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AC 150/5300-4E CHG 3 12/5/78 74. WHAT MAINTENANCE IS NECESSARY? Maintenance will reduce the need for extensive repairs or the replacement of facilities that have deterio- rated. Therefore, good business practice requires that adequate pro- visions be made for effective maintenance of airport facilities. Some of the operations that are considered vital to effective maintenance follow. A more detailed discussion is contained in Advisory Circular 150/5320-12, Methods for the Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Skid Resistant Airport Pavement Surfaces. a. Erosion of the landing area by wind or water can be retarded by the establishment of a good turf. Ditch and embankment slopes are particularly vulnerable to erosion. Each gulley or channel created by erosion should be filled with suitable material and compacted as soon as discovered to reduce additional washing and to prevent the creation of a possible hazard to aircraft. Proper control of erosion is especially important on a new airport until the fills have consolidated and the turf has become firmly established. b. To maintain a good stand of grass, occasional application of fertilizer is necessary. Mowing is another essential operation in the maintenance of good turf. Frequency of mowing operations and the height to which the grass should be cut are largely determined by the growth characteristics of the grasses and the intended purpose of the turf. Under certain conditions, the use of chemicals may be necessary for -weed eradication. Obtain information relative to the chemical compounds available for this purpose, as well as those recommended for the control of insects and diseases, from the local county agricultural agent. c. Inspect all paved or surfaced areas at least twice a year, including the condition of the runway and taxiway marking. Preventive main- tenance actions that are important to long pavement life are pave- ment crack -sealing and seal -coating. The expense involved here is minor and will generally preclude unnecessary major repairs of the pavement. d. Check the field drainage system at frequent intervals and immedi- ately correct any unsuitable conditions that may obstruct its proper functioning. Items that will need constant checking include: the plugging of inlet grates by grass cuttings, sticks, and other debris, and snow and ice; the filling of the catch basins and pipes with sediment and waste; the settling and erosion around pipes and structures; and the partial stoppage of ditches by sediment or vegetative growth. e. Airport buildings do not involve any maintenance problem that is not common to other types of buildings. It should be emphasized, however, that buildings which are adequately protected by paint require less maintenance and add considerably to the appearance of the airport. The latter should not be overlooked as it can mean much in determining the future success of the airport. Page 86 Chap 13 Par 74