FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

Forsvarsudvalget 2019-20
FOU Alm.del Bilag 56
Offentligt

SPECIAL REPORT

Synthetic Turf for

Airﬁeld Groundcover

AGAT Groundcover Designed for Airports

Airports: A Crisis of Capacity

Airports Turn Their Attention to Artiﬁcial Turf

The Long Road: How Artiﬁcial Turf is Cracking

the Aviation Industry

The Pros and Cons of Artiﬁcial Turf

Sponsored by

AGAT Applications

Published by

Global Business Media

AGAT Runway

Evergreen Helipad

Published by Global Business Media

Global Business Media Limited

62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT

United Kingdom

Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939

Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org

Publisher

Kevin Bell

Business Development Director

Marie-Anne Brooks

Editor

Tom Cropper

Senior Project Manager

Steve Banks

Advertising Executives

Michael McCarthy

Abigail Coombes

Production Manager

Paul Davies

For further information visit:

www.globalbusinessmedia.org

The opinions and views expressed in the

editorial content in this publication are those

of the authors alone and do not necessarily

represent the views of any organisation with

which they may be associated.

Material in advertisements and promotional

features may be considered to represent the

views of the advertisers and promoters. The

views and opinions expressed in this publication

do not necessarily express the views of the

Publishers or the Editor. While every care has

been taken in the preparation of this publication,

neither the Publishers nor the Editor are

responsible for such opinions and views or

for any inaccuracies in the articles.

Airports: A Crisis of Capacity

Tom Cropper,

Editor

A Booming Future

The Challenge for Runway Condition

Airports Turn Their Attention to Artificial Turf

Jo Roth,

Staff Writer

Artificial Surfaces

Gaining Acceptance

The Long Road: How Artificial Turf

is Cracking the Aviation Industry

James Butler, Staff Writer

A Long and Winding Road

Regulatory Approval

Financial Considerations

The Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf

Tom Cropper,

Editor

Jet Blasts and Foreign Object Debris

The Threat of Wildlife

Maintaining Aesthetics

Scaling Up Aircraft

Challenges to Artificial Turf

References

are protected by copyright. Full details are

No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic, mechanical

photocopying, recording or otherwise, without

the prior permission of the copyright owner.

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 1

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

Foreword

AGAT Groundcover

Designed for Airports

Mads Lauritzen,

Special Projects Liaison

Even so, as Jo Roth discovers, persuading people

within the industry has been quite a challenge for

manufacturers. Conservatism reigns and, in a world

in which budgets are limited, technology which is new

and untried can struggle to make its ground.

However, with London City Airport becoming the first

in Europe to trial synthetic turf, progress is coming.

James Butler looks more closely at the airport’s

experience with the turf and what this could mean

for the future.

Finally, we’ll weigh up the possible uses of synthetic

turf. We’ll look at some of those challenges that

we outlined at the beginning of this Report

and see how artificial surfaces can provide the

answer. The challenges are considerable and it

will take innovation, imagination and a little courage

to meet them.

GAT IS a synthetic turf designed for

airports, landing strips and helipads.

With our experience within artificial turf, aviation

and civil engineering, we are able to offer the

possibility of optimizing security, increasing

efficiency and environmental improvements,

while minimizing operation costs. Our sustainable

surface solutions are thoroughly tested in

laboratories and airports all over the world.

The Danish-based company Evergreen Aviation

has made the first installation of artificial turf in a

European civil airport.

The special artificial turf from Evergreen Aviation

is named Aviation Grade Artificial Turf (AGAT) and

is an innovative form of groundcover.

AGAT is sustainable, easy to maintain and has

a proven ability to reduce and prevent jet blast

erosion and wildlife.

Evergreen Aviation provides consultancy,

installation, service, operation and maintenance

of AGAT.

AGAT’s Safety Effect

• FOD Foreign Object Debris – secures

against creation and improves visual

identification of FOD

• Erosion – closes the surface and secures

it against erosion

• Visual Recognition – independency of

seasons and clear visual recognition

• Incursions – minimized maintenance

and reduction of the need for ground

personnel airside

• ARFF – response increases the access

and shortens the rescue turnout

• Nudging – signalizing which affects

behavior unconsciously but effectively

• Bird Strikes – reduces food and hiding places

for birds and therefore reduces their presence

• Drainage – increases the possibility of

surface drainage

• Wildlife – management environment neutral

and not lethal, removal of food, shelter,

water for birds and prey

ack in the 80s, growing up as a young football

fan, everyone knew about Luton Town and

Evergreen Aviation future proofs airports worldwide with Aviation Grade Artificial Turf

– AGAT

their plastic pitch. It looked horrible and the ball

did funny things. Nobody wanted to go there. That

has been the impression of synthetic pitches ever

since – a poor plastic impersonation of the real thing,

good for sports grounds, but not much else. Today’s

technology, though, is very different indeed.

