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King County International Airport (KCIA) has recently launched an improved foreign object debris (FOD) control and prevention program. While the FAA requires all airports to manage debris on airfields, KCIA has instituted several changes in the last two months and plans even more upgrades this year.
“It’s a big safety issue,” said Samuel Priest, Operations Duty Manager, of debris on airfields in general.
Foreign objects commonly found at KCIA include rocks, plastic bags, napkins, chip bags or other garbage, airplane parts or pieces of tires. Debris may be dropped by people, fall off an airplane or a vehicle, or be blown in by the wind. Birds also can drop things – presumably including a salmon that was found on the runway at KCIA. Sometimes birds themselves become FOD after a plane and bird collide.
“Anything like that can get stuck in an airplane engine and that could cost lives,” said Vanessa Chin, Business Information Management Manager, said.
It’s an issue that’s dominated recent news, with jet engines that have blown up mid-air over Colorado and the Netherlands, sending debris scattering. That has highlighted the importance of FOD prevention and management programs.
“We just kicked it into high gear and made it more available and apparent to everyone,” Priest said.
“The difference is we’re implementing a program for preventative maintenance,” added Chase Dolliver, maintenance crew chief.
The recent changes include:
- Moving to a two-shift schedule that now includes a swing shift, with employees working from 4 p.m. to midnight. This provides staff who can clear debris when the airport isn’t as busy as it is during the day.
- Regularly using the “FOD*BOSS,” a mat with rubber fittings that picks up debris, pulled by a pickup truck, every night during swing shift on the runways and taxiways, according to Dolliver.
- Tracking what areas have been cleaned, using software tools such as Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) on the sweeper and FOD*BOSS. GPS devices are installed on the sweepers and trucks, and software can even track when then broom goes up and comes back down, Chin explained.
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Priest, Dolliver and Chin all emphasized that one of the keys to FOD maintenance that the airport has always subscribed to is that FOD is everyone’s job.
“Our employees are always looking for FOD. They’re looking as they drive. If they see anything, they pick it up or reach out to us,” Dolliver said. “We’re always on top of it. Requests are taken seriously. We’ll drop everything and go take care of it.”
More improvements on the way:
- KCIA has ordered two triplex trailers, each with three FOD*BOSS mats.
- The airport is working on a portal that will allow tenants to send a request to remove FOD. This is anticipated to launch by fall.
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The new and improved FOD program has been a collective effort by Priest, Chin, Dolliver, Jay Keister, and Marvin Moye, with support by Mike Colmant.
“I’m especially proud of the efforts of our entire team of front line staff and business information folks who are making a difference in controlling foreign object damage,” Colmant said. “The collaborative effort is impressive.”
For more information on the FOD control and prevention program, or for tenants who want to schedule a presentation by airport staff, see our website.
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Crews were out in force at King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) over President's Day weekend to keep the airfield open, plowing and de-icing after a wintery blast dropped at least 12 inches of snow over two days.
Crews kept the main runway clean and usable at all times. The small runway was reopened within 72 hours. All general aviation tenant tiedown and hangar locations were cleared within 48 hours.
While KCIA remained open, Sea-Tac Airport closed all runways late on Friday night, February 12. KCIA received calls asking if the airport was open and prepared for possible diverted flights.
Pilots at KCIA reported fair or good braking conditions throughout the snowstorm. A small executive jet landed safely on Saturday after an alert with a ground spoiler fault message. The loss of spoilers can significantly increase landing distances.
Preparation was key to KCIA’s management of the snow. New de-icer tanks with more capacity proved their worth, with more than 20,000 gallons of liquid de-icer applied over 48 hours. Snow teams did multiple days of practice runs on the airfield before any snow fell Friday night. Maintenance staff prepared all snow equipment.
“With only one mechanic at the airport, we had Heavy Duty equipment maintenance support provided by DES-Fleet with outstanding results,” said Davey Pilley, operations manager. “Fleet mechanic Wor Young provided outstanding support in getting our equipment back in service.”
Three plows broke down at various times. Two were back in service within an hour, the third was out of service for about five hours. A snow broom also broke down early in the storm.
Airport mechanic Anthony Spelts volunteered to work the overnight shift so that Fleet’s Young could work on day shift, and two maintenance employees volunteered to help out on the holiday with tenant area cleanup. FMD support staff members Reggie Connors, Mike Taylor and Shayden Soljot worked extended hours and cleared terminal sidewalks and other areas so the maintenance team could focus on the airfield. Snow cleanup ended by 6 a.m. on Monday, February 15. Thanks to all who pitched in before, during and after the snowstorm.
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Flight operations at King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) were halted for a few hours on Friday, February 12 after a major gas leak.
Preliminary reports indicate that contractors working in the airport terminal parking lot at 7300 Airport Way South hit a natural gas line. Seattle Fire Department crews responded to the incident, evacuating the airport terminal and several other buildings in the area after dangerous levels of gas were measured.
Responders also established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closing Airport Way South on the east side of the airfield from South Norfolk Street to South Hardy Street. No homes were located within the zone. The gas line was finally shut down late Friday afternoon. No injuries were reported.
Aircraft takeoffs and landings were temporarily halted while crews worked to bring the incident under control. The ground stop was lifted early Friday evening once responders cleared the scene and the gas dissipated. Airport Way reopened later Friday.
KCIA officials worked with Seattle Fire, Seattle Police, King County ARFF, Seattle City Light, and Puget Sound Energy to respond to the incident.
Map courtesy of KING5.
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After operating virtually during most of the pandemic, the Museum of Flight reopened on March 4 with timed entry tickets, mask requirements and a few other adjustments. Some exhibits and aircraft will be closed including the 727, Concorde and all play areas.
The museum has some new special offers: "private, curated tours for groups of up to four combining exclusive access to aircraft cockpits and cabins, viewing of rare artifacts not on public display," and more, according to the museum website.
Attendance will be capped to 25% of capacity until state requirements change.
Photo of the "Alexander Eaglerock" courtesy of Museum of Flight.
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