The Package Has Been Delivered The Package Has Been Delivered! Decision Support for Cargo Operations at Memphis Stephen Kearney Meteorologist NWS - Center Weather Service Unit Erik Proseus Meteorologist FedEx Meteorology Group

Agenda Memphis Airport Layout & Configurations Daytime Operations Nighttime Operations Products & Services Operational Takeaways STEVE

Memphis International Airport Busiest cargo hub in the United States Second-busiest in the world (1st: Hong Kong) 2016 - Loaded/Unloaded cargo: ~9.4 billion lbs* MEM *Source: Memphis International Airport statistics

FedEx Preference FedEx Hub Land North Depart South 09 27 18C Land North Depart South Saves fuel on excessive taxiing 18L 18R 36R 36L 36C

Tailwind thresholds Commercial aircraft tailwind threshold = 10kt Memphis Tower: 8 knots as a safety buffer South wind <8kt allows for North landing operation North wind <8kt allows for South departures

Ideal Arrival Pattern Most efficient Minimizes Taxiing 09 27 Most efficient Minimizes Taxiing Max Arrival Rate (~92) Planning Minimums: Vis: >6mi Ceiling >1200ft South wind < 8kt 36R 36L 36C

Reduced Arrival Rate Below 1200ft/6mi Crosswinds >20KT 09 27 Below 1200ft/6mi Crosswinds >20KT Reduced Arrival Rate (~60) 36R 36L 36C

Video: The World On Time

FedEx Met Overview Video

Daytime Operations Tues-Fri morning: FedEx-USPS push ~120 planes arrive between 8am-1pm Afternoon departures between 2pm-4pm FDX-USPS Push Land North Depart South www.fly.faa.gov/Products/AADC/aadc.html

Daytime Operations 18005KT 18010KT 36005KT 36010KT 7 AM 10 AM 11 AM Brief TRACON on wind speed/direction; onset of thunderstorms & freezing precip Changes in wind speed/direction are critical 7 AM 10 AM 18005KT 18010KT 11 AM 2 PM 36005KT 36010KT

Evening/Overnight Operations Mon-Fri between 10pm-1am Over 150 aircraft arrive (including int’l arrivals) 3 hours to arrive, sort & reload, 3 hours to depart Inbounds www.fly.faa.gov/Products/AADC/aadc.html

Overnight Sort video Courtesy of FedEx. Used with permission

MEM Approach Gates Increased traffic on other gates HYTHR BLUZZ BRBBQ MONAA CONDR VANZE HOBRK

FedEx Meteorology MEM Inbound ATC Outlook ERIK

Video: Thunderstorm Diversions from MEM March 2008 ERIK

Thunderstorm dodging video May 2008 Courtesy of FedEx. Used with permission

Nightly Cargo Ops Planning Collaborative Effort between three major partners - Air Traffic Planners - CWSU - WFO - Memphis TRACON - FedEx Meteorology Group - FedEx Dispatchers

Forecast Collaboration CWSU, WFO Memphis, FedEx Meteorology Exchange thoughts & expected challenges Runway configuration & arrival rate communicated

Cargo Ops Planning Timeline 12-1pm: FedEx issues ATC Overnight Outlook 1:30pm: CWSU shift change 3pm: CWSU standup briefing to FAA traffic managers 3pm/4pm: NWS/FDX TAF amendments 4-5pm: CWSU issues TRACON Overnight Briefing STEVE

Cargo Ops Planning Timeline 4-6pm: CWSU / FAA / FedEx coordinate plan for airport configuration and routing 6pm (7pm CDT): 00Z NWS TAF issued 6:15pm: National planning call with FAA Command Center 6:30pm-9:30pm: Weather watch, updates if needed STEVE

Operational Takeaways Determine local thresholds for FAA decision-makers (runway configuration, arrival rates, gate impacts, etc) Winds, thunderstorms, winter weather, ceilings, and visibility Determine thresholds for customers at major airline hubs Meet with customer & see their operations

Operational Takeaways Develop a relationship with the TRACON & Tower Use arrival demand chart (www.fly.faa.gov) Forecast to expected push times Think outside the product box Create new graphical services, perhaps web-based

NWS Mission Statement “To provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.”

Christmas video “Dreams” by Van Halen

Questions? Stephen Kearney stephen.kearney@noaa.gov NWS - Memphis CWSU (901) 368-8167 www.weather.gov/zme www.facebook.com/CWSUMemphis Erik Proseus eproseus@fedex.com FedEx Meteorology

Acknowledgements Federal Aviation Administration: Memphis ARTCC, Memphis TRACON Erik Proseus - FedEx Meteorology Group NWS Memphis WFO Memphis International Airport