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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-12 - Agendas - Final AGENDA • FAYETTEVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, DRAKE FIELD Meeting of the Airport Board 1 :30 pm, Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Airport Terminal Conference Room 1 . Welcome — Chairman Bob Nickle. A. Please turn off all cell phones. B. Comments from the public on items on the agenda. 2. Minutes of the June 20, 2007 meeting. 3. Receiving of Reports. A. Chairman Nickle. B. Director Boudreaux report on airport activity. C. Financial Coordinator Nicholson report on budget and FBO. D. Senior Secretary Powers report on T-Hangar Leases. E. Engineer Wayne Jones' report on construction projects. F. Director Boudreaux report on maintenance activity. 4. Old Business. • 5. New Business. A. Airfield re-striping contract (bids due Friday). Action requested: Approve project, approve grant request to the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, and submit to the City Council. B. Airport Security Upgrade Project. Action requested: Approve project, approve grant request to the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. C. Airport Mission Statement. Action requested: Approve new Mission Statement. D. Review of Airport Survey. 6. Other Business. A. Items from the Public. B. Items from the Airport Board. 7. Meeting Adjourned. Note: Next Strategic.Planning Meeting Next Airport Board Meeting October 10, 2007 • R AIRPORT BOARD MEETING August 8, 2007 • MEMBERS ATTENDING: Bob Nickle, Otto Loewer, Janice Stanesic, David Hollman, Richard Greene, Tin McCarley MEMBERS ABSENT: Vaughn DeCoster (on military leave) STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers OTHERS PRESENT: Rick McKinney and Warren Jones-Arkansas Air Museum, Leonard McCandless-Ozark Military Museum, Tyrone Rogers-Fayetteville Government Channel, Craig Young-tenant, Charles Heatheo-tenant, Wayne Jones-McClelland Engineers ITEM #1 : Welcome-Chairman Bob Nickle A. Turn cell phones off. B. Comments from the public on items on the agenda. None. ITEM #2: Minutes of the June 20, 2007 meeting A motion to approve the minutes was made by Tim McCarley and seconded by Richard Greene. The motion carried. ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports • A. Chairman Nickle. Offered congratulations to the Arkansas Air Museum on their new display, their acquisition of Sam Walton's original aircraft. Stated he was excited to hear of the FAA's Letter of Determination. B. Director Boudreaux report of airport activity. Suggested having a Strategic Planning Meeting to discuss ways to increase fuel sales and aircraft operations, as these directly affect the Airport's cost of the tower. The FAA has given the airport a, new Runway Safety Area Determination. Copies will be sent to all the governmental delegation. The new corporate hangars have real issues to be corrected. SkyVenture has paid first month rent and has asked for a reduction in rent for the first 90 days to build out their office. The FAA Certification Inspection Letter noted faded airfield signs and paint, and the Fire Department did not respond properly. Ther second response went well. We will be doing some proactive work, getting a tower frequency radio for the fire truck for better communications. Reminded everyone of the Canadian Snowbird Event on September 26'", gates will open at 4:00. Told that of one of the Airport Maintenance Crew has quit and we have a new employee starting soon. Chairman Nickle stated the Letter of Determination from the FAA has tremendous potential for the airport growth. Thanked Ray for organizing their trip to visit with the FAA. Also thanked Wayne Jones for his help during the meeting, Wayne and the consultants did a great job on their presentation. He suggested sending a letter and copy of the Determination to the congressional delegation. C. Financial Coordinator Nicholson report on Budget, and FBO. Commented on the downward trend for the last six months and attributed the trend to the cost of fuel. We are behind the previous year's numbers. The itinerant jet traffic has been down. O. Loewer commented he thought there was something else going on, something locally, not just the cost of fuel, it's too much of a change