pattern Sniper broom control systems considerations

Adjusting a broom when static has its problems, uneven surface, caster wheels not fully in trail position or broom head not fully turned. Even with all of this correct, still often you are adding more pattern than required to buy you time before the next adjustment. With broom cores 4-8K+ small changes make big dividends. 

 Adjust as the broom is in operation, some trucks have this option at the operator control, but the driver is not the one with the best vantage point to determine if that adjustment is needed. The Field manager trailing the trucks makes the call on the radio, best case the operator hears it and makes a change or maybe two or maybe three. Worst case the operator does not hear it because another operator is calling on an active runway at the same time the order was given and nobody heard either transmission clearly. Sound familiar? Now multiply this by a broom pack of six trucks. 

 At normal operating speed, the field manager holds a controller clearly labeled with up to 12 truck numbers, positioning himself with the first truck on the priority surface he makes his first adjustment, adds two clicks to the lead truck, executing a fall back maneuver he drops back through the pack to a position trailing along side each broom and adjusts as needed. The fleet is tuned to the consistency of snow at hand, all variables are in check and your operating with the exact required pressure (minimum effective=Maximum core life). Nobody had to stop, nobody had to call, nobody took their focus off of the safe operation of the truck and lastly no poor sap (me) had to run from truck to truck in the freezing cold risking being ran over or blown down by the Airblaster.  

The concern for disruption of signals in either direction proved a real challenge. Through testing with local GA tenants, we arrived at a signal not regulated by FCC that has no effect of avionics regardless how close the source was and in the contrary, strong radar signatures around airfields tend to bleed into low frequency electronics just due to their strength, this was negated by generating a signal with a simple chirp PIN embedded much like your debit card, access is denied without this conformation. This all happens in a blink but it ensures no ghost signals will inadvertently cost you half a broom core due to over adjustment or impede an aircraft’s operation.