Airfield Lighting - Grounding vs. Bonding

August 13, 2025 | 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET

Live Online Training

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About the Course

There’s a lot of misinformation out there — from misleading how-to videos to misinformed professionals — when it comes to grounding and bonding in electrical systems, especially in the airfield lighting industry. This insightful session clears up the confusion and dives deep into what these terms really mean, how they differ, how they overlap, and why they matter.

Using real-world examples and authoritative standards from the National Electrical Code (NEC) Sections 250.4(A) and 250.4(B), Carl Johnson, ACE, will walk attendees through the often misunderstood principles that keep our electrical systems — and the people who work on them — safe.

Key Topics Covered:

  • The critical difference between grounding and bonding

  • Why many commonly accepted practices (like “safety ground rods”) may be ineffective

  • The real role of ground rods in lightning protection vs. personnel safety

  • How proper bonding and grounding work together for system reliability

  • Prescriptive methods for safe installation in compliance with ANSI/NFPA 70

This session is a must-attend for airport maintenance personnel, electrical engineers, and anyone working with airfield lighting systems who wants to understand the truth behind these essential safety practices.

Course Agenda

Registration Fees & Deadlines

 

2025 REGISTRATION FEES

Registration Type

Rate

Non-Member Course

$90

Member Course

$83

Federal Gov't/Military Course

$75

 

The last day to register is 6/12/2025.

You acknowledge that in registering for and attending this AAAE event, you agree to adhere to the cancellation policy noted below, AAAE's Duty of Care, and AAAE's Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions.

Need to register offline? Contact  RegistrationUser@aaae.org for invoicing..
Questions? Contact the AAAE Training Department at training@aaae.org.

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About the Instructor

Carl S. Johnson

Carl S. Johnson, II, ACE

Senior Aviation Lighting Specialist
AVCON, INC.

Carl Johnson is a Senior Aviation Lighting Specialist with AVCON, INC.  He has fifty plus years of design, construction, and maintenance of electrical distribution systems, airfield lighting and NAVAID systems experience.  For the last thirty-six years, Carl’s primary focus has been the design, construction and maintenance of airfield lighting and NAVAID systems.  He is a Licensed Florida Certified Electrical Contractor and is an AAAE Airport Certified Employee (ACE) in Airfield Lighting Maintenance.  Carl has provided expert testimony on the state of airfield lighting practice and safety during project mediation and litigation.

Carl is knowledgeable of NFPA, NEC, FAA, IEEE, ICAO, and military (UFC) standards.  Carl is a Principal Member of the NFPA 780 Technical Committee for Lightning Protection and UL STP 96 which covers activity for UL 96 and UL 96A Standards.  Carl also serves on the Illuminating Engineering Society’s (IES) Airports and Heliports Lighting Committee which is responsible for ANSI/IES RP-37-20, Lighting Airport Outdoor Environments.  He has also presented numerous papers on Airfield Lighting, Lightning Protection, Grounding, Bonding and Electrical Safety.  He serves as an instructor for the FAC’s Basic Airfield Electrical Safety Workshop and AAAE’s Airfield Lighting Maintenance Certified Employee (ACE) program.  Carl has provided electrical and safety training to engineers, contractors and maintenance personnel.  Carl has been employed by AVCON, INC. since 2000.  

Prior to Carl’s work in the airfield lighting and NAVAID arenas, he was employed as a construction electrician.  Carl worked his way through electrical management levels to become an electrical superintendent supervising as many as 75 personnel.  Carl has worked in nuclear, coal and hydro power plants, industrial substations and manufacturing plants, performing electrical construction, and electrical maintenance.  Carl also taught U.S. Department of Labor approved electrical apprenticeship classes for his employer. Carl is a U.S. Navy veteran.

AAAE accepts registration regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, sex, physical disability and national or ethnic origin. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment and educational services. If you require any special assistance to participate or have special dietary requirements, email aaaemeetings@aaae.org.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Training registration fees are non-refundable. A recording of the webinar will still be provided to cancelled registrations after the live webinar occurs for 30 days.

For all inquiries regarding registrations, cancellations and refund requests, please contact the AAAE Training Department by email at training@aaae.org. All inquires must be submitted in writing. All cancellation requests for registrations received on or before Wednesday, July 16, 2025, are subject to a $150 cancellation processing fee; approved refunds will be processed after the meeting takes place. There will be no refunds of any kind after this date. Cancellations with outstanding invoices received within two weeks of the start of the conference, will require full payment on the balance due. Refunds will not be provided, and balance dues will not be forgiven for no-shows. Substitutions within the same conference will be accepted without penalties. The difference between member and non-member price will be charged if a non-member replaces a member. Substitutions will be accepted with a written request to Training@aaae.org. The individual substituting for the original registrant is responsible for all financial obligations (balance due; difference in fees due to membership type) associated with that substitution. For all inquiries regarding cancellations, refunds and substitutions, please contact the AAAE Training Department at 703-824-0500 Option 4 or email Training@aaae.org. By submitting a completed registration form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the cancellation policy.

NOTE: Confirmation letters will be emailed to attendees within one business day of registration. If you have not received an email confirmation of your registration within 1 day of registering, and you enrolled at least two hours prior to the online event, please contact the AAAE Training Department at training@aaae.org. Please note failure to receive a confirmation letter before an event will not be grounds for a refund.

DUTY OF CARE AAAE is committed to continuing to provide a safe and healthy environment for all event participants and staff. The responsibility for a safe and healthy event environment is shared among the event organizers, event venues, and event attendees. By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to AAAE's Duty of Care.

Photo/Video Disclaimer:

By registering for and attending any AAAE event, you agree that your image may be used at any time, without further notification, for printed materials, web sites, social media and other marketing purposes

Civilian/Military Airport Connection (CMAC)

What is CMAC?

The Civilian/Military Airport Connection (CMAC) program helps separating military personnel and new veterans acclimate from managing military airfields to the dynamic and complex commercial-use airport environment.

There are four components to the program:

  1. Professional transition workshop
  2. One airport certification course - choice of ACE Airfield Operations or Certified Member (C.M.)
  3. One year membership in AAAE
  4. Airport job shadowing

 

Program Benefits:

  • Ensure a smooth transition from military to civilian airport operations and management.
  • Earn the Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Airfield Operations certification or Certified Member (C.M.), that will put you ahead of other candidates for potential jobs.
  • Network with airport executives around the country through communities and events.
  • Explore various airport positions through the shadow program.
  • Receive discounts on other AAAE trainings and events.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Extend your reach and maximize exposure to a powerful audience by sponsoring the Industrial Aviation and Military Operations Workshop. From the opening networking reception, to breaks, lunches, and sessions, we have multiple tiers of sponsorships available. Your sponsorship will reinforce brand loyalty and show potential clients your company is a major player in the industry. Sponsorships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so act now before these opportunities sell out!

Don’t let your competition get all the attention, become a sponsor today!

Available Opportunities

 

Items

Wi-Fi Sponsorship
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,500.00

 

Events

Wednesday, March 27

 

Airbase Tour Transportation
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,500.00
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Networking Reception
Exclusive Sponsorship: $2,500.00
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Thursday, March 28

 

Continental Breakfast
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,000.00
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

AM Refreshment Break
Exclusive Sponsorship: $750.00
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Luncheon
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,500.00
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

PM Refreshment Break
Exclusive Sponsorship: $750.00
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Friday, March 29

 

Continental Breakfast
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,000.00
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM

Grab and Go Lunch
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,000.00
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Contact Us

Questions? Contact Us!

Training Department

703.824.0500 Option 4