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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7653 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7653 "' C PT *,, October 13, 1992 " To the Mayor and Members of the City Council sTEXAy Subject: ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION-MEACHAM AIRPORT 'On August 4, 1992, the Federal Aviation Administration Safety & Standards Branch began a three day inspection of Fort Worth Meacham Airport concluding on August 6, 1992. The inspection was the customary Annual Airport Certification Inspection as required Under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 139. The annual inspection is required at all certificated airports. The FAA inspection was unrelated to recent violations concerning airfield incursions when individuals either walking or in a vehicle entered an aircraft movement area, i .e. taxiway or runway. This item was addressed by the FAA in separate correspondence. The inspection involved such areas as pavement, ground vehicles, airfield lighting, signage and markings, aircraft rescue & firefighting, self-inspection records, training, fueling operation and equipment, airport certification manual , public protection, emergency plan, personnel , airfield maintenance, and other areas stipulated under FAR Part 139. The inspection 'revealed that the airport was in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 139, the Airport Certification Manual (ACM) , and the Airport Operating Certificate. However, the FAA made some general OPOI comments and recommendations, as indicated in the report. Actions taken to date, by staff, are provided for your information. Staff will continue to monitor required actions. ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION - MEACHAM AIRPORT COMMENTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION RESPONSES 1. Emergency Plan: Please advise our office once the emergency review is completed. This review will be due no later than August 31, 1992. Action - Completed 2. Ground Vehicles: The airport is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for numerous ground vehicle and pedestrian deviations which have been addressed in separate correspondence. We noted that the airport is in the process of installing fencing around the airport to help alleviate future potential for such occurrences. We recommend the following actions also be taken: a. Fencing of the Byam Propeller parking lot. -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7653 October 13, 1992 X64 caar�p To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 6 ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION-MEACHAM AIRPORT rtxA Subject: Action - Completed b. We noted that tenants and airport users are allowed to park their vehicles on the airport operations area (AOA) next to hangars even though the city has designated parking next to the terminal and fixed base operators (FBO) have parking lots. This practice encourages the use of these private vehicles on the AOA, thus giving access to movement areas and creating the potential for future deviations-. We recommend the airport take steps to discourage the parking of private vehicles inside the AOA and encourage the use of designated parking and create additional designated parking as needed. Action - Letters sent to tenants on August 7, 1992 setting a deadline for compliance of September 1, 1992. C. The removal of concrete islands on the east ramp at the threshold of Runway 27. Action - Included in a proposed FAA grant project expected to be awarded by FAA in early 1993. d. A pedestrian gate be installed at the Texas Jet lobby entrance. Action - Completed. e. Increase awareness of tenants and airport users of the vehicle and pedestrian problem. Action - Have held Ground Vehicle Training meetings on August 11th, August 14th, September 1st, September 8th, and will continue meetings and briefings as part of our awareness campaign. f. Installation of fencing from the aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) station south to connect with the fencing for the Hospers Hangar. Action - Although this location has not been a problem, fencing at this location will be included in a future improvement project. Estimated completion date April 1, 1993. g. The construction of a sidewalk outside the AOA fence parallel to North Main Street. Action - The process for hiring a consultant to design this improvement including FAA grant pre-application for the associated perimeter fence will begin immediately. 3. Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials and Substances: An inspection of fuel trucks found several emergency shutoffs which did not -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7653 October 13, 1992 roc f0g)"o To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 3 of 6 ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION-MEACHAM AIRPORT Subject: work properly. These discrepancies were corrected during the inspection. Action - Corrected during inspection. 4. Marking and Lighting: a. Step 4 on the high intensity runway lights for Runway 16L/34R was inoperable. We were advised the airport electrician is aware of the problem and is taking corrective action. Action - Work scheduled to be completed by December 1, 1992. b. We recommend that all holdlines be highlighted in black due to the light color of the pavement. For additional guidance, refer to Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-1F. Action - Paint has been ordered. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. C. Until* the new airport guidance sign system is installed, temporary hold signs need to be installed at the threshold and east ramp along Runway 27. Action - Signs have been ordered through the City Signs & Marking Division. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. d. Edge striping needs to be added to the Taxiway Juliet filets and both edges of Taxiway Alpha. Action - Paint has been ordered. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. e. The extended Taxiway Juliet centerline on Runway 16L/34R is fading and needs to be repainted. Action - Paint has been ordered. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. f. We recommend the proposed rehabilitation of airfield lighting project be expedited. Action - Included in a proposed FAA grant project expected to be awarded by FAA in early 1993. 5. Paved Areas: a. A lip approaching 3 inches was observed along the east edge of Runway 16L/34R between Taxiways Juliet and Charlie. If this is not repaired in the near future, it could become a regulatory opol violation. Action - Work scheduled. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. -ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7653 ,,&0T I oW, __ October 13, 1992 , DIV 4?o To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 4 of 6 ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION-MEACHAM AIRPORT rFXAy Subject: b. As in last year's report, we continue to recommend projects be undertaken for crack sealing and rejuvenation of Runways 9127, 16L/34R, Taxiway Echo, Papa, and Quebec pavements. Due to block cracking and oxidations, we also recommend the same for Taxiways Charlie, Sierra, and Romeo. Action - Work scheduled. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. 6. Safety Areas: a. Electrical duct markers at the intersection of Taxiway Juliet need to be made flush with the grade. Action - Work scheduled. Estimated completion date December 1, 1992. 7. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: a. ARFF made a good response of 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Action - Noted. b. When scheduling ARFF training and hot drills, please keep in mind that manpower pool have the same requirements as assigned crews. Action - Noted. C. As in the last two inspections, we continue to recommend the replacement or rehabilitation of Emergency 34 due to age. We have been advised this vehicle is spending more and more time out of service for repair and its reliability is becoming questionable. Action - The Aviation Department will make a written request to the Fort Worth Fire Department to include this item in the proposed FY 1993-94 Budget. 8. Personnel : a. We have made note in the last two inspections that airfield maintenance has improved. We believe this to be due to an increase of maintenance personnel . We are now concerned that a citywide decrease in manpower will cause the loss of advances made in the last three years and again plunge the airport below the minimums required to meet regulatory standards. Therefore, we strongly urge the certificate holder to keep manning levels for maintenance at their current level as a minimum and to increase the number of maintenance personnel if possible. Action - Noted. We will continue to provide an appropriate staff given ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7653 �•p•��. October 13,1992 O�fORT p To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 5 of 6 0 `rexay� Subject: ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION - MEACHAM AIRPORT current budget consideration. b. To enhance FAR 139 and airport operation knowledge, we recommend attendance of a FAA/AAAE sponsored Airport Safety and Operations Specialist School (ASOS) . These are held at various locations throughout the nation. Contact the AAAE for additional information. Action - Airport staff will be scheduled to attend, as needed, and if funds are available. 9. Capital Improvement: a. The purchase of a vacuum sweeper vehicle. Action - We currently have a vacuum sweeper. b. The rehabilitation of the airfield lighting system. Action - Included in a proposed FAA grant project expected to be awarded by FAA in early 1993. C. The rehabilitation of Runways 9/27, 16R/34L, Taxiways Echo, Papa, Quebec, Charlie, Sierra, and Romeo. Action - Included in a proposed FAA grant project expected to be awarded by FAA in early 1993. d. The replacement or rehabilitation of Emergency 34 due to age and condition. Action - Referenced above in item 7(c) . e. The upgrade of the airport sign system to meet the new standards in AC 150/5340-18C and include distance to go markers. Action - Included in a proposed FAA grant project expected to be awarded by FAA in early 1993. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS - INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No.— 7653 October 13, 1992 flEiOft'. To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 6 06f 6 ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION-MEACHAM AIRPORT x Subject: 10. Closing Comments: The cooperation and courtesy shown to me by you and your staff during the inspection were greatly appreciated. Action Noted. d� - Bob Terrell City Manager BT:j ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS