HomeMy Public PortalAboutTO Engineers Airports and Master Plans Introduction T-0 ENGINEERS
Y
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
A
..pry'«;. y'�i` �• .t+.t--J. w��: e.F� i._ �•, I l�n"'`e
w
i'
VC,
�ih
?
Y, ,
,
r {:
tai` y�
4ya:
•,.xe3
— -- ——------—-- -- ---- --—----— — --- — — -- --- --
If you have questions-or need additional information,
please contact Rick Patton,Aviation Planner TO Engineers
at 208.433.1900 or rpatton@TO-Engineers.com
McCall Airport(MYt)Master Plan • www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 1
T-O . ENGINEERS
Airports and ftsterPlans Introduction
SECTION OVERVIEW. _
:Chapter 1.Airports and Mdster Plons Introduction provides
general concepts and topicsahat are central to the United
States aviation system.This information provides an,
introductory foundation of knowledge to understand and
interpret the remainder of this Master Plan. ~ �'
1.1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Aviation has been embedded in the.United States for,more than a hundred years,starting With.the Wright
brothers'famous 1903 flight in Kitty Hawk,North Carolina.It did not take long for businesses and government to
realize the opportunities offered by controlled,powered:flight.From military applications to air-mail,government.
requirements grew With.the burgeoning technology.Private business also pushed the development of faster;safer
aircraft incorporating new technology into passenger and cargo transport.Through the war effort during World War
11,aviation as an industry truly blossomed:
In the yearsfollowing.the war,some aviation officials,estimated that half of all households would own.private
aircraft.Although that level.of aircraft ownership never materialized;the historicalperiod from the end of World
War 11 to the early 1980's is considered the pinnacle of personal aviation.During.this period,community airports
were expanded,and new ones built regularly.Often a community airport that started as.a simple grass runway,found
itself needing to develop paved.landing areas to accommodate the more sophisticated and demanding aircraft being
developed.Some communities realized the economic benefits:of a developed`,'aviation gateway'-'arid invested:in full .
service airport facilities.
The McCall Airport(MYL)is not an exception to this development.The airport facility serves,tlie local citiien.ry
through recreational flying and flight training,and also as an economic engine serving area businesses.
1.2 THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION:
The FederalAAviation Administration,or more commonly FAA,is part of the United States Department of
Transportation(USDOT)and serves as-the national aviation authority.The Civil Aeronautics Authoritywas created
in 1938,eventually becoming the FAA as it is known today.The FAA is a large agency,employing more than 451000
people and consisting of a myriad of divisions and offices across the country.
The Airports Division(ARP)is in charge of airport master planning;airport facility design and inspection,and is
.the group that airport sponsors and airport planning consultants most often interact with for airport development
project and grant funding.This Division is split into nine regions;including the Northwest Mountain Region,which .
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan .. www.io-en' 'gi,n'eers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction,2
Airports and Master Plans.Introduction
is head-quartered in Seattle,Washington.The Northwest Mountain Region covers all of the airports in the states
of Colorado,Idaho,Montana,Oregon,Utah,Washington,and Wyoming.The Region office is further,split into three
Airport District Offices(ADO):Seattle,WA(covering Washington and Oregon),Helena,MT(covering Montana and
Idaho)and Denver,CO(covering Utah,Colorado,and Wyoming)
Each ADO is primarily made up of civil engineers and planners.These staff serve as project managers and interact
daily with airport sponsors,state officials,and consultants to manage and direct projects that further the overall
goals of the national and state aviation systems.Generally,when speaking about airport-planning,in this report and
related discussions,the terms"FAA"or"federal"are in reference to the FAA Airports Division.
1.3 FUNDING AIRPORT PROJECTS
The Airport Improvement Program(AIP)was Figure 1.1 Airport and Airway Trust Fund(2018)
established by the Airport and Airway Improvement
S16 Billion
CARGO TAXES(3.4%)
Act of 1982 to provide funding to airports on a AVIATION FUEL TAXES(4.4%)
$74 Billion
priority needed basis.The FAA coordinates this PASSENGER TAXES(92.2"/0)
program.The AIP is a user-funded program and is $12 Billion
not funded by federal income tax dollars.The AIP SIO Billion
is primarily funded through the Airport and Airway $s Billion m
Trust Fund(AATF).While some of the funds are m
$6 Billion Z
used for FAA overhead costs;the majority of the m
money is distributed to community airports through $4 Billion
grants.Eligible.airports range from small community $2 Billion
facilities to the largest commercial airports in so
the national system.The AATF is funded by three
components:passengers(tax on ticket sales),cargo
(tax on shipping fees),and fuel(tax on fuels used by Source:TO Engineers
aircraft).In 2015;the tax revenue for the AATF was
$14.268 billion.