to be solely the fuel price. It was suggested that • pilots/companies were used to flying operations at a certain level when the fuel prices went up, then as the fuel prices continued to stay up they reduced their level of operations. Normally there is an Air Show in June, increasing the operations and fuel sales; there wasn't an air show this June. R. Greene said the downward trend started in October 2006, it's probably not an 1 r airport problem, and things that are happening in Fayetteville could be the cause. Relating to his business, he said their level of traffic in July was like twenty years ago, and it picked up in August. O. Loewer expressed concerns that we might be losing traffic to our neighbors. It was • mentioned that even airline flights are being canceled, that is the number one complaint of business travelers, and that will be better for us in the future. R. Greene said we are the largest city in the MRSA, we are positioned correctly for down the road. J. Nicholson reviewed the financial charts in the agenda, and discussed the loan payment to the City for the new hangars and the rent revenue the Airport will be receiving on those two hangars. Director Boudreaux mentioned some projects coming up that are not listed: Airfield marking and signs. W. Jones said the re-striping will cost around $80,000 and is eligible for a 90/10 grant from the State Aeronautics. Signs have been ordered and are also eligible for a State grant. Next year the Airport will be re-evaluated for our cost of the tower. Director Boudreaux stated the City Budget Department had instructed departments to reduce 1 .5% of the target budget for next year, and that he appreciated James' hard work on the budget. D. Senior Secretary Powers report of T-Hangar Leases. Stated all T-Hangars are rented with five names on the waiting list for the smaller units, and three on the twin list. Director Boudreaux told of an inquiry for the AATC hangar from Alpha Aviation, which provides training for missionary pilots and mechanics, and others that want to meet their requirements. Their airport in Oklahoma is closing. They decided to relocate at the Springdale Airport. E. Engineer Wayne Jones' report on construction projects. Stated he was frustrated in the work completed in the last six weeks, met Monday with the Project Manager, things that were listed on the Punch List that was reported as fixed, were not. We also met with the sub- contractor. Our goal is to have them completed by the end of this week. We are withholding $ 127,000 from payment until completed. The City Council approved the Airport Obstruction Survey last night and hope to have it finished in ninety days. It will be flown while the leaves are still on the trees. We have started the Airfield Striping project in the office, with plans to have it out in one week. Reported the Specs will require a mechanical application of the reflective beads for the striping project. Responding to Chairman Nickle's compliments of • Wayne Jones and of Barnard Dunkelberg Consultants' good work, Wayne said he was proud to be working at the airport. ITEM #4: Old Business. None. ITEM #5: New Business. A. Request from Rick McKinney for financial assistance with the Snowbird event. He reviewed the history of the Museum requesting and receiving financial assistance from the City for air shows in the past. Funding began at $20,000, and had been reduced to $10,000 for the air show last year. The Museum's has reduced its current request from $10,000 to $5,000. He told about the Canadian Snowbirds act and of the different acts that will also perform prior to the Snowbirds' . Waived air time is 1 .5 hours, with 45 minutes of flight time. Children twelve and under are free, age thirteen and up will cost $6.00. Director Boudreaux said when they found out there would not be an air show this year that money had been removed from our budget. Chairman Nickle said the request for $5,000 amounts to about 33% of the air event's budget, and when we assisted with $10,000 for the Air Show that represented 10% of the Air Show's budget, saying next time maybe they could try harder to get sponsors. Director Boudreaux said we can't just give the money, it has to be for a service with a written contract. O. Loewer said he thought the Airport should do something