Composite Airport System

Climate change is and will continue to have negative impacts on aviation in Canada's North. Gravel runways and taxiways become significantly weaker following periods of heavy precipitation and permafrost thaw. In addition to the climate related issues, Boeing's 737-200 is the jet airliner of choice for operators using gravel runways and it is being phased out. Larger jet planes will no longer be able to land on gravel landing strips in Canada's Northern communities with the removal of this aircraft. In addition new aircrafts are being made from composite, non-metallic materials meaning foreign object debris from gravel runways have adverse effects on the aircraft, creating damage that has significant repair costs. There are currently 90/104 (87%) runways in Canada's North and 25,000 gravel runways worldwide that will be without jet airline service by 2025. ASL Innovation's proposed solution will result in numerous benefits to northern and Indigenous communities including:

- Accessibility

- Search and rescue capabilities

- Support for Arctic sovereignty and security

- Improved access for the mining industry

ASL Innovations is creating an innovative product, Aero Armour, which is a 100% recyclable alternate runway solution made from HDPE (high density polyethene). The modular matting will be secured to an existing gravel runway to allow planes to safely land and will include all regulatory markings, lighting and an innovative sensor system to allow pilots and airport personnel to measure the deformation of the runway (vertically or horizontally) in real time. ASL Innovations is working collaboratively with Transport Canada as well as the Northern Airport Transportation Association to ensure the product meets all regulatory requirements under Aerodrome Standards. The aero armour matting can be extended to include parking lots and taxiways creating a complete composite airport system in remote areas. 

The target population is Indigenous and remote communities in Canada's North who currently utilize gravel runways as a means of aviation accessibility.  Larger jet planes will no longer be able to land on gravel landing strips in these communities with the removal of the Boeing 737-200 aircraft. There are currently 90/104 (87%) runways in Canada's North which is the primary target market for the product. 

ASL Innovation's proposed solution will allow for the landing of larger jet planes at existing airports with gravel runways and will result in numerous benefits to northern and Indigenous communities including:

- Year round accessibility

- Improved search and rescue capabilities

- Support for Arctic sovereignty and security

The Composite Airport System will benefit any community in Canada's North that currently has a gravel runway. We are currently working with consultants to help us identify specific communities to work directly with. We will meet with them both in person and virtually to get a better understanding of their local area, the need for employment in the area and if there is interest in utilizing the local people for the real world testing. The composite airport system solution has the potential to provide year round access to airlines landing in the community even after the Boeing 737-200 jet plane is taken out of service. ASL Innovations will hire local personnel for the installation and decommissioning of the runway for testing purposes. 

The entire team is from the province is from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and have a deep understanding of life in rural communities. The Chairperson of the Organization is from Indigenous ancestry and has strong ties as a part of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nations Community. We are working with experienced consultants to help us engage the best communities that will receive the most benefit from being a part of the project and will also have the ability to provide input and ideas as we begin the real live testing and implementation of the project.  

The Aero Armour Matting has a phase 1 prototype ready for controlled lab testing. Once the computer modelling and and the mechanical lab testing is complete, any necessary adjustments will be made prior to completing a real world test in a series of Northern communities. 

ASL Innovations is looking for support in a number of ways:

- Support to identify specific communities to complete real world testing in. To ensure benefit across numerous communities this can be several communities as we need to test the matting on runways with different ground conditions across several seasons. 

- Help with cultural barriers across various communities in Canada's North. This is specifically as it relates to hiring local employees in each of the communities. We want to ensure this is a successful employment relationship for all involved. 

- Financial support to help raise capital for the testing as well as for the manufacturing facility upon commercialization

- Legal support - to develop partnership agreements and organizational structure changes if required

The company is headquartered in St. John's but will be tested in several Indigenous communities throughout Canada's North. Ashley Gabriel, Chairperson is a part of the Qalipu First Nation. Qalipu is a vibrant Mi'kmaq First Nation established in 2011 as an Indigenous Band under the Indian Act. With a large membership spread across 67 traditional Mi'kmaq communities. Newfoundland is part of the traditional Mi'kmaq Nation whose territory  extends from Quebec through the Maritime provinces and into Newfoundland. Qalipu has no reserve land; it is made up of 67 tractional Mi'kmaq communities spread over 9 electoral wards. An elected chief and council govern the Qalipu First Nation. 

Ashley will work with Renita Dominaux to take over as team lead once Ashley is further into her pregnancy. Renita is the Director of Strategy with a strong Project Management background. Renita is not of Indigenous background but will represent Ashley and the company as a whole in a very positive and respectful manner.  

There is currently no solution for alternate runway surfaces to replace gravel runways that are impacted by climate change (permafrost thaw) as well as changes in aircraft resulting in inaccessibility of jet service to Canada's Northern remote communities. An innovative composite runway system has the potential to improve access to Canada's Northern remote communities and allow all types of aircraft to land. The removal of jet services to these areas will be nothing short of catastrophic to the region.  Adding a composite runway system to a remote Northern Airport would change the market/services for the airport as well as improve things such as Arctic Sovereignty and Search and Rescue capabilities. 

Accessibility Impact Goals:

1. To increase the accessibility of airports for residents of remote northern and Indigenous communities by providing a reliable and safe means of transportation.

