Aerodrome Design and Feasibility

Who Is It For?

Regional and municipal airports planning a new runway, a longer one or a new apron. Mine projects that need an airstrip before there is a road. Construction projects that need a temporary aerodrome while the site is built.

What Does Cirrus Do?

Feasibility Studies and Site Selection

We go to the site, compare locations and check whether the aerodrome can serve your traffic, aircraft and seasons. You get an aerodrome feasibility design to lender due diligence standards.

The Aviation Section of Your Pre-Feasibility Study

For mine projects, we write the aviation section of the pre-feasibility study: airfield layouts, aircraft options, a design report and a cost estimate.

Preliminary Design and Detailed Plan

A preliminary design, also called conceptual design, sets the layout and the cost. The detailed plan turns it into construction-ready drawings and specifications, delivered in collaboration with you and your suppliers and sealed by an engineer.

Runway, Taxiway and Apron Layout

Runway length and orientation, crosswind, runway strips and runway end safety areas, taxiways, apron size and lighting, set for the aircraft you plan to use.

Source: TP312.

Obstacles and Approaches

TP312 sets obstacle limitation surfaces around a runway, including the approach, take-off and transitional surfaces. We check terrain, trees and buildings against them early, because they can move a runway or limit how it is used.

Source: TP312.

Ice Runways and Gravel Runway Testing

We plan seasonal ice runways and compare them with other ways to fly the freight in. On gravel runways, we run CBR testing to check whether the surface can carry the aircraft. See our projects.

Aerodromes for the Construction Phase

Before permanent infrastructure exists, we survey and design temporary airstrips, ice pads and helicopter staging zones. Construction air logistics.

Planning the airport's long term future rather than one project? See our airport master plan.

Design at Each Stage of a Mine Project

The aerodrome grows with the mine.

• Exploration and scouting. A site visit and the preliminary design of the airstrip.
• Pre-feasibility study. Airfield layouts, a design report, a cost estimate and the aviation section of the study.
• Feasibility study and permitting. The aerodrome design basis, with runway length, crosswind, lighting and obstacles, and support with the registration or certification file.
• Construction. Temporary airstrips, ice runways and CBR testing.
• Production and FIFO operations. A runway kept fit for the aircraft that fly the crews.

See the mine project stages.

Who Does the Work?

Our aerodrome design team, who have planned airstrips for northern mines and regional airports and know what Transport Canada looks for. The detailed plan is sealed by an engineer and delivered in collaboration with you and your suppliers.

How Does a Design Project Work?

1. Mission profile. We start with your traffic, aircraft, seasons and the people who will use the aerodrome.
2. Site visit. We validate the site in person and compare locations, terrain and obstacles.
3. Preliminary design. Layouts, a design report and a cost estimate, so you can decide whether and where to build.
4. Detailed plan and file. The detailed plan, prepared in collaboration with you and your suppliers and sealed by an engineer, the design basis checked against TP312 or Subpart 1, and time in the schedule for the consultation the CARs require. Transport Canada certifies or registers; we help prepare the file.
5. Construction and first season. CBR testing, ice runway planning and support until the aerodrome is in use. We can then help with the airport operations manual.