System Planning

System Planning

Aviation system studies are designed to define the number and mix of airport types, their general location and approximate time of need, as well as the character of airport facilities necessary to meet forecast air service needs of a community, region or state. A recommended aviation system emerges only after full consideration is given the cost, environmental, and aviation implications of a variety of alternative system configurations. Other considerations in the planning effort are airspace utilization, expansion potential, the ground transportation network, suitability of terrain as well as existing and planned land use, and development and operating costs.

With the increased need for economic development and innovative financing at airports, aviation system planning has been used effectively to undertake non-traditional studies to promote or encourage industrial development at airports, track economic impacts, or improve air service. In this regard, States have broad leeway concerning special studies and are empowered to do land use studies, airport noise studies, data collection efforts including aircraft operations counts, pavement surveys, obstruction identification, access evaluation, and air service studies. In addition, system plans can include economic impact analyses, special air cargo/mail analyses, AWOS studies, and financial analyses and management reviews. Or, if the State would desire to assist the individual airports with economic development and marketing, airport business planning studies can be developed. Again, the possibilities are much more flexible than usually thought.

R. A. Wiedemann & Associates’ president is one of the most experienced aviation system planners in the nation. New and innovative approaches to system planning methods have been developed by Mr. Wiedemann for use by states, regions, or metropolitan areas. Inclusion of multimodal transportation interface planning, management and pricing techniques for aviation demand dispersion, computer assisted forecasting and facilities planning, and indepth contingency planning for unexpected occurrences during implementation, have all been combined with thorough analysis procedures to enable R. A. Wiedemann & Associates to remain at the leading edge of aviation system planning.