Detroit Metro Airport

Spalding DeDecker provided as-needed surveying services directly to the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport.

Through working with the airport staff, we honed our skills and experience to become expert in various specialized items related to airfield surveying.  This includes being proficient in the FAA Circulars; working with the Part 74 imaginary surfaces and performing obstruction surveys; understanding and performing layout for various airfield markings; badge and access procedures and working with operations for access; measurements for airfield lighting and instrumentation; plotting airfield underground utilities; and working closely with individuals from various departments at WCAA.

We performed more than 35 individual tasks at the airport, including the following types of work:

  • Obstruction surveys in 2008, 2009, and 2010
  • Tagging, locating, and identifying trees noted as obstructions and verifying their removal
  • Layout for surface-painted hold signs, centerline and edge lines, zipper road,  and other airfield markings
  • Layout for vehicle parking spaces at various airport facilities
  • Topographical survey for the Berry Terminal and surrounding properties
  • Topographical survey for the North Employee Parking Area
  • Topographical survey for supplemental data related to the Runway 4R/22L Project (CIP Project No. A122)

Special Considerations / Challenges

Airfield surveying is highly specialized, requiring a firm grasp of various FAA circulars, terminology, standards, and procedures.  Coordination is also paramount, requiring our personnel to work closely with various WCAA departments.