It looks and behaves much like the real thing. As well

as sports grounds, many people are using them as a

low maintenance replacement for their garden lawns.

Now, though, manufacturers have a new market in

their sights: aviation.

Our opening article comes from one of the world’s

leading producers of synthetic turf. Evergreen Aviation

have developed a form of turf specifically designed

for airports. They explain how it works and why they

think this could be the future.

We will then look at the challenges facing airports.

Increased traffic demands will place a greater strain

on capacity, money is tight and competition is

fierce. Synthetic turfs could be an affordable way to

overcome these problems.

• Noise Reduction - AGAT works as a noise

reduction in Aprons, Taxiways and Helipads

AGAT Applications

• A380 – Airport Upgrade

• Edges of Maneuvering Areas

• Fuel Stations

• ILS Areas

• Intersections

• Islands

• Lamps

• PAPI

• Runway (RWY)

• Runway Markings

• Security Fence

• Service Areas

• Service Roads

• Shoulders

• Signs

• Evergreen Helipad

Evergreen Aviation provides safety and efficiency

to Airports worldwide through a large number of

different applications. The specific applications

needed to increase safety and optimize operation

time and maintenance, are different from airport

to airport. Through close collaboration and

counseling with Evergreen Aviation the most

advantageous solutions are found for each

specific airport.

Tom Cropper

Editor

Tom Cropper

has produced articles and reports on various aspects of global business over

the past 15 years. He has also worked as a copywriter for some of the largest corporations in

the world, including ING, KPMG and the World Wildlife Fund.

Airport Upgrade

To operate the Airbus 380 and similar large

aircraft, airports have to comply with the Class

F requirements. By means of AGAT, airport

category can be upgraded from class E to F.

AGAT allows for overall wider TWY and RWY

without increasing the fortified area, and at

the same time the visual reference is increased

and FOD clearly detectable.

Shoulders on RWY and TWY can be made

wider without increasing the fortified area

causing stagnant water on the runway after

downpours. It is possible to construct rainwater

storage in the base building to control delay

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

Evergreen Aviation

provides safety and

efﬁciency to Airports

worldwide through

a large number of

different applications

of surface water for derivation, reducing the

pressure on the drainage system.

Shoulders paved with AGAT will eliminate

erosion and optimize the visual reference of the

RWY without compromising safety.

AGAT is tested for jet blast and for supporting

ultra-heavy loads, including large aircrafts, and

for supporting emergency response equipment.

AGAT meets ASTM installation requirements.

AGAT is compliant with FAA Advisory Circular

150/5370-15B, and has been identified as

a material that can be used to cover large

portions of airport property with multiple benefits,

such as providing consistent groundcover, as

well as reducing maintenance costs and

attractive vegetative food sources for hazardous

wildlife species.

Synthetic turf technology has passed over

30 independent lab tests including tunnel, jet

wash, load veering, slip resistance adhesive,

ASTM, fire retardant and tear strength. Synthetic

AGAT for airport ground cover is crucial for the

overall success of airport operational safety.

AGAT can last 15+ years of wear and tear from

jet blast and natural causes (projected up to 35+

years for UV alone).

AGAT Applications

AGAT is a highly recommended solution to ensure

the right conditions around the various airport

ground signal devices. Airport lamps are extremely

vulnerable to plants. It is of utmost importance that

all airport marking equipment is kept free of any

disturbance that may interfere with its functionality.

Installation of AGAT in combination with existing

equipment is trouble-free.

AGAT creates a sharp contrast that increases

visibility. AGAT is easy to align and is adaptable

to individual specification designs, airfield

requirements and modification needs.

Installing AGAT at intersections and islands gives

a clear visual reference to the runway limits and

secures against aircraft leaving runways at barred

exits. A strong base covered with AGAT provides

a maximal load-bearing capacity, strong enough

for heavy vehicles to run over without sinking in

and even for aircraft that cut corners accidently

with the inner wheel.

Cost-benefit analyses, evaluating the

construction expenditures against increased

safety, increased esthetics, and reduced

operating expenses, are among AGAT’s

many advantages.

The artificial turf solves water-pooling problems

and controls erosion. On AGAT, rain and other

fluids are collected and lead to the drain. Sand

infill in AGAT absorbs spills of fuel, oil etc. and

contaminated infill can easily be replaced. The

sand infill works as a fire retardant in case of

ignited spills on the ground.

AGAT’s fire resistance rated ‘excellent’

when tested in cooperation with the Airside

Facilities Engineering Team at the Greater

Toronto Airports Authority.

One of the key areas to be used so far has been

jet blast areas around the edges of runways. At

London Southend Airport, for example, they were

struggling with erosion at the end of Runway 05.

They quickly settled on AGAT as being the perfect

option as Marc Taylor who oversaw the project’s

completion says.

