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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1.24.08 Airport Advisory Committee ReportREPORT OT THE CITY OF MCCALL FROM THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 24, 2008 MYL has been and continues to be a valuable asset to the community. A recent independent study found that MYL contributed over $14M annually to the area economy. We have good airport management and personnel, performing well. We have an inside track with the FAA and this brings "perks" to MYL and puts us in good status with the Feds. Snow management is working well and the new loader and existing equipment allows the maintenance crew to stay up with most situations. The runway was resealed last summer and is in good repair. Fires last summer severely impacted airport operations as it hurt other aspects of the community. The new East Hangar project went well and was well received by the aviation community. The airport community is concerned about the appearance of the airport and how it is represented to the community. A significant part of the new hangar project was how the airport was visible to highway 55, especially for those entering McCall. The new hangars greatly mitigated the stark visual image of the airport and this will only get better as the new landscaping matures. We want to be good neighbors and do what we can to help,the community while still serving the needs of an airport. Airport Master plan is finished. FAA paid the majority of cost of plan, it was for the FAA,w,scope set by FAA, FAA rules of what it did and did not contain, compliance check of existing facilities, it is a planning_ document for the future, prediction for the future needs, planning tool for community to set aside resources needed for the future protection and enhancement of the airport. Dozens of public meetings on input to it. We have heard much from a few individuals that do not acknowledge the intent and purpose of the Airport Master Plan, even when multiple attempts were made by different people to explain it. When informed of the "facts" and the realities of the real world and the FAA, a reasonable person would conclude that the result is good for the intended purpose. If people wish to go beyond the FAA intent of the study, then the city and county should fund such a study and coordinate it with county Planning and Zoning. Commercial air service / scheduled air service / commuter air carriers — wording means different things to the FAA and the general public often does not accurately use correct terms. We already have commercial air service and have had it for a very long time. Scheduled air service has been here from time to time and really is not relevant to any arguments I have heard. The issue is whether or not to have commuter service. The arguments presented are misguided at best and hidden agendas are suspect. Financial profits dictate this activity. Until it is profitable, it will not happen no matter how much a community wants it. Most communities would give anything to have it which should be a red flag as to why McCall is opposed to it? In the foreseeable future, maybe two flights a day of a 19 passenger type aircraft would be anticipated. With the existing traffic, these additional flights would not be noticed by anyone. "The rich" are already coming here in their private jets. Commuter air service would allow the working class in MYL to fly direct from MYL to their destinations w/o driving to BOI. Airport relocation was not in scope of the Airport Master Plan as set forth by FAA. Some quick facts on relocating the airport — The FAA will not pay for the relocation of the airport. From the FAA perspective, airport safety relates to the safety of aircraft and their environment. This should not be confused with safety to people or structures on the ground. The fact that there is a school %2 mile off the north end of the runway is not an issue for the FAA justifying FAA money for moving the airport. Cost of moving the airport is a minimum of $75M, but actually probably in the $125 to 175M by the time all is said and finished. Where is the money going to come from? Until this is addressed, it is a waste of time and energy to consider this idea. The lack of public bathrooms 24/7 continues to be a black eye on the airport and the city. Besides a health issue, it is a negative for the image of McCall. Past activities have contributed to the present situation, but creative and positive leadership would make this happen. A short term fix is a modest remodel of the airport manager's building which would remove the "black eye" aspect that we now have. This is part of a larger sewer issue for the city which should not be ignored. _ would be glad_to..discuss anything about the airport individually with any council members and have been asked to extend an invitation to each of you to attend our AAC meeting and / or the IAA meetings so that more information and background is available regarding the valuable community asset of MYL.