LSIA - Airport Operations
Index
Introduction
Welcome to Airport Operations
Hello, and welcome, to Los Santos International Airport (LSIA): Airport Operations. Airport Operations is the largest, most cohesive and most broad department at LSIA - Covering a multitude of tasks that we will go over in this document. From runway clearance, to airside/land side maintenance, incident management & airside co-ordination. As with all Public Works departments, LSIA Ops is restricted to members only, and because of their responsibility, staff members will enforce the LSIA Ops SOP very harshly - Any abuse of the powers given to you here could result in a revocation of your membership.
Because of the nature of this roleplay, and the knowledge required, it is suggested that you have at least knowledge on the basic fundamental structures found in airports and the way in which Airside duties are operated - Including a basic knowledge of ATC Communications and Airside-Driving Standards.
The jurisdiction in which LSIA Ops operate can be found here, on hour jurisdictions page.
Included in this SOP
In this SOP, we will use terms not normally used in everyday conversation. These terms are specific to aviation and should be used while Roleplaying in game. All terms can be found below, with their respective meanings explained.
Airside - The side of the Airport Terminal beyond security and passport control - This area is not accessible to the general public. Major elements of 'Airside' are taxiways, runways, navigation systems, hangers, and airport lighting fixtures.
Landside - The side of the Airport Terminal prior to security and passport control - This area is accessible to the general public. Major elements of 'Landside' are Terminals, Parking Facilities, Public Roadways, Cargo Warehouses, Rental Car Lots, and Taxi Ranks.
Ground - A ground controller is responsible for traffic moving on the ground along the taxiways & runways.
Tower - A tower controller is responsible for traffic landing and taking off or in the air in the immediate vicinity of the airport. The tower controller is in charge of the runways.
FAA - Federal Aviation Authority, the governing body of U.S. Aviation law.
Your Duties
Your Duties as Airport Operations
As previously stated, Airport Operations are the most important and most broad department at the airport. Below will be a short list of just some of the functions that Airport Operations fulfill, however, if you're still confused you can think of Airport Operations as mini-managers across the airport. Due to an airport's complexity and many moving parts, these managers hold a number of wide-ranging duties and supervise other staff members at the airport. The LSIA Airport Operations mission is to provide the traveling public with a safe and efficient airport operating environment, staffed by a team of resourceful aviation professionals.
If, after all this, you are still confused we highly recommend watching this video on Airport Operations. Despite being filmed in Australia, the duties of Airport Operations apply in every country internationally, as per ICAO standards.
List of Duties
Runway Inspections - Ensuring runways meet the required standards, clearing the runways of any debris and repairing any damage found.
Taxiway Inspections - Ensuring taxiways meet the required standards, clearing the taxiways of any debris and repairing any damage found.
Bird Monitoring/Clearing - Ensuring no birds are present around or inside the aerodrome. If birds are present, it is your job to clear them using a cartridge shotgun.
Terminal Inspections - Ensuring terminals, gates & ramps are clear and in safe operation for the departure & arrival of aircraft.
Work-Site Safety Inspections - Inspecting workers and work areas to ensure all safety regulations are followed by Airside Personnel.
Baggage Handling - You may be required to haul baggage carts using your Airport Ops vehicle, in the absence of a baggage handler.
Airside Traffic Control - Managing the safe flow of traffic across the designated airside roads & escorting any traffic that may need to drive on a taxiway or runway.
Landside Inspections - Inspecting ALL landside facilities including roads, terminal buildings and parking lots, as well as repairing any damage found.
Major Incident Management - You are expected to attend all major incidents both Landside and Airside, and relay all information to relevant supervisors. After each incident, an inspection should be completed & any damage shall be repaired
Aircraft Guiding - In some cases you will be required to guide an aircraft across the airport as a 'Follow Me' car.
