Salina Airport awarded the Medal of Excellence
"You should be very proud. It's quite an accomplishment to receive one of these medals," said FAA Central Region Lead Airport Certification Inspector Mike Mullen. "The airfield looks great, especially for this time of year. Your records are great. You guys have a tremendous staff of very knowledgeable and experienced people. That is how you maintain your airport in compliance with FAA Regulation Part 139." Mullen was on the airfield for two days inspecting all aspects of airport operations. Airport files, training documentation and paperwork where checked for accuracy and compliance. The movement area inspection consisted of checking the approach slopes of each runway end, inspection of movement areas to analyze the condition of pavement, markings, lighting, signs, abutting shoulders and safety areas. Mullen also watched ground vehicle operations, ensured the public is protected against inadvertent entry and jet or propeller blast, checked for the presence of any wildlife and checked the traffic and wind direction indicators. The Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting team conducted a timed-response drill and provided ARFF training records and documentation for Mullen's review. Their equipment was also inspected and all was found to be in complete compliance. "That is what we are striving for every day," said Executive Director Tim Rogers, A.A.E. "That the airport is ready for safe operations and that the ARFF personnel are trained and ready to serve the public." K-State is an elite Top 5 aviation university. Located on the Salina campus adjacent to a 12,000-foot runway, the program has a modern fleet of more than 40 learning aircraft and more Master Certified Flight Instructors than any other college or university in the country. K-State Salina offers affordable degrees in aircraft maintenance, professional pilot, technology management and engineering technology. Certificate programs are available in air traffic control, airframe and powerplant, airport management, avionics maintenance technology and unmanned aerial systems. More information on K-State aviation programs is available atwww.salina.k-state.edu/ In 2004, FAA issued a final rule that revised the Federal airport certification regulation [Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 139 (14 CFR Part 139] and established certification requirements for airports serving scheduled air carrier operations in aircraft designed for more than 9 passenger seats but less than 31 passenger seats. In addition, this final rule amended a section of an air carrier operation regulation (14 CFR Part 121) so it would conform with changes to airport certification requirements. The revised Federal airport certification requirements went into effect on June 9, 2004.
Salina, Kan., (February 2011) - The Salina Airport Authority staff was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration Central Region's Medal of Excellence for having no Part 139 discrepancies or items for correction.
The medal is awarded to airports that have no discrepancies during the FAA airport certification inspection and no vehicle pedestrian deviations during the previous 12 months. 
Source: Salina Airport
