by Thomas DeWinter, P.E.
Chief, Airport Construction Standards
WisDOT Bureau of Aeronautics
The fundamental mission of the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics is to ensure a sound system of airports across the state. Each airport plays a vital part that contributes not only to the state system, but also feeds into the national aviation system. The safety, quality and functionality of each airport are key ingredients to the overall success of the system. Ensuring that engineering design and construction standards are met is a key element to these critical safety, and functionality, needs. These engineering aspects are effectively managed by a three-way partnership between the airport owner, the Bureau of Aeronautics engineering section, and the private engineering-consulting firms that are selected to perform the work on specific airport projects.
Every February, the Bureau of Aeronautics hosts a daylong airport engineering workshop to bring together bureau engineering staff and consultant engineers. This year’s workshop was held on February 12, 2013 in Madison. The workshop brought together 70 participants in order to be brought up-to-date on a variety of engineering topics directly related to bringing airport development projects successfully from conception to completion, and beyond into long-term grant compliance.
Among the topics discussed at this year’s workshop included training and professional development training in future migration to electronically bidding airport projects, airport funding, labor compliance, real estate and utility issues, environmental considerations, and asphalt construction techniques.
The workshop offered the opportunity for an engineer’s continuing education professional development hours toward their engineering license renewal. The workshop was a tremendous success with positive reviews and all are looking forward to next year’s workshop.
To find out more about the bureau’s annual airport engineering workshop, visit: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/modes/air.htm and click on conferences and seminars.
