Flying colors: St. Louis Regional Airport passes FAA inspection
Feb. 07--BETHALTO -- St. Louis Regional Airport recently passed its Federal Aviation Administration inspection with zero discrepancies and deficiencies.
Airport manager David Miller said the FAA conducted a two-day inspection of all aspects of the airport operations, including the airfield, runway, lighting, fueling facilities and emergency response. Each of these areas studied is part of the airport's re-certification process.
He said the inspection was part of the Code of Federal Regulation, Part 139 certification requirements.
"We got high marks in all areas," Miller said.
Miller said the airport's last inspection was three years ago. He said that when an airport the size of St. Louis Regional does well, it doesn't get inspected as often.
During the two-day inspection, Miller said regulators looked at the condition of the pavement, snow removal operations, fuel storage facilities and fuel dispensing equipment, communications, response time by airport rescue, and fire-fighting crews and training.
The FAA regularly inspects passenger-carrying airports that are eligible for federal funds to make sure they are meeting the agency's standards. The inspection takes place at airports that serve scheduled and unscheduled air carrier aircraft with more than 30 seats and serve scheduled air carrier operations in aircraft with more than nine seats but less than 31 seats.
Miller said the airport also is inspected at night during the review. He said that the same things are looked at during the day, but the apron lighting also is checked.
"They want to make sure it's just as safe at night as it is during the day," he said.
Miller said the airport currently is planning to install new runway edge lighting. He said they are awaiting grant funding to start the project.
He said passing the inspection is a real tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the airport staff.
"It was a very good inspection," Miller said.
Copyright 2012 - The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.