N.Y.-N.J. Port Authority approves jet “flypaper” at runway ends

N.Y.-N.J. Port Authority approves jet “flypaper” at runway ends

N.Y.-N.J. Port Authority approves jet “flypaper” at runway ends

   The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved installing engineered materials arresting systems, sometimes called “flypaper” for jets, at the ends of three airport runways.
   The agency’s board Thursday authorized the design and construction of beds made of aerated cement blocks that crumble under the weight of an aircraft to stop it safely and quickly in the event it overruns a runway.
   The beds will be installed at John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International and Teterboro airports.
   The port authority noted that it has been a pioneer of the technology, installing the first arrestor bed a decade ago at JFK with support from the Federal Aviation Administration.
   That bed has safely stopped three aircraft, while one installed last year at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey has safely stopped one aircraft. The port also has two of the beds at LaGuardia airport.
   “Today’s authorization brings our total number of arrestor beds to seven, far more than any other airport operator in the country” said Anthony R. Coscia, port authority chairman.
   EMAS systems will be installed at the ends of Runway 22L at JFK, Runway 29 at Newark and Runway 19 at Teterboro. They will cost $19 million at JFK, $14.9 million at Newark and $40.7 million at Teterboro. The higher cost at Teterboro is due to the need to relocate a local street.
   The systems’ effect has been compared to driving a vehicle into gradually deepening snow. The collapsible aerated cement blocks rise gradually from the ground to about 30 inches and can safely stop an aircraft traveling at up to 80 mph.