Winter Ops Drill: How PIT Stays Open When Storms Hit

When taking a vacation or business trip, there are many things you can plan for. But in the winter, one hard-to-predict factor can seriously disrupt your plans: the weather.

Fortunately, preparing for snowstorms is always on the radar at Pittsburgh International Airport. That’s why, on a sunny 50-degree morning last Thursday, the Field Maintenance Department, Mechanics and Airport Operations held their annual Winter Operations Drill.

Drills and attention to detail are why PIT has kept at least one runway operational throughout all season for almost 30 straight years and is a preferred FAA location to send flights when East Coast airports are snowed in.

“We take great pride in keeping the airport open and safe in all types of weather, improving airline on-time rates and enhancing customer service,” said Jim Moorhead, vice president of Airport Operations, Allegheny County Airport Authority. “It’s a matter of personal pride of what we accomplish each winter and how our industry peers view us.”

The latest drill, which reviewed the ACAA’s Snow and Ice Control Plan, included a simulated winter storm using multiple pieces of equipment (brooms, plows, blowers, deicers and sand trucks) on the airfield.

PIT snow removal vehicles drive down Taxiway November past a 911th Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III on Oct. 24, 2024. (Photo by Beth Hollerich)

Fred McMullen, a meteorologist with Pittsburgh’s National Weather Service office in Moon, shared an early winter weather forecast. [Inside information: He predicted wetter-than-average conditions with above-normal temperatures.]

Efficient and effective snow removal from runways involves a complex and well-choreographed runway snow removal operation. Often referred to as the “Conga Line,” plows line up in a formation to demonstrate the best snow removal practices.

“A specific formation is needed to maximize snow removal,” said Moorhead. “Drills and practices make it look easy, but it’s hard and a lot of work. I am fortunate to have a talented and experienced crew, which makes it a little easier.”

PIT’s snow fighters are recognized throughout the industry as the best of the best. PIT’s team was recently named Operator of the Year Medium Hub Airport by the International Aviation Snow Symposium, Northeast Chapter, American Association of Airport Executives. The airport is also a five-time winner of the Balchen/Post Award, the top award in North America for outstanding achievement in airport snow and ice control.

Even though the Winter Ops Drill is an annual event, Moorhead stressed the importance of maintaining the high standards every day of the year.

“Once we’re pretty sure there won’t be any more winter weather, we will immediately shift to the next winter planning,” he said. “This includes ordering new equipment, training and making necessary changes.

“The airport is too important to close.”