Eligible projects include those improvements that enhance airport safety,capacity,security,and address
environmental concerns.Aviation demand at the airport mustjustify the projects.Eligible projects include
such things as runway construction,airfield lighting,land acquisition,planning studies,and automated weather
observation stations(AWOS).Ineligible projects include such things as landscaping,marketing plans,improvements
for commercial enterprises;and maintenance or repairs of buildings.
A nonprimary entitlement of up to$150;000 pe,r.year is granted to smaller general aviation airports under the
current legislation.The nohprimary entitlement can be saved for up to four years for larger projects.If a project
exceeds that amount,it may be eligible for state apportionment funds(money set aside for the state through the AIP
program)for projects.If the project exceeds both the nonprimary and state apportionment funds available,or is a
high priority,it can compete on a regional level for discretionary funds.
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan 0 www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 3
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
1.4 NATIONAL PLANE OF INTEGRATE®AIRPORT SYSTEMS
Simply,the national infrastructure of public use airports form what the FAA defines as the National Plan of
Integrated Airport Systems(NPIAS).The NPIAS was envisioned.when civil aviation was in its infancy and has been
developed and nurtured by close cooperation with airport sponsors and other local agencies,as well as federal
and state agencies.The national airport system is critical to the national transportation system and helps air
transportation contribute to.a productive national economy and international competitiveness.
.To meet the demand for air transportation,the airports and the airport system should have the following attributes:
• Airports should be safe and efficient,located where people will use them,and developed and maintained to
appropriate standards.
• Airports should be affordable to both users and government,relying primarily on producing self-sustaining
revenue,and placing minimal burden on the general revenues of the local,state,and federal governments.
• Airports should be flexible and expandable,able to meet increased demand,and to accommodate new
a i rcraft types.
• Airports should be permanent,with assurance that they will remain open for aeronautical use over the long
term.
• Airports should be compatible with surrounding communities,maintaining a balance between the needs of
aviation,the environment,and the requirements of residents.
• Airports should be developed in concert with improvements to the air traffic control system and
technological advancements.
• The airport system should support a variety of critical national objectives,such as defense,emergency
readiness,law enforcement,and postal delivery.
• The airport system should be extensive,providing as many people as possible with convenient access to air
transportation,typically by having most of the population within 20 miles of a NPIAS airport.
As of October 2018,there were 3,340 airports in the NPIAS:3,332 existing and eight proposed airports.The
eight proposed airports are expected to open within five years.Figure 1.2 NPIAS NonprimaryAirports shows the
distribution of the 2,950 existing nonprimary NPIAS airports across the nation,by the airport role,which includes
2,564 general aviation airports.Each state has many airports in the NPIAS,and to be eligible for AIP funding an
airport must be in the NPIAS.
1.5 WHY ARE AIRPORTS SO IMPORTANT?
The aviation system plays a key role in the success,strength,and growth of the.US economy.The national airport
system is critical to the national transportation system and helps air transportation contribute to a productive
national economy and international competitiveness:In 2012;economic activity attributed to civil aviation=related
goods and services totaled$1.5 trillion.
General aviation is the manufacturing and operation of any type of aircraft that has been issued a certificate of
airworthiness by the FAA,other than aircraft used for scheduled commercial air service(airlines)or operated by
the US military.General aviation includes flights related to business or corporate transportation of people or cargo,
personal transportation,air ambulance,flight training and for many unique purposes,such as fire spotting and
pipeline patrol.General aviation aircraft enable people,especially those in smaller communities and remote areas,
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan . www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 4
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
to access the aviation system in order to move quickly and efficiently across the country and around the World for
business and pleasure.General aviation is extremely important because it touches so many sectors of the economy
-from helicopters transporting accident victims to hospitals,to corporate jets carrying executives to meetings,to
single piston engine aircraft flown by enthusiasts on the weekends.
Airports have a catalytic impact that moves into the wider economic and social arenas.Local airports enhance
business efficiency and productivity by providing easier access to customers,services,and goods:Airports provide-
access
rovideaccess to markets and external and international transport links that are regarded as"absolutely essential"to
businesses making location decisions.
Based on the U.S.Bureau of Economic Analysis RI MS-Il,every$1.00 generated on a general aviation airport results
in an average of$2.53 generated in the community it serves.This is a cascading effect,creating Focal jobs and payroll.
