Airport certification

[scooter2525]

This afternoon I was on the ramp gettting ready to taxi. Call up ground and they say to hold postion. Then I hear some more GA planes call and they are asked to hold postion as well. After a few minutes, I call up ground to find out the ETA of the ground stop. They say a few more minutes because they are working on a airport certification. I knowticed there were emergency vehicles out, but they did not attend to any aircraft. There weren't any aircraft landing either (a quick inquiry to departure said they were not aware of any restrictions to aircraft landing.) Seemed rather out of place to "shut down" a class B airport. Any idea of what this certification is?

 

[pnwchief22]

Fire departments are required to meet FAA index criteria for 14 CFR 139 airports. Probably an FAA inspector on site with a simulated emergency scenario and a stopwatch. Inspection can include tower activating the emergency comm system with airport fire department w/o any prior notice.

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

Fire departments are required to meet FAA index criteria for 14 CFR 139 airports. Probably an FAA inspector on site with a simulated emergency scenario and a stopwatch. Inspection can include tower activating the emergency comm system with airport fire department w/o any prior notice.

Yup, there's all kinds of interesting stuff in Part 139. I used to know a lot more of it, but its been a year since I took the class in Airport Management. There is things you'd never think of covered in it. Quite interesting to look at when a specific airport is actually required to be operating within its Part 139 certification, and when it doesn't have to.

 

[scooter2525]

Fire departments are required to meet FAA index criteria for 14 CFR 139 airports. Probably an FAA inspector on site with a simulated emergency scenario and a stopwatch. Inspection can include tower activating the emergency comm system with airport fire department w/o any prior notice.

That makes sense. I didn't really want to push the issue because I didn't see them spraying the runway or chasing an Airbus (or Boeing, or MD... don't want to be prejudice here... :insane. Just thought it was interesting they didn't let anyone taxi to the runways.