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increase, and, in case of strong winds and wind gusts, aircraft
stability during ground operations is crucial, especially
when taxiing to and from gates. "
According to Alan Glen, senior vice president of group risk
at Menzies Aviation, bad weather indeed represents a serious
danger to the safety of the ramp.
" Therefore, it must be ensured that all Menzies operations,
in accordance with the ground operations manual
(GOM) and safety management system (SMS), have local
severe weather plans (LSWP), " he says. " These are built and
designed around each airport we operate in, and the unique
environmental weather conditions they are most likely to
experience. "
The LSWP is activated once the station has been alerted
or informed that severe weather may impact the safety of
the airport and its ground operations, explains Glen.
" It is then the duty of Menzies station managers to
ensure that their duty of care extends to ensuring that all
active team members are warned of approaching severe
weather conditions and, if necessary, can be withdrawn
from exposed areas and operational activities, " he says.
" Depending on the type of bad weather, a regular dialogue is
maintained both internally and with key stakeholders from
airport authorities and local airline teams. "
New Solutions
One of the additional benefits is the implementation of an
airport community app, according to Glen.
" Unfortunately, only a few airports use these tools, as
they offer improved levels of communication and information
sharing between all stakeholders. Recent positive
examples can be seen at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), London
Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW), " he says. " By
using messaging apps, information from airport authorities
is transmitted in a timelier manner, allowing our employees
to review and act upon it. Not only does it facilitate a more
coordinated and timely approach, but it helps always maintain
a safe environment on the ramp at all times. "
Robust procedures must be in place for the anchoring of
light aircraft and light objects in strong winds, as well as
the protection of employees and the immediate cessation of
handling activities when a storm approaches, says Kurzweil.
" At Prague Airport we have internally developed a new
app available to employees, which not only provides weather
warnings, but goes a step further and advises which parts
of the infrastructure will be affected and how. Staff then
see that, for example, the passenger boarding bridges are no
longer operational, " he explains.
According to Kostojanskij, several solutions and technologies
have emerged in recent times to help manage ramp
safety risks related to severe weather.
" These innovations aim to enhance safety, improve operational
efficiency, and mitigate the impact of severe weather
on airport and airline operations. Some of these solutions
include advanced weather forecasting and monitoring,
automated weather alerts, lightning detection systems, and
automated deicing and anti-icing systems, " he says. " Worthy
of mention are also high-intensity runway and taxiway
lighting, weather-resistant equipment and infrastructure,
weather data integration, remote sensing and monitoring,
training and simulation tools, robotic and autonomous
equipment and weather risk management software. "
Modern remote sensing systems can efficiently monitor
the local environment and alert airports - including
ramp operations decision-makers - of bad weather nearby,
affirms Kajava.
" Equipment like Vaisala's X-Band Weather Radar, WindCube
Scan scanning wind lidar, forward scatter sensors,
dual polarization ceilometers and lightning sensors/
data feed subscriptions, can all be used to enhance the
nowcasting or short-term weather forecasting of such
weather phenomena to help safety planning of ramp operations, "
he says.
The latest technological solutions, often combined with
proactive planning, training and collaboration, contribute
to safer and more efficient ramp operations during severe
weather conditions, affirms Kostojanskij.
" Airports and airlines need to stay updated with the
latest advancements and best practices in ramp safety
management to continuously improve their severe weather
October 2023 || AviationPros.com || 23
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