“Our advisors at Burroughs recommended

the AGAT solution to restore and future proof

the jet blast area. We contacted Evergreen

Aviation and met with special project liaison

Mads Lauritzen, who flew in for an inspection

and a very informative conversation about the

civil works required. Working in collaboration with

Evergreen Aviation, we identified the appropriate

construction method to accommodate the AGAT

safely. The artificial grass solution makes a lot

of sense, being effective, affordable and has

multiple advantages.”

First the airport laid a well-prepared subbase

made by civil contractor JKS Group to ensure the

installation went as planned. From there they were

able to complete the laying of AGAT overnight

with minimal disruption.

“By using AGAT, we can help these issues and

provide solutions that are cost beneficial, safe,

and long lasting,” said Evergreen Aviation’s

special projects liaison Mads Lauritzen who led

the installation team. “In this case, we installed

from the end of the runway pavement across the

main jet blast area and above the approach-bar

concrete foundations, preventing foreign object

damage (FOD) from eroding natural soil and

minimising hazards when cutting grass around

the approach lights.”

AGAT Runway

A runway paved with AGAT gives the ideal surface

to land small and medium size aircraft regardless

of geographical and weather conditions.

Visual recognition of surface, lines and markers

regardless of weather.

FOD elimination and recognition to ensure

maximum safety during taxi, warm up, start,

landing, hot start and engine braking.

Immediate usage and instant repair.

Snow removable, with documented friction in

dry and wet conditions

Fire retardant, chemical resistant, flood proven,

surface with documented friction on the entire

surface, lines and edges in all weather conditions.

Markings will be permanent and with same

friction and will have distinct color difference

regardless of natural light level and humidity.

AGAT can be installed as runway surface for jets,

propeller and hang gliders.

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

AGAT is tested for

jet blast and for

supporting ultra-

heavy loads, including

large aircrafts, and for

supporting emergency

response equipment

By landing on AGAT instead of natural

grass, hazardous divots and soft spots, which

typically occur in touch down and taxi areas,

are prevented. The even surface has a

documented positive effect of the life expectancy

of gear and fuselage. AGAT and infill are

environmentally neutral and, as such, can be

used in sensitive areas.

Clear airfield markings are important – both for

air and ground personnel. AGAT markings can

improve visual reference in various ways and

appeal to those who give the airport industry

safety the most concern. AGAT allows markings

to be embedded right into the turf.

Airports:

A Crisis of Capacity

Tom Cropper,

Editor

The world is becoming addicted to air travel. With demand expected to double over

the next 15 to 20 years, how will infrastructure cope?

Evergreen Helipad

Advantages of the Helipad

• No FOD and debris: Fast and safer start, stop,

loading and unloading

• Ideal visual reference: Safe straight approach

and recognition of foreign objects

• Fueling: AGAT provides safest possible surface

when fueling

• No maintenance: Permanent markings and

absorption of small particles

• Snow clearing: No limits of snow removability,

without the use of chemicals

The Evergreen helipad is sized to accommodate

the largest helicopter in regular use. The Annex 14

determines the helipad size and markings. If local

restriction dictates smaller sizes, consideration

must be made by organizers and planners.

AGAT is installed on a sub base. The sub base

takes into account the maximum load to be

borne by the helipad in a worst-case scenario.

It is typically not the weight of the helicopter,

but service vehicles such as fire trucks, snow

removal gear, fuel trucks, load and unload gear

that determines the maximum load bearing on

the helipad. Once the sub base is put in place,

the AGAT is rolled out.

AGAT is often installed on a sub base with an

underestimated load bearing, since it is easily

repaired. Note that the surface will not break up

or create FOD in case of a sub base collapse.

The standard color of AGAT is green. Permanent

markings are white for landing, yellow for taxi

and red for service vehicles access, in accordance

to Annex 14. Normally the green turf is installed

first, and then the markings are cut in on site. If

local conditions require it, the entire AGAT surface

can be produced off location and airlifted to its

final destination.

Contact

Name:

Evergreen Aviation ApS

Address: Kokkedal Industripark 2A,

2980 Kokkedal, Denmark

Phone: +45 39 29 99 99

Website: www.evergreenaviation.dk

Email:

[email protected]

T’S JANUARY 2019 and protestors are

gathering outside the High Court in London.

In their sights are proposals for a third runway

at Heathrow. Issues such as air and noise

pollution, they say, should stand in the way of

London’s biggest airport’s expansion plans.

They are not alone. Every time an airport

announces plans to expand, they spark waves

of similar protests.

It will always be controversial. Expansion of an

airport such as Heathrow will inevitably run into

environmental and political problems. Despite

assurances from the airport, it flies in the face of

Government commitments to reduce dramatically

carbon emissions. Already air quality around

Heathrow regularly exceeds safe levels and the

cost of putting it right is climbing

On the other hand, expansion is necessary.

