Improvement of existing airport - Airport site selection
Airport size - Airport obstructions
Clear zone - Turning zone - Zoning laws
AIRPORT PLANNING
Airport plan has satisfy local needs of airport and also it should fit into
the overall development of the entire region, state or country.
Airport planning mainly concerned with 3 aspects
Adequate process to metropolitan area
Securing sufficient airspace for aircraft access
Sufficient land for ground operations
IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING AIRPORT
Improvement of existing airport can be carried out on following
considerations
Capacity of existing airport
Improving the existing capacity
Traffic forecast
Planning a new airport
Capacity Of Existing Airport
To make sure whether the existing airport can handle the anticipated air
traffic w.r.to
o Adequacy of apron and servicing facility
o Adequacy of terminal building for passenger and cargo
o Capacity of runway and taxiway at peak hour
o Suitable approaches
Improving The Existing Capacity
The possible methods to improve the present capacity of airport include
various criteria such as
Construction of new runway
High speed exit taxiways
Improving traffic control devices
Rearranging the plan of terminal building and loading apron
Traffic Forecast
Future volume of traffic including new aircrafts likely to visit the airport
should be studied
It should be calculated such traffic can be accommodated by
improvements in existing airport
Period of traffic forecast may be 15 to 20 years
Planning A New Airport
If the above 3 considerations are not favourable for improvement of
existing airport, proposal for new airport has to be made.
AIRPORT SITE SELECTION
Selection of site for new airport is based on certain criteria to determine
the location and size.
Same considerations are applicable for expansion of airport
Data and details are studied from various airport surveys before site
selection.
FACTORS INFLUENCE LOCATION OF AN AIRPORT
Atmospheric and meteorological Presence of other airport
conditions Regional plan
Availability of land for expansion Soil characteristics
Availability of utilities Surrounding obstructions
Development of the surrounding Topography
area Use of airport
Economy of construction
Ground accessibility
Atmospheric and meteorological
Availability of utilities
conditions
Presence of fog, haze, smoke reduces the Airport has to be provided with utilities
visibility like water, electric power, telephone,
sewer etc
Poor visibility lowers traffic capacity
Airports located far away from available
Detailed analysis of weather records of
sewers, sewage disposal plant has to be
site will help recommending the site
constructed
Wind data should be studied so that the
site shall be located on wind direction.
Availability of land for expansion Development of surrounding area
It is necessary to acquire land in advance Study of development of surrounding
or to be able to acquire sufficient land in area is very important
the future for expanding the airport Airport activity (Noise) is objectionable
As the volume of traffic increases it is to neighbor to airport
necessary to lengthen the runway, and to Proximity of airport site to the
expand terminal facility. residential areas, schools, hospitals
should be avoided
Economy of construction Ground accessibility
If alternative sites are available and Location of airport should have shortest
equally well suited, site which is more ground access time
economical to construct should be given With the introduction of jet aircrafts the
preference air time is reduced
Waterlogged areas or reclaimed lands are The location of airport at a considerable
costly to develop. distance from the centre of population
Uneven terrain requires more grading may cause inconvenience to the users
than even terrain All the modes of transport should be
Availability of local materials considered for easy ground access
Presence of other airport Use of airport
Airports should be located at a sufficient Site is decided by the use of airport (civil
distance apart. / military)
To prevent the aircraft which are In case of an emergency like war, civil
manoeuvring for landing at one airport airports will be taken over by military.
from interfering with movements of Therefore airport site has to grant
aircraft at other airports. natural protection.
The minimum distance between airports
depend on volume and type of air traffic,
operating facility, etc
Regional plan Soil characteristics
Airport site should be selected such a Favourable soil reduces the cost of
way that it fits in region plan grading and the drainage
Such airport will form an integral part of The area should be as far as possible be
the national airport network self drained
A valley site requires less grading but
there are possibilities of flood
An elevated site provides better drainage
and visibility
Surrounding obstructions Topography
Site should be clear of obstructions A raised ground is considered to be an
If existing it should be possible to clear ideal site for airport
them easily It gives better visibility due to less fog
Obstructions like tree, sloping ground It permits natural drainage
buildings, grid /cell phone towers, etc Approach and turning zones are less
has to be removed obstructed
AIRPORT SIZE
4 factors affect size of an airport
Elevation - Site above sea level influences runway requirements and
performance varies with altitude due to temperature and density of air
Meteorological conditions – wind and temperature influence size of
airport, wind direction and velocity determines the number of runways,
temperature influence runway length. Temperature increases air density
decreases, hence aircraft require larger run to take off
Aircraft performance characteristics – knowledge of this determines the
run way length. Aircraft requiring long run for take off and land decides
the runway length and Airport size is determined by aircraft
manufacturers, airlines, and other users of airport
Traffic volume – volume of air traffic at airport influence number of
runway required, taxiways and ramp area.
Airport obstructions
Airport obstructions considered for safe navigation are
1. Imaginary surfaces
2. Objects with actual height
Imaginary surfaces
Established surfaces in relation to airport and to runway above which no
obstruction should project
Size of imaginary surface depend on category of runway and type of
approach.
Types of imaginary surfaces are
1. Approach surface
2. Conical surface
3. Horizontal surface
4. Take off and climb surface
5. Transitional surface
Objects with actual heights
Any object which exceeds limiting height above the ground is considered
as an obstruction.
I. Any object within 4.5 km distance from the runway end is considered as
an obstruction, if height is more than 30 m above ground.
II. Any object located beyond a distance of 4.5 km from the runway end, if
its height above 30m increase by more than 7.5 m for each additional 1.5
km distance from runway end
III. Any object which projects above the minimum approach flight altitude
or which height exceeds 150 m above the ground is also considered as
obstruction
Clear Zone
The innermost portion of the approach zone and it is to be provided at
the end of runways
It should be a level area except for fences, ditches, other minor
obstructions, all the major obstructions should be removed
The length of clear zone is determined by the distance required to reach a
height of 30 m from the approach surface.
Turning Zone
The area of airport other than approach area and it is intended for turning
operations of the aircraft in case of emergency (engine failure, troubles
faced while take off)
Aircraft operates at low height in the turning zone and its necessary that
the area should be free from any obstructions
Any object located within a distance of 4.5 km from airport reference
point is considered as an obstruction, if its height exceeds 51 m above the
ground
Any object located beyond a distance of 4.5 km from airport reference
point is considered as an obstruction, if its height exceeds 51 m plus 30 m
for each additional 1.5 km distance from the ARP
Zoning Laws
These laws are implemented as soon as the final selection of the airport
site is made
Airports are involved in two types of zoning
1. Height zoning – aimed to protect the approaches to the airport from
obstruction. It regulates the heights of structures on land surrounding
the airport
2. Land use zoning – the closely related uses include terminal building,
parking, aprons, runways, taxiways, and maintenance facilities. Non
aviation uses relate to the commercial, industrial and recreational
activities. This zoning do not interfere with aircraft operations.
