Transportation

Aviation Planning

McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. is a multi-discipline firm that integrates planning, engineering and surveying disciplines into transportation solutions. 

Air transportation is a vital community resource that provides both metropolitan and rural areas with access to the national transportation system.  Therefore it is essential to anticipate new requirements or improve upon existing ones to maintain air service levels and plan for future needs. 

The fundamental aviation planning document is the Airport Master Plan.  An Airport Master Plan is a community’s concept of the short-term, intermediate-term, and  long-term development of its airport.  It graphically displays the concepts and reports the data and logic upon which the plan is based. 

The master plan provides guidelines for future airport development. It is a guide for:

• Developing the airport’s physical facilities
• Determining environmental effects of construction and operations
• Establishing ground access requirements
• Evaluating economic and financial feasibility
• Developing schedules for airport improvements




Once completed, the Airport Master Plan should be a living document that can help a community respond to the dynamic conditions of the aviation industry.

McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. is your full service aviation planning firm providing our clients with the following services:

• Airport Master Plans
• Airport Layout Plans
• FAR Part 150 Noise Studies
• Environmental Assessments
• Zoning and Land Use Planning
• Cost/Benefit Analysis
• Site Development Planning
• Terminal/Facility Planning
• Economic/Financial Planning
• Feasibility Studies

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Airport Layout Plans

The functional components of an airport layout plan include everything from the airport entrance to the airspace around the airport.  The master planning process considers these components in their entirety.  A major product of the airport master planning process is the airport layout plan.  An airport layout plan takes the data from the master plan and other studies and shows them in graphic form. 

In addition to the airport layout plan, an ALP set comprises drawings that include an airport’s:

• Physical Facilities
• Approach Profiles
• Obstruction Clearance
• Land Use Plans
• Terminal Area Plan
• Ground Access Plans
• Property Map
• Airspace Drawings

All development carried out on federally obligated airports must be accomplished in accordance with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved airport layout plan.  The ALP set is approved and signed by the FAA, thereby becoming a legal document. 

The ALP drawing is a scaled graphic representation of the existing and proposed airport land, facilities, protection zones, and approach areas.  It includes other environmental features that might influence airport operations and those features necessary for future airport development or expansion.  It should reflect any changes, which may affect the navigable airspace or the ability of the airport to expand.  As a key-planning document, the airport layout drawing is required to be kept current.

McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. brings the engineering, surveying and planning disciplines together to fulfill each and every ALP requirement for our clients.

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Air Service Development

McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. offers aviation planning services to assist local and regional airports in air service recruitment and in developing long term strategic and tactical planning programs. 

The air transportation industry consists of two very separate business models.  The users and suppliers of an airport are generally national or international companies (airlines, rental cars, air cargo, etc.) while the management, planning and design of an airport is predominantly performed on a local level. 




In the past, a region’s air service level was an airline’s decision instead of a community’s.  However, today, local airports have access to the corporate board rooms and can actively pursue air service that seems more compatible with a community’s need. 




Our Services Include:

• Master Plan Forecasts
• Strategic and Tactical Airport Planning
• Economic Impact Analysis
• Air Service Review and Need Analysis
• Cost/Benefit Analysis

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Airfield Engineering

Airfield design and engineering requires a multidisciplinary approach in traditional areas as well as many nontypical disciplines.  McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. integrates engineering, planning, surveying, and environmental services to solve complex airfield issues with innovative and cost effective solutions.  A crucial element in successful airport development is an early investment in planning, design and engineering.

Airfield Design and Engineering Services include:

Airside

• Runways
• Aprons
• Taxiways
• Navigational Aids
• Pavement Management
• Storm Drainage
• Security
• Curbside
• Parking Facilities
• Utilities and Civil Design
• Deicing Facilities
• Wetland Mitigation
• Project Management

                       
Construction Management and Inspections

• Quality Control/Quality Assurance
• Plan and Specification Conformance
• Materials Testing
• Special Inspections

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Transportation Planning & Zoning

Our land planning services for transportation range from small scale conventional style transportation projects to large scale master planning projects.  Through coordination with other in-house disciplines such as engineering, surveying, geotechnical and environmental services, McGhie & Betts Transportation Services will integrate the client’s goals and objectives with plans that address the development constraints and considerations of the project.

The objectives of planning and zoning land and air space on and around airports is to ensure that current and future uses within these areas are compatible with airport operations and will preserve the airport’s ability to expand to their approved Master Plan.  

Effective planning and zoning around airports can significantly decrease the cost of future development.  It also can reduce the potential for conflicts with adjacent land uses that not only can cause expensive legal fees but can also endanger the public and users of an airport. 

The airport owner has an obligation; mostly in part due to government funded grant assurances, to request zoning authorities to enact zoning restrictions sufficient to protect their airport and associated transportation arteries. 

McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. has extensive experience in drafting zoning ordinances and applications.

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Property Development, Airside & Landside

Airport development strategies can significantly improve an airport’s ability to weather these storms and provide a reliable and stable revenue source.  The economic environment that exists in the air transportation industry is dynamic and volatile.  Bankruptcies, air service downsizing, and government funding questions add unknown variables that affect airport management. 





McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc. has qualified planners that can assist in planning and property development that includes: 

• Minimum Standards for Construction and Development
• Commercial Business Park Development
• Industrial Business Park Development
• Air Cargo Development
• Planning and Zoning
• Land Acquisition
• Utility and Infrastructure Planning and Design

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Program Management

The term program management is used in relation to the owner’s representative because it generally includes all activities of a project, not just the design and construction.  It will include such things as funding and financial performa prior to design or even designer selection and grant administration and closeout after construction closeout with the consultant and the contractor.  In the case of small and non hub airports a limited airport staff is adequate to provide supervision and management for smaller airport construction projects such as airport paving and lighting projects, hangar construction, utilities, etc.  However, large or complicated construction projects are more complex and justify the use of a dedicated program manager.  McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc., has experienced program management teams to serve our transportation clients.

The disciplines presented by a professional program manager vary sharply from those included in traditional architecture and engineering firms.  While an understanding of the technical skills of engineering and architecture is definitely required, more emphasis is placed on such items as “industry” specific knowledge: 



• Airport Operations


• FAA Regulations


• TSA Security Requirements


• Grant Administration


• Funding Requirements


• Stakeholder Coordination


• Air Service Levels
 




At McGhie & Betts Transportation Services, Inc., the goal of the program manager is to bring expertise and experience to the project in order to reduce program expenses in an amount considerably in excess of their fees while providing the Owner with a project that meets and exceeds expectations.  While this cannot be accomplished on every program, it should be one of the primary goals of the program manager.

A program manager is an ideal approach for small and non-hub airports in the current construction environment.  During a project, a program manager can expand an airport’s staff with critical and essential professionals that will reduce overall costs, help avoid unwanted delays, and improve the overall product.

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