Scars & Stripes
By Donna Speidel

Airfield markings have never survived the winters in Presque Isle, ME, and it's fair to say most airports in harsh, winter locales could echo the same complaint. Until 2013, the markings at Northern Maine Regional Airport (PQI) were striated, having equal width stripes to spaces to expose pavement to UV and expedite ice melt. Over the years, repeated repainting of striations resulted in paint build up and presented a high profile to snowplows during the winter months that stretch from October through April or May.

"We averaged 1.5 days of snowplow activity per week," stated Scott Wardwell, PQI Airport Manager. Over the course of the snow season, that amounted to over 30 days of plowing; and that takes a toll on the markings. PQI is often confronted with the need to repaint after each winter.

The problem: The annual cost for marking maintenance is $250,000.

In 2015, Scott Wardwell with the help of the FAA took the first step toward reducing the annual cost. Sightline assisted in creating specifications tailored to PQI's needs that included removal of the thick paint left from the old striations and a more durable binder system using TT-P-1952E, Type III and Type III glass beads. Hi-Lite Markings, Inc. performed the work.

The result: The stripes survived the winter. Approximately 30% of the markings were removed by snowplow activity, predominantly where the old striations had been. However, markings are performing reasonably well. They may not look perfect, but they are visible during both daylight and darkness with reflectivity readings averaging 484 mcd/m²/lx on white markings and 298 mcd/m²/lx on yellow markings; exceeding acceptable levels.

Based on the relative improvement to the marking program, maintenance recommendations this year include:

1. Clean and repaint the centerline on Runway 1-19 to include black borders.
2. Remove the thick paint remaining on the holding position markings and enhanced taxiway centerlines and then repaint.
3. Reapply the inscriptions on the surface painted holding position signs, doing some light touch up on the red background where abraded.

Expected cost: This as-needed approach is expected to cost $35,000-$50,000.

PQI didn't solve the problem overnight, but the specifications were properly designed to use the right materials at the proper application rates, installation and inspection was thorough, and the results are encouraging.

It took a long time for paint to build up on the striated markings, and the underlying pavement suffered. It will take time for the old paint to come off and for the new paint to eventually survive the winter snow/ice operations. In Presque Isle, one of the keys to stripes surviving future winters will be to keep the paint from building up and presenting a target for the snowplows.

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