Demand for air travel is expected to boom over

the next 20 years. The operators of Heathrow

and other large hubs will have to find a way

of processing all those extra numbers. If they

are not allowed to build new airports or expand

existing infrastructure, they are entitled to ask,

what can they do?

By landing on AGAT instead of natural grass,

hazardous divots and soft spots, which typically

occur in touch down and taxi areas, are prevented

A Booming Future

After suffering slumps in the wake of 9/11 and

the financial crisis of 2008, air travel is booming

again. In 2018 passenger numbers surged

by 6.5%

. IATA’s long-term forecasts suggest

passenger numbers could double to more than

8bn in 2037 with traffic growing at an annual rate

of over 3.5%

. Most of that growth will come from

rising economies such as China, India and Brazil,

but numbers will be increasing across the world.

Airports face an unenviable task. They will have

to increase dramatically their capacities, while

having limited scope for expansion. It’s a case

of doing much more with what they have.

That will not be easy. Over the coming decades

more of the world’s major hubs will be operating

at, or near, full capacity for longer. According to

the European Commission, major hubs such

as London Heathrow, Gatwick and Dusseldorf

are already operating at full capacity. By 2030, if

current trends continue, 19 key European airports

could also reach saturation point

At the same time, they have to operate in an

environment of growing economic uncertainty.

Whether it’s trade tensions between the US

and China, the never-ending saga of Brexit or

tensions in the Middle East, the global economy

faces uncertainty and threats everywhere it looks.

Oil prices are volatile. After the crash of 2014, in

which the price of oil dipped below the $30 mark,

it is on the rise again. So too is the cost of fuel.

The aviation industry suffers also from the

curious distinction of being a sector which has

experienced consistently rising demand over

the past decades but has seen profit margins

shrink. According to Airports Council International,

more than 60% of all airports are failing to turn

a profit

. Only the largest and busiest hubs are

making money and even they are doing so only

because they have high volumes, tight control

of expenditure and the ability to access non

aeronautical revenue through retail outlets. For

smaller regional hubs, the financial proposition

looks extremely gloomy.

Airports must consider the growing expectations

of customers. There was a time when people

viewed air travel as something they had to endure.

If they wanted to get where they were going, they

had little choice other than to work with whatever

experience the airport gave them. That’s not the

case now. We are all consumers and we have

come to expect a certain standard of quality

and convenience wherever we go. Most people

have a choice of more than one international

hub and they have shown themselves willing to

make proactive choices about which airport or

airline to use based on their past experience.

Airports, therefore, are having to address every

aspect of the flying experience in order to retain

their passengers.

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

After suffering slumps

in the wake of 9/11

and the ﬁnancial crisis

of 2008, air travel is

booming again. In 2018

passenger numbers

surged by 6.5% . IATA’s

long-term forecasts

suggest passenger

numbers could double

to more than 8bn in 2037

with trafﬁc growing at an

annual rate of over 3.5%

The Challenge

for Runway Condition

So how does this all relate to the conditions of the

airside infrastructure? Increased capacity will put

pressure on runways, taxiways and the turf. Busier

runways will also exacerbate existing problems

such as foreign object debris and turf erosion.

This can be unsafe as well as harming the visual

impact of the airport.

To cope with these demands, operators will

be looking for solutions which are simple, cost

effective, can improve efficiency and boost the

capacity of existing infrastructure. One of these

solutions comes in the form of the ground

surface of airports. The existing approach relies

on a mixture of hard surfaces and grassy areas,

but these are prone to damage. An alternative

lies in the form of synthetic turf. A number of

airports have been thinking about moving to

artificial grass surfaces for many years, but

momentum is now really beginning to build. US

Airports started the trend and European hubs are

beginning to follow suit.

Adoption is in its early stages, but manufacturers

of artificial surfaces have ambitious goals. They

see artificial grass providing an alternative to

existing grassy areas as well as helipads and

some landing strips. It is more stable, durable

and reliable than natural turf, is easier to clear of

snow and ice and retains its grip in all conditions.

It reduces maintenance requirements, copes

with heavy traffic loads and reduces the threat of

FOD and wildlife issues for incoming and outgoing

aircraft. All this and it looks good too! Those

airports which have already used it have been

highly positive in their feedback. The challenge

now will be persuading operators that it represents

an affordable upgrade on what they already have.

Airports Turn Their

Attention to Artiﬁcial Turf

Jo Roth,

Staff Writer

Trials around the world are showing that artificial turf can deliver a viable alternative

to natural grass for the aviation sector.

Most people have a choice of more than one

international hub and they have shown themselves

willing to make proactive choices about which airport

or airline to use based on their past experience

HEN THE Federal Aviation Authority

inspected the airﬁeld at JFK in 2000,

it found a number of areas at the edges of

runways which had become dangerously

eroded and were in need of stabilization.

