Airport planning engineer

Description

Airport planning engineers manage and coordinate the planning, design, and development programs in airports.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to airport planning engineer:

aviation development planner
airport development director
airport planning manager
airport development engineer

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as airport planning engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Airport planning engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Airport planning engineer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to airport planning engineer.

airport environment officer
airport director
airport chief executive
aviation communications and frequency coordination manager
aviation surveillance and code coordination manager

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of airport planning engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of airport planning engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of airport planning engineer.

Land use for airport planning: Thoroughly understand the principles that govern the use of land for human activities within and surrounding airports; take into consideration the impact on natural resources such as water, soil, nutrients and wildlife.
Geological factors in airport construction: Know geological characteristics affecting soil conditions and foundations in an airport, for planning and potential construction and development purposes.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of airport planning engineer.

Monitor aviation growth trends: Stay up-to-date with aviation growth trends and innovations; understand the key components of the airport’s long range development plans.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Compile airport certification manuals: Compose and keep up-to-date airport certification manuals; provide exhaustive information on airport facilities, equipment and procedures.
Design customised maps: Design maps taking into account the customer’s specifications and requirements.
Comply with legal regulations: Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Work in an aviation team: Work confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety, and aircraft maintenance.
Create an airport master plan: Compose a master plan for the long term development of an airport; draw graphic representations of current and future airport features.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Implement strategic management: Implement a strategy for the development and transformation of the company. Strategic management involves the formulation and implementation of the major objectives and initiatives of a company by senior management on behalf of the owners, based on consideration of available resources and an assessment of the internal and external environments in which the organisation operates.
Apply airport standards and regulations: Know and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.
Interact with airport stakeholders: Meet government officials, environmental experts, developers, special interest groups as well as the general public, airport users, and other stakeholders, in order to assess different services, facilities, and the usability of the airport.
Compare contractors’ bids: Compare proposals to award a contract in order to execute specified jobs within a prescribed frame of time.
Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Manage airport development resources: Direct allocated resources for the design and further development of airport property and facilities; control the costs, quality and timeliness of important projects for airport improvement.
Execute feasibility study: Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.
Direct airport subcontractors: Direct the work of consulting architects, engineers and related subcontractors. Establish project schedules and cost estimates, and communicate developments to senior management.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of airport planning engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Airport environmental regulations: The official regulations for environmental standards in airports as dictated by national codes for planning airport facilities and related developments. These include regulatory aspects which govern noise and environmental aspects, sustainability measures, and impacts in relation to land use, emissions, and wildlife hazard mitigation.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of airport planning engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Utilise computer-aided software engineering tools: Use software tools (CASE) to support the development lifecycle, design and implementation of software and applications of high-quality that can be easily maintained.
Conduct airport environmental studies: Prepare and conduct environmental studies, air quality modelling, and land use planning studies.
Promote environmental awareness: Calculate the carbon footprint of business processes and other practices in order to promote sustainability and to raise awareness for the environmental impact.
Manage contracts: Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.
Identify airport safety hazards: Spot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.
Create a work atmosphere of continuous improvement: Work with management practices such as continuous improvement, preventive maintenance. Pay attention to problem solving and teamwork principles.

ISCO group and title

2142 – Civil engineers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Airport planning engineer – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022