Hector Airport Receives FAA Safety Award November 15, 2006

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Date:          November 15, 2006
Subject:     ACTION Airport Safety Excellence Award Program
                   Hector International Airport (FAR)
                   Fargo, North Dakota
                   Nomination for Award

From:        Manager, Safety Standards Branch, AGL-620
To:             Manager, Airports Division, AGL-600

We recommend Hector International Airport (FAR), Fargo, North Dakota, for recognition under the Airport Safety Excellence Award program at the 22nd Annual Airport Conference. The management and staff at Hector International Airport are responsible for the accomplishment of numerous outstanding operational improvements and significant safety enhancements (see below).

Over the past five years, FAR has significantly enhanced their ability to manage snow and ice control through acquisition of various pieces of snow removal equipment, and friction-measuring devices, in addition to upgrading runway sensor equipment for snow and ice control.  FAR recently upgraded all runway safety areas to meet current FAA design standards in addition to improving drainage to eliminate wildlife attractants adjacent to the runways. 

In 2005, FAR completed an entire perimeter road system, which has significantly reduced the number of ground vehicles accessing runways and has enhanced emergency access at FAR. Hector International Airport has also added various runway safety enhancements such as runway guard lights and surface painted signs to further delineate runway environment.

Currently, FAR is working closely with the North Dakota Air National Guard to relocate the current Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station to a location that further enhances ARFF response times.

The past three-certification safety inspections have identified Part 139 compliance with no 139 discrepancies. The dedication to safety exhibited and practiced by the management and staff of Hector International Airport is noteworthy and deserving of our recognition.

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 Hector International Airport
Fargo, North Dakota
Airport Safety Excellence Award

Introduction

• Hector International Airport (FAR) is the busiest airport in the state of North Dakota with respect to passenger enplanements.
• FAR is served by three major air carriers: Northwest, Delta, United, in addition to regularly scheduled charter service provided by Allegiant Air and several other charter airlines. 
• From November 2005 - September 2006, FAR annual passenger enplanements expanded 12% to 29,940.

Runway Incursion Prevention and Safety Initiatives

• FAR has installed Runway Guard Lights and Surface Painted Hold Position Signs in various locations on the airfield.
• FAR has acquired and upgraded various pieces of snow removal equipment to include a new high-speed runway broom acquired in 2006 to enhance the snow removal operations at FAR.
• FAR maintains and has recently upgraded a constant friction-measuring vehicle (SAAB) to report friction measurements during winter weather conditions.
• FAR has installed a complete perimeter road system to minimize non-essential ground vehicle traffic from movement areas and further enhance emergency response on the airfield.
• FAR has recently upgraded all runway safety areas to meet current FAA design standards.
• FAR maintains ARFF equipment well above their required index and has recently installed Forward Looking Infrared cameras on all ARFF vehicles.
• FAR is working with the North Dakota Air National Guard on plans to relocate the current Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station to a more central location on the airfield, which will improve aircraft response times.

FAR Part 139 Compliance Accomplishments:

• FAR has three consecutive years with no Letter of Correction discrepancies issued during the annual airport certification inspection.