Owls, wands and making snow vanish

Meet the wizards of East Midlands Airport’s airfield team

At East Midlands Airport, a team of 35 working on different shifts have the responsibility of ensuring the airfield is safe for planes to take off, land and manoeuvre so passengers, as well as cargo, experience a smooth and safe transition through the airport, 365 days - and nights - a year.

The team is one of a number at EMA which will feature in the first episode of a new Notts TV documentary series next month, taking a look behind the scenes at various local landmarks. 

The team’s work involves spending a lot of time out on the airfield, carrying out frequent inspections. The runway, taxiways and ‘aprons’ where aircraft stand – 100 football pitches’ worth of concrete - are inspected to check the surfaces are fit for purpose and clear of any debris. Special equipment on board Airfield Ops vehicles provide accurate readings of surface and weather conditions, backed up by computer monitoring capabilities in the office.

When the weather turns to below freezing, the winter operations plan is put into action, with Airfield Ops overseeing de-icing the runway, taxiways and aprons and if necessary, clearing them of snow, to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Some duties require a real hands-on approach, none more so than monitoring wildlife with the potential to disrupt operations. With three times the amount of grassed area as concrete across the airfield, East Midlands Airport is home to a wide range of species - from rabbits, foxes, badgers and deer to 26 types of birds including crows, kestrels, buzzards, wood pigeon, gulls, ducks, geese and owls.

Patrols are carried out requiring inspection reports every twenty minutes and a variety of different methods are deployed to address the potential risk to aircraft movements. These include using loud bird scaring pistols, lasers and special audio tracks played from speakers on the vehicles, right through to shooing, waving and clapping to move the airport’s feathered foe away from causing trouble. Patrols are even occasionally carried out up to eight miles from the airport, to check what is nesting where and assess the potential for migrating birds to cross the airfield.

If there is an issue on the airfield – anything from a fuel spill to a major incident – Airfield Ops are likely to be first on scene and will coordinate things, including liaising with emergency services where necessary. All team members hold a licence to marshal aircraft and at busy times will be dispatched with the bats, or light-up ‘wands’ at night-time, to guide aircraft in safely. They also carry out inspections of aircraft and ensure those operating on the airfield including ground handling crew are doing so in line with regulations. Security is also part of the job, including regular perimeter patrols, checking passes and ensuring people are being properly escorted on the airfield.

Lauren Turner heads the team, which is roughly made up with an even split between men and women. She said: “Put simply, the airfield cannot function without Airfield Ops. We have oversight of the airfield and our coordinating role ensures it operates smoothly and safely.

“It’s a great team of dedicated people who are playing a vital part in East Midland’s Airport’s aim to provide an effortless experience for passengers, as well as keeping our all-important cargo operation running smoothly and effectively.”

Viewers of Notts TV will get an insight into life in Airfield Ops as part of a wider behind-the-scenes documentary, covering a range of roles which keep the airport running. In the programme, Airfield Operations Duty Manager Rebecca Riddleston (pictured above) takes viewers out on a runway inspection. She says: “We are responsible for the safety and security of everything airside – so everything from the boarding gates to the perimeter fence.

“On the security side, we are persistently patrolling the area to keep it secure and make sure our integrity is maintained. On the safety aspect, we make sure passengers can get off on their holidays safely, so we do inspections of the taxiways, the runway and make sure there aren’t any faults. We also respond to any emergencies on the airfield.”

Behind the Scenes: East Midlands Airport will be aired on November 14 on Notts TV, available across Nottinghamshire on Freeview channel 7, BT 7, Virgin 159 and after broadcast, on demand at www.nottstv.com.  

.  

3D Wooden Map on the wall is a unique and eye-catching product that is perfect for decorating any living and workspace. Made of high-quality birch wood, the map features intricate details and contours that bring a realistic and beautiful representation of the world to your wall. The 3D design allows for a more immersive experience, making it an ideal addition to a living room, office or study. This product isn't only aesthetically pleasing but also serves as an educational tool, as it can be used to teach geography to children or to plan your next travel adventure. With easy installation and a durable design, a wooden map on the wall is an excellent investment for any decorator or traveller