Many airports in the United States and around the world are approaching gridlock in terms of their ability to accommodate existing and future demand for landings and takeoffs. Adding new runways and taxiways is still the best way to increase airfield capacity, but such expansions are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive. Besides, airspace restrictions often limit the benefits that can be achieved from new runways and taxiways. New aviation technology, both on the ground and in the aircraft, is expected to increase airfield capacity by about 10% to 15%, but such capacity increases alone will not solve the problem.

Leigh Fisher Associates assists airport sponsors, the airlines, and the FAA in addressing these airfield and airspace capacity challenges. We analyze airfield and airspace operations, both as specialized services and as an integral part of airport master planning studies, noise compatibility studies, environmental assessments, and terminal planning studies. In these analyses, we coordinate closely with FAA and airline specialists in air traffic control and flight procedures.

Leigh Fisher Associates analyzes the economics of proposed airfield and airspace improvements, prepares geometric layouts for airfield facilities and navigational aids, and develops plans for the efficient management and operation of aircraft gates. In support of our airfield and airspace analyses, we use state-of-the-art computer models and the latest in 3D graphics and video animation.

Animations
-See a simulation of aircraft arrivals and departures in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex developed using actual radar data. [QuickTime 4 - 1,556k]
-Download a video showing airspace interactions betweenKennedy International and LaGuardia airports, New York. [QuickTime 4 - 1,841k]

Services
-Airfield layout and design
-Airfield and airspace capacity studies
-Aircraft delay analyses
-Benefit/cost analyses of airfield improvements
-Airfield and airspace simulations
-Gate utilization studies
-Airspace obstruction and obstacle clearance analyses
-Flight procedures and air traffic control requirements

Representative Projects
-Redesigning Flight Procedures, New York-New Jersey Metroplex Airspace
-Capacity Enhancement Study, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
-Benefit/Cost Analysis of Runway 16R-34L, Denver International Airport