Airport Self-Inspection Practices (2011)

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51 Before this synthesis was conducted, it was acknowledged by many in the industry that variation exists among airports in how they conduct self-inspections and train personnel to conduct those inspections. The oversight of these self- inspection programs among certificated and non-certificated airports was also acknowledged to be varied. Further, there was no readily available synthesis of current airport self- inspection procedures from which airport operators could review and improve upon their self-inspection programs. Thus, the purpose of this synthesis was to (1) present current airport self-inspection practices, including training proce- dures, and (2) present FAA and state aviation agency over- sight practices. Although the results of this synthesis continue to reveal variation among airports regarding their self-inspection program, general trends and common themes have been discovered. TRAINING Trends in training include the following: • At most airports, self-inspection training is conducted by operations personnel. • Initial training for self-inspection personnel is com- bined with other training at most airports, and typically consists of on-the-job training, self-study, and inter- active training. Further, initial training is typically pro- vided in-house. • Recurrent training is typically conducted through on- the-job training, interactive training, self-study, videos, and tests. Further, recurrent training is generally pro- vided in-house, although one-fourth of airports rely either exclusively or supplementarily on a private provider. • Typically, initial training is conducted as needed when new personnel are hired, whereas recurrent training is conducted of all personnel on an annual basis. • At most airports, operations personnel are the only employee group receiving all components of required Part 139 training. Further, personnel generally only receive training in their specific responsibilities as out- lined in the Airport Certification Manual. • Most airports do not require additional certification for personnel conducting self-inspections. INSPECTING Trends in inspecting include the following: • Most airports conduct self-inspections by one person, visually, and in a vehicle. • Most airports perform inspections during the night and during the day, vary inspection patterns, and inspect run- ways and taxiways in both directions. • The tools or equipment most utilized by airports in con- ducting self-inspections are vehicles and paper self- inspection checklists. • Typically, operations personnel are responsible for conducting self-inspections and maintaining Part 139 compliance. • Most airports allow tenants to ride along on a self- inspection by request only. REPORTING DISCREPANCIES AND FINDINGS Trends in reporting discrepancies and findings include the following: • In reporting information to air carriers, most airports rely on fax and e-mail, although some airports also post Notices to Airmen on the airport website or an intranet site to which air carriers have access. • In reporting discrepancies to ensure prompt correction of unsafe conditions, most airports report urgent matters over the radio or phone and less urgent matters through e-mail or a work order system. FOLLOW-UP, RESOLUTION, AND CLOSE-OUT Trends in follow-up, resolution, and close-out include the following: • Most airports use an electronic work order system with e-mail confirmation and face-to-face meetings to follow up on discrepancies and ensure their resolution. QUALITY CONTROL Trends in quality control include the following: • To minimize complacency among inspection personnel, most airports rely on training, management oversight, and audits. CHAPTER EIGHT CONCLUSION

• To convey the importance of properly conducting self- inspections, most airports stress the FAA requirement for conducting self-inspections as well as the potential for liability and aircraft accidents if a self-inspection is not conducted properly. • Complacency and fatigue are the two human factors having the most significant negative impact on airport self-inspection programs. OVERSIGHT Trends in oversight include the following: • FAA airport certification safety inspectors maintain oversight of certificated airports and conduct certifica- tion inspections annually. • Successful practices in self-inspections observed by FAA airport certification safety inspectors include multi- ple passes on the runway, both day and night inspections, periodically walking the pavement and safety areas, and adopting technology such as electronic work order sys- tems and electronic checklists with geographic infor- mation systems mapping. • Successful practices in training observed by FAA airport certification safety inspectors include FAA-generated PowerPoint presentations, hands-on training, mock Part 139 inspections, assigning areas of expertise to in- house personnel, industry training events, and visiting peer airports. • State aviation agencies generally have oversight of non- certificated airports and conduct inspections annually, biennially, or triennially, depending on the state. • Most states issue either an airport license or airport oper- ating certificate. • State aviation agencies generally have little guidance available for airports in developing a self-inspection pro- gram, preparing for an inspection, or training person- nel. These state agencies generally direct airports to the FAA for guidance on these topics. • During an inspection, state aviation agencies generally focus on the same areas of concern as the FAA, although 52 markings, signs, lighting, obstructions, pavement areas, and safety areas receive the most attention. In summary, this synthesis discovered that airport self- inspection programs range from low-tech to high-tech, and may be carried out by many individuals or a team of one. The techniques for conducting self-inspections, as well as train- ing and ensuring quality control, not only vary among air- ports, but may vary among personnel at the same airport. There is, therefore, no “one best way” to conduct self-inspections or carry out a comprehensive self-inspection program. This is expected, as there are many ways an airport operator can com- ply with Part 139. That is the reason for guidance contained within AC 150/5200-18C, as well as why each certificated airport develops an Airport Certification Manual, detailing how that airport plans to comply with Part 139. In the end, airport operators desiring to improve their self- inspection programs reported considering the following: • Adopt technology and additional tools as appropriate; • Visit peer airports to learn from their programs; • Reach out to the FAA for additional guidance; and • Focus on effective training and quality control. As one FAA lead certification safety inspector stated, “Air- ports should consider the self-inspection program the key to FAR Part 139 compliance. Where there are deficiencies in the self-inspection program, we see systemic breakdowns in Part 139 compliance.” FURTHER RESEARCH Although this report provides information on the training of self-inspection personnel, more research could be helpful in this area. For instance, how many employees are considered to have duties under Part 139 and are trained, and from which departments, in Part 139? What is the magnitude of the train- ing? Also meriting further research are the follow-up and close-out processes. More insight into how airports handle these issues would be beneficial.