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CPA gets new safety equipment for airport
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Posted on Aug 28 2000
The Commonwealth Ports Authority has acquired a new airport safety equipment for $177,000 funded entirely under the agency’s Capital Improvement Projects coffers, Saipan International Airport manager Herman Bermudes said over the weekend.
Mr. Bermudes said the airport sweeper, which is actually a cleaning equipment, is a necessity to the airport since it helps keep foreign objects off the runway which may pose danger during aircraft take off and landing.
“It is a street sweeper which is used to clean the apron, the runway and the taxiway. This helps pick up all foreign objects like metals from the runway to ensure safety both during take off and landing,” he said.
The new equipment will replace CPA’s outdated airport sweeper which takes longer time to be able to cover the entire airport runway, apron and taxiway, according to Mr. Bermudes.
“Our old airport sweeper is less functioning and it takes us longer time to close the airport, like it takes us about 15 miles per hour to dust the facility,” said the airport manager.
He also disclosed that some CPA personnel are now undergoing training on how to operate the equipment, which will be tested today under the supervision of operation supervisor Miguel Aldan.
“As soon as training is through, we will begin using it. We will test the equipment on Monday. We will go out in the runway and try it. The magnet is really very strong, it can pick up even metals,” said Mr. Bermudes.