Many airports with fewer than 10,000 annual operations produce economic impacts exceeding the amount of
money necessary to operate and maintain their facilities.The general aviation industry,as whole,generated a total of
1,101,800 jobs,$69.1 billion in payroll,and$218.6 billion in economic output in 2013.
The United States is home to more than 19,000 airports,seaplane bases,heliports,and other landing facilities,of
which 3,340 are in the NPIAS.All NPIAS airports are public access and eligible to receive AIP funding.The national
system of airports,seaplane bases,and heliports was developed to provide communities with access to a safe and
adequate public system of general aviation airports.Together these airports create a transportation infrastructure,
providing access,goods,and services,unavailable through other means.AIP funding and involvement permits
communities to have services that would be otherwise too costly or impossible to provide.
In addition to the economic benefits outlined above,there are many qualitative benefits that contribute to the
overall value of airports.These qualitative benefits include activities for which dollar values cannot be readily
assigned but are nonetheless valuable to the community_because they enhance the quality of life,health,welfare;
and safety of its citizens.For example,medical evacuation flights typically use general aviation airports because they
are faster,easier on the patient,and less expensive.Helicopters are often used for aeromedical flights,however
some of these flights;specifically,for neo-natal patients,can only be conducted via fixed-wing aircraft(such as a
Beechcraft King Air 300)due to the equipment needs.General aviation airports also provide a support network for
disaster relief and search and rescue efforts.For example,following the wake of Hurricane Katrina in the southern
United States,general aviation airports served as staging areas for the Red Cross,National Guard,and other
organizations providing disaster relief.
In 2009,operators using general aviation airports accounted for an estimated 27 million flights for emergency
medical services,aerial fireflighting,law enforcement and.border control;agricultural functions,flight training,time-
sensitive air cargo services,business travel,and scheduled services.Overall,airports grant access to greater markets
and provide unique and critical support.to the local communities,businesses,and citizens.
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan 0 www.to-engineers.corn Airports and Master Plans introduction 5
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
1.6 TYPES OF PILOTS
There are different types of pilot certificatesand ratings;a topic which is confusing to most people.A pilot
certificate,which is often referred to as a pilot's license,is different than a rating.There are six types of pilot
certificates that can be obtained in the U.S.
Sport Pilot-The easiest and least restrictive certificate to obtain.It is intended for pilots who wish to fly in'
light aircraft.only at low altitudes in their local area.Sport pilots are limited,to just one passenger and are
prohibited from:flying'at night,above 10,000 feet,or in congested airspace.A sport pilot certificate only
requires 20 hours of training time and most applicants are not required to obtain an FAA medical certificate.
Recreational Pilot-This certificate can be a good option for pilots who want to fly heavier aircraft than
those used for sport pilot flying,but who do.not necessarily want to move on to more advanced training.The
recreational pilot certificate requires at least 30 hours of flight time,including 15 hours of dual instruction.
Recreational pilots are limited to flights less than 50 nautical miles from their departure airport,can only fly
during the day,and must stay out of controlled airports(congested airspace).
Private Pilot This is the most common pilot certificate.The training requirements are more intensive than
that of the recreational or sport pilot.Private pilots are allowed to do much more,like fly at night and at .
controlled,airports.Private pilots,like recreational and sport pilots,are not allowed.to.fly for commercial,
purposes and must not be compensated for pilot services.Private pilot training consists of multiple
maneuvers and at least 40 hours of flight time;20 of which must be with an instructor.
Commercial Pilot-This certificate Figure 1.2 Pilot Certificate
allows a pilot to be paid for his/
her flying services.Since there areI4MERICA xi r�
separate regulations for scheduled CNAMMSMATM
flights;commercial pilots must also
abide by additional federal aviation ;;
regulations pertaining to commercial ';;=
flying operations.Commercial pilots HHGHT curt
must learn to fly complex aircraft, - M sa ass (GRAY HA�1
71E PR�r:ES OF ,M
which have retractable landing gear, 1 1
flaps,and a controllable-pitch propeller.
Commercial flight training also demands i
more precision and knowledge about
professional flight operations.
Source:Epic Flight Academy
Flight Instructor-Many pilots
choose to become a flight instructor as a way to build experience while getting paid to fly.Becoming a flight
instructor involves learning about instructional design;learning theory,and going into all of:the commercial
pilot topics in much more depth.The flight instructor certificate allows pilots to share their knowledge of
flight with others while gaining necessary experience to move on to an airline.