to help bring some focus to the airport and $5,000 is reasonable to do. A motion to approve a joint contract between the museums and the Airport to provide $5,000 towards public relations for the Snowbirds' event was made by Janice Stanesic and • seconded by Richard Greene. The motion carried. Discussion followed the announcement that the City's auditor had found in the records the City's Parks Department, some time ago, had been assigned the responsibility of Arkansas Air 2 .J Museum hangar building. Chairman Nickle stated the Parks Department is into public events, make a good case for them to keep it in Parks. • B. Request from Wilma Walker, Wilma's Restaurant, Lease Amendment. Director Boudreaux said she is asking to not pay the ten percent on gross sales on the first $500.00 each month for the rest of her lease. Chairman Nickle said he would prefer to not do a permanent amendment, but to look at it every two to three months. R. Greene said it is almost like the restaurant is doing us a favor by being here, they could be someplace else with more walk-in traffic; this location is not a good premium location. We should do all that is in our power to keep them open. Their customers have got to want to come to the airport. O. Loewer said it is a convenience to us to have their service. A motion was made by Richard Greene to waive the percentage rent though the end of 2007, then look at it next year in January, the motion was seconded by David Hollman. The motion carried. C. Approve the Airport's 2008 DBE Goal Update. J. Nicholson said there are provisions in the federal grants if we anticipate receiving $250,000.00 or more, then the DBE goal must be updated every year. It assures minority, women, disadvantaged business an equal playing field to procuring contracts. The update must be recognized by the governing body, it must be forwarded to the City Council. A motion to approve and forward the Airport's DBE Goal Update to the City Council was made by Tim McCarley and seconded by Janice Stanesic. The motion carried. D. Lease Amendment Sky Venture Aviation. Director Boudreaux stated the hangar is not completed and SkyVenture has Temporary Occupancy. SkyVenture asked for a reduction in • rent for three months by approximately $ 1 ,800 per month for them to make improvements to the hangar, by building out an office inside the hangar. D. Hollman suggested a follow up to assure SkyVenture does provide the improvements to the hangar. A motion to approve the request was made by Tim McCarley and seconded by Richard Greene. The motion carried. E. Discussion: Update the Airport's Mission Statement. The discussion led to setting the date for a Strategic Planning Meeting on Wednesday, August 29 ° at 3:00 pm. The next Airport Board Meeting will be on September 12th. ITEM #6: Other Business. A. Items from the Public. Craig Young called attention to the self-serve grounding wire and asked if the current reel could be replaced with a larger reel, and the current cable has splinters. Also asked about a spring on the fuel nozzle cap, it falls off and dings the paint. B. Items from the Airport Board. Director Boudreaux reported the Airport's identification sign is being tom down and will be removed, it will not be reusable, and asked if anyone had any suggestions for a new sign. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:30 pm. • David Hollman, Secretary Date 3 a e evl e ARKANSAS AVIATION R ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FAYETTEVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT • DRAKE FIELD September 5, 2007 MONTHLY REPORT Aviation and Economic Development Department Fayetteville, Arkansas August 2007 AVIATION: 1 Operations were up dramatically over last month and should the one month trend hold, we could be back on the upswing. August operations were up 23% over July but are still well below last year. The activity is still about split, 53% transient and 47% local. Fuel sales were up 24% over last month and nearly up to the numbers of last August. It is too early to tell if we have reached the bottom • and are on the way back up. 2 The Airport Board met in Strategic Planning Session and the consensus was to wait out the slowdown. Comparatively, the other airports in the area remain down as well. 3 We replaced sixteen runway and taxiway signs in compliance with the Certification Inspection finding. We will replace approximately fifteen more after the first of the year. We have made initial response to the Letter of Correction stating our course of action to correct the discrepancies. 