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NC AirTAP Education and Training

Airport Leadership and Management Program (ALMP)
Airport Board Member Training
Fueling Operations Workshop
Safety and Maintenance Workshop
TOP Drone Training
UAS Operations and Analytics Workshop
Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Training
EBS/PC User Training Workshop
Airport Minimum Standards
Airport Layout Plan
Independent Fee Estimates
Qualifications Based Selection
Aviation Career Training
ACRP Webinars

NC Airport Leadership and Management Program (ALMP)

ALMP is a series of 12 training and continuing education courses designed for new and experienced NC airport officials, managers and staff. Developed by the NCDOT Division of Aviation and NC AirTAP, most ALMP courses are offered as in-person classes with some as on-demand, self-guided instruction. View/download the the ALMP informational flyer for more about the program.

Upcoming and past course offerings are listed below. Registration fees are $35 in-person and $20 on-demand per course except where noted. Contact Tom Zajkowski, 919-515-8523, tjzajkow@ncsu.edu for more information.

  • Course 1: Airport Rules and Regulations, Minimum Standards, and Legal Issues—offered March 2022 in High Point; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course introduces participants to the numerous federal, state, and local regulations that apply to airport operations in North Carolina. Presentation includes an interactive workshop for participants to work on reviewing and revising their airport’s Rules and Regulations and Minimum Standards documents.
  • Course 2: Airport Administration and Governance—offered October 2022 in Kinston; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course focuses on different ways airports can be organized and governed. Participants will also learn how their local airport fits into the national and state airport systems, and understand the many responsibilities of operating an airport.
  • Course 3: Airport Operations and Maintenance—offered May 2022 in Raleigh; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course addresses the broad and diverse range of activities required to operate and maintain an airport. Participants will examine how airport managers and staff can efficiently keep their airport running smoothly.
  • Course 4: Airport Funding and Finance—offered August 2023 in Morrisville; next offering and location to be announced.  This 1-day, in-person course addresses how proper funding and financing of an airport is critical to maintaining safe and efficient operations. Participants will examine aspects of funding and financing for airport operations, maintenance and construction.
  • Course 5: Airport Safety and Security—offered August 2022 in Stanly County; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course explores how airport managers can counter physical and cyber threats to their airport and potential liability. Instructors will work with participants to identify updates to their Emergency Action and Security Plans.
  • Course 6: Airport Planning and Environmental—offered January 2023 in Raleigh; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course addresses how proper planning can improve airport operations and prepare the airport for the future. Participants will learn about planning elements and tools, how to include interested parties in the planning process, and keeping your airport’s growth sustainable and environmentally sound.
  • Course 7: The Fixed Based Operator—on-demand; open for registration. This self-paced, online course examines the role of a FBO, its services and management options, and how to create a good customer service climate at the airport.
  • Course 8: Airport Public Relations and Communications—on-demand; open for registration. This self-paced, online course discusses how to create and update communication plans for airport marketing, public relations and emergencies.
  • Course 9: Airport Design and Construction—offered April 2023 in Raleigh; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course examines the many aspects of airport design and construction including architecture, engineering, environmental issues and program management.
  • Course 10: Airport Leadership and Management Skills—offered November 2023 in Morrisville, NC; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course presents concepts, tools and techniques for building success as an airport manager.
  • Course 11: Future Airport Opportunities—coming in May 2024; registration opening soon. This 1-day, in-person course offers strategies for managing the technological paradigm shifts facing airports today and in the near future.
  • Course 12: The Airport Consultant—offered February 2024 in Charlotte, NC; next offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course examines the role of the airport consultant in North Carolina and the relationships between the Airport Sponsor, the Consultant, and the NCDOT Airport Project Manager.

 

Airport Board Member Training

Airport Board Member Training is a series of ten online, self-paced learning modules designed to help new and current board members at NC public airports understand how to support their airports better. Each module includes a brief instructional video and links to additional resources about the topic being presented. The series is in development with Modules 1-5 available now. Registered participants will be notified as additional modules are posted every few weeks.  The training is offered at no cost.

 

Airport Fueling Operations Workshop

NC AirTAP offers a 1-day, in-person workshop covering fueling facts, safety, equipment inspection, and best practices. Open to NC airport managers, operations and maintenance staff, and consultants, the workshop includes classroom presentations and on-field demonstrations. Upcoming workshop dates and locations are listed below. The training includes lunch and is offered at a low cost to cover food and refreshments. Contact Tom Zajkowski, 919-515-8523, tjzajkow@ncsu.edu for more information.

  • To be notified when the next workshop opens for registration, please add yourself to the Watchlist.

