1. 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

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

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

4. FedEx Preference FedEx Hub Land North Depart South09 27
18C
Land North
Depart South
Saves fuel on excessive taxiing
18L
18R
36R
36L
36C

5. 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

6. Ideal Arrival Pattern Most efficient Minimizes Taxiing09 27
Most efficient
Minimizes Taxiing
Max Arrival Rate (~92)
Planning Minimums:
Vis: >6mi
Ceiling >1200ft
South wind < 8kt
36R
36L
36C

7. Reduced Arrival Rate Below 1200ft/6mi Crosswinds >20KT09 27
Below 1200ft/6mi
Crosswinds >20KT
Reduced Arrival Rate (~60)
36R
36L
36C

8. Video: The World On Time

9. FedEx Met Overview
Video

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Overnight Sort video
Courtesy of FedEx. Used with permission

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

15. FedEx Meteorology MEM Inbound ATC Outlook
ERIK

17. Video: Thunderstorm Diversions from MEM
March 2008
ERIK

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

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. 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.”

26. Christmas video
“Dreams” by Van Halen

27. Questions? Stephen Kearney stephen.kearney@noaa.gov NWS - Memphis CWSU
(901)
Erik Proseus
FedEx Meteorology

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