Sea-Tac Airport Earns Perfect Score in Annual FAA Certification

"Zero discrepancies" in six of last seven years

Once again Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has earned a perfect score from the Federal Aviation Administration on the airport's annual recertification and safety exam. The inspection is part of the process by which the Port of Seattle's license to operate Sea-Tac is renewed each year.

Sea-Tac has received a perfect score in six of the last seven years.

"This is quite an achievement," said Michael Ehl, manager of the airports Aeronautical Line of Business. "The inspection is very thorough. The FAA doesn't just go over paperwork. They physically inspect our runways and taxiways, and even time our fire department with a stop watch."

The safety exam lasted three days, and covered areas such as:

Vehicle and aircraft movement, with a focus on preventing runway incursions;
Fire department response times;
Vehicle driver training on the airfield;
The airport's emergency plan;
Snow and ice control procedures;
Runway and taxiway markings; and
Wildlife control procedures.

Ehl praised the airport's Fire Department, Maintenance Division and the staff of the Aeronautical Line of Business for the effort that went into what is officially called "zero discrepancies."

"Zero discrepancies is an airport insider's way of saying 'great job,'" Ehl said. "It's like hitting a grand slam in a world series game. This is a challenge comparable to hitting grand slams in six of seven world series games."