4 We approved the striping project plans and specifications and sent them up to purchasing to advertise. Bids are due September 14d, in time for us to get the project on the October 2"d City Council Agenda. 5 The Corporate Hangar Construction Project is still not done with numerous items left on the punch list. We are holding a significant portion of the money until everything is fixed to our satisfaction. We have been granted Beneficial Occupancy so both buildings are occupied and the tenants seem to be well satisfied except for the items still needing repair. 6 We awarded the floor paint project to the contractor that did the Corporate Hangar floors. The work is underway and so far looks great. The new surface will allow the users to easily keep the floor clean and presentable. 7 We issued a Notice to Proceed to McClelland Consulting Engineers to complete the Runway Approach Obstruction Survey project. Wayne reports that the project should be complete by the end of November. • 4500 SOUTH SCHOOL AVENUE, SUITE F • AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING • FAYETTEVILLE AR 72701 479.718.7642 • 479.718.7646 FAX • www.accessfayetteville.org/govemment/aviation airport_economic_development@ci.fayetteville.ar.us 8 City Council approved the Airport DBE program goals for the 2008 grant year. • DBE program goals are required if you expect to get more than $250,000 in Federal Grant funding. 9 The Airport Board approved a rent reduction for Wilma Walker, of Wilma's Restaurant, to help the restaurant get up and running. The Board approved a flat $500.00 per month without a percentage of sales through the end of the year. 10 The Airport Board approved a rent reduction for Sky Venture to allow them to set up shop in the new hangar. The reduction is approximately $5400.00 over three months. 11 Preparations continue for the Snowbirds show September 26. Other performers include Leonard McCandles of the Arkansas Falling Stars, Matt Younkin in his Beach 18, Ray Vetch in his Turbo Shark and Philip Butcher in his T-6. The 188`s will have an A- 10 on static display. We are hoping for a big crowd on a Wednesday afternoon. 8. Dennis Singleton was selected to take Chad's place on the maintenance crew. He was with the street crew in transportation and started to work August 27 t at the airport. He hit the ground running and is quickly leaming the ropes. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: 1 We met with the Greenland Mayor, John Gray and had a very good conversation concerning the development around the airport and how Fayetteville might cooperate in the future. There will be additional meetings in the future. • 2 FEDC held their annual meeting in August. The guest speaker was Maria Haley, Director of Arkansas Economic Development Commission. She preached the gospel of economic development and how important is the relationship between education and economic development. She talked a little about the Governor' s incentive fund and how it might be used to lure large job creating business and industry and encouraged us to develop a similar fund for Fayetteville. Dan Sanker spoke about his decision to move to Fayetteville and his venture capital firm starting up in Fayetteville. 3 Steve Rust of the FEDC toured the Lt. Governor around the airport while we were out. The Lt. Governor was here for a day of familiarization in Fayetteville. FEDC the Chamber, U of A and the City of Fayetteville had an opportunity to brief the Lt. Governor. Respectfully Submitted, Ray M. Boudreaux, Direc r • • a e ey1fle ,Faye ANSAS Airport Progress Report TO: Fayetteville Municipal Airport Board THRU : Ray M. Boudreaux, Director FROM: James Nicholson , Financial Coordinator DATE: September 12, 2007 Tower Operations: OPERATIONS - MONTHLY 2000 - 2007 m a a 4 m 0 6 F 4 I 2 - - dill • JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 02000 1288 1735 1881 1811 1472 2,251 1,858 2,51 2,62 1,951 2,92 1479 02001 2,355 2,330 2,821 2,634 2,901 4.293 3,549 3,741 2,377 2,770 2,482 2,356 02002 2,55 2288 225 