Whether it’s assisting travelers in medical emergencies, training for an aircraft rescue and firefighting simulation, or assisting in Presidential visits, the Department of Public Safety at McGhee Tyson Airport is critical to passenger safety and the continuous operations of the airport. In this episode, hear from Chief Tom Aiken as he shares the training and experience it takes to be a police, fire, and medically-trained airport officer.

Tom Aiken is the Director of the Department of Public Safety at the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA). He has been with the MKAA for 40 years.

The post Ensuring Public Safety, One Passenger at a Time appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Managing people, resources and public expectation at one of the nation’s top 100 airports is a full-time job for Patrick Wilson, President of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.  Daily, he oversees the operation of McGhee Tyson Airport with his eyes focused on the future of air service and needs of the airport’s travelers and guests.  In this episode, hear about Patrick’s first year at TYS, his experiences as an airport president and what he sees in the airport’s future.

Patrick Wilson, A.A.E., is president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA). Prior to coming to the MKAA, he served as president of the Tri-Cities Airport in Blountville, TN. Wilson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and earned a Master of Business Administration in Aviation and Aerospace Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

The post Personal Insights on TYS From Its Top Executive appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Commercial airplanes are very similar to cars– not in size, but in the fact that they require routine maintenance and safety checks. In this episode, learn how Endeavor Air plans and performs routine and emergency maintenance on Delta’s Bombardier CRJ 200, 700, and 900 fleet. James McKinley, Base Manager for Endeavor Air at McGhee Tyson Airport, explains the detailed process they undertake to keep their aircraft flying safely. 

Did You Know: Airplanes are required to be inspected at least every three days, but in most cases, mechanical inspections happen daily. 

The post Inside Aircraft Maintenance: The Intricacies of Keeping Commercial Aircraft Safe appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Thanksgiving kicks off the busiest time of year at airports around the U.S. and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is no different. With the increase in passenger traffic, TYS offers unique programs to entertain and educate travelers. One program in particular, ChariTrees, highlights local nonprofit organizations and allows them to share their message and mission to the travelers of East Tennessee. In this episode, learn about the unique airport programs available during the holiday season and hear from two nonprofit organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, about how they are involved in the hustle and bustle of holiday travel. 

The post Full Flights, Full Hearts: The Busy Holiday Travel Season at TYS appeared first on From the Runway Up.

While general aviation (GA) might not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of aviation, did you know that there are actually more registered GA aircraft than commercial aircraft in the U.S.? In this episode, we introduce listeners to Downtown Island Airport (DKX), the GA airport in Downtown Knoxville, and hear about the different type of aircraft and operations you can witness on the Island– military, law enforcement, and experimental aircraft just to name a few. 

The post General Aviation at the Island appeared first on From the Runway Up.

What do FIDS, BIDS, shared tenant services, access control, and WiFi have in common? They are technology services provide by the Airport Authority that passengers couldn’t travel without. In this episode, hear from MKAA’s technology staff about their current responsibilities, the obstacles they face working in an airport environment, and must-have apps to help ease your travel experiences.

The post FIDS, BIDS, and WiFi, Oh My! appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Regardless of the sport or the destination, the University of Tennessee Athletic Department relies heavily on private charter flights to get student athletes to away games or competitions in a safe and timely manner. In this episode, David Elliott, Associate Athletic Director for Event Management at the University of Tennessee, discusses the planning and coordination it takes to schedule transportation for UT’s student athletes. Elliott also mentions some of his most memorable charter flights. Spoiler: one of his favorite flights was to Tempe, Arizona in 1998. 

David Elliott is the Associate Athletic Director for Event Management and Team Travel for the University of Tennessee. He has been in this role since 1993.

Did you know that the University of Tennessee’s charter flight planning begins in February for fall sports? 

The post How the University of Tennessee Athletic Department Utilizes Private Charter Flights appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Inclement weather in the form of rain, snow, sleet and strong winds can have a significant impact on airport operations. Learn how McGhee Tyson Airport handles turbulent weather in East Tennessee as well as how they lend a helping hand when natural disasters strike.  Join Trevis Gardner, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Mike Porter, Airport Operations Specialist, as they discuss TYS weather operations, SEADOG and recent operational efforts to assist airports during Hurricane Dorian.

The post IROPS, SEADOG, HURREVAC: Impacts of Inclement Weather at Airports appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Ever wonder how airport security technology is selected? In this episode, Scott Broyles, President & CEO of National Safe Skies Alliance, discusses the processes and research that go into the selection of security technologies found at airports today. From active shooters to perimeter breaches, this security expert shares how his organization is working to help airports proactively prepare for the next big threat.

The post Using Research and Technology to Combat Aviation Threats appeared first on From the Runway Up.

Every day millions of travelers pass through airports around the world and often use directional signage and other design elements to successfully navigate the terminal building. From wayfinding to multi-faceted branding campaigns, this episode explores the strategic thought process behind airport graphic design and how each facility works to make the public’s visual experience extraordinary.

The post Airport Branding: It’s More Than Just A Plane Picture appeared first on From the Runway Up.