Optimizing Airfield Operations with ArcGIS: Webinar Q&A

[DMolnar]

Thank you for your interest in the Optimizing Airfield Operations with ArcGIS webinar. You can access the recording here.  

We are pleased to provide answers to the questions you asked during the webinar. 

1. How do we access the ArcGIS Aviation Airports tools, such as the Configure Aviation Geodatabase, and the data package? 

The tools in ArcGIS Pro are enabled with the ArcGIS Aviation Airports license.  More information about purchasing a license can be found on the product page. The data package is provided as a separate installation that can be downloaded from MyEsri.  Instructions for downloading and installing the data package can be found here. 

2. Can you export AIXM 5.2? 

Currently, we support AIXM 5.1/5.1.1. We're working on functionality to enable export to any version of AIXM based on the XSD definitions provided by the specification.    

3. Can the ArcGIS Aviation Airports data model be expanded? 

Yes!  The data model is intended to be extensible.  You can add tables and columns without affecting the functionality of the tools. 

4. Are there tools or workflows for migrating the Airports schema to other data models?  For example, my organization uses a standardized data model for all of our assets and property.  

It depends on the data model to which you are trying to move.  For example, the product includes tools for direct import/export of FAA 18B shapefiles and we’re working on some documentation to crosswalk between the Airports data model and AIXM.  For other models, another extension called Data Interoperability provides very robust data migration capabilities and some users have had success using the Python capabilities built into ArcGIS Pro.  It may even be possible to use your data model alongside the Airports schema successfully as well. 

5. Is it possible to get access to the airport signage tools and 3D symbology? Where are they located? 

The functionality for managing airfield sign contents (i.e. front and back messages) is built into ArcGIS Pro and enabled with the ArcGIS Aviation Airports extension.  The 3D symbols (rule package for a procedural marker symbol) are provided in the ArcGIS Aviation Airports data package.  Instructions for downloading and installing the data package can be found here. 

6. Is the Airports extension available to customers in European Union? 

Yes!  ArcGIS Aviation Airports is available to customers throughout the world.  Contact your local distributor for more information.  Reach out to us at aero@esri.com if you need help finding a distributor (or search for your location here).  

7. I am interested in the terrain profiling functionality.  Is there any way to get just theat API? 

We do not provide an API for the ArcGIS Aviation Airports product. But since most of the functionality is provided as geoprocessing tools, they can be accessed via our Python API and used in scripts that can be run outside of ArcGIS Pro.  

8. As apps and AI are becoming more prevalent in workflows and processes, are there any plans to incorporate them into ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online? 

Definitely! We are starting to see more and more use cases for artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) in the airports industry.  ArcGIS provides a framework for AI/ML as well as several pretrained deep learning models that can be useful at an airfield.  For example, there are pretrained models that detect trees, wind turbines, and even cracks in pavement.  You can learn more about these pretrained models here.   

9. Is the ArcGIS Aviation Airports extension included in Pro or is there an additional cost to use it? 

ArcGIS Aviation Airports is installed with ArcGIS Pro but does require an additional license to unlock the capabilities. For more information on the capabilities, visit the product page. For more information on pricing, reach out to your account team, local distributor, or aero@esri.com.  

10. How does the web-based obstacle analyzer work?  Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to make one? 

The obstacle analysis web application uses analysis tools from ArcGIS Aviation Airports that have been published as geoprocessing services.  This requires the ArcGIS Aviation Airports extension for ArcGIS Server.  These geoprocessing services are then included in the web application along with feature services for OIS features and obstacles. 

11. Is the obstacle evaluation tool available via web services such as AGOL? 

Geoprocessing services based on tools in ArcGIS Aviation Airports are only available when working in the ArcGIS Enterprise (on-premise) environment.  They are not available in ArcGIS Online (SaaS). 

12. Is the obstacle evaluation web application shown in the webinar available for deployment via ArcGIS Solution or as a model deployment? 

We are working to include an easy-to-deploy, configurable web application like the one that was demonstrated in a future release. 

13. Is there a way to get a trial license to explore how we might use the Aviation extension to support our local airport? 

To obtain a trial license, reach out to your account team, local distributor, or aero@esri.com.  

14. Do you have the Canadian TP312 standards in the product? Will this be compatible with CASA MOS139, Air Services Australia and other data for Australian aerodromes? 

The tools in the product were designed to support FAA and ICAO specifications.  However, we include a utility called Customize OIS in the data package that allows users to modify the various parameters used by the tools to support other standards. 

15. Do you support military facilities airfield and airspace standards?  

For military airfields, we’ve included a separate tool that creates obstruction surfaces based on Unified Facilities Criteria 3-260-01 as prescribed by MIL-STD 3007.  

16. Are other landing surfaces included, such as heliports, vertiports, sea plane bases, etc.? 

The product includes tools that create surfaces for heliports based on FAA 2C and ICAO Annex 14 standards.  These can also be modified using the Customize OIS utility provided in the data package.  We are also working on new tools to support vertiport surfaces that we plan to include in a future release. 

17. You mentioned airfield signage and marking. Are there any tools for data population?  Since AIPs may not be georeferenced tools for data population from AIP or charts would be helpful. 

Sign features can be created using core ArcGIS Pro editing or import capabilities.  Additionally, ArcGIS Aviation Airports includes an enhanced Attributes window to make it easier to populate the contents of sign features (front and back message). 

For more information on signage and marking capabilities see our help documentation. 

18. From a GIS Services consulting perspective, are there opportunities for Esri Business Partners to provide support to Airports using this software? 

