Navigating the New FAA Regulations: The Rise of Data-Driven Airport Operations

Michael Bettua Square

One of the things I have learned is that for airport operations, one of the biggest challenges they have now is compliance with the increased regulations around safety management systems at airports.

As of April 2023, the FAA came out with a new ruling that requires even more oversight and more careful reporting of incidents around airfields. Part of the new FAA regulations means that every incident requires more data collection, analysis, and a comprehensive debrief.

Navigating the New FAA Regulations - The Rise of Data-Driven Airport Operations

I recently had a conversation with a contact at a major mid-western airport. And he told me that because of the new FAA regulations, if there is any incident, no matter how minor, it must be reported. For example, if the person mowing the airfield knocks over a light post on the edge of the taxiway, the airfield operations folks must collect all kinds of data.

Because after the incident, the FAA is going to want to do a review and will ask questions like:

  • What was the location of the event?
  • Where was the mower before it hit the light post?
  • What did the mower driver do after that, right?
  • How quickly did somebody respond to that event?

It is a LOT of data.

And that is one of the reasons the Volan positioning system is getting so much attention in the airfield operations community. Because VPS automatically collects much of the data the FAA wants. It is an immutable record of safety incidents and the response.

A lot of the answers to the FAA’s questions will come down to location information on the mower and the response of, say, maintenance operations to fix it before something else became like FOD, like foreign object debris or airport on the runway.

And VPS just automatically collects that data. It collects, stores and catalogs it. So, if there is an incident, the airfield operations team can instantly access that information and share it with the FAA.

To learn more about our Volan technology, please contact us.

Read Our Other Blog Posts

JFK Mobility Cart Solution

JFKIAT Pilots The World’s First Mobility Cart Tracking Service | Passenger Terminal Today

,
JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, is piloting the world’s first mobility cart tracking solution in partnership with Volan Technology and Beonic to enhance the terminal's complimentary cart service. The system offers real-time tracking of cart positions with meter-level accuracy via Volan’s wireless beacons and provides estimated wait times on digital screens at pickup points. Analytics powered by Beonic enable JFKIAT to optimize cart availability and staffing during peak times, with the network installed overnight to avoid disrupting operations.
beonic_mobility_cart_tracking_solution_

JFKIAT Trials Mobility Cart Tracking Service | Airports International

,
JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, is piloting the world’s first mobility cart tracking solution in partnership with Volan Technology and Beonic. The system provides real-time cart locations, pick-up points, and estimated wait times to help passengers who need assistance navigate the terminal more easily. This innovative service aims to improve accessibility, reduce uncertainty, and support a smoother airport experience. If successful, the program could expand to cover more areas of T4 in the future.
JFKIAT

JFKIAT and Partners Pilot the World’s First Mobility Cart Tracking Service to Improve the Passenger Experience

Volan Technology has partnered with JFKIAT and Beonic to launch the world’s first real-time mobility cart tracking system at JFK Terminal 4, significantly enhancing the passenger experience. The pilot enables travelers needing assistance to view live cart locations and wait times via digital displays, reducing uncertainty and improving accessibility. Powered by Volan’s wireless beacon network and Beonic’s AI analytics, the system was rapidly deployed without disruption and provides JFKIAT with valuable operational insights to optimize service. This innovation marks a key step in T4’s $1.5B transformation and aligns with the Port Authority’s vision of a modern, accessible, and tech-forward airport.
Volan Way Ebook Blog Post

Introducing the Volan Way eBook: The Volan Guide to Smarter Airport Operations

Many airports still rely on outdated manual systems that create blind spots, slow emergency response, and increase operational risk. Volan’s new eBook, The Volan Way: From Dangerous Blind Spots to Real-Time Location Visibility, showcases how smart micro-location technology improves evacuation times, asset tracking, and FAA compliance. Unlike traditional systems, Volan installs in days and continues to work even when GPS and Wi-Fi fail.
What is Cold Chain Logistics And Why Every Degree Counts

What is Cold Chain Logistics? And Why Every Degree Counts

Cold chain storage is essential for maintaining the integrity of temperature-sensitive products like vaccines, biologics, and specialty medications. But traditional tracking methods can’t keep up with the demands of modern logistics. Volan Technology solves this challenge by delivering real-time location intelligence inside complex facilities, helping pharmaceutical and healthcare providers reduce risk, ensure compliance, and act fast when every second—and every degree—counts.
Modernizing Airport Safety Compliance with Real-Time Location Intelligence Blog Post

Modernizing Airport Safety Compliance with Real-Time Location Intelligence

Volan’s real-time location system (RTLS) brings automation, precision, and full visibility to airport safety compliance by replacing outdated manual systems with digital tracking. The platform delivers time-stamped data across all operational zones, helping airports prevent incidents, streamline emergency response, and meet FAA standards with ease. Volan supports the FAA’s new Safety Management System (SMS) rule by providing real-time analytics that identify hazards, manage risks, and improve accountability. With rapid installation, no infrastructure disruption, and fast ROI, Volan empowers airports to modernize safety operations efficiently.
Real-Time Asset Intelligence What UPS Healthcare's Volan Implementation Means for Your Operations

Real-Time Asset Intelligence: What UPS Healthcare’s Volan Implementation Means for Your Operations

When UPS Healthcare deployed Volan’s real-time asset tracking system, they gained more than just visibility—they unlocked a powerful engine for operational transformation. In one of the world’s most demanding logistics environments, Volan’s wireless platform delivered immediate results: faster workflows, smarter resource allocation, and full compliance visibility in real time. CEO Michael Bettua explains how this success story is just the beginning for industries looking to optimize complex operations.
Stop Relying on Luck Real-Time Solutions for Airside Security

Stop Relying on Luck: Real-Time Solutions for Airside Security

A delivery driver drove onto the O’Hare tarmac and spent 10 minutes unchallenged in a live operations zone. This wasn’t an isolated mistake—it was a warning. Every airport is vulnerable to the same failures. The only question is: will you be ready when it happens at your airport?
What is Real-Time Asset Tracking

What is Real-Time Asset Tracking?

Real-time asset tracking gives you instant visibility into your equipment and inventory—helping you optimize workflows, reduce delays, and protect high-value assets. From hospitals to warehouses to cold chain logistics, learn how this powerful technology is transforming operations.

Airport Solutions

Airports

Our construction barrier technology provides geofenced barriers for airport construction sites to keep workers out of restricted areas and reduces the costs for worker escorts. Airport construction projects are never-ending, have many workers, and regulations require full-time monitoring of worker location. Volan’s technology can provide alerts within 2-3 seconds if a worker moves into a restricted space, along with the precise location of the worker and a live map view. Visit our Solutions for Airports page.