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan . www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 6
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
Airline Transport Pilot(ATP)-This is the most advanced pilot certificate that can be obtained and it
is necessary for those who want to fly commercial airliners for a living.To become eligible for an ATP
certificate,a pilot must have logged at least 1,500 hours and be at least 23 years old.All commercial airlines
now require a pilot applicant to have an ATP certificate.
Pilot certificates should not be confused with ratings or endorsements,which are separate training requirements
that allow a pilot with a certain type of certificate to perform additional types of flying,such as instrument flying,
which allows a pilot to fly by sole reference to the instruments in the flight deck and without any reference to the
ground outside.Examples of other ratings include multi-engine,seaplane,and helicopter.
An endorsement is earned when a certified flight instructor states that the pilot has received the required training
for a particular task.Examples of endorsements include tailwheel,.high performance,complex,and high altitude.In
short,a certificate is the main pilot license that permits the privilege of flying a specific category or class of aircraft.
Ratings and endorsements provide additional privileges in conjunction with the certificate.
Understanding the different types of pilot certificates aids in understanding the varying needs of airport users.
These needs influence aviation demand,which in turn impacts the facility requirements necessary to meet this
-demand.
1.7 AIRPORT MASTER PLANS
An Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive study of an airport that describes short,medium,and long term
development plans to meet future aviation demand.Master planning studies that address major revisions are
referred to as"Master Plans"while those that only change parts of the existing document and require a relatively
low level of effort are referred to as"Master Plan Updates.' The purpose of this comprehensive Master Plan is
to conduct a detailed study that identifies,evaluates,and documents issues at the airport.These issues are then
addressed through proposed development plans for the airport.The last Master Planning effort at McCall was the
2007 Airport Layout Plan.Update by Mead and Hunt with T O's support.
The elements of the master planning process vary in the level of detail and complexity depending upon the size,
function,and problems.of the individual airport.Airport Master Plans are prepared to support the creation of a
new airport or the modernization and expansion of an existing airport.Master Plans present the strategy for the
development of the airport by providinga' framework to cost-effectively satisfy aviation demand while considering
the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
Master Plans generally meet the following objectives:
• Document the issues that the proposed development will correct or mitigate;
• Justify the proposed development with technical,economic,and environmental investigation of designs and
alternatives;
• Provide an effective graphic representation of the development of the airport and the anticipated land uses
in the vicinity of the airport;
• Establish a realistic schedule,especially for the short-term;for the implementation of the development
proposed;
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan 0 www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 7
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
• Propose an achievable financial plan to support the implementation schedule;
• Provide sufficient project scope and detail for future environmental evaluations that may be required before
the project is approved;
• Provide a plan that adequately addresses the issues and satisfies local,state,and federal regulations;
• Document policies and future aeronautical demand to support municipal or local deliberations on land
use controls,spending,debt,and other policies necessary to preserve the integrity of the airport and its
surroundings;
• Establish the framework for continued planning;and
• Provide the necessary Airport Layout Plan(ALP)drawing set.
Public involvement is a key portion of any Airport Master Plan,and typically T-0 Engineers breaks down the
Master Plan process into five chronological phases,each ending with a public meeting.Presented below are the
general phases of a Master Plan.Each phase depends on a number of variables and can vary from project to project.
Receiving public input and feedback is critical throughout the entire duration of a Master Plan.
Phase 1:Complete pre=planning documents,establish advisory council,meet with Sponsor,hold 1st public
meeting to announce the project.
Phase 2:Conduct physical inventory of airport,analyze socioeconomic and demographic data,research
aircraft traffic,interview key users and members of the public,determine proper forecasting methodology,
and create aviation forecast and submit to FAA for approval.Hold 2nd public meeting.
Phase 3:Determine airport requirements from forecast,design airside and landside alternatives.Sponsor
selection of final design alternatives.Hold 3rd public meeting.
Phase 4:Incorporate any remaining public comment,finalize design alternatives,create cost estimates,
provide draft Airport Layout Plan and Master Plan to Sponsor.Submit draft documents to FAA and State
Aeronautics for review.Hold 4th public meeting.
Phase 5;Incorporate final FAA,Aeronautics,and Sponsor review items.Publicly present final documents to
Sponsor for signatures.Submit final documents to FAA,State Aeronautics,and Sponsor.
1.8 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Public input is highly encouraged during the Master Plan process.Each Master Plan includes a public involvement
program,and the amount of public involvement typically corresponds to the complexity of the airport and project.
