including the phasing of the project (time and
air traffic controllers, and others who may use the
geography), equipment, and staff needs for each
facility and have prior experience only with typi-
task, fuel requirements, mechanical support, and
cal airfields.
subsistence needs. In addition, contingency plans
An initial construction schedule should be
should be considered for breakdowns in equip-
made with input from equipment operators and
ment and for unexpected weather or ice condi-
from the facility managers. This schedule must
tions. The more thought that is brought to bear on
be realistic and take into account the length and
creation of the construction plan, the more effi-
timing of environmental windows of opportu-
cient and economical will be the actual runway
nity for certain operations, the state of the equip-
construction. This may seem obvious, but we of-
ment to be used, the general and specialized (snow
ten fail to grasp the brevity of critical environ-
and ice) training of the equipment operators, loss
mental operating windows, or of the entire
of efficiency when operating at extreme tempera-
summer season for that matter. What would be a
tures, and the ability to deal with inevitable me-
very small perturbation in a construction sched-
chanical breakdowns (shop facilities, backup
ule in the temperate world is often a one-year
equipment). A multiyear effort will almost al-
delay in polar environments.
ways be warranted for runways that will support
heavy aircraft. In a multiyear plan, the size and
sequence of sections to be prepared should be
Facilities
determined in advance. There is wisdom in
Any site, whether easily accessible or remote,
will need support facilities before work can be-
choosing the least challenging section for the first
gin. We consider the essentials to include 1) a
season of construction to allow for time to learn
shelter sized for the typical on-site workforce,
the equipment and operators' limits and capabili-
with cooking facilities, food storage, and loung-
ties and to establish what is a reasonable work
ing/eating space; 2) generator(s) for electric sup-
schedule.
ply to the shelter and to power tools and vehicle
The construction schedule will be modified and
heaters; 3) a tool, spare parts, and lubricants en-
refined as site development proceeds. At all times
closure; 4) a latrine; and 5) a supply of fuel for the
this schedule should include every possible detail
Figure 25. Shelter for workers at Pegasus runway.
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