2. To reduce the time and costs associated with accessing remote airports by replacing traditional gravel runways with composite airport matting.

Search and Rescue Capabilities Impact Goals:

1. To improve the response time and effectiveness of search and rescue operations in northern and Indigenous communities by providing a stable and durable landing surface for aircraft.
2. To enhance the safety and reliability of emergency medical evacuations by enabling aircraft to land and take off in challenging terrain and weather conditions.

Support for Arctic Sovereignty and Security Impact Goals:

1. To enhance national security and sovereignty in the Arctic by providing a reliable and flexible air transportation infrastructure for the military and other government agencies.
2. To support the safe and efficient movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies in support of military and government operations in the Arctic.

Improved access for the mining industry Impact Goals:

1. To facilitate the development of natural resources in remote areas by providing a cost-effective and efficient means of transportation for mining companies and their equipment.
2. To improve the economic viability of mining operations in northern and Indigenous communities by reducing transportation costs and improving access to markets.

Accessibility Indicators:

1. Number of remote northern and Indigenous communities with access to a composite airport matting runway.
2. Reduction in travel time and costs for residents traveling to and from remote communities.

Search and Rescue Capabilities Indicators:

1. Response time for search and rescue operations in remote areas.
2. Number of successful emergency medical evacuations from challenging terrain and weather conditions.

Support for Arctic Sovereignty and Security Indicators:

1. Number of military and government operations supported by the composite airport matting infrastructure.
2. Reduction in response time for emergency response situations in the Arctic.

Improved Access for Mining Indicators

1. Increase in the number of mining companies operating in remote areas due to improved transportation infrastructure.
2. Reduction in transportation costs for mining companies due to the use of composite airport matting.

A composite airport system would have a significant impact on the problems associated with gravel runways in Canada's North. Gravel runways are commonly used in northern and Indigenous communities, but they have several drawbacks, such as:

1. High maintenance costs: Gravel runways require regular maintenance, including grading, compacting, and re-graveling, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

2. Poor performance in extreme weather conditions: Gravel runways can become soft and rutted during warm weather, making takeoffs and landings difficult. They can also become icy and slippery during cold weather, increasing the risk of accidents.

3. Limited accessibility: Gravel runways can be closed for extended periods due to weather or maintenance issues, which can make it difficult for residents of remote communities to access essential services.

In contrast, composite matting is a durable, modular, and lightweight runway surface that is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and heavy traffic. It is easy to install, requires minimal maintenance, and can be used in a variety of terrain types, including marshy or frozen areas.

By replacing gravel runways with composite matting, northern and Indigenous communities would benefit from improved accessibility, increased safety, and reduced maintenance costs. Composite matting would provide a stable and reliable runway surface that can be used year-round, even in extreme weather conditions. This would enhance the connectivity and economic development of remote communities, improve emergency response times, and support mining and other resource extraction industries in the North.

The composite airport system is a solution including modular matting made from 100% recyclable HDPE to be used as an alternate surface for gravel runways. In addition to the HDPE surface, the system will include noval lighting system that will work in the harsh Northern Climate as well as advanced sensors giving pilots and airport operators real time information as it relates to runway displacement as a result of permafrost thaw, other environmental factors or factors such as movement from general airport operations and/or maintenance. 

ASL Innovations is committed to providing an equal opportunity and safe workplace for people of all backgrounds including women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. We are a female-owned, Indigenous company and encourage work with other Indigenous companies whenever possible. ASL’s workforce currently includes equal representation between people who identify as male and female. We support the LGBTQIA+ community and welcome all people to our team based on their capabilities alone

1. Focus on community needs: ASL Innovations will prioritize the needs and requirements of Indigenous communities in the North. This could involve conducting surveys and consultations with community members to identify specific transportation challenges and opportunities for improvement.

2. Partnership with experienced suppliers: ASL Innovations has partnered with Isokon (with 40 years of experience in technical plastics) to ensure high-quality products and efficient supply chain management.

3. Diversification of revenue streams: ASL Innovations will diversify its revenue streams by offering related services such as logistics and transportation support, Subsea Matting products, HDPE Recycling program (which will also provide raw materials for matting manufacturing)

4. Investment in training and capacity building: ASL Innovations will invest in training and capacity building for Indigenous community members to enable them to participate in the installation and maintenance of the composite airport matting systems. This would not only create jobs and economic opportunities but also promote self-sufficiency and sustainability within Indigenous communities.

5. Environmental sustainability: ASL Innovations will prioritize environmental sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and technologies in the production and installation of composite airport matting systems. This could include the use of recycled materials and energy-efficient installation practices, and an upcycling program for end of use matting. 

By implementing a business model that focuses on community needs, partnerships, revenue diversification, training, and environmental sustainability, ASL Innovations can create a sustainable and profitable business while also promoting economic development and self-sufficiency within Indigenous communities in the North.

ASL Innovations plans to finance a portion of the innovation project through current operations as well as through government (or quasi government) grants for the prototype testing and commercialization phase, and raising investment capital through a partnership with an Indigenous investor.  

1. Project Feasibility Phase - Funded though Gov NL Research and Innovation, National Research Council and from ASL operations

2. Project Planning Phase - Funded through National Research Council and from ASL Operations