Airport Consultants Basics

Learning airport consultants basics provides you with up-to-date airport improvements
By Angela Roe, Freelance Writer In order to understand airport consultants basics, you need to do your homework before you sit down to begin the interview process with various consultants. Before you can effectively work with airport management consultants, you need to know the problems that currently exist in your airport as well as what changes you want to see put into place.

Meet with several airport design experts and discuss the project in detail. Make sure you outline a budget for the project, determine the time frame in which you expect to see the work completed, and provide a detailed list of the changes you want to see incorporated into the project.

1. Understand what the role of an airport consulting firm is.

2. Learn what an airport management consultant can do for you.

3. Find airport consulting firms that provide a full range of services.

Educate yourself on airport management consultants

Take the time to learn about the business of airport consultants. Airport consultants will evaluate the space you have, along with your budget and your projected growth. Using that information, they will then help you create an updated airport that meets your goals. You can use airport consultants to rehabilitate the interior of your terminal or to create an entirely new airport. Industry magazines and other sources can give you basic information on airport consultants as well as trends in airport improvements.
Try:  Airport Revenue News is a magazine published monthly that is geared toward airport executives and that has published multiple articles on airline consultants. Just search for "airline consultants" on its News Archives page. Designboom hosts a pictorial of new and contemporary airport design to help you get an idea of where airport construction is going and to give you ideas of possibilities. Airport Magazine has published several articles on airport improvements, including a cover story on going green.

Know what to expect from airport consulting companies

Know what a well-run airport looks like so you can recognize what prospective consulting companies are offering you. If you're not able to recognize an incomplete or unrealistic proposal, you're not going to be able to make the best decisions with regard to what consultants you should hire or you should stay away from. Make sure you know the minimum standards for airport improvements as outlined by regulatory statutes to avoid costly penalties.
Try:  NASA offers a tutorial to help you understand the dynamics of what goes into planning an efficient and well-run airport. The Federal Aviation Administration has specific documents for you to purchase that clearly outline the minimum standards for airport improvements as well as recommendations for you to consider. Check with airport consulting firms to make sure they have this information on hand and available for you to review.

Find airport consulting companies that offer full service and experience

Ask each consulting company you meet with to provide you with a full proposal so you can compare what each firm offers side by side. Only once you can inspect each proposal can you make the best decision for your project.
Try:  Jacobs Consultancy provides a full range of airport consulting services, including environmental planning, feasibility studies and simulation modeling so you clearly understand its plans. LBR has worked as the airport consulting company in multiple projects in Oklahoma and Kansas.

• Talk to the Federal Aviation Administration to find out about grants designed to help defer the costs of airport improvements. Work with airport consulting companies that are familiar with the process of applying for these FAA grants.