Uniform Guideline
Airside Operations Uniform
The uniform guideline, like in real life, is fairly relaxed at Airport Operations. As managers, the uniform follows that of 'Business-Casual'. What the means for each item of clothing will be listed & described below.
What to Wear
Hats:
Baseball Caps - Muted colors, facing forward, no branding visible, no flags visible.
Hard Hats - Any Color, may be worn in hazardous environments.
Shirts:
Suit Shirts - Suit shirts of any color may be worn, they should be ironed, clean and presentable. They may either be buttoned or unbuttoned.
Polo Shirts - Polo shirts may be worn, they shall have muted colors & not bare any large branding.
Pants
Suit Pants - Suit pants may be worn, they should be muted in color (Preferably Black or Grey), well tailored, ironed and clean.
Chinos - Chinos maybe be worn, they should be muted in color (Cream is also permitted), well tailored, ironed and clean.
Shoes
Business Shoes - Smart business shoes can be worn, they shall be well polished & muted in color (Preferably black or brown).
Protective Boots - Steel-Capped boots may be worn in hazardous environments & they shall be muted in color.
Accessories
Watches - Any watches are permitted to be worn.
Ties - Ties shall worn if the wearer choses to wear a buttoned-up suit shirt.
Airport Passes - Airport Passes should be worn at all times, when possible. Both FlyUS and the Green LSIA passes are acceptable for use.
Fleece
Fleeces - Fleeces may be worn over an undershirt, it shall be muted in color (Preferably Black), and bare no large branding.
Vehicle Structure
You can find the vehicle policy here.
Use of Emergency Equipment
What is Emergency Equipment?
All LSIA Airport Operations vehicles are fitted with amber & red lights. These lights are classed as emergency equipment and are only to be used in the circumstances listed below. Abuse of this equipment will result in In-Character law enforcement action. Frequent abuse of a vehicle's equipment may result in out of character punishments if it becomes serious enough.
How and When to use Emergency Equipment
As per FAA regulations, emergency equipment should be used at all times when airside - Especially when driving off of designated airside roads, such as driving on taxiways or runways. Use of this equipment when airside is permitted because it maximizes the safety of Airport Operations personnel whom are working alongside heavy machinery & aircraft. Airside Ops personnel are able to rapidly respond to airside emergencies, as such, you are permitted to use your lights and horn to pass traffic on airside roadways.
When Landside, however, the use of emergency equipment changes drastically. You are not to use your lights or horn to pass traffic or respond when driving landside. Your emergency equipment may be used when on scene of a landside incident that you are investigating, however you must be able to justify how the use of your equipment prevented injury or death. Typically, this will be when you are parked in live lanes or blocking traffic, especially at darker hours or on blind turns.
Communications
How to Communicate via Radio
Although it is out of date, until it is updated, Airport Operations personnel should follow the communications guidelines found here, in the SAR Aviation Standard Operating Procedure. Ops Personnel should utilize the callsign 'Ops ##' when using comms. You should be monitoring both ground and tower frequencies at all time, and you should be knowledgeable of the airport's layout. An airport map can be found attached in the Aviation SOP.
Equipment
Equipment You Will Carry
Seen below is a generic list of equipment that you are permitted to carry while conducting your duties.
Cartridge Shotgun (Fires Blank Rounds)
Flashlight
Hand-Held Radio
Wrench
Hammer
Crowbar
Clipboard
First Aid Kit
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Fire Extinguisher
LSIA Inter-Departmental Co-Operation
Working with Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement Officers are expected to work in conjunction with Public Works officials & vice versa. It is absolutely essential that we keep this relationship strong and respectful. As an Airport Operations employee, you are expected to give Law Enforcement your full co-operation on all scenes around the Airport.
However, if you believe a Law Enforcement officer to be uncompliant and obstructive of your duties, do not hesitate to submit a Law Enforcement Report. Conversely, if an officer notices an Airport Operations employee obstructing the duties of Law Enforcement, please complete a Member Report as soon as possible.