Layered Autonomous Inference and Reasoning Agent | Airwai, Inc.
Prepared February 2026
How LAIRA Aligns with FAA, ASTM, TSA, and ICAO Airfield Standards¶
LAIRA automates and standardizes core elements of FAA Part 139 daily self-inspections using calibrated RGB + LiDAR sensor fusion, edge AI, and RTK GPS. Mounted on existing airport operations vehicles, LAIRA captures 2M+ data points per pass across pavement, markings, and FOD — transforming subjective walk-through inspections into objective, auditable, standards-mapped output.
Identify distress type and severity (Low / Medium / High) across ~15 AC distress types (ASTM D6433) or ~16 AC + ~16 PCC types (ASTM D5340, with significant overlap between AC and PCC categories)
9 distress types classified in real time; severity scored by width, depth, extent, and density via LiDAR-camera fusion; expansion to full AC coverage on roadmap
Crack measurement
ASTM D5340
Width category for severity assignment
Width (±0.7 mm), depth (±3 mm), length, area — all via LiDAR-camera fusion
+
PCI computation
ASTM D5340
Pavement Condition Index (0-100) per sample unit
Severity scores per detection; aggregate PCI engine with ASTM deduct curves in development
Roughness screening
TC-23-09
Type 1 (shock) roughness: flag elevation differentials ≥0.4 in (10 mm) at joints
LiDAR DEM detects faulting ≥10 mm — at the FAA must-grind threshold
Geolocation
—
Manual station/offset logging
±2 cm RTK GPS per detection
+
Inspection speed
AC 150/5380-6C
Walking pace (~1-2 mph)
Up to 55 mph on existing ops vehicles
+
Inspection frequency
AC 150/5380-6C
Annual PCI surveys recommended
Every operational pass — continuous monitoring with trend tracking
+
Surface treatment eligibility
TC-TN23-49
PCI >60 for seal coat; PCI ≥70 for rejuvenation
LAIRA PCI output (in development) will directly determine treatment eligibility thresholds
Identify runway, taxiway, hold short, threshold, touchdown zone markings
15 marking types segmented via ML
Width compliance
AC 150/5340-1M
Runway CL: 36 in (precision), 18 in (non-precision), 12 in (visual); Edge: 36 in (≥100 ft runways); Taxiway CL: 6 in (standard), 12 in (LVO); Hold short: 12 in per line
Measured via segmentation mask × LiDAR depth; approach-category-aware compliance in development
Stripe geometry
AC 150/5340-1M
Runway CL: 120 ft stripes, 80 ft gaps; specific patterns per marking type
FAA Advisory Circulars were written for human inspectors making subjective visual judgments. They say what to look for — not how to measure it. LAIRA bridges that gap with three layers of original engineering:
Layer
What It Does
Example
Parameter Algorithms
Converts sensor data into the physical measurements regulations reference
Crack depth from LiDAR range differential (±0.7 mm)
Environment Algorithms
Scores detections by operational context
Same crack scored differently on runway (1.0) vs. apron (0.5)
Composite Severity
Combines metrics into a single actionable score mapped to maintenance decisions
LAIRA is positioned for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) cost-sharing when validated against AC 150/5220-24:
Airport Category
Federal Share
Local Share
Large hub
90%
10%
Small / non-hub
95%
5%
Compliance with applicable ACs becomes mandatory (not advisory) for AIP/PFC-funded deployments, including VMAT equipage per AC 150/5220-26 and FOD detection performance per AC 150/5220-24.