Effective public involvement includes numerous parties,including but not limited to:aircraft owners,hangar tenants,
staff of the airport and businesses on airport property,public officials,governmental agencies,and the general
public.The earlier public input is received the easier it is to incorporate in the planning process.
Public involvement programs are typically facilitated by the planning consultant and include multiple strategies,
such as forming an Airport Master Plan Technical Advisory Committee(TAC)of key stakeholders,local citizens,and
decision makers,This group provides insight and input into issues that arise,as well as provides general information:
Two other common public involvement elements are public meetings and public workshops.These are held at public
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan • www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 8
Airports anal Master Plans-Introduction
Figure 1.3 First Public Meeting fora Master Plan Effort locations to inform the general public about
ler the status of the airport and MasterPlan
- Y process and to provide.the public access to
I F d the airport consultants and public officials. -
`' Other.methods-u to engage the public -
are user surveys and public awareness' :
campaigns that utilize flyers,project
websites,and newspaper articles.-This
` Master Plan project incorporated a TAC,
- public meetings,publicworksh_ops,user
surveys;a project website,and newspaper
articles into.its publici'hvolvementprogram:.
Source:TO Engineers
1.9 AIRPORT AND AIRCRAFT IDENTIFIERS
For pilots and.others that use the aviation system and airports,the FAA(and other world aviation entities)utilize a
system of identifiers to uniquely identify airports,airways,and aircraft:The general.public is often exposed to.this
system for airports when booking an airline ticket online;when,the person selects a destination and the booking .
system quickly changes."Boise'to"1301"or"Seattle"to"SEA."Each airport identifier is different,and keeps Boise,'
Idaho(BOl)'separate from Boise,.Oklahoma(17K).The McCall Airport has been given the unique identifier of MYL.
Throughout this.Master Plan and other documents;the,airport is often referred to as MYL.
Like airports,the need to identify a particular aircraft is important.Aircraftregistered in US are given an
"N-number;much:like a vehicle inspection number(VIN)for an automobile.This number generally stays with the .
aircraft throughout its life.Aircraftowners are required to displaythe N-number on the outside of the-aircraft for
identification purposes:
1.10 FAA DESIGN STANDARDS
The FAA has established standards for the design and construction of airport facilities.There are design standards .
for practically every facet of an airport,ranging from runway gradients to Master Plans and wind cones,presented in
a collection of hundreds of documents called Advisory Circulars(AC):
Standards exist for the strength and width of pavements for runways;taxiways,and aprons.Numerous.safety areas
are defined around these areas,including the Runway Safety Area(RSA),Runway Protection Zone(RPZ)- Runway
Object Free Area_(ROFA),and Taxiway Object Free Area(TOFA).These are discussed later in relation to MAN.
1.11-CRITICAL AIRCRAFT
An important result of the forecasting chapter within each Airport:Master Plan is the identification.of the airport's .
critical(or design)aircraft.This is the most demanding aircraft with at least 500 annual local operations that
operates or is expected to operate,at the airport.The critical aircraft of an airport dictates which FAA Design
Standards must be applied.An operation is the landing,take off,or touch-and-go procedure by an aircraft on_a
runway at an airport.
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan • www.to-engineers.com Airports and Master Plans Introduction 9
Airports and Master Plans Introduction
1.12 AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN
A key product of an Airport Master Plan is a detailed drawing set called the Airport Layout Plan(ALP).The ALP
is intended to provide detailed locations.of the major components of an airport;taxiways,aprons,runways and
hangar areas,as well as safety areas and other FAA Design Standards.An airport must have an FAA approved ALP
on=record to receive AIP.funding.Each airport is responsible to keep its ALP updated;per the AIP grant assurance
requirements.When airport sponsors accept AIP funds from the FAA,they must agree to certain obligations,or
assurances.The ALP provides a blueprint for future airport development needs and ensures that development meets
airport standards and safety.requirements.
1.13 SUMMARY
A successful Airport Master Plan provides answers and knowledge to a wide range of audiences,including pilots,
government officials,and the general public.A basic understanding of these concepts will help the reader to
successfully interpret this Master Plan.Even small general aviation airports are extremely complex entities.To plan
for the future,consideration must be given to all aspects that involve an airport:current facilities and infrastructure;
users and pilots;local,state,and federal zoning and regulations;regional socioeconomics;national and state aviation
systems;approach procedures;and much more.
McCall Airport(MYL)Master Plan . www.to.-engineers.com Airports and Master Pians)ntroducdon 10