The problem, as an investigation by the Port

Authority of New Jersey discovered, was that

the existing grass used by the airport operators

was not up to the rigors of jet blasts

. Their

solution was to provide more protection to the

ground service by using synthetic turf and it

worked. Other airports around the world are

following suit.

In 2017, London City Airport became the first

airport in Europe to trial synthetic turf with 400m

of artificial turf initially being installed in the jet blast

areas of runway 27 and Taxiway M. These areas

suffered from problems such as jet blasts and

loose objects being thrown up due to blasts from

the engines. Both were having a severe impact on

the natural grass surfaces, increasing wear and

creating safety issues

“The installation took place in an area of the

airfield where the aircraft do a particular maneuver

to line up on the runway. As they turn around, that

particular area is exposed to high levels of jet blast

which made it the ideal location for a trial” said

Charles Joubeily, project manager at London City

Airport. “Since the installation, there have been no

issues with the AGAT,” he added. “Airfields are

always being inspected and there have been no

issues reported so far.”

While most of the attention so far has been on jet

blast areas, Evergreen Aviation has been keen to

promote its use in three different areas:

•

Edges and maneuvering areas:

Uses have so

far focused on edges and maneuvering areas.

This is useful in areas with high load bearing

demands such as high-volume traffic traverse

zones. It maintains its condition without causing

rutting or erosion to the edges which might be

seen with grassy areas. It will also provide good

grip if an aircraft has to run off a runway and

onto the verge. It offers better visual distinction

between areas in all weather conditions and is

promoted as a significant safety improvement

compared to grass.

•

Runways:

AGAT can be used as a good

surface for landing strips designed to cope

with small aircraft. It maintains its condition

better than grass and makes it easier to identify

foreign object debris. It can be used instantly

and offers clear recognition of surface lines

and markers regardless of the conditions. It

maintains friction in wet and dry conditions and

also maintains performance after snow removal.

•

Helipads:

The bright clear artificial grass

provides good markings in all weather

conditions and maintains its condition for longer

without maintenance. It reduces foreign object

debris which leads to faster and safer landing,

loading and take off. In winter conditions it has

unlimited snow clearance capacity without the

need for chemicals and is also safe to use for

refueling operations.

Artiﬁcial Surfaces

Aviation Grade Artificial Turf (AGAT) has been

specially designed to provide an artificial turf

surface capable of being used for airports, landing

strips and helipads. It offers low maintenance, the

ability to reduce erosion by jet blast, retains the

integrity of turf edges and provides a clear visual

distinction between different areas of the runway.

It offers good grip if an aircraft has to run off the

runway and keeps wildlife and flora away from

runway areas.

Gaining Acceptance

As things stand, Evergreen Aviation leads the

pack in what is hardly a crowded field. There are

only a couple of manufacturers world-wide. They

see themselves as offering a solution to many of

the challenges airports will face in the future. Even

so, as they admit, it has been a long and tough

road to convince the aviation sector.

“I’ve been trying to sell artificial turf throughout

Europe and other parts of the world for eight years.

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

As things stand,

Evergreen Aviation

leads the pack in what

is hardly a crowded

ﬁeld. There are only a

couple of manufacturers

world-wide. They see

themselves as offering a

solution to many of the

challenges airports will

face in the future

However it has proven to be extremely difficult to

promote new standards to the aviation authorities”

Nikolaj Duckert, Technical Director at Evergreen

Aviation told CHECKin.dk.

The company had been attempting to sell the

artificial turf to airports around Europe, including

Denmark, but it wasn’t until London City Airport

picked up the phone that they had enjoyed much

success. Synthetic turf requires fresh thinking. It is

a material which is little understood and takes a

step forward from the traditional approach, which

is to use grass. Whether it’s a lack of familiarity with

the technology or a naturally conservative desire

to control costs, many operators are reluctant to

make the leap.

The project at London City Airport, though,

is demonstrating that artificial turf can offer

answers to many of the most serious questions

being asked by airports such as how to reduce

maintenance costs, combat jet blast erosion and

foreign object debris and how to improve safety.

So far results have been promising and London

City airports hopes to invest in artificial turf in all

grass areas, totaling 160,000 square meters.

“The airport has not had any challenges with

the artificial turf, even though it has had heavy

rain. An area of 400 square meters is too small

to have any impact on bird strikes, but if artificial

turf replaces all natural grass, we will remove the

presence of mice, rats, geese and other birds. The

airport expects to reduce bird strikes by 16 to 32

percent,” adds Nikolaj Duckert.

This is a new technology and, like many

innovations, will run into resistance from those who

will be naturally suspicious of change. Money is

tight and new solutions will always have to prove

their value. The penalties for getting things wrong

can be severe. However, as the experience at

London City Airport and others shows, it is

meeting every challenge put in front of it.

The Long Road:

How Artiﬁcial Turf is Cracking

the Aviation Industry

James Butler,

Staff Writer

In a bid to improve safety and save money, airport operators are increasingly turning

to artificial turf solutions. accurate visualization and faster warnings.

