Let it snow…
In 2014, Republic Airport was awarded a grant in the amount of $750,000 under the Aviation Capital Grant Program to replace our 1980 Schmidt Unimog snow blower. This equipment was at the end of its life cycle and the staff was no longer able to source parts for the equipment. This negatively impacted the staff’s ability to effectively conduct snow removal operations in a timely fashion.
AvPorts became the prime contractor in April 2016 and this enabled the facility’s staff to expedite the procurement of a 2018 Larue T70R52 self-propelled snow blower “Big Bertha”. This piece of equipment is able to discharge up to 3,000 tons of snow per hour. Two Maintenance Technicians attended factory training in Canada. This training encompassed maintenance and operational issues.
After extensive research by the maintenance staff under the leadership of Dennis McCormick our Maintenance Manager, the airport was able to also purchase a 2019 International dual tandem heavy-duty truck “Big Scottie” with a forty-yard hopper and a twenty-foot polyurethane blade. This plow gives us the ability to chemically treat a runway in a single application.
At the request of our client, New York State Department of Transportation, we explored other snow removal equipment that could be purchased with the remaining funds. We were able to purchase two motorized MB walk behind brooms. These brooms will be used for snow/ice removal from the Main Terminal sidewalks, and other paved areas. As part of our continued efforts to engage certified Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses, the brooms were purchased from a registered Women Business Enterprise (WBE).
We are excited about the addition to our fleet. We experienced a very mild winter season, and used Big Bertha a few times. However, our team is ready for next winter. Let it snow…