2282 2.304 3,487 2,264 2,920 3,628 3,58 3.282 20230 02003 3,122 2,379 2,808 3,380 3,39 5.378 4,347 3.674 4279 4,587 3,084 02004 3,443 3,888 4270 4,570 4,325 5,312 4223 3,885 3,828 2,799 2,58 02005 2262 2.702 3,64 3,505 4)581 6,068 4583 4,068 4,088 4,882 3,577 812008 3,932 2AV 3,051 3297 4,57 8,934 8,35 5200 4,387 2,907 2,739 02007 2075 2.785 3048 3,98 3,15 3,51 3,004 3089 OPERATIONS - CUMULATIVE 2000 - 2007 60 50 40 30 20 10 I� mrff1h 11111 1111I I JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 02000 1288 3.001 4,682 8,295 7,767 1.05 11,878 14,027 5,59 5,11 20282 21781 02001 2,355 4,885 7,506 6,140 13,041 VA34 20A83 24,824 27.001 29,771 32,253 UA09 02002 2,55 4,421 6,636 8,95 11222 11,709 15,973 1093 23,521 28,889 29,971 32,801 • 02003 3,42 5,501 8A09 M769 5,088 20AU 24011 28,485 32,784 37,331 40,45 43058 02094 3,443 7,61 n401 5,971 20296 25,608 29031 33,75 37,544 40,340 42,508 45237 02005 2282 4,984 8088 11573 5254 22,322 26005 30073 35,039 39,721 43298 46,772 02008 3,932 6,743 9,794 6,091 9258 24,92 30,508 35,768 40,65 43,042 45,781 48042 02007 2,375 5,50 8,208 11384 %,579 9,780 20,764 24.453 - • FBO Fuel Sales Charts: FUEL 5ALE5 - MONTHLY 2001 - 2007 m 80 0 60 e 40 ' � I rim in! 20 Irr0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 82001 15028 8,157 150E 9285 0530 11430 10,530 15,807 20,193 25,12 22,382 26.266 02002 29,321 26.284 ",No 23,949 MO92 4152 18,285 20A0O 39,365 29A47 24,570 21815 02003 31.522 28A64 34,128 30293 27200 32,305 21885 30298 27,192 51.528 25292 28,792 02004 38,843 2BA37 28,179 35,084 29.50 28,176 21234 31334 43.730 36.11 22290 30.033 02005 42,938 29,563 32,178 28253 28,10 36,18 22233 2BA66 33,177 4BA37 38,255 31298 02006 41134 39,899 50069 38,505 58,253 81495 33,797 41490 53,338 47,18 52,892 40,281 02007 11704 39.663 51,271 46,944 43,650 37,852 32,704 37285 - - - FUEL 5ALE5 - CUMULATIVE 2001 - 2007 600 • 4 400 F 200 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC ®2001 9,026 28,485 47300 68,585 77,15 87.645 88,175 10,782 134275 19.387 11749 208215 02002 29,321 55,805 70511 94,460 09,352 50014 159,149 18,549 228,914 258,361 282,831 301,547 02003 31.522 59,988 94.rA 24.407 51807 13,92 205577 235075 263,387 314,795 340,17 368,879 02004 38043 65.480 93$89 128.673 58,13 W059 207,593 238027 282.657 31038 341328 371381 0 2005 42036 72.499 04477 82.030 11043 97231 21BA84 247030 28107 327,944 388,99 397.497 02008 4184 81033 131902 170.407 228,880 290,55 323052 365,112 41,780 465078 51BAN 559,%9 ■ 2007 11704 81387 132,838 09,582 223232 281084 293,788 331773 - - - Survey of Fuel Prices: Fuel prices within 50 miles of FYV as of 9/11 /2007 Ident FBO Name Jet FS 10OLL FS 100LL SS 87 MoGas TQH City of Tahlequah (both seffserv) 3.59 3.68 SLG City of Siloam Springs 4 . 17 4 .50 3.99 FYV Million Air Fayetteville 1 City SS 4 .44 4 .57 4 .09 3 .49 • VBT Summit Aviation 4.30 4 .45 4 .20 FSM TAC Air 4.67 4 .79 4.24 ASG Pinnacle Air Services 4 .38 4 .44 4 .28 ROG Beaver Lake Aviadon 4 .34 4 .45 XNA Regional Jet Center 4 .37 4 .94 FBO Statistics: August 2007 Million Air Category Gallons % Category % TOTAL Jet Fuel sold to FVY-based customers 15 ,088 50 .6% 37 .3% Jet Fuel sold to itinerant customers 14 ,716 49 .4% 36.3% Total Jet Fuel Sold 29 ,804 78 .5% 73 .6% 100LL sold to FYV-based customers 31950 48 .3% 9 .8% 100LL sold to itinerant customers 40231 51 .7% 10 .4% Total 10OLL Sold 81181 21 .5% 20.2% TOTAL ALL: 37 ,985 93 .8% City Category 100LL sold Self-Serve 21397 95 .4% 5 .9% 87 Octane MoGas sold Self Serve 115 4 .6% 0 .3% TOTAL ALL: 21512 6 .2% 10OLL • 100LL sold self-serve 21397 22.7% 5 .9% 100LL sold Million Air FBO 81181 77 .3% 20 .2% TOTAL ALL: 10,578 26. 1 % 2007 Cumulative Fuel Sales by Percent of Type Fuel Saks by Month 2007 a aAsm.A:r,mos a — � 35 — — m ao — ' a — : m — — 1° to — RASa)t°°LL,loa na;7 .V. 0 melANTIOU SSA14 e.Aa ° AN F® IMa APR MAY ,All JI AW $® OCT NOV D3 • • d r o o o r o ro o ro o m m � o o c� O1 O o mm O O O m O N O O yy 0 0 O) Oo O m < N m O e NmA e N N O O V NO N tV CCI00� � Oeh N D VN t0 "' W p?py m mom p tA0 OMi Mom ' O m m N n to ea0 M N �t M O N os vz M C CL O r r ' N N N s OJ ONi n N O V N O O ATF OOmiO fO m � O ? 