Sacramento International Airport

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Airfield Information

Airport Runways

SMF, has two parallel runways that service the airport illustrated in Figure 2. They are Runways 16L/34R and Runway 16R/34L. Runway’s 16L/34R, has a dimension of 8605 x 150 ft. / 2623 x 46 m, while runway’s 16R/34L, and has a dimension of 8598 x 150 ft. / 2621 x 46 m. Both runway’s 16L and 16R have the same orientation of 168 magnetic, 181 true, while runway’s 34L and 34R have the same orientation of 348 magnetic, and 001 true. The pavement used for runway’s 16L/34R is grooved concrete, while runway’s16R/34L uses grooved asphalt, all of which are in good condition.

Figure 2. Airport Diagram

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Sacramento International Airport Diagram Source: (AirNav.com, 2017)

Airfield Lighting

For lighting purposes, runway’s 16L and 34R have high intensity runway edge lights, centerline lights. However, while runway 16L has a lighted touchdown point, runway 34R does not. Runway’s 16R and 34L have high intensity runway edge lights, centerline lights and both do not have runway end identifier lights. Additionally, runway 16R has a lighted touchdown point, while runway 34L does not.

For runway approach lighting, both runway’s 16L and 34L have the MALSR, with 1,400-foot medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights. Runway 16R has ALSF2, with standard 2,400-foot-high intensity approach lighting system with centerline sequenced flashers for category II or III ILS. Runway 34 rights has no approach lighting and is considered a no precision approach.

Airfield Approach Aids

For both approaches and approach aides, runway’s 16L, 16R and 34L all have ILS/DME approaches available, while runway 34R is considered to be a visual only approach. In regards to approach aids; both runway’s 16L and 34R have a 4-light PAPI visual slope indicator on the left hand side of the runway, with a 3.00 degree glide path. Additionally they have precision markings which are in good condition and no RVR equipment. Runway’s 16R and 34L have a 4-light PAPI visual slope indicator on the right hand side of the runway, with a 3.00 degree glide path. Additionally they have precision markings which are in good condition and both have RVR equipment at the touchdown, midfield and rollout positions.

In regards to navigational aids, the only one onsite is White-Green Beacon for IRF conditions, it operates from sunset to sunrise. There are no VOR or DME located on the grounds, however, there are several in close proximity to the airport, which serve surrounding airfields such as Mather, or Sacramento Executive airports. For weather reporting facilities SMF has a lighted wind indicator and a weather ASOS station on site

Terminal and Ground Access

SMF, continues to develop the required facilities based off of current and future demands, in regards to commercial air travel, general and cargo aviation. SMF has over 32 gates, which are serviced by two terminals for 10 airlines.

Terminal A

Terminal A illustrated in Figure 2, is a split pier finger terminal, has a total of 13 gates that provides service for American, Delta and United Airlines, (Sacramento County, n.d.). In terms of ground access and transportation, Terminal A offers; hotel shuttles, limousines, SuperShuttle, off airport taxis and shuttles, app based ride shares, airport taxis, rental cars, daily and economy parking, (Sacramento County, n.d.).

Terminal B

Terminal B illustrated in Figure 2, is a Remote Satellite Terminal with a connecting Automated People Mover, has a total of 19 gates that provides service for Aeromexico, Alaska, Hawaiian, Horizon, Jet Blue, Southwest and Volaris Airlines, (Sacramento County, n.d.). In terms of ground access and transportation, Terminal B offers; hotel shuttles, limousines, SuperShuttle, off airport taxis and shuttles, app based ride shares, airport taxis, rental cars, daily and economy parking, (Sacramento County, n.d.).

Flight Schedule

The flight schedule illustrated on Figure 3, depicts an example schedule utilizing currently available gate slot assignments, from the hours of 0800 – 1000 local and for the following airlines; American, U.S. Airways, Delta, United, Continental, Alaska, America West, and Southwest Airlines.

Figure 3. SMF Flight Schedule

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Gate Planning and Airport Reference Code

With 32 gates to service eight airlines, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) already has the required capacity to meet current forecasted demand, with additional room for future demand increases. Based off of current gate utilization requirements, additional gates are not required, however, moving one of the airlines to Terminal B, may be an option in terms of terminal operation efficiency. The flight schedule provided in module one, was applied to the current terminal and gate layout for SMF.

Terminal A

Terminal A, illustrated in Figure 4, has a total of 13 gates, identified as A1 through A5 and A10 through A17, (Sacramento County, n.d.). It provides service for American, US Airways, Delta, Continental and United Airlines. All but one of the gates, gate A5, are utilized between the hours of 0800 – 1000, with 0800 – 0900 comprising of the heaviest amount of gate utilization. Additionally, Terminal A comprises the most gate utilization between Terminal A and B.

Figure 4. SMF Terminal A Gate Layout

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SMF Terminal A Gate Layout Source: (Sacramento County, n.d.)

Terminal B

Terminal B, illustrated in Figure 5, has a total of 19 gates, identified as B4 through B23 (with 13 excluded) (Sacramento County, n.d.). It provides service for Alaska, America West, and Southwest Airlines. Terminal B has the greatest benefit for either future demand and/or future airlines to operate from Terminal B. The heaviest traffic and gate utilization occurs from 1100 – 1200. The morning hours remain very light easily flexible.

Figure 5. SMF Terminal B Gate Layout

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