Absolutely.  We have worked with several Esri Business Partners who support airports over the years.  Additionally, we have many customers who use the product to support airports as consultants/contractors. 

19. Are the Esri products mentioned in the webinar scalable to different sized airports?    

The ArcGIS Aviation Airports extension works for airports of any size, from small single runway airfields to large international airports. Some customers are even using the product to support multiple airports. The software can also be used by a single-user, or can be scaled up to support large, multi-user organizations.  

20. Are there any automated options for producing the FAA AGIS 18B final deliverable set that is attributed accurately and ready for submittal in the FAA ADIP portal? 

The product includes tools for import/export of 18B shapefiles.  More info on these tools can be found here.  The data package also includes some tools that can be used to validate the data prior to export to ensure it meets the standards set by FAA. 

21. Is it possible to add/read a shapefile (.shp)?  

Yes!  Shapefiles are supported natively in ArcGIS Pro, though most of the tools provided in ArcGIS Aviation Airports prefer data in geodatabase format.  We do also provide some tools for importing FAA 18B shapefiles directly into the geodatabase, find more information here. 

22. You have discussed the solutions for existing airports. Can they be implemented for greenfield airports as well? 

The tools in ArcGIS Aviation Airports are designed to help ensure that airfields are meeting design criteria.  While most of our examples focus on existing airports, they should apply equally as well to planned/future airports too.  If there are use cases that are unique to new airports that we may not have accounted for, we would love to hear more about them so that we can add functionality to future releases. 

23. With Lidar data sets, multiple points make up one object. It'll be very difficult to sort out lots and lots of lidar points and identify which objects they represent. Is there any tool which groups Lidar points to their object names and displays the OBJECT that penetrates the OLS/OIS surface? 

Feature extraction from lidar is something that can be done with ArcGIS Pro but is not a capability of the ArcGIS Aviation Airports product specifically.  For more information, here is a link to a knowledge base article describing the process.     

24. A structure being an obstacle is not only limited to whether it penetrates the OIS/OLS surface but is also subject to its clearance from Radar and PANS-OPS points of view. Is there any provision for checking the feasibility with respect to the Radar restrictions and PANS-OPS restrictions? 

ArcGIS Aviation Airports also includes a tool that creates communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) surfaces that can also be used for obstacle analysis (i.e. to detect penetrations).  We don’t currently support the creation of PANS-OPS surfaces, but existing surfaces can be imported into the airports database and used for analysis. 

25. The type A chart shown in the demo has a terrain model added to it, irrespective of whether it is an obstacle or not. Is there a provision of only including the structures penetrating the approach surfaces and depicting their coordinates? 

Yes, the Terrain and Obstacle Profile element allows users to configure how obstacles and terrain are displayed.  For obstacles, users can choose to show all obstacles, to show only those that penetrate, or to highlight the portion of obstacles that penetrate the OIS.  For terrain, users have the same options that are available for obstacles but can also choose to omit terrain entirely.  

26. What ICAO charts can be produced, other than ICAO Type A charts? 

In addition to the ICAO Type A charts, ArcGIS Aviation Airports can help with the creation of ICAO Type B charts, and Precision Approach Terrain Charts.  Other ICAO charts described in Annex 4 (Enroute, Arrival, Departure, etc.) can be created with our other product, ArcGIS Aviation Charting.  

27. Can this tool directly create ADC charts from DGPS and TS OR Drone Survey Data? 

ArcGIS can automatically extract features from imagery, including imagery collected from drones, using ArcGIS AI/ML tools. The data collected could then be used for the creation of different aerodrome charts. 

28. In the demos, where does the surface data come from? 

The surface/terrain data that was used in the demonstrations came from the Colorado Geospatial Portal.  It is preferred to use authoritative terrain data when performing these analyses.  The tools expect a digital elevation model (DEM) in raster format. 

29. On the obstacle/terrain surround (profile), is it possible to include additional ALP requirements, like the depiction of road/railroad crossings? 

Additional elements can be added to the Terrain and Obstacle Profile element manually using ArcGIS Pro drawing tools. We are enhancing the Terrain and Obstacle Profile element to allow for more unique data-driven depictions.    

30. Is it possible to export an ED-99 data model in ArcGIS to AIXM 5.1? 

Generating AIXM output of aerodrome data is possible, but requires some additional configuration. The out-of-the-box AIXM export tools are designed to work with a different data model so you must first move the aerodrome data there before exporting.  We are working to enhance this capability to make the export of aerodrome data easier for data originators. 

31. Is there any airport where ArcGIS is used in an ideal way where we can gain insights and hear about experiences with the implementation of ArcGIS in their organizations? 

Many airports across the globe utilize ArcGIS to solve a wide range of complex problems. The Reno-Tahoe Airport utilized Esri's ArcGIS platform to enhance operational efficiency, improving overall airport management and functionality. For more information on their solution, read the case study. Here is an additional case study that details how Dublin Airport in Ireland transformed their data management processes.  

Explore the various ways Esri is supporting the Aviation industry here. 

32. What would you recommend Airports to focus on when building an Airport Mapping Database (AMDB) for the first time in ArcGIS?  

Often, implementing an AMDB is based on the organization’s priorities and their role in the data chain. Airports need to identify the data that is required both from a regulatory standpoint but also in terms of their own business needs.  We usually recommend starting with a data mapping activity, to identify and document the data needed, the available source data, and where that data will live in the AMDB. Esri’s professional services team has extensive experience helping airport operators and their contractors get started.  For more information, please contact us at aero@esri.com.