AENG 419

AERODROME ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

Airport Planning
The emphasis in airport planning is normally on the expansion and
improvement of existing airports.

However, if an existing airport cannot be expanded to meet the future

demands or the need for a new airport is identified in an airport system
plan, a process to select a new airport site may be required.
Airport Site Selection

The scope of the site selection

process will vary with size,
complexity, and role of the new
airport, but there are basically
three steps.
• Identification
• Screening
• Selection
Airport Site Selection

Identification
Criteria is developed that will be used to evaluate different sites and determine
if a site can function as an airport and meets the needs of the community and users.
• Identify the land area and basic facility requirements for the new airport.
• Part of this analysis will be a definition of airport roles if more than two airports
serve the region.
• Sites should be within a certain radius or distance from the existing airport or
community, or that sites should be relatively flat.
• Several potential sites that meet the criteria are identified.
Airport Site Selection

Screening
Once sites are identified, a
screening process can be applied to
each site. An evaluation of all
potential sites that meet the initial
criteria should be conducted.
If any sites are eliminated
from further consideration, thorough
documentation of the reasons for that
decision is recommended.
Airport Site Selection

Screening
The remaining potential sites should then undergo a detailed comparison
using comprehensive evaluation criteria. While the criteria will vary, the following is
typically considered:
1. Operational Capability
• Airspace Conditions
• Obstructions
• Weather

2. Capacity Potential
• Available land
• Suitability for construction
Airport Site Selection

Screening
3. Ground Access
• Distance from the demand of aviation services
• Regional Highway Infrastructure
• Available Public Transportation Modes

4. Development Costs
• Terrain
• Land Costs
• Land Values
• Soil Conditions
• Availability of Utilities
Airport Site Selection

Screening
5. Environmental Consequences
• Aircraft Noise
• Air Quality
• Ground Water Run-off
• Existence of Endangered Species,
Cultural Artifacts, Historical Features
• Relocation of Families and Businesses
• Changes in Socio-Economic Characteristics
Airport Site Selection

Screening
6. Compatibility with Area Wide
Planning
• Impact on Land Use
• Effect on comprehensive land-use
plans and transportation plans at the
local and regional level.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
While a weighting of the evaluation criteria and weighted ratings or ranking of
the alternative sites is often used in selecting a site, caution must be used in applying
this technique since it introduces an element of sensitivity into the analysis.
The process should focus on providing decision makers with information on
the various sites in a manner that is understandable and unbiased.
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
1. Regional Plan
• The site selected should fit well into the regional plan thereby forming it an integral part
of the national network airport.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
2. Airport Use
• The selection of site depends upon the use of an airport. Whether civilian or military
operations.

3. Proximity to other Airports

• The site should be selected at a considerable distance from the existing airports so that
the aircraft landing in one airport does not interfere with the movement of aircraft at
other airports. The required separation between the airports mainly depends upon the
volume of air traffic.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
4. Ground Accessibility
• The site to be selected should be readily accessible to other users. The time to reach
the airport is an important consideration especially for short haul operations.

5. Topography
• This includes natural features like ground contours, trees, streams, etc.

6. Wind
• Runway is so oriented that landing and takeoff is done by heading into the wind.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
7. Obstructions
• When an aircraft is landing or taking off, it loses, or gains altitude more slowly as
compared to its forward speed.
• Long clearance areas are provided on either side of runway known as approach areas
over which aircraft can safely lose or gain altitude.

8. Visibility
• Poor visibility lowers the traffic capacity of the airport. The site selected should therefore
be free from visibility reducing conditions like fog, smoke or haze.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
9. Noise Nuisance
• The extent of noise nuisance depends upon the climb out path of aircraft type, of engine
propulsion and the gross weight of the aircraft.
• The site should be selected that the landing and takeoff paths of the aircraft pass over
the land which is free from residential or industrial development.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
10. Grading, Drainage, and Soil Characteristics
• Grading and drainage play an important role in the construction and maintenance of
airport which in turn influences the site selection.
• The original ground profile of a site together with any grading operations determine the
shape of an airports area and the general pattern of the drainage system.
• Sites with high water table which may require costly subsoil drainage should be avoided.
Airport Site Selection

Selection
 Factors for the Selection of a Suitable Site for a Major Airport Installation:
11. Future Development
• Considering that the air traffic volume will continue to increase in the future, more
number of runways may have to be provided for an increased traffic.

12. Availability of Utilities

• Water, electricity, and communication.

13. Economic Considerations

• Business, occupancy, lease rates, and property prices.
Aerodrome Reference Code
The intent of the reference code is to provide a simple method for interrelating
the numerous specifications concerning the characteristics of aerodromes so as to
provide a series of aerodrome facilities that are suitable for the aeroplanes that are
intended to operate at the aerodrome.
An aerodrome reference code is composed of two elements — code number
and letter — which are related to the aeroplane performance characteristics and
dimensions.
• Selected for aerodrome planning purposes, the code shall be determined in
accordance with the characteristics of the aeroplane for which an aerodrome facility
is intended.
Aerodrome Reference Code
 Element 1 is a number (1 – 4) based on the aeroplane reference field length (ARFL).
• Aeroplane Reference Field Length (ARFL) is the minimum field length required for
take-off at maximum certificated take-off mass, sea level, standard atmospheric
conditions, still air and zero runway slope, as shown in the appropriate aeroplane flight
manual prescribed by the certificating authority or equivalent data from the aeroplane
manufacturer.
Aerodrome Reference Code
 Element 2 is a letter (A – F) based on the aeroplane wingspan (WS) and the outer
main gear wheel span (OMG / OMGWS).
 Aerodrome Reference Code
Code Element 1 Code Element 2
Aeroplane Reference Code Outer Main Gear Wheel Code
Wingspan (WS)
Field Length (ARFL) Number Span (OMG) Letter
RFL < 800 m 1 WS < 15 m OMG < 4.5 m A

800 m ≤ RFL < 1200 m 2 15 m ≤ WS < 24 m 4.5 m ≤ OMG < 6 m B

1200 m ≤ RFL < 1800 m 3 24 m ≤ WS < 36 m 6 m ≤ OMG < 9 m C

1800 m ≤ RFL 4 36 m ≤ WS < 52 m 9 m ≤ OMG < 14 m D

52 m ≤ WS < 65 m 9 m ≤ OMG < 14 m E

65 m ≤ WS < 80 m 14 m ≤ OMG < 16 m F

Aerodrome Reference Code

4E 4F

RFL = 2990 m RFL = > 3300 m

WS = 64.4 m WS = 79.8 m

OMG = 12.4 m OMG = 14.34 m