![]() ![]() So EXX and Talbert, Bright & Ellington worked with the FAA to install large shields under the light that would allow pilots to still see the lights from above, but block any of those flashing lights from the traffic below. Their concern was that any flashing lights would cause some visual distraction to drivers at nighttime. The largest component on the FAA’s side, was to make sure there was some kind of visual barrier between the lights that flash on the system and traffic that's passing below. The project also needed to pass FAA requirements, specifically those outlined in order JO 6850.2B ![]() ![]() In addition, the design for the structures needed to be reviewed internally by their structural division within Highways to make sure that it met their requirements and that they didn't have any issues. NCDOT’s largest concern was the location of the vertical components for the cantilever in the overhead structures, making sure that those were far enough away or protected by a guardrail or some kind of barrier if it was needed. “One is on a platform that comes right across the northbound lanes of Interstate 85.” “During the construction process, there were nights we had to shut the interstate down and divert traffic because our towers come right across the interstate,” Phillips said. The largest time factor in completing the project was working with all the proper entities to ensure that any and all work that was done met the proper rules and regulations.īecause the project involved installing light towers above the interstate, EXX and Talbert, Bright & Ellington needed to work very closely with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). All the rest of the time was prep of one nature or another.” “The actual construction of the project, I think, probably was about one year. From then, I mean, it was just a matter of ordering the materials and having the construction company come in and build it,” Phillips said. “Then it took several years of negotiating back and forth to finally end up owning the property. The consulting firm EXX decided to work with was Talbert, Bright & Ellington out of Charlotte. The first step in getting the MALSR project off the ground was for the airport to acquire the necessary land and determine where the best place would be to install the system. “In my opinion, we could never have pulled this off without having a great consulting firm to work with.” “Above anything else, to me, the first thing would be to have a really good consulting firm, an airport consulting firm, that knows this stuff like the back of their hand and have them walk with you through it,” Phillips said. Ten Years in the Makingīefore the airport could get started, they had quite a few things to consider such as the best runway to put it on, what land is available, obstructions and more. “Because the airport is situated in a high-traffic area between Concord and Charlotte, it was more than necessary to install MALSR,” he said. It is such a game-changer for safety.”įly High Lexington FBO Owner and Airport Manager, Karel Van Der Linden said without an upgraded lighting system, the airport was losing business to surrounding airports. ![]() “As a pilot I can tell you that coming in on a foggy night or a night when visibility is low, having a MALSR system like that’s out there, which gives you strobe lights pointing toward the runway, I mean, it's like a miracle versus coming in without it. It makes it more accessible in low visibility, especially for corporate aircraft coming in, oftentimes which at minimums, if you don't have a landing light system like this, their insurance requirements will not let them land at an airport without guidance like we have out there now,” said Rick Phillips, chairman of the board, Davidson County Airport Authority. “It greatly enhances the safety at our airport. Prior to the installation, oftentimes corporate aircraft could not land at EXX in inclement weather conditions because they didn’t have a system in place that could accommodate them. The purpose of the new lighting system was to enhance the safety at the airport, providing pilots with enhanced visual guidance for landing aircraft in poor visibility. The system took 10 years to complete and was the first of its kind in North Carolina, crossing a major interstate. In July 2021, The Davidson County Airport (EXX) completed the installation of a Runway 6 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALSR). ![]()
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