Category Archives: Airports

Foreign Object Debris and Damage (FOD) at Heliports

FOD Risks At heliports, risks generally fall into two categories. External. Rotor wash can send loose objects lying on or near the helipad flying through the air, impacting rotor systems, fuselage, windows, landing gear, nearby aircraft, ground equipment or personnel.… Read the rest

AI Enhances Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection

“In 2010, detection technology was the human eyeball,” according to Steve Boyle, CEO of Essential Aero, which develops AI-enabled aerial and ground-based inspection platforms. “People would walk and scan pavement looking for FOD.” Unfortunately, manual FOD detection has multiple built-in… Read the rest

Training Airport Ground Crews to Combat FOD

Key Elements of Effective FOD Training Comprehensive FOD training should focus on instilling a culture of responsibility among ground crews. Training programs should emphasize the importance of meticulous FOD management, adherence to established procedures, and proactive reporting of potential debris… Read the rest

FOD in Airport Construction: How to Control Foreign Object Debris

Airports construction contracts typically includes clauses requiring the contractor to control FOD on the job site. This is because allowing debris to enter flight areas, can create critical safety issues. For example, a piece of loose hardware that migrates from… Read the rest

Reduce Airport Emissions with Unmanned Vehicles

Airports play a crucial role in global transportation, connecting people and goods around the world. However, the aviation industry is also a significant contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and environmental pollution. To combat this, airports are increasingly turning to… Read the rest

Best Practices for Reporting FOD Incidents

By promptly reporting FOD incidents, airport personnel can take proactive measures to prevent accidents and [...]

Effective Strategies to Prevent FOD at Civil Airports

Foreign Object Damage (FOD) poses a significant threat to the safety and infrastructure of civil [...]

The Importance of FOD Signs

It is essential to any FOD program that the working environment be properly segmented and clearly marked according to FOD sensitivity. When in place, designated FOD area signs enable workers and visitors to properly identify the level of caution that should… Read the rest

Wildlife: Airport Management’s Responsibility

Generally, the airport operator bears the greatest responsibility for the management of airport wildlife hazards. Over 80% of bird strikes, and certainly most — if not all — mammal strikes, occur within the airport environment. Airport operators can be held… Read the rest

Sample Use Case: Crowded Cargo Ramp

Congratulations! It is your first day on your new job as cargo ramp manager. Surveying the area for the first time, you’re highly impressed that this much chaos can fit into such a small apron. For instance, FOD control is weak,… Read the rest