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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-2002MINUTES OF AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD JULY 16, 2002 The July meeting of the Airport Advisory Board was held at the Auburn Flight Service (AFS) building at the Auburn Airport. TIME: 5:30 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Wanttaja, Bill Peloza, 'Don Rottle, Bud Buchanan, Rodger Campbell, Ron STAFF PRESENT: John Anderson, Airport Manager Anderson; Carolyn Brown, Secretary; Dennis Morgan, Airport Operations Assistant .TENANTS PRESENT: Rebecca Herman, John Gallo, Athol Williams, Jan Bouchard, Daron Larsen - Helicopters NW, Doug Skeem - Helicopters NW, Jamelle Garcia- Auburn Flight Service, David W. King, Chuck McCann, Gene Nugent, Drew Anderson, Loren Graber, David May - FAA FSDO, Ove Larsen - FAA FSDO, Ichiro Seshima -Classic Helicopter, Robert B. Wan - Classic Helicopter, Chris Greytal~ - CG Aviation, Kuer Kulesza - CG Aviation, Jim Stephens - VFAN. The Chairman, Bill Peloza called the meeting to order. At this time Chairman Peloza introduced the Airport Advisory Board (AAB) members. Old business. There was one change to the minutes of the June 11, 2002. On page 3 Chairman Peloza had one change to the first paragraph. Add that Airport security is the #1 priority of the AAB. Member Rodger Campbell moved to approve as amended. Seconded and carried. New business The only item on the agenda tonight is a safety discussion with helicopter operators, fixed wing operators, and the FAA. Airport Manager Anderson presented the history of what has transpired recently at the airport. The primary fact is that the airport is so small that helicopters and fixed wing have to operate close to each other. EVeryone has concerns on comPatible traffic patterns. At the regular AAB meeting at City hall it was suggested there be a tenant meeting to discuss safety issues. Airport Manager Anderson sent letters to Classic Helicopters and North West Helicopters to invite them to a meeting. All decided it was a positive way to discuss issues and solutions. Traffic patterns have changed on the east side and the use of the west side has increased. The land on the east side is almost fully leased and there is not much hover area left. This meeting tonight may lead to a smaller study group that will brainstorm for solutions. Dave May and Ove Larson with the FAA and Jamelle Garcia, owner of AFS volunteered for the study group. Chairman Peloza would like to interject and bring all up- to date on the security issue. Airport Manager Anderson stated he has finally found a security company to work at the airport. Since 9-11 it is hard to find a good security company. Argus Security started the first of June and they are the same firm being used by the FAA in Renton. They come with a good reputation. Sensors will be put up for the guards to touch and a printout will show the time the guard was actually checking the airport. MINUTES OF AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD JULY 16, 2002 Jamelle Garcia asked about the time frame of the patrol. Airport Manager Anderson stated it would be primarily from dark to dusk and at random. Airport Manager Anderson has also asked the security patrol to come out early in the evening to meet the tenants. The security guards Will have a list of hangars and names of which person belongs in what hangar. Chairman Peloza said that also he would appreciate feedback to Airport Manager Anderson when tenants note the security patrols in the area. Airport Manager Anderson added that the city Police Volunteers are also coming through and checking the area. Planning Director Paul Krauss talked to the Auburn PD regarding training tenants for the Police Volunteers. Jamelle Garcia said it is important to the city to outline the security that is in place. Airport Manager Anderson stated that at a meeting he attended in May, an FAA agent indicated that security measures would gradually become available to smaller airports. These could-involve badges and background checks. John Gallo asked about the perimeter fence and if it will go clear to 15th NW? Airport Manager Anderson answered that a grant is in place now with the state. The grant for 2003is in place for runway overlay and there may be funds left over for the fence. Also, the fence could possibly go to 15th NW. It will depend on the Park and Ride property. This would be part of the displaced threshold. Chairman Peloza announced that the city website is up'and running. There is also Airport information on the site. Chairman Peloza asked about the status of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Airport Manager Anderson said the Airport applied for a GPS 3 or 4 years ago as part of the Master Plan. In order to get the GPS to