New Survey Standards for Airports
By Diane Hofer, PE
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In May 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published new survey standards that have had a significant impact on master planning, as well as runway construction projects that are funded with FAA grants. The standards are contained in the new 492-page Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-18B (aka "18B").
The detailed standards require not only specific survey procedures, but also the input of GIS attributes. Raw data files are submitted to the FAA, along with the electronic drawing files and GIS files. While the standards are currently limited to runway and planning projects, ultimately all FAA-funded planning, design, and as-built surveys must meet the standards. These standards will be implemented over the next year or so.
In addition, when imagery/aerial photography is needed, the new AC 150/5300-17B requires that this be completed with the leaves still on the trees. The imagery data files must then be approved by the FAA before the survey can begin. This can delay projects by 6-12 months as we wait for FAA approval and then the growing season.
All documents and data are submitted via the FAA Airports GIS Web site, https://airports-gis.faa.gov/airportsgis/, and the FAA must approve each item before proceeding to the next step. Imagery (aerial photography) files are usually sent on a portable hard drive, due to their size.
AC -18B adds many steps to surveys funded by FAA grants. Current knowledge and experience, as well as advance planning (perhaps as much as one year in advance), are needed to keep projects on schedule. Olsson Associates has this knowledge and experience. We have already begun implementing the new standards. Our experience and leadership in this new facet of airport design is a key component to a successful airport project.
Meeting these considerable requirements requires the focus of key personnel. AC-18B is so detailed and immense that it can't be accomplished as a secondary duty or side job. Diane Hofer (Airport team) and Tom Bruggeman (Survey team) have been assigned to all AC-18B surveys as one of their primary duties and are focused on meeting all FAA requirements. Having key personnel concentrating on these requirements is necessary for the successful completion of airport projects.
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You can reach Diane Hofer with Olsson's Airports team at dhofer@oaconsulting.com.
