FOD Operations Archives

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

Eco-Friendly Track Maintenance for Motor Speedways

Sweeping The issue of vehicle exhaust emissions should be of significant concern to track maintenance operators. They play a key role in contributing to air pollution levels, which can negatively impact air quality, human health, regulatory compliance and public image.… Read the rest

How Debris Impacts Motor Speedway Performance and Safety

Various types of foreign object debris, including loose gravel, rubber marbles and oil spills, can accumulate and pose hazards to drivers. One of the most common types of race track debris is tire fragments. Also known as marbles, they are… 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

Motor Speedway Track Maintenance

While a stray piece of metal sitting in your driveway might give you a slow flat, that same foreign object on an auto speedway track during racing operations can cause a major incident. Let’s see the pros of race track… Read the rest

Using Magnetic Sweepers To Prevent Tire Damage

In industries such as construction, logistics, manufacturing, and maintenance, debris and foreign objects on surfaces can pose a significant risk to tires, leading to potential damage, downtime, and costly repairs. However, with the advancement of technology, tools like magnetic sweepers… Read the rest

Comparing Military Army FOD Programs

Military aviation organizations typically have a critical requirement for effective foreign object damage prevention (FOD) programs. Their flights provide national security functions, aircraft are often uniquely susceptible to debris ingestion, and suspending operations due to a FOD incident can impact… Read the rest

Tool Room Assessment Check List

I can usually assess the entirety of a tool room’s safety and health by poking around for an hour. Through experience, I’ve learned to run through a simple tool control checklist. I look for the following items for tool room… Read the rest