OR MOST people artificial turf is seen

as something for sports ﬁelds or people

who want to keep their gardens looking nice

in dry climates. However, manufacturers are

now producing synthetic turf solutions aimed

at airports. Those who have used it generally

report positive outcomes. Results suggest

it can reduce maintenance costs, combat

erosion and cope with jet blasts and foreign

object debris.

A Long and Winding Road

Manufacturers have faced a long and, at times,

tough journey in convincing airport operators

and regulators of the value of artificial turf. Like

anything which is new, it has to work hard to prove

its effectiveness.

Back in 2006, a study in the US examined

the effectiveness and safety of artificial turf for

use with runways. It was commissioned as a

number of airports began looking into its use to

address issues such as erosion, damage and

maintenance. The study worked with producers

of artificial turfs and airports, and looked at

those airports in which it had already been

used, including:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport

• Chicago Midway International Airport

• Boston Logan International Airport

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

• Honolulu International Airport

• San Francisco International Airport

• Ocean City Municipal Airport.

It also carried out safety tests at the Federal

Aviation Administration William J. Hughes

Technical Center specifically focusing on jet

blast erosion.

According to the Report, artificial turf can be

effective in a number of ways including reducing

soil erosion, combating foreign object debris,

reducing wildlife incursions and improving the

visual impact of the airport.

“An area of 400 square meters is too small to have any

impact on bird strikes, but if artiﬁcial turf replaces all

natural grass, we will remove the presence of mice,

rats, geese and other birds. The airport expects to

reduce bird strikes by 16 to 32 percent”

Nikolaj Duckert, Technical Director, Evergreen Aviation

“The two main reasons for the use of artificial

turf installations were to control soil erosion and

to mitigate foreign object debris issues,” states

the Report. “Other considerations for the use

of artificial turf included lower turf maintenance,

wildlife mitigation, and visual enhancements.

The majority of airport concerns focused on

the ability to resist jet blast, weather effects and

contaminants (fuel, deicing fluids, hydraulic fluids),

and to support the load of safety vehicles as well

as being skid and fire-resistant

.”

It also found airports which were especially at risk

of flooding were turning to artificial turf as a way of

maintaining ground conditions during times of high

rain. Ocean City Municipal Airport, for example,

was located on a bay and, during heavy rain,

experienced problems with water pooling and

soil erosion. High tides might also see water spill

over onto the runway causing erosion to the soil

between the runway and taxiways.

The Report found that those airports which had

trialed the use of synthetic turf were reportedly

satisfied with its performance. They also said

that they were happy with its cost effectiveness,

although there was relatively little data available.

In general, the report was positive, but

did acknowledge that there was limited data

available to make assertions about its long-term

value. Product specification tests were also

incomplete and additional tests and standards

needed to be applied.

Regulatory Approval

Part of the problem is that aviation authorities

are playing catchup. The FAA did not have

any standards aimed at artificial turf, but that

changed quickly. As part of this study, existing

FAA standards were reviewed to assess their

applicability for artificial turf applications.

The FAA’s own investigations into the use of

artificial turf led to an advisory circular that found

that it could be used “as an alternate to natural

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

Back in 2006, a study

in the US examined the

effectiveness and safety

of artiﬁcial turf for

use with runways.

It was commissioned

as a number of airports

began looking into its

use to address issues

such as erosion, damage

and maintenance

turf or other surface treatments used to stabilize

shoulders and safety areas. An additional use is to

install these systems on paved areas not intended

for aircraft movement

.”

It should be designed and installed so it will not

be displaced by jet blasts and anchor pull tests

should be used to check its reliability. It must

also be placed on a surface capable of supporting

the heaviest jets. Surface deformations in excess

of three inches or that allow shoving or wrinkles

in the material will require immediate inspection

and repair.

It must have good drainage resistant properties

ensuring water does not accumulate. Heavy rain

conditions must not flush infill material from the

surface and all artificial turf surfaces must provide

storm run-off capabilities similar to paved surfaces.

Before installation, the surface will have to undergo

extensive testing for its runoff drainage coefficient

in accordance with ASTM F 1551.

Guidance from the regulators is crucial. It adds

legitimacy, provides reassurance and offers details

about how artificial turf solutions can be introduced

effectively into the airport environment. Even so,

operators will still need to show a clear return on

investment for adoption to approve.

The Pros and

Cons of Artiﬁcial Turf

Tom Cropper,

Editor

Airport operators are seriously looking at the possibility of using artificial turf for

ground areas. But how effective can it be and what areas would be most suitable?

Financial Considerations

Finances are tight at airports of all sizes around

the world and installing synthetic turf represents

a significant upfront investment. Technology has

evolved dramatically; synthetic turf is a highly

sophisticated material designed to the highest

specifications in order to withstand the rigors

of aviation use. This does not come cheap. To

win over any doubters, producers will have to

demonstrate that their solutions will deliver a clear

financial return on investment.

