Airports traditionally have relied on regular visual inspections and sweeping to clear foreign object debris (FOD) from runways. In recent years, however, new systems have incorporated advanced technologies to help attack the problem, estimated to cost the industry $4 billion a year worldwide.1
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while characterizing the people who work at and use airports as the “primary ‘sensor’ to detect FOD on airport surfaces,” says that technological developments have “greatly expanded the capabilities of FOD detection through automation.”2
In Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5220-24, Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Detection Equipment, the FAA outlined minimum performance specifications for four types of detection systems:
- Stationary radar, which can detect a cylindrical metal object 1.2 in (3.0 cm) high and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in …
