by Mina Carlson
Minnesota Office of Aeronautics
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine August/September 2024 Digital Issue
An airport inspector is a critical role at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Aeronautics office. Airport inspectors maintain the safety and operational standards of airports across the state. These inspectors ensure that all airport facilities, ranging from large public airports to small private airstrips, comply with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and Minnesota state rules. The typical inspection season runs from spring to fall, during which inspectors travel extensively to evaluate around 100 airports annually. Let’s look at what an inspection day might look like for our inspectors.
Early Morning: Planning and Preparation
The springtime begins our in-person inspection season. But we begin our planning in mid-winter. We plan the locations of the season, work through software integrations, prioritize the visit list, and logistical help. Every inspection depends on the weather since the survey tools are not very friendly of rainy and chilly conditions, which we are glad for! Usually, the team knows the locations of inspections in advance. Still, occasionally we must modify the strategy.
On inspection day, we start early. To get to the airport, the travel schedule could call for flying, driving, or grabbing a ride with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Along with seaplane bases and heliports, the other airports to be checked include public, private, and personal airports. Every inspector carries documentation, checklists, and appropriate survey instruments. Pens, for instance, are among the best inspection tools available as they are used for measuring a lot of objects. Minnesota State Rules and FAA Advisory Circular criteria form the foundation of the 5010-inspection checklist.
Mid-Morning: Conducting Inspections
Upon arrival at the airport, the inspection is thorough. The assessment includes both the ground and imaginary flight surfaces. We’ll examine the full runways, taxiways, and aprons. This includes the current condition and operational abilities of lights, signs, and navigation aids. We check the conditions against FAA Advisory Circular requirements and Minnesota State Rules. The imaginary flight surfaces include the approach and departure paths. They also include the surrounding conical surfaces. We assess the airspace near the runway for obstacles that could interfere with safe aircraft operations.
Afternoon: Documentation and Reporting
The team gathers data points and constantly pushes them to a mapping program. Every inspector is verifying that all data has been successfully uploaded before leaving any site. Apart from verifying receipt, thorough notes and pictures also serve as another source of information. Should any disparities or infractions be found, immediate hazards are highlighted for critical focus.
Conclusion: Ensuring Aviation Safety
The day often concludes with traveling back to the office or moving on to the next inspection site.
Although rigorous, the job of an airport 5010 inspector is essential for maintaining aviation safety all over Minnesota. By means of their thorough inspections and adherence to FAA and state policies, these officials help to preserve high safety standards for different aviation facilities. Their work includes long trips, thorough evaluations, and constant correspondence with airport officials, and as a result, greatly enhancing the general safety and effectiveness of the aviation system for our state. Every day offers different opportunities to significantly impact the field of aviation safety.