Laurence G. Hanscom Field, an airport located in Bedford, Massachusetts, recently won the 2017-2018 Balchen/Post Award in the large general aviation category for outstanding efforts for dealing with winter weather.
This is the third time in the last four years that the airport has won the award, which is presented to airport snow crews that maintain safety.
“Winter places extreme demands on airport snow teams, which commit themselves to doing whatever it takes to keep their airports open and operating safely and efficiently,” Alex Gertsen, National Business Aviation Association director of airports and ground infrastructure, said. “These efforts demand intense planning, preparation, training and, above all, perseverance.”
Hanscom Field monitors airport conditions using the Bowmonk brake testing equipment and the Federal Aviation Administration’s runway condition assessment matrix.
Snow removal personnel are trained upon hire, while on the job, and on an annual basis. They also are trained to operate all of the various equipment.
The snow removal equipment is inspected in early autumn and must be fully operational by Oct. 15.
The large aviation category is facilities with more than 50,000 operations annually. Hanscom Field is the largest general aviation airport in New England.
Michigan’s Willow Run Airport and New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport received honorable mentions.