About Syracuse Airport: Hancock Field

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Keeping Hancock Running

Syracuse Hancock International Airport is located on 2,000 acres with approximately 1700 acres falling within the Airport secure area. The Department of Aviation is responsible for municipal services for this area, such as the maintenance of grounds, streets, street lighting, greenspaces including gardens and flower beds, removal and disposal of rubbish. We are also responsible for other Airport specific services.

Hancock Plow Crew Airport specific services include snow and ice control which meets or exceeds not only the standards of the Federal Aviation Administration, but those of the airline customers as well. Without being able to apply chemicals commonly used by road maintenance crews, such as salt or other corrosives, we must employ other methods of removing snow from the paved surfaces used by aircraft. At no time can we allow more than one quarter of an inch of slush or more than two inches of dry snow to be on the runway surfaces. Maintaining these standards requires the use of many specialized pieces of equipment that are designed only for use on airfields. Snowplows have blades that are 24 feet wide and runway brooms have sweeping heads that are 46 inches in diameter and 18 feet long to clean down to the paved surfaces. The snowblowers that we use can clear as much as 3,000 tons of snow an hour and can throw snow up to 100 feet away.

The Balchen/Post Award is presented to airports across North America based on a variety of factors, including the amount of snowfall for the season, number of airport closures, and the airport's Federal Aviation Administration approved snow and ice removal plan. The City of Syracuse Department of Aviation was presented with the 2005-2006 Balchen/Post Award for Excellence in the Performance of Snow and Ice Control for Syracuse Hancock International Airport. This is the 7th time Syracuse has been presented with this award.

The Department of Aviation developed, in cooperation with Bagdon Environmental, a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. Extensive efforts are put forth to see that flights are not delayed by wildlife wandering near areas surrounding runways and taxiways. Several Maintenance and Operations Division vehicles are equipped with speakers that broadcast specific bird distress calls. These calls are designed to frighten birds away from the Airport area. Grass is mowed in a pattern that is designed to reduce the attractiveness of Airport grounds to nesting, flocking birds while still maintaining the proper airport safety standards. Safety and security are our top priorities. The Department of Aviation works closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure that we remain up to date on techniques and equipment necessary for these tasks.

The Airport secure perimeter is enclosed by a chain link fence, approximately 6 feet tall, with barbed wire on top. This fence serves as a way to keep animals and people out of danger. The perimeter fence line is patrolled by the Airport Division of the Syracuse Police Department.

Radar Syracuse Hancock International Airport is always a busy place, even though you may not see or be aware of many of the activities taking place. Equipment is being cleaned, repaired or serviced when it is not in use. When night falls, airfield lighting maintenance is completed. Much heavy snow removal is undertaken at night when there is less aircraft traffic. Airfield inspections are performed on a regular basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The City of Syracuse Department of Aviation is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the airfield and the Airport for the traveling public at Syracuse Hancock International Airport.