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S N d N N N N N 7 0 N N d N 0 m2 N N m Qa cH22 � QR W cSZ 2 w2 Q: x U m0 w � 00 M N M CO h W o O � N M C U0 w r� M 0 O F N icniql*, Q m U D W lL C9 S — N c7 M M 7 V V Vim' Vim' V 7 a V V V V1°' 7 V Nt 7 a', a' a' a' a' n novo to cove co Q co O N C N C m cu W 'O dca m N Co h L Q Q L N 45 y fp _C m U w cc 0 m 3v � v U d N N N V m 'm •Co cx Clm v .m .� ca d N N y • d' 2 d' � LLw W O W N M O O � N LO Ln In In In co co co V C V C V MISSION STATEMENT Fayetteville Municipal Airport, Drake Field 2007-2011 To Lead Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas with strategic and innovative aviation services and solutions designed to foster economic growth and commerce in an ever changing economic environment ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION: To be a progressive force in leading Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas with Innovative aviation services and solutions designed to foster economic growth and the promotion of interstate and global commerce by providing a strategic approach to the transportation needs of the community in an ever changing economic environment SUGGESTIONS: 1. To lead Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas with innovative and strategic aviation services and solutions designed to foster economic growth and the promotion of interstate and global commerce. 2. To lead Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas with innovative and • strategic aviation services and solutions designed to foster economic growth and promote interstate and global commerce. 3. To be a progressive force leading Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas by providing strategic, innovative aviation solutions and services designed to foster economic growth and promote interstate and global transportation and commerce. 4. To be a progressive force in leading Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas with Innovative aviation services and solutions designed to foster economic growth in an ever changing economic environment • r Drake Field Tenant Survey The results of the survey are shown below. Individual comments are separated by semicolon. • 1 -poor, 2-needs improvement, 3-sufficient, 4 ood, 5-excellent 1 2 3 4 5 As an airport tenant, how do you rate the following categories of services or activities in comparison to other airports you have leased from or considered leasing from? Quality of airfield approach aids 1 2 10 4 COMMENTS: (blank rating) VFR only; Need GPS LPV approach for RWY 16; Quality of Air Traffic Control Tower service 2 16 COMMENTS: Best in the State!; Best in the area; Quality of weather conditions reportage from ATCT 9 8 COMMENTS: none Quality of airfield movement area lights 1 12 5 COMMENTS: none Quality of airfield painted markings / signage 1 1 10 6 COMMENTS: Very Good; Quality of airfield maintenance 1 1 6 10 COMMENTS: Very Good; More vaccume surface areas for FOD; Quality of leased hangar / building / facility 3 8 6 COMMENTS: Poor lighting; Weather strip under door is not adhered to pavement; HANGAR DOORS NEED NEW SEALS *OR WATER & DIRT PENETRATION; Cost of leased hangar / building / facility 1 2 6 6 2 COMMENTS: Average for Area; Quality of hangar / building / facility maintenance 4 5 7 COMMENTS: none Staff response to maintenance problem 1 5 4 8 COMMENTS: No Problems; Excellent; Ease of access to your leased space 8 11 COMMENTS: Good when fire trucks aren't driving in area; Airfield security gates & fence 1 3 4 9 1 COMMENTS: Gate sticks and has slow response to remote openers; Wish it was better designed. And, that it was not inop so often; East Side Gate Issues; Gate continues to not work properly; Doesn't always work; Staff response to gate or access problem 1 1 1 1 1 5 3 4 COMMENTS: NO PROBLEMS; Staff continues to patch and work on gate with the best equipment they have.; Quality of pilot flight planning facilities 3 1 7 6 COMMENTS: Dial up modem is unacceptable at East side pilot lounge; Quality of restroom facilities 1 1 1 1 4 8 6 •COMMENTS: At east side restrooms, interior paint should be a lighter color; A little better cleaning, please; Availabilty of aircraft maintenance service 4 3 7 COMMENTS: NO EXPERIENCE; Page 1 of 5 L Quality of aircraft maintenance shop 3 3 7 • COMMENTS: Aviation Maintenance Professionals is a Great shop.; NO EXPERIENCE; Availabilty of aircraft avionics service 1 7 g COMMENTS: NO EXPERIENCE; Quality of avionics shop 4 11 