NC Airport Leadership and Management Program (ALMP)

ALMP is a series of 12 training and continuing education courses designed for new and experienced NC airport officials, managers and staff. Developed by the NCDOT Division of Aviation and NC AirTAP, ALMP courses are offered as in-person and hybrid classes (in-person + online), or as on-demand, self-guided instruction where noted. View/download the the ALMP informational flyer for more about the program.

Upcoming and past course offerings are listed below. Registration fee is $35 per course. Contact Tom Zajkowski, 919-515-8523, tjzajkow@ncsu.edu for more information.

  • Course 1: Airport Rules and Regulations, Minimum Standards, and Legal Issuesnext offering and location to be announced. This 1-day hybrid class introduces participants to the numerous federal, state, and local regulations that apply to airport operations in North Carolina.
  • Course 2: Airport Administration and GovernanceRESCHEDULED to November 20, 2024 in Statesville; open for registrationThis 1-day hybrid class focuses on different ways airports can be organized and governed. Participants will also learn how their local airport fits into the national and state airport systems, and understand the many responsibilities of operating an airport.
  • Course 3: Airport Operations and Maintenance—coming December 12, 2024 to RDU Airport; registration opening soon. This 1-day, in-person course addresses the broad and diverse range of activities required to operate and maintain an airport. Participants will examine how airport managers and staff can efficiently keep their airport running smoothly.
  • Course 4: Airport Funding and Financenext offering and location to be announced.  This 1-day, in-person course addresses how proper funding and financing of an airport is critical to maintaining safe and efficient operations. Participants will examine aspects of funding and financing for airport operations, maintenance and construction.
  • Course 5: Airport Safety and Securitynext offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course explores how airport managers can counter physical and cyber threats to their airport and potential liability. Instructors will work with participants to identify updates to their Emergency Action and Security Plans.
  • Course 6: Airport Planning and Environmentalnext offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course addresses how proper planning can improve airport operations and prepare the airport for the future. Participants will learn about planning elements and tools, how to include interested parties in the planning process, and keeping your airport’s growth sustainable and environmentally sound.
  • Course 7: The Fixed Based Operator—on-demand; open for registration. This self-paced, online course examines the role of a FBO, its services and management options, and how to create a good customer service climate at the airport.
  • Course 8: Airport Public Relations and Communications—on-demand; open for registration. This self-paced, online course discusses how to create and update communication plans for airport marketing, public relations and emergencies.
  • Course 9: Airport Design and Constructionnext offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course examines the many aspects of airport design and construction including architecture, engineering, environmental issues and program management.
  • Course 10: Airport Leadership and Management Skillsnext offering and location to be announcedThis 1-day, in-person course presents concepts, tools and techniques for building success as an airport manager.
  • Course 11: Future Airport Opportunitiesnext offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course offers strategies for managing the technological paradigm shifts facing airports today and in the near future.
  • Course 12: The Airport Consultantnext offering and location to be announced. This 1-day, in-person course examines the role of the airport consultant in North Carolina and the relationships between the Airport Sponsor, the Consultant, and the NCDOT Airport Project Manager.

 

Airport Board Member Training

Airport Board Member Training is a series of 10 online, self-paced learning modules designed to help new and current board members at NC public airports understand how to support their airports better. Each module includes a brief instructional video and links to additional resources about the topic being presented. The training is offered at no cost.

 

Airport Fueling Operations Workshop

NC AirTAP offers a 1-day, in-person workshop covering fueling facts, safety, equipment inspection, and best practices. Open to NC airport managers, operations and maintenance staff, and consultants, the workshop includes classroom presentations and on-field demonstrations. Upcoming workshop dates and locations are listed below. The training includes lunch and is offered at a low cost to cover food and refreshments. Contact Tom Zajkowski, 919-515-8523, tjzajkow@ncsu.edu for more information.

  • To be notified when the next workshop opens for registration, please add yourself to the Watchlist.

 

Airport Safety and Maintenance Workshop: Airport Self-Inspection

NC AirTAP offers a half-day, in-person workshop on how to perform airport safety self-inspections and includes an on-field tour and hands-on demonstrations. Tailored for General Aviation airports, the training is open to all North Carolina airport managers, operations and maintenance staff, and airport consultants. N.C. Professional Engineers who participate will earn 3.50 PDHs. The training is free to attend and includes lunch. Registration in advance is required to confirm your lunch. Upcoming workshop dates and locations are listed below. Contact Tom Zajkowski, 919-515-8523, tjzajkow@ncsu.edu for more information.

  • To be notified when the next workshop opens for registration, please add yourself to the Watchlist.

 

Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP) Drone Training

The Trusted Operator Program™ (TOP), developed by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle and Systems International (AUVSI), provides a certification process for pilots beyond their FAA Part 107. As a TOP certified organization, students that complete a drone operator training program at NC State automatically become TOP certified as well.

 

Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Operations and Analytics Workshop

Presented in partnership with NC State’s Center for Geospatial Analytics, this 3-day, hands-on workshop covers UAS basics, hands-on training and flight mission demonstrations. Gain new skills, watch Uncrewed Aerial Systems in action and learn how to produce quality products from imagery obtained and processed from UAS. The workshop is designed for:

  • Anyone who already owns or plans to purchase a drone and would like to learn how to legally and efficiently use it in North Carolina.
  • Industry leaders, government agencies and researchers seeking helpful tips and guidance for mapping with drones in a range of applications.
  • Individuals and groups who want to learn how to turn data captured by UAS into maps and 3-D models.
  • Click here for complete workshop details and registration.

 

Airport Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Training

The NCDOT Division of Aviation has a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide free training to help NC airport operators, maintenance and fire crews, and other responsible personnel identify and better manage wildlife hazards at airports. It consists of both classroom and field training and covers the Federal Aviation Administration’s required annual training for certified airports. Upcoming training dates and locations are listed below. To register, email Chris Willis with USDA at chris.e.willis@usda.gov.

  • Nov. 6, 2024 – Asheville Regional Airport
  • Dec. 11, 2024 – Northeastern Regional Airport
  • Jan. 22, 2025 – Fayetteville Regional Airport
  • March 12, 2025 – Hickory Regional Airport
  • May 7, 2025 – Albert J. Ellis Airport
  • July 16, 2025 – Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport

 

EBS/PC User Training Workshop

The NCDOT Division of Aviation Grants Team conducted in June 2019 a training workshop for airport sponsors on how to use the EBS/PC online system. The workshop materials can be found at this link and used for reference while a new EBS training manual is in development. Contact the Grants Team at DOTAviationGrants@ncdot.gov for more information.

 

Airport Minimum Standards (NCAA Presentation)

NC AirTAP and the NC Division of Aviation hosted a general session of the 2018 NC Airports Association conference previewing the Airport Management & Leadership training curriculum to be launched in Summer 2018. The training is being developed for seasoned, new, and future airport managers. The session included an introductory presentation on Airport Minimum Standards by attorney Keith Merritt of Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin, PLLC.

 

Creating a Clear Vision with Your Airport Layout Plan

NC AirTAP and the NC Division of Aviation hosted a general session of the 2017 NC Airports Association conference addressing the value and components of a well-written Airport Layout Plan (ALP). Division staff shared new guidance including forms to help airport sponsors through the ALP process. The session also featured an expert panel from the public and private sector discussing their experiences with the benefits of thoughtful airport planning through ALP development.

 

Independent Fee Estimates and Analysis

NCDOT Division of Aviation staff presented an “Overview of Independent Fee Estimates and Analysis” at the NC Airports Association regional meetings in June 2016. This presentation was a follow-up to the QBS session at the 2016 NCAA conference (see QBS session details below). 

 

Using Qualifications Based Selection (QBS)

NC AirTAP conducted a session on “Procurement of Professional Services for Airport Planning and Design using Qualifications Based Selection (QBS)” at the 2016 NC Airports Association conference. The session included presentation by NCDOT Division of Aviation staff and discussion with panelists representing airport directors, the FAA, and the airport consulting industry.

 

Aviation Career Training and Certification

Guilford Technical Community College offers several degree and certificate programs for persons seeking to launch or advance their aviation career. Programs include Aviation Electronics (Avionics) Technology, Aviation Management, Aviation Manufacturing, Aviation Systems Technology, and Career Pilot certification. Visit the GTCC Academic Programs website and search for these program topics to learn more.

 

Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Webinars

Administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), ACRP offers free webinars to learn about current research results and topics of interest to airport practitioners. The webinars feature senior airport researchers presenting solutions to issues facing airports. Continuing Education Units are offered by TRB and provided by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Follow this link to read about and register for upcoming webinars, and to view recordings of past webinars. Visit trb.org/ACRP for more offerings from ACRP.

Contact

Tom Zajkowski
NC AirTAP Program Coordinator, ITRE
tjzajkow@ncsu.edu | 919-515-8523

Eugene Murray
Training & Events Coordinator, ITRE
eemurra2@ncsu.edu | 919-515-8037

Daniel Findley, P.E.
Associate Director, ITRE
daniel_findley@ncsu.edu | 919-515-8564

Cyndy Falgout
NCDOT Aviation Program Consultant
falgout@cyndyfalgout.com | 919-401-3548