Their argument revolves around reductions in

ongoing maintenance. Because synthetic turf

retains its integrity, surfaces will stay solid for

longer. Fewer interventions will also require lower

staff costs. It’s a strong argument and the more

airports choose to adopt synthetic turf the greater

the body of evidence supporting its use.

This is happening. Several airports in the USA

have already made the move and are reporting

positive results. European airports such as

London City are also making the move and their

experience is showing that these solutions can be

effective, affordable and deliver a good return on

investment. Where they lead, others follow which

means the aviation sector will continue to represent

an extremely promising market for producers of

artificial turf. The move from the football field to

the airport is well and truly underway.

RTIFICIAL TURF is being presented as a

sustainable and affordable alternative to

natural grass, but the industry is still uncertain

about whether it can truly help it meet the

challenges of the future. Questions remain

about its cost effectiveness and in which

situations it should be used. In this article, we

will look at some of the challenges confronting

the industry, how these may change in the

future and what a move to synthetic turf may

deliver in terms of a return on investment.

Jet Blasts and

Foreign Object Debris

Jet blasts have long been a problem for airports.

Their design constantly has to cater to the risks

blasts pose to surfaces and other infrastructure.

Grass surfaces struggle to cope. This is one of the

most common reasons why airports around the

world are switching to artificial surfaces for runway

safety areas, shoulders and ramps. So long as

they are installed correctly, they can withstand the

pressures of blasts without eroding.

Similarly, they make it easier to identify foreign

object debris (FOD), another serious problem

for aircraft. As traffic increases, identifying debris

is becoming an increasingly common problem.

Because artificial turf does not erode to the same

extent as grass and maintains its visual integrity,

FOD accumulation is less likely and objects are

much more easily identified.

warns that if grass is attractive to wildlife it could

“increase the potential for wildlife aircraft collisions

if planted near critical airport operating areas

.”

The traditional approach to wildlife management,

said the report, such as discing, prescribed

burning and planting food plots, benefits

wildlife by providing food, cover and other

resources. Instead, it argued, airports should

make a greater effort to ensure high operating

areas keep wildlife away.

Authorities around the world have recognized

the need for effective wildlife management. Some

have laid down specific rules while others offer

looser guidelines. Many of these look at the length

of the grass. In the UK, authorities specify that

grass should be maintained at between six and

eight inches to reduce the attractiveness to wildlife

while maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal.

Switching to artificial turf would create large

areas close to operational zones which have no

appeal to wildlife. It creates an exclusion zone in

areas where aircraft will be passing regularly and

reduces the risk of collisions with wildlife.

Maintaining Aesthetics

Grass surfaces may be problematic, but even so

they are still valued for their aesthetic appeal. An

airport represents a gateway into its country which

makes it important to maintain an impressive

visual impact. Grass areas and vegetation play an

important part in that process. Unfortunately, the

rigors of daily airport operations mean keeping

the areas looking their best is an ongoing job.

Grass areas are susceptible to rutting from

the passage of vehicles and damage from

jet blasts. Unless their condition is managed,

they can quickly become unsightly. Replacing

turfgrass with synthetic grass gives the airport

a much more consistent look. Modern artificial

turf manages to deliver a much more natural

and realistically grass-like finish. At the same

time it brings an increased resistance to jet blasts

and other causes of wear, which reduces the

need for ground crews to constantly maintain

ground conditions.

The Threat of Wildlife

Bird strikes represent one of the most serious

hazards to aircraft. 2018 was a particularly

bad year. According to the FAA, US operators

experienced an average of 40 bird strikes per day.

In total US airlines reported 14,661 collisions over

the course of the year. With traffic at airports likely

to become much busier in coming decades, this

risk is likely to keep growing

The most common choice for land cover at

airports has predominantly been turfgrass.

However, depending on the type of grass used,

it can create a wildlife hazard. A USDA report

Artiﬁcial turf can be effective in a number of ways

including reducing soil erosion, combating foreign

object debris, reducing wildlife incursions and

improving the visual impact of the airport

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

With air trafﬁc predicted

to double over the next

couple of years thanks,

in part, to a spike of air

travel from China, the

size of aircraft is rising.

