Keeping runways spick and span

That’s where Drew Feiock fits in. He is the airfield and landside manager at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority (CHA), a growing Class C airport supporting dozens of daily commercial flights in addition to a general aviation FBO. “The greatest priority is ensuring myself and airport staff are not only meeting requirements but going above and beyond performing our responsibilities,” Feiock said. Feiock is accompanied by his team in keeping CHA’s facilities in compliance with FAR Part 139, which includes a laundry list of subparts to keep the team busy. “Managing an airfield includes ensuring annual training is conducted on airport familiarization, markings, lights, and signs, ARFF [aircraft rescue and firefighting] operations, construction activity, obstructions, and other preventative maintenance.”

After graduating from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in aviation science and technology, Feiock worked as an airfield operations specialist at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW), and later as director of operations and maintenance at Erie International Airport (ERI). “Each role I’ve held has given me new learning lessons with different departments surrounding airport operations. The best part about airport operations is that your experience is valuable no matter where you’ve been or what you know.” And that experience is priceless when your operation is responsible for the safety of thousands daily. “Airport operations and airfield inspectors’ teams are responsible to identify and mitigate risks on the airfield and within visible range off the airport’s perimeter. The job can be monotonous and repetitive, and sometimes people like taking the easy way out and not being thorough. In order to have a successful group, you’ve got to have go-getters and doers on the frontline.” And that energy is what drives Feiock to lead Chattanooga. “The 100-percent best part of the job is working with people who want to be there. I love working with people who are asking questions and enjoy staying on the move.” FT

Anthony Stagnito is a student pilot who flies a Cessna 140. 

Airfield and Landside Manager at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority

Qualifications: “First things first: a bachelor’s degree in aviation management or experience in the Air Force as an airfield management specialist. Then you must gain experience, accreditations, more experience, then it’s off for your master’s degree, then more experience. After eight-to-10 years’ experience you’ll start being considered for C-suite executive positions, then retirement after a few years. Then another C-suite job that pulls you out of retirement, then actual retirement.”

Favorite part of the job: “The most basic day you’ll see is driving around an airfield looking for Part 139 compliance items. There’s always a task to complete or a dot to connect.”

Least favorite part of the job: Can be repetitious and the necessity of lots of “screen time.”

Pay: $80,000 to $120,000 annually depending on location