Greater Binghamton Airport's Unique Runway Safety Technology Attracts Delegation From The People's Republic Of China
BINGHAMTON, NY - Broome County Executive, Jeff Kraham is pleased to welcome aviation officials from China who will be visiting our community on Tuesday, October 26th to tour the state-of-the-art runway safety technology currently in use at the Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM).
Senior members of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), which is the governing agency overseeing aviation related matters in that country and is comparable to our Federal Aviation Administration, are visiting our community to inspect a runway safety product known as Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS). This cutting edge technology was installed on both ends of the Greater Binghamton Airport's primary runway (16/34) during 2002 - 2003. The Chinese Delegation is interested in viewing a system that is in service as they investigate installation of the EMAS product in their own country.
The EMAS product, which is manufactured by Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation (ESCO), is made of high energy absorbing crushable concrete material. The purpose of EMAS is to reliably crush under the weight of an aircraft acting as a protective safety cushion at the end of the runway. EMAS serves as a protective barrier by progressively stopping a distressed aircraft before it leaves the runway pavement. Since its inception, this product has successfully prevented an overrun at JFK Airport in New York City.
As the EMAS installed at BGM was only the 7th in the world, airport representatives from other states and countries have visited BGM to view this safety technology. Over the past year, groups from as far away as Italy and Alaska have visited the Greater Binghamton Airport to view the installed EMAS product.
"Safety is the top priority at the Greater Binghamton Airport. The airlines that provide service to (BGM), travelers and the residents of this community expect and deserve nothing less," said Broome County Executive Jeff Kraham. "We have consistently pursued the best that technology has to offer in airport safety. The Engineered Material Arresting System provides the highest in landing safety. This visit by representatives from the Civilian Aviation Association of China is additional recognition of the Greater Binghamton Airport's position as the region's air transportation hub."
CONTACT:
Carl Olson
office: 607.763.4471
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