Heathrow recently

passed the 200-seat

mark but barely makes

it into the top 30

References:

Heathrow Air Quality Costs Two to Three Times Higher Than Thought:

https://www.aef.org.uk/2018/03/07/heathrow-air-quality-costs-two-to-four-times-higher-than-previously-thought-says-minister/

Healthy Passenger Demand Continues in 2018: https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2019-02-07-01.aspx

IATA Forecasts Predicts 8.2 Billion Passengers: https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2018-10-24-02.aspx

Europe’s Airports in 2030: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-11-857_en.htm

66% of the World’s Airports are Losing Money: https://www.portcalls.com/66-worlds-airports-losing-moneyreport/#

JFK Turns to Astroturf: https://airportimprovement.com/article/jfk-tests-artificial-turf-countering-erosion-fod

London Based Airport Installs Danish Astroturf: https://evergreenaviation.dk/a-london-based-airport-installs-danish-artificial-turf/

Airside Applications for Astroturf: http://www.tc.faa.gov/its/worldpac/techrpt/ar06-23.pdf

FAA advisory circular: https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/150_5370_15b.pdf

Planes Strike Bird More than 40 Times Per Day:

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/02/06/bird-strikes-airplanes-wildlife-federal-aviation-administration-data-sully-sullenberger/2613893002/

Scaling Up Aircraft

With air traffic predicted to double over the next

couple of years thanks, in part, to a spike of air

travel from China, the size of aircraft is rising.

Heathrow recently passed the 200-seat mark

but barely makes it into the top 30

. Innovata /

Diio Mi schedule data shows a clear rise in the

average size of aircraft over a ten-year period. The

arrival of the Airbus 380 took aviation towards a

new era of scale and luxury. This double decker

behemoth appeared to be the future of air travel

with the ability to carry up to 800 passengers.

However, the economics of fueling and

operating this four-engine monster meant Airbus

struggled to make it economically viable. In

February 2019 they announced that they would

be ending production after Emirates decided to

drop an order

Even so, this is an icon of the aviation world and

is extremely popular with passengers. The main

factors against it have been the cost of running it

and the fact that not all airports are able to carry

it. So, although new orders are drying up, being

able to handle aircraft of such scale will give

airports an advantage. Manufacturers of artificial

turf, meanwhile, say their turf makes it easy for

airports to switch from Category E to F required

to take the Airbus.

Equally, synthetic turf can make it easier to cope

with a world in which operators are switching their

focus from super carriers to smaller two engine

aircraft. The Airbus 380 was designed to help

airlines carry more people with fewer flights. If it

has reached the end of the road, airports will need

to increase the number of flights. In itself, this will

put pressure on infrastructure and push operators

towards solutions which reduce interruptions to

the smooth flow of airside operations. Any time

taken out for maintenance will stand in the way

of attempts to increase the number of slots

available. The big hope for artificial turf then, is

that it can withstand heavy traffic levels and will

have lower maintenance requirements.

Managing Turfgrass to Reduce Wildlife Hazards: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/13pubs/washburn134.pdf

Aircraft Size is Growing at Europe’s Busiest Hubs: https://www.anna.aero/2014/02/05/aircraft-size-is-growing-at-europes-busiest-airports/

The World’s Biggest Passenger Plane, the Airbus 380 is Dead. Here’s What Killed it: http://time.com/5529439/airbus-a380-retired/

Challenges to Artiﬁcial Turf

The market for artificial turf at airports is only

just beginning to gather momentum and there

are many things which stand in the way. Some

may not like the appearance of artificial grass.

For most, it’s a natural inertia standing in the way

of innovation. They are accustomed to natural

turf. The prospect of covering thousands of

square metres with artificial turf will represent a

significant upfront cost. In a fiscally conservative

environment, many operators will be reluctant to

make that leap unless they feel comfortable about

the return on investment. Some may decide to

make the transition gradually, spreading out the

cost and seeing how the new surface performs

at every stage.

Those looking to sell the benefits of artificial

ground surfaces to the aviation industry, until

recently, have struggled with the unfamiliar

nature of the technology. It’s easy to show

benefits in theory but without real life case studies,

convincing operators to make a purchase can

be a challenge. With airports beginning to trial

new surfaces that is changing. A growing body

of evidence is mounting which demonstrates how

artificial surfaces can play a vital role in helping

airports face the considerable challenges of the

coming decades.

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM |

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

SPECIAL REPORT: SYNTHETIC TURF FOR AIRFIELD GROUNDCOVER

Notes:

| WWW.AIRPORTTECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM

FOU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 56: Henvendelse af 23/1-20 vedrørende underlag til flyvepladser og helikopterlandingspladser, fra Evergreen Aviation ApS

Airport Technology

Reports

The leading specialist online

research and networking resource

for Senior Professionals in

the Airport Industry

•

Up to the minute news and other content available to all site users on a

free-of-charge, open access basis.

Qualified signed up members are able to access premium content Special

Reports and interact with their peers using a variety of advanced online

networking tools.

Designed to help users identify new solutions, understand the implications

of different choices and select the best options available.

Thought Leadership – Advice and guidance from internationally recognised

key opinion leaders in the airport industry.

Peer Input – Contributions from senior airport industry professionals.

Independent Editorial Content – Expert and authoritative analysis from award

winning journalists and leading industry commentators.

Unbiased Supplier Provided Content.

Designed to facilitate debate.

Written to the highest professional standards.

•

Visit: www.primarycarereports.co.uk