 

Airport Safety and Maintenance Workshop

NC AirTAP offers a 1-day, in-person workshop covering airport safety self-inspections, airfield pavement inspection and maintenance, basic lighting maintenance and repairs, and inclement weather preparedness. Tailored for General Aviation airports, the training is open to NC airport managers, operations and maintenance staff, and consultants. NC Professional Engineers are awarded 4 PDH for completing the workshop. Upcoming workshop dates and locations are listed below. The training includes lunch and is offered at a low cost to cover food and refreshments. Contact Tom Zajkowski, 919-515-8523, tjzajkow@ncsu.edu for more information.

 

Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP) Drone Training

The Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP), developed by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle and Systems International (AUVSI), provides a certification process for pilots beyond their FAA Part 107. As a TOP certified organization, students that complete a drone operator training program at NC State automatically become TOP certified as well.

 

Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Operations and Analytics Workshop

Presented in partnership with NC State’s Center for Geospatial Analytics, this 3-day, hands-on workshop covers UAS basics, hands-on training and flight mission demonstrations. Gain new skills, watch Uncrewed Aerial Systems in action and learn how to produce quality products from imagery obtained and processed from UAS. The workshop is designed for:

  • Anyone who already owns or plans to purchase a drone and would like to learn how to legally and efficiently use it in North Carolina.
  • Industry leaders, government agencies and researchers seeking helpful tips and guidance for mapping with drones in a range of applications.
  • Individuals and groups who want to learn how to turn data captured by UAS into maps and 3-D models.
  • Click here for complete workshop details and registration.

 

Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Training

The NCDOT Division of Aviation has a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide free training to help NC airport operators, maintenance and fire crews, and other responsible personnel identify and better manage wildlife hazards at airports. It consists of both classroom and field training and covers the Federal Aviation Administration’s required annual training for certified airports. Upcoming training dates and locations are listed below. To register, email Chris Willis with USDA at chris.e.willis@usda.gov.

  • November 7, 2023, at Asheville Regional Airport
  • January 18, 2024, at Fayetteville Regional Airport
  • March 14, 2024, at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport
  • May 8, 2024, at Albert J. Ellis Airport
  • July 17, 2024, at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport

 

EBS/PC User Training Workshop

The NCDOT Division of Aviation Grants Team conducted in June 2019 a training workshop for airport sponsors on how to use the EBS/PC online system. The workshop materials can be found at this link and used for reference while a new EBS training manual is in development. Contact the Grants Team at DOTAviationGrants@ncdot.gov for more information.

 

Airport Minimum Standards (NCAA Presentation)

NC AirTAP and the NC Division of Aviation hosted a general session of the 2018 NC Airports Association conference previewing the Airport Management & Leadership training curriculum to be launched in Summer 2018. The training is being developed for seasoned, new, and future airport managers. The session included an introductory presentation on Airport Minimum Standards by attorney Keith Merritt of Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin, PLLC.

 

Creating a Clear Vision with Your Airport Layout Plan

NC AirTAP and the NC Division of Aviation hosted a general session of the 2017 NC Airports Association conference addressing the value and components of a well-written Airport Layout Plan (ALP). Division staff shared new guidance including forms to help airport sponsors through the ALP process. The session also featured an expert panel from the public and private sector discussing their experiences with the benefits of thoughtful airport planning through ALP development.

 

Independent Fee Estimates and Analysis

NCDOT Division of Aviation staff presented an “Overview of Independent Fee Estimates and Analysis” at the NC Airports Association regional meetings in June 2016. This presentation was a follow-up to the QBS session at the 2016 NCAA conference (see QBS session details below). 

 

Using Qualifications Based Selection (QBS)

NC AirTAP conducted a session on “Procurement of Professional Services for Airport Planning and Design using Qualifications Based Selection (QBS)” at the 2016 NC Airports Association conference. The session included presentation by NCDOT Division of Aviation staff and discussion with panelists representing airport directors, the FAA, and the airport consulting industry.

 

Aviation Career Training and Certification

Guilford Technical Community College offers several degree and certificate programs for persons seeking to launch or advance their aviation career. Programs include Aviation Electronics (Avionics) Technology, Aviation Management, Aviation Manufacturing, Aviation Systems Technology, and Career Pilot certification. Visit the GTCC Academic Programs website and search for these program topics to learn more.

 

Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Webinars

Administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), ACRP offers free webinars to learn about current research results and topics of interest to airport practitioners. The webinars feature senior airport researchers presenting solutions to issues facing airports. Continuing Education Units are offered by TRB and provided by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Follow this link to read about and register for upcoming webinars, and to view recordings of past webinars. Visit trb.org/ACRP for more offerings from ACRP.

Contact

Tom Zajkowski
NC AirTAP Program Coordinator, ITRE
tjzajkow@ncsu.edu | 919-515-8523

Eugene Murray
Training & Events Coordinator, ITRE
eemurra2@ncsu.edu | 919-515-8037

Daniel Findley, P.E.
Associate Director, ITRE
daniel_findley@ncsu.edu | 919-515-8564

Cyndy Falgout
NCDOT Aviation Program Consultant
falgout@cyndyfalgout.com | 919-401-3548