COMMENTS: Wings Avionics is a great shop. Expensive but you get quality service.; NO EXPERIENCE; Availability of FBO fueling services 2 7 5 COMMENTS: They were out of 10OLL when I last needed to fuel; Quality of FBO fueling services 1 2 4 7 COMMENTS: Don't cater to Millionair - go for fuel bids will pay off with increased traffic flow; Quality of FBO customer service 3 4 7 COMMENTS: none Cost of FBO fuel is competitive with other airports 1 1 8 2 2 COMMENTS: Out of touch on this; When one or more airports are too high on prices for fuel in the small area you use, then I don't believe you want or are trying to get traffic from other areas. Lowering fuel prices to meet other small airport fuel prices would increase traffic and sales would increase. As you said before you don't want to under cut Millionair as the City purchases fuel from them and don't want to undercut price as it might hurt their business. Business is business - maybe by selling fuel at a reasonable - lowered price Millionair would have to reevaluate their own sells. Everywhere I have been that Millionair has moved into or are fuel prices have increased out of site. Tulsa, OKC. Keeping the price high will also keep the fuel in the tank longer to collect water and contaminants.; Quality of self-serve fueling facility 1 12 3 • COMMENTS: CANOPY FOR WEATHER NEEDED & WEST EXPOSURE SUN SCREEN; Cost of self-serve fuel is competitive with other airports 1 2 1 3 3 5 3 COMMENTS: Out of touch on this also; Springdale, XNA, Rogers - Maybe these airports. I don't think we are competitive. Other airports in the area within 50 -75 miles beat our price at times .30 or more. They bid fuel and don't purchase from on field suppliers.; RECENT INCREASED FORMULA HAS PROBABLY HURT ATTRACTING CUSTOMER; Staff response to self-serve facility problems I 1 1 1 3 5 5 COMMENTS: Ground wire spool has been messed up for months; Grounding cable needs a larger reel; NEVER A PROBLEM; Never had a problem; Quality of billing / invoicing administration 1 1 5 9 COMMENTS: Need Auto Bank Draft for Monthly Billing; NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET EMAILED RECEIPT WHEN PAPER IS OUT ON MACHINE; Ease of submitting invoice payment 1 5 5 6 COMMENTS: Need Auto Bank Draft for Monthly Billing; Staff response to billing / invoice problem 3 4 6 COMMENTS: NO PROBLEMS; NEVER HAD A PROBLEM; How do you rate Drake Field overall compared to other airports 12 5 COMMENTS: I am happy to be at Drake; • Page 2 of 5 , at other services or facilities do you need or would you like to see at Drake Field? ower the gate open time to 5 seconds, most everyone is thru before gate hits stops, probably 20 veh could get thru before it starts to close, and no, no-one is going to sit and wait for it to close. I always get out of site between hanger rows before gate starts to close.; There is a small wind sock just south of the east side hangars. This wind sock is in shreds and now serves no useful purpose. Is this wind sock part of the airport or something an individual put up. If it is part of the airport it would be nice to have it replaced.; Wireless Internet on airport would be nice,on east and west side. That's about it,everything else is good,maybe lower hanger rent.; Possible other bids for fuel - self service area. Charge hanger tenants that leave lights on extra rent so our rent will not increase due to operating cost increase.; BETTER DEFINED TIE-DOWN LOCATIONS. THIS PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN FIXED, BUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I HAD A HELL OF A TIME FINDING A PLACE TO TIE DOWN WHEN I CAME IN LATE AT NIGHT. THIS WAS BEFORE I GOT A LEASE ON A HANGAR. ALSO, THE LIGHTING OF THE TIE-DOWN AREA WAS NON-EXISTENT AT THE TIME.; YOU HAVE A QUALITY RESTAURANT, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. HOWEVER, THERE IS LITTLE VEWING OF THE AIR SIDE FROM THE RESTAURANT, WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON PEOPLE EAT AT AN AIRPORT RESTAURANT. 1-definitely not, 2-not interested, 3-might attend, 4definite) attend, 5 volunteer to hel o anize or artici ate 1 2 3 4 5 As an airport tenant, what kinds of activities or events would you like to see or participate In? • Annual or bi-annual Airshow 1 1 1 8 4 Experimental Aircraft Association / Young Eagles 2 5 4 3 Museum fundraiser "Planes Trains & Automobiles" 4 6 2 2 Weekend fly-ins 2 7 5 1 COMMENTS: Reduce fuel cost by .20 to .25 cents per gal for fly-in weekends or some special attractant (hotdog cookout, hamburger lunch) does and has increased sales as well as traffic. I have been at an airport that does this on Sat. and Sundays; Pilot club 3 6 2 2 COMMENTS: DONT UNDERSTAND THIS; Flying club (airplane cost share) 1 9 3 Tenant picnic / cookout 1 2 4 6 EH Are there other events or activities you would like to see at Drake Field? Get more airshows, and bigger events. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES ARE GOOD. WE EXPECT TO RELOCATE OUR HOME TO THE AREA IN 2008 AND EXPECT TO INCREASE LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AFTER MOVE IS COMPLETED. ANY ACTIVITY THAT BRINGS PEOPLE INTO AVIATION, NOT JUST TO THE AIRPORT. ONCE WAS A TIME WHEN A YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN COULD HANG AROUND THE FENCE ON SATURDAY AND MAYBE BE OFFERED A RIDE. MAYBE A SATURDAY MORNING "FLY-IN" ONCE A QUARTER OR SO WOULD BRING INTEREST TO DRAKE. FAA/AOPA SAFETY MEETINGS • Page 3 of 5 • 1-not important, 2-slightly important, 3-im oriant , 4-more im ortant, 5-extreme) im ortant 1 2 3 4 5 In the last six months, aircraft operations (takeoffs & landings) at Drake Field have fallen off. In your opinion, what are the factors contributing to this drop off? Business conditions in NW Arkansas 1 6 3 2 1 Tightening economic conditions in the US overall 4 1 3 6 Cost of Fuel 1 3 12 Cost of aircraft maintenance and storage 5 4 3 3 Flying for business purposes has become too expensive 1 6 3 3 Flying for recreation has become too expensive 4 4 7 Not as many pilots being trained 3 10 1 General Aviation not being publicized / promoted in the media 3 6 5 271 COMMENTS: GA is thought of as being for the wealthy instead of for the masses; What other factors do you think may be contributing to the downturn in airport operations at Drake Field? Weather. June and much of july had high winds, T storms. First half of Aug, too hot after about 9am. Also Real estate mkt in the toilet has to have an effect. The past winter, spring and early summer were tough weather months for VFR general aviation. With many days of low overcast / rain. I know this is the main reason that I have not flown as much as last year. I have no basis for an opinion on this topic. Have you compared the movement data for FYV with other airports? • There is no good stimulation to fly for many people. Fear of flying (admited or not), weather, and ever increasing cost are hadr things for many people to overcome. People that can afford to fly are becoming older and less enthusiastic about dragging them selves out to the airport and climbing into an old airplane that they hate to pay to keep maintained and launching into the wild blue yonder. Young people simply have no opportunity to fly - the direct cost and the opportunity cost are simply too great. Even if they are willing to sacrifice everything it is so complex to get into flying they do not really have an opportunity. Less air traffic - less money spent in the area. Attraction Attraction Attraction - Pilots will fly 50 to 100 miles to save 25 cents per gallon. We want to fly and so we fly to an airport that has Hamburger cookouts, or just to get cheaper fuel. Just think about it. You raised the rent on hangers, fuel prices very high, and there isn't much to attract pilots and aircraft. You are building hangers for the larger aircraft, wanting (talking) to build a golf course and hotel but can't do things that would help your tenants. Most (pilots) would do anything for the airport if we felt that the airport board really cared about the pilots. We could spend our time to have these fly-ins (I have at my old airport) and attract air traffic, but there usually are other attractants too. Such as cheaper fuel for the day or weekend. This is probably a waste of time to write this as saving money and making money is our Board's Main Objective. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A FULL TIME FLYING SCHOOL AND ANOTHER INSTRUCTOR IS A BIG ADVANTAGE. TIME WILL BRING IN STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WILL BRING IN BUSINESS. THE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN NW ARKANