C E R T A L E R T

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ADVISORY  * CAUTIONARY  *  NON-DIRECTIVE

AIRPORT SAFETY AND OPERATIONS DIVISION  AAS-300
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FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT Bruce Landry, AAS-300 (202) 267.8729

DATE:	04/21/2004						            NO. 04-03

 TO:		AIRPORT OPERATORS CERTIFICATED UNDER 14CFR PART 139

TOPIC: 	PART TIME ARFF COVERAGE AND AIR CARRIERS OPERATING
		OUTSIDE SCHEDULED ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
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We understand that certain airports with limited air carrier activity may not have ARFF equipment and personnel present at the airport outside the hours of air carrier operations.  For these airports, it is essential that the airport operator maintain the necessary communications with the air carrier(s) serving the airport to ensure that ARFF protection is available when the air carrier(s) are operating outside scheduled arrival or departure times.

The FAA’s Office of Airport Safety and Standards has recently become aware of instances where an air carrier has chosen to over-fly a scheduled landing airport and subsequently arrive at another scheduled destination Part 139 airport earlier than their published arrival schedule.  In several instances, the air carrier failed to notify the airport operator that the flight was early and therefore the ARFF protection was unavailable.

To address this situation from occurring in the future, ACSI’s should notify airport operators with similar part-time ARFF to submit the following remark in the Airport Facilities Directory (AFD):
“Air carrier operations involving aircraft with more than 30 passengers are not authorized in excess of 15 minutes before or after scheduled arrival or departure times without prior coordination with airport manager and confirmation that ARFF services are available prior to landing or takeoff.”

Prior to submitting this information to the FAA, the airport operators should coordinate this information with their air carrier(s) and ensure the airport contact names and telephone numbers are current.  Additionally, ACSI’s that become aware of the identity of any air carrier involved in the above described situation should notify the FAA’s Principal Operating Inspector for the air carrier involved.

		
___________OSB			                                            __4/21/2004__
   Benedict  D. Castellano, Manager                                                Date
Airport Safety and Operations Division

DISTRIBUTION:  CERTALERT Distribution List