyril Fabre (Airbus Industries, ICAO APEG), Choon Onn How (Changi Airport Group, Singapore), Narsimha Saralaya, (Bangalore Airport, India), Dr. Greg White (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia), Dimas Salvia (Rio de Janeiro Airport, Brazil), and Chew We-Sen (Changi International Airport, Singapore).

The conference was attended by more than 220 airport operators, airport consultants, contractors, and academics from 27 countries.

Dr. Navneet Garg | Navneet.Garg@faa.gov

Dr. Navneet Garg from the FAA Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) branch has been selected to serve as an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) President-appointed member to the Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) Board of Governors. T&DI is responsible for all sustainable transportation and development activities at ASCE and works to transform the future by advancing knowledge and practices. His term becomes effective October 9, 2024, and will continue through September 30, 2025. The ASCE T&DI is one of the nine technical institutes of ASCE and is led by a Board of Governors, which includes four elected members, two appointed members, one appointed Younger Member, and one ASCE Presidential Appointee.

Dr. Navneet Garg | Navneet.Garg@faa.gov

Nick Subbotin and Darian Byrd of the Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) branch and support technicians Jim Newman, Scott Smith, and Matt McGown installed custom baffles on lighting systems that pilots use to help navigate landings at two airports in California on September 16-20, 2024.

At Truckee Tahoe Airport (TRK), the local FAA office requested Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) baffles on Runway 20 to satisfy Flight Inspection Criteria. Mountain terrain in the approach path is an obstacle for pilots. Surveys and custom metal shields, called baffles, were installed inside and on the face of the VASI to block the light signal in the vicinity of the mountain terrain. This will result in a pilot needing to fly closer to the extended runway centerline to see the VASI light signal and, therefore, away from the mountain terrain. Flight Inspection Services will determine if the result is satisfactory and if it should be commissioned for use in the National Airspace System (NAS).

At Ukiah Municipal Airport (UKI), the local FAA office replaced the Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs) on both runway ends with a new design unit. The old REILs had baffles installed on them to reduce the intensity of the flashing lights from a nearby road and structures. Local FAA requested ATR to custom fabricate baffles for the new design units. A new design was created and installed on both REILs. Flight Inspection Services will determine if the result is satisfactory and if it should be commissioned for use in the NAS.

Nick Subbotin | Nick.Subbotin@faa.gov
Darian Byrd | Darian.A.Byrd@faa.gov

Jim Patterson of the Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) branch attended the 2024 Office of Airports, National Consultant Workshop in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 27-28, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to work with the consultant community on improving communication, managing expectations, and ensuring that programs and processes run as smoothly as possible. Patterson gave three presentations: General Tech Center ATR Research Updates, Section 383 Update and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Detection System Process, and UAS Applications.

Jim Patterson | Jim.Patterson@faa.gov

Members of the Australian Concrete Pavement Organization visited the William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace on August 23, 2024. The group was hosted by Murphy Flynn, Dr. David Brill, and Dr. Dan Offenbacker of the Airport Technology Research & Development (ATR) branch, Pavement section.

Murphy Flynn | Murphy.Flynn@faa.gov
Dr. David Brill | David.Brill@faa.gov
Dr. Dan Offenbacker | Daniel.I.Offenbacker@faa.gov