Flex-O-Lite Inc

SUPERIOR REFLECTIVE GLASS BEADS FOR AIRPORT RUNWAYS AND TAXIWAYS

Flex-O-Lite, Inc., a division of Jackson Products, Inc., has been a worldwide supplier of reflective glass spheres for over 50 years. Glass beads are used as the reflective agent in highway and airport pavement striping and safety products. We are the largest provider of Type III (1.9) Hi-Index Airport glass beads, used to increase the visibility of surface markings at airports.

Primarily, there are two types of glass beads currently approved for use at airports under specification TTB-1325C. Type I, made from recycled glass and traditionally used for roadway striping, has an index of refraction of 1.5 (Low-Index). Type III is a 1.9 (Hi-Index) bead made from a formulation scientifically developed to ensure the greatest return of light.

Federal Specification TTB 1325C - Type III Airport Glass Spheres

Our Type III (1.9) Hi-Index glass bead is approved for use on airports under Federal Specification TTB-1325C. This bead is the "Brightest" pavement marking technology available to the aviation industry. Airfield markings play a critical role in the effort to reduce runway incursions. As a top safety initiative, more attention has been placed on improving these key visual guidance tools. Type III beads offer the ultimate retro reflectivity for pavement markings and will help reduce incursions and/or potential incidents.

The difference of Hi-Index versus Low-Index glass beads is the brightness to the human eye. Up to 7 times brighter, markings with Type III Hi-Index glass beads substantially improve the retro reflectivity (brightness) value of the marking. These beads are exclusively designed to exhibit superior distance recognition for pilots and others operating on the airfield, especially during low visibility conditions. By increasing the nighttime conspicuity of your airport safety markings, you provide continuous visible guidance for airline and vehicular movement. Due to maximum intensity (retro reflective values), the path is more clearly defined for pilots and others operating on the surface. The improved situational awareness and visibility is critical to nighttime operations, and helps eliminate confusion from poor markings. These airport lines deserve to be more visible than a Low-Index (1.5) roadway line!

Pilots navigating on airfields are taxed with safely transporting passengers in an environment where catastrophic error is always seconds away. Customer testimonial, Eric Casey, Ex-Air Force Pilot, Easy360Views Studios: “Having flown in the Air Force for 9 years, I have landed thousands of times in all kinds of conditions and depended on the visibility of the runway markings. I was very impressed with the clearly visible difference of the Type III (1.9) Hi-Index beads when I went out with the Flex-O-Lite team to view the comparison striping job at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The Type III lines were so much brighter than the (1.5) Low-Index beads, that from the pilot’s perspective I could see how the retro reflective properties of the Type III beads could prevent accidents due to low visibility and save lives. Better visibility can give you the edge and mean the difference between a safe landing and a disaster. Now seeing the difference, I would want to have the Type III lines guiding my landings on every approach.”

Customer testimonial: Bill Meyer, Airport Manager, Jacksonville Naval Air Station:

"My pilots asked me: 'Why did you skip every other centerline mark (when painting)?' Actually, every other line was not missing, it was a Type III vs. Type I bead evaluation. The Type III markings were visibly brighter, to myself and the pilots, from the air."

Type III beads far surpass the performance of the FAA specified minimums. Existing Type III markings, even after 6 years, still exhibit performance characteristics in excess of acceptable standards. This advantage of Type III (1.9) Hi-Index beads is a prolonged retention of retro reflective properties when compared to a standard road bead (1.5 Low-Index). This means to the Airport Manager, a brighter initial product, stays brighter longer, thus, reducing your need to re stripe your airport on a yearly basis.

Let's face it, painting is a chore! Chances are, once we've done it, we don't want to do it again. Studies show the striping cycle can be reduced 2-3 times when using the Type III bead, saving the airport valuable maintenance dollars. As an airport manager, you can confidently present the Type III (1.9) Hi-Index glass beads’ cost effectiveness, and value over time.

Type III customer testimonial, Donna Spiedel, Spiedel Construction:

“...It has become quite evident that using Type III glass beads as part of the marking system provides long term benefits in terms of both safety and maintenance costs.... Although the cost of the Type III glass beads is higher than other beads available on the market, if properly applied, the long-term cost of the marking (five years or more) is less than having to repaint every year or two with Low-Index (1.5) glass beads. Combine that with not having to interrupt airport operations for marking maintenance and the added stress to pavements with heavy paint build up from repeated repaints, using Type III beads in airfield markings is very cost effective.”

Flex-O-Lite Type III airport bead efficiency saves you time and money, while providing the brightest and safest airfield markings available. The FAA has even recommended the use of Type III beads in high-risk areas, to increase night visibility, as part of their efforts to reduce runway incursions. Never has there been as much opportunity within the airport industry for a simple solution to help solve such a mounting problem. Runway and taxiway markings of paramount visibility include:

• Hold bars
• Threshold markings
• Aiming point markings
• Designation markings
• Geographical position markings
• Surface painted signs
• Non-movement boundary markings
• Centerlines
• Fixed distance markers
• Edge lines
• Touch down zone markings and many more

Type III beads ultimately:

• Aid in the reduction of runway incursions
• Increase distance recognition
• Are less vulnerable to snow plow shear
• Improve conspicuity of markings
• Stay brighter longer

Our technical service department is available to assist your progress, build evaluations or provide demonstrations. We have customer and operations testimonials, along with comparison photos and interactive media, guiding your education on brighter, safer markings at your airport. We continue to support consultants, private contractors and airports in improving safety at all airfields. Also, our customer service staff is second to none in the industry.

Please remember, we deliver your marking solutions with measurable results, developing the most efficient pavement marking system available. Flex-O-Lite has three full-time facilities in North America, manufacturing the highest quality AASHTO M-247, TTB 1325C Type III and I glass beads. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce you to the most innovative marking material available. We are committed to the aviation industry, and look forward to working with you and providing "Brighter Lines that Save Lives"

Contact Details
	Betsy Hudson
	Airport Sales Account Manager
	T: + 1 636 373 1926
	F: + 1 636 349 9581
	E: bhudson@jacksonproducts.com
	W: www.flexolite.com