Air traffic and ground controllers are recom-
of the runway are most important (App. E). Often
mended at any runway. If there are infrequent
these markers indicate distance remaining. The
flights to the glacial ice runway, and no other
markers are usually placed every 1000 ft on both
aircraft activities in the area (e.g., from other run-
side of the runway and display single digit num-
ways or helicopter use), it may be possible to
bers that indicate the multiple of 1000 ft remain-
dispense with an air traffic controller and have
ing on the prepared runway in the direction of
the facility manager act as a ground controller.
travel. Thus, the markers have different numbers
Obviously, the air traffic controller will need to
on either side.
coordinate with flight managers, air crews, and
Distance remaining markers should be placed
the runway maintenance staff.
about 18 m (60 ft) off the edge of the runway and
Equipment operators and a mechanic will also be
be as tall as possible but still be capable of passing
required on site to operate and maintain runway
under the wing of any aircraft likely to use the
runway. At Pegasus, we used 1.2- 1.2-m (4- 4-
maintenance equipment, aircraft support machin-
ery (auxiliary generator and heater), the power
ft) plywood panels nailed to the ends of 3.6-m-
(12-ft-) long 10-cm- (4-in.-) thick square wooden
plant for any buildings and vehicle plug-ins, cargo
and passenger handling equipment, and to assist
posts (App. E). The ends of the support posts are
in fuel delivery to the site. In rare cases, aircraft
placed in drilled holes in the ice. The top of the
pusher vehicles may also be present.
markers are about 2.4 m (8 ft) above the ice sur-
It is recommended that all of the operational
face. The panels are painted flat black; an interna-
staff attend airport training courses offered
tional orange numeral, 1 m (3.5 ft) tall, is painted
through colleges and technical schools and, in the
onto this background.
U.S., seminars conducted by the Federal Aviation
Additional markers were required during some
Administration (FAA). In addition, regular
of the initial flights to Pegasus until the air crews
(weekly in the case of the Pegasus runway) meet-
became familiar with the runway (App. E). When
ings are recommended among aircraft operations
a new crew or a new aircraft type will fly to the
managers, runway managers, and support fore-
runway, it may be prudent to increase markings
man to review flight schedules, maintenance
to assist in familiarization. Weather conditions
needs, and safety and logistics concerns.
may also affect runway marking. If poor contrast,
blowing snow, or anything that limits visibility is
common at the sight, lead-in markers should be
used. These markers may also contain metallic
INFRASTRUCTURE
components (foil wrapped on posts, or commer-
We strongly advocate having only minimal fa-
cial targets) so that aircraft equipped with radar
cilities present at a glacial runway site. We have
can be led to the runway. In most cases, it will still
assumed that sites such as Pegasus can tolerate
be necessary for pilots to land using visual navi-
only minimal perturbations in order to remain
gation. Standard patterns for runway markings
glaciologically stable and thus we have limited
exist. The full complement of markers used at
the facilities on site. Since the Pegasus runway is
commercial airports will probably be unneces-
currently only operated for a limited time period,
sary at a glacial ice runway. In fact, as noted
we have required that all facilities, including run-
above, we encourage that markers be minimized
way markers, be removed from the area when it
to reduce the chance for snowdrift accumulation
is not in use. Although this requires some extra
(Pegasus has this problem) or localized ablation.
work in setting up and taking down, we feel that
Discussions with air operations managers, the
it is important to the long-term life of the runway
flight crew representative, and the individual(s)
that the site be left as close to its natural state as
responsible for safety should establish necessary
much as possible. All of the Pegasus facilities are
runway markings.
sled mounted, making removal quite easy.
All facilities at the runway must be situated in
The most likely piece of infrastructure needed
accordance with some form of "exclusion zone"
on site will be runway markers. Although most
guidelines. The exclusion zone is defined by an
pilots and flight crews operating in polar regions
imaginary three-dimensional surface surround-
have considerable "bush" experience, they may
ing the runway. This zone differs for various air-
insist on runway markings if repeated flights with
craft and for the sides and ends of the runway. Its
passengers and sensitive cargo will be the norm
purpose is to remove obstacles from the normal
at the glacial ice runway. Markers along the edges
path of incoming and outgoing aircraft. At Pe-
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