The Aeronautics Division is the air operations lead coordinating agency for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency; a partner in the MassDOT Emergency Management Committee; and participates in various emergency planning exercises across the Commonwealth, with agency partners including municipal airports, local first responders, State Police, and other state and federal agencies such as FEMA, DHS, and Joint Base Cape Cod. During these events, live-action exercises validate plans, policies, and procedures, test equipment, identify gaps in training, and establish best practices. A tabletop exercise uses a hypothetical, simulated emergency to validate plans and procedures, rehearse concepts, and assess the level of preparedness through an interactive discussion. These emergency trainings provide personnel with fundamental elements of emergency management knowledge and protocols, while bringing together and strengthening the community of providers and emergency responders.
Aeronautics staff attended 100% of these emergency training events and exercises, exceeding their target FY22 attendance rate of 90%.
Each calendar year, the Aeronautics Division performs all airport inspections as directed in the Federal Aviation Administration contract. The inspections cover the following facilities: paved and unpaved aprons, runways, taxiways, safety areas, markings and lightings, navigable airspace, navigational aids, traffic and weather indicators, fueling operations, construction safety, wildlife hazard management, airport operations, and compliance with FAA regulations and MassDOT Aeronautics Division directives. MassDOT oversees 35 airports and is required to complete a minimum of 12 inspections per the calendar year (set as a target).
The Division completed 10 airport safety inspections in CY22, and has completed 10 airport safety inspections so far in CY23. This is an improvement from CY20, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