the appropriate people in Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C. the Airport has to have an approved ALP. At this time, most of the discussions have taken place. Also, Planning Director Krauss has written a letter directed to our state and federal representatives regarding the GPS and remote transmitter to be located at the airport. Chairman Peloza added that hopefully the letter would help to get Federal attention. Chairman Peloza also wanted to know the current status on the delinquent tenants. Airport Manager Anderson said there were approximately 15 or s(~, and all but 3 made up their arrears or made arrangements for accelerated payments. There will be a report at the next meeting. In the audience to participate in the discussions are Doug Skeem, Helicopters NW, Ichiro Seshimawith Classic Helicopters and Ove Larsen and David May who are FAA observers. Chairman Peloza stated that the purpose of this meeting is to discuss airport safety for fixed wing and rotor- craft. Airport Manager Anderson presented an aerial view of the airport and at this time would like to solicit comments and solutions. He pointed out that fixed wing traffic is to the west. Also, Helicopters NW has been asked to fly on the west side of AFS..-Airport Manager Anderson has talked to the FAA as to what property could be hovered on. Airport Manager Anderson also talked about the property at the NE end of the field that has not been developed. But by next 3 years those areas will go away as hangars space or related aircraft business is being built. Airport Manager Anderson indicated that the potential is here tonight to put together a study group for problems and solutions. John Gallo, the ALP representative, asked to speak. He gave a little information about his background in rotorcraft. He said that one incident that prompted this meeting was one where a helicopter pilot flew across the runway on a 45-degree cross. Also, there have been times that a helicopter was observed doing hovers between buildings and practicing Iow-level fly bys. Airport etiquette dictates that straight in traffic permitting. He would like to see a separate traffic pattern for fixed wing and rotorcrafts. MINUTES OF AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD JULY 16, 2002 Chairman Peloza added that this is a fact-finding meeting and ultimately would like to set up a committee to resolve the issues. Ron Wanttaja stated that personally he hasn't had any problems from rotorcraft. Doug Skeem with Helicopters NVV said he has his pilots try to use the north end to do pickups and setups. Also, they try to stay away from the south end near the motel. He said his pilots are looking at the wind direction and watching for. airplanes. They try to stay 700 feet on the downwind, and space the helicopters. He was asked if his helicopters are doing quick stops because of the striping on the airport. Mr. Skeem answered no, not usually as the mostly try to operate at the north end. Tenant Jan Bouchard noted that he has a south-facing closed hangar at the end. He often notes the helicopters hovering on the taxiway and grass is blown into the hangar. It is · especially bad just after the lawn has been mowed. Tenant Athol Williams said he is also concerned about open hangars, as they cannot be kept clean because the helicopters blow debris into them all the time. Jamelle Garcia with AFS added the helicopters have not been an issue with his instructors, but the only complaint they have is they cannot communicate to the rotorcraft. They would like to be able to ask for the position. Mr. Garcia always tells his students to yield the right-of-way. He sees the big issue as a failure to communicate and it appears to be better, latelY. Mr. Garcia added that Guardian One uses the west side of the airport.' Doug Skeem with Helicopters NW said for them that area is too close to Emerald Downs and the wind tee is too narrow. The FAA representatives indicated that they are concerned and would like to see the establishment of a working group to come up with some understanding and guidelines. A committee was formed and includes Ichiro Seshima, Doug Skeem, John Gallo, Jamelle Garcia, Jan Bouchard, Rebecca Herman, and Ron VVanttaja will be the AAB representative. The FAA members will also sit in on the meetings. The purpose of the committee will be to discuss the issues and to come up with some tYpe of procedures. Chairman Peloza asked the committee to have something by the next meeting, which ~ill be August 20, 2002 at 8:00 am. Chairman Peloza said the new orientation package should be on the August agenda. -John Gallo added that the traffic pattern will go to 1000 feet. Rodger Campbell moved to adjoum at 6:16 pm. Adjoum RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED- CAROLYN BROWN, SECRETARY