Reducing FOD At Centennial Airport
Centennial, Colorado
Pilatus PC-12 On Runway at Centennial Airport
Located 12 miles south of Denver, the Centennial Airport (APA) is a one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports. This public use operation provides service to medical air support teams, military training and flight schools, aerospace research, as well as charter and cargo transport aircraft. The airport is a staple to the local economy that supports over 9,200 jobs throughout the region.
Reducing FOD At Apron Entry Points
Maintenance Director Matt Smith, keeps a close eye on the operations at Centennial Airport. One of the primary challenges on any airport is keeping the runways and taxiways free of debris and foreign objects which can be ingested by aircraft engines. Regular monitoring and sweeping is not just best practice, it is essential to the safety of flight crew personnel and passengers. In addition, to the ongoing sweeping, Smith has explored preventative measures to address FOD from vehicle tires that is tracked onto access roads, aprons, and taxiways.
The airport has a gravel road that connects two paved sections of the airfield which is used by support vehicles and heavy equipment. This entry point experiences high traffic from airport vehicles, dump trucks and heavy equipment including front loaders. In the past, a metal cattle grate was used to clean vehicle tires as they transitions from the gravel road to the paved apron. Smith recalls that the grate system “was not very effective because it’s metal rods frequently broke” requiring downtime for the extensive repair work required. In addition, removing the captured debris was “very time-consuming” which prompted a search for a better solution.
The FOD Prevention Mat System
In March of 2024, FODS installed a linear 4 mat system (1x4 layout) at this entry point to mitigate vehicle tracking. The system consists of 12’ wide x 7’ long mats that are anchored to the substrate. The system can be installed over various substrates including dirt, gravel, asphalt, or pavement. The mats have raised pyramids on the surface that deform vehicle tires to open treads, allowing trapped debris to become dislodged as vehicles transition from the gravel road to the paved apron. The system also provides creates slight vibrations that help loosen debris on the undercarriage of vehicles. After installing the FOD Prevention Mat system at this site, Smith reports:
“They collect significantly more debris than our old cattle grates. And when we do our regular clearing of runways and taxiways with out brooms or sweepers, there is less debris collected by those trucks.”
The FOD Prevention Mats have improved the safety of airport operations. In addition to improving FOD collection at the entry point, cleaning is also simplified. FODS produces a cleaning shovel designed to fit between the pyramid profile. Smith states that the cleaning shovel “makes removing debris and rocks very easy” which helps to minimize downtime after debris collects. This system is cost competitive, and is designed to last for over 10 years of continuous use. In the months following the installation of the system, positive feedback from the maintenance crews prompted the team to explore other areas where the mats could be used. Plans are in place to install additional mats at a milling pad that experiences high traffic from snow removal vehicles as they dispose of snow.
Airport Improvement Magazine published an article about this project called "Centennial Airport Implements Drive-Thru Method For FOD Control” showcasing this effective solution to vehicle tracking.
