AvTurf - Installations - The Leaders in Aviation Artificial / Synthetic Turf Installations at Airports World Wide





Runway Safety Increased With Introduction of AvTurf, Worlds First Aviation Artificial Turf Installation AvTurf, an artificial surface designed as a major safety improvement for the world's airports. As the industry's first artificial grass surface engineered specifically for airfield safety areas, AvTurf will improve runways and taxiways by reducing or eliminating numerous hazards associated with grass in these areas. In 2000, Chicago Midway International Airport was the first airport in the world to have artificial turf installed. The reason that Midway chose to install artificial turf was for its ability to provide better visual delineation between movement areas and non-movement areas. Aircraft returning to maintenance facilities located along MDW’s taxiway N had a tendency to veer onto a grass island separating the maintenance facilities from the taxiway. MDW personnel theorized that the natural grass area was not providing enough visual distinction between the grassy and paved areas, and subsequently, AvTurf artificial turf was installed to test their theory. To date their theory was correct. The second installation of AvTurf’s artificial turf was installed in the blast area of MDW’s Runway 31C in April of 2002 to test the durability of the product under the stress of daily airport usage. Under normal operating conditions, the natural grass in the blast area was frequently dislodged due to high winds speeds sustained in that area. With the implementation of artificial turf in the blast area, there have been over 500,000 takeoff and landings without becoming dislodged, causing any FOD damage, or showing any signs of uplift or movement. To prove the artificial turf capabilities, representatives from the City of Chicago and Midway International Airport conducted their own tests. These tests included burn tests, durability to high speed blowers and jet blast, weight tolerance test with 65,000 ARFF vehicles and a fully fueled Boeing 757. Throughout the battery of tests, the artificial turf was able to perform as promised and proved itself as a better alternative to natural grass. Testimonials "Midway had extensive testing done such as running heavy vehicles, aircraft and jet blast on the product. Emergency vehicles, snow plows, blowers and maintenance vehicles transition on the product daily since last year with no damage. Fire testing was done by the Chicago Fire Department at Midway utilizing Jet A and AvGas providing outstanding results in the suppression and containment of the fire. The drainage characteristics are the best I have seen in an airport environment. In conclusion, this product has an immediate impact on safety and the maintenance management of the airport. The staff of AvTurf have brought their expertise in airport management and safety to provide an "out of the box" solution to runway safety issues". Al Perez Assistant Commissioner, Department of Aviation, City of Chicago "We conducted a test with our B-757 on your product "AvTurf" that had remarkable results. We deliberately towed our Aircraft off the taxiway at Midway to find out how it would be supported on your product and the results were exceptional. The aircraft remained mobile enough to be pulled out of this "off taxiway" condition with little effort, resulting in no damage to the aircraft or the turf. If this test was done without this special product "AvTurf", I know the results would have been different. I say this due to my 30 plus years in the commercial airline business and have pulled a few out of the mud during my tenure". Lou Moore Director of Chicago Maintenance, ATA "Our crash vehicles from Midway Rescue had the chance to test the AvTurf located on the West Ramp at Midway Airport. The crash vehicles have drove on and across the AvTurf under both wet and dry conditions since last year without any adverse affects. The AvTurf is able to support the weight of the vehicles and held up under these conditions without any problems." Christopher K. Koster Training Officer, Midway Rescue Installation Location Taxiway N Runway 31C