Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6h
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
July 24, 2018
DATE: July 3, 2018
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Mike Ehl, Director, Airport Operations
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Port of Seattle and the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) for a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) study.
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with
the Federal Aviation Administration for a Foreign Object Debris study at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport. There is no funding associated with the request.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This agreement between the FAA and the Port of Seattle (Port) will establish a mechanism for
studying, researching, and evaluating advanced concepts and technologies (automated FOD
detection systems) in support of the U.S. National Air Transportation System; with emphasis on
operational safety at airports, and in particular, mitigating the risks to aircraft and personnel
from FOD hazards.
JUSTIFICATION
This agreement will help promote operational safety on airports. This agreement supports the
2018 Aviation Division priority to improve the Airfield Composite Safety Score.
The FAA states that “The presence of FOD on airport runways, taxiways, aprons and ramps
poses a significant threat to the safety of air travel. FOD has the potential to damage aircraft
during critical phases of flight, which can lead to catastrophic loss of life and airframe, and
increased maintenance and operating costs. FOD hazards can be reduced, by the use of FOD
detection equipment.”
1
Probably the most known FOD event was on July 25, 2000, when the
Concorde ran over FOD while on departure, resulting in a crash and the loss of life for all on-
board.
The FAA published guidance on the procurement and standards of automated FOD detection
equipment in 2009. The Airport used the FAA guidance for procuring and installing our
1
FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-24; Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection Equipment.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6h___ Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: July 24, 2018
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
automated FOD detection system, on runway 16C/34C, during the runway reconstruction, in
2015.
DETAILS
The Airport will collect FOD-related data and submit it to the FAA.
Specific goals and objectives to be accomplished:
(1) Establish a suitable agreement that accommodates mutual interests of the parties for
the advancement of airport operational safety
(2) Cooperate in the evaluation work including data collection and analysis that enables the
FAA to quantify the safety benefits of utilizing FOD Detection Systems in airport
environments.
Scope of Work
(1) FOD Reporting: Draft a data collection procedures document that will be used to
compare the amount and type of FOD collected on a runway equipped with a FOD
detection system (test runway), to the amount found on a second runway without a
FOD detection system (baseline runway).
(2) Maintenance and Operations Report: The airport will submit a report on the operation
and maintenance of the FOD Detection system.
(3) End of Project Report-Out: At the end of the 12-month reporting period, the airport will
meet with FAA to brief out the results of the initial program.
Schedule
Activity
Agreement Executed
2018 Quarter 3
Data Collection Procedures Drafted
2018 Quarter 3
Maintenance and Operations Report Submitted
2019 Quarter 2
End of Project Report-Out
2019 Quarter 4
Cost Breakdown
Port Staff time will be used to support this study. It is not anticipated that any overtime or
additional costs will be incurred. Much of the anticipated data is already gathered, so actual
staff time spent on the study is anticipated to be minimal.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6h___ Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: July 24, 2018
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do not enter into Agreement with the FAA.
Cost Implications: There are no anticipated cost implications.
Pros:
(1) Saves port staff time, allowing staff to focus on their regular responsibilities.
Cons:
(1) Does not support the FAA’s goal of promoting aviation safety.
(2) Does not support the Aviation Division’s Priority of improving airfield safety.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Enter into an Agreement with the FAA for a FOD study.
Cost Implications: None anticipated.
Pros:
(1) Supports the FAA’s goal of promoting aviation safety.
(2) Supports the Aviation Division’s Priority of improving airfield safety.
Cons:
(1) The study will consume some amount of staff time.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Port staff time will be used to support this study. It is not anticipated that any overtime or
additional costs will be incurred. Much of the anticipated data is already gathered, so actual
staff time spent on the study is anticipated to be minimal.
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
Port staff time to support the study is included in the department’s 2018 operating budget.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Memorandum of agreement
(2) Attachment A to the agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
On February 25, 2014, the Commission authorized executing a contract for a FOD detection.
