CHAPTER 6. OPERATIONS
At the time of this writing, we have four sea-
agement of the support buildings, fuel tanks,
sons of typical operational experience with the
heavy equipment, generators, water and food,
Pegasus runway (see App. E for "as-built" draw-
waste, and markers and signs.
ings). Operational issues are obviously depen-
A glacial ice runway facility with an air traffic
dent on the type of aircraft used, the flight season
load similar to that at the Pegasus runway (cur-
employed, and the location and life expectancy of
rently 5060 flights per month during the opera-
the glacial ice runway. This chapter is strongly
tional period) will require a dedicated fuels manager
influenced by the specific case of the Pegasus
during the operational season. This position will
runway. We suppose that this will still yield a
require matching bulk fuel delivery (overland,
good general picture of the important factors to
by ship, or by tanker aircraft) to fuel needs
be considered. Additionally, we expect that op-
(based on air traffic volume). A major part of the
erational patterns and methodology at any new
fuels manager's job will involve fueling aircraft.
runway will evolve over time and that a regularly
This requires specialized training for each aircraft
updated manual detailing the standard operating
type expected at the runway. The fuels manager
procedures (SOP) will be present at, and unique
will also be responsible for ensuring that spill
to, each runway.
potential is within acceptable limits and that a
Except for aircraft, all traffic on the glacial ice
spill response strategy and cleanup equipment
runway should be restricted to only that which is
are in place.
absolutely necessary. As much as possible, traffic
It is critical to have on site a crash/fire crew and
should utilize access routes along the flanks of
equipment any time air operations are possible.
the runway. When it is necessary to drive on the
The size and specific skills of the crash/fire crew
runway, we strongly encourage the use of wheeled
will be dictated by the type of aircraft used, flight
vehicles only. Further, they should be clean (free
frequencies, and the specific requirements of the
from dirt, dust, ice chunks, and fuel and lubricant
air support contractor. Specialized training will
drips).
be required of each crew member. A crash/fire
chief, with significant experience and training,
should be assigned. This individual should re-
port directly to, and coordinate closely with, the
PERSONNEL
site manager. Procedures for crash/fire response
The site manager would most likely also act as
should be established well in advance of the op-
the focal point for the runway during air opera-
erational phase. These procedures must be devel-
tions. The site manager will be responsible for
oped jointly with flight managers so that any
meeting regularly with flight schedulers, flight
specific requirements of the contractors provid-
crews, and program managers. The site manager
ing flight services are met. At Pegasus, currently
would function much as an airport manager at a
the military (U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force) pro-
moderate-sized rural runway in the temperate
vide aircraft and flight crews and thus U.S. mili-
world.
tary crash/fire guidelines have to be met by the
Some programs (e.g., USAP) operate year-
USAP civilian contractor crash/fire crew.
round, with essentially different work forces for
A meteorologist or weather observer will be required
the summer and winter seasons. In such a situa-
to cover the runway and provide the pilots and
tion, a winter manager should also be assigned to
flight planners with up-to-date information that
the runway. This position could require minimal
could affect flights. This individual may provide
effort if the runway were unused during the win-
weather information and forecasting for other
ter, but, if winter flights are scheduled, the posi-
operational elements within the program as well
tion will require all of the responsibilities and
(e.g., other local runways, such as the sea ice
concerns of the summer manager. Of course, win-
runway at McMurdo; balloon launchings). The
ter operations will entail some different issues.
weather observer will also need to coordinate
A facilities manager will also be required. If the
closely with flight managers and air crews to
air traffic load is low, the site and facilities man-
ensure that they receive the information required
ager positions could be filled by one individual.
to make flight plans and to calculate payloads
The primary role of the facilities manager is to
and fuel needs.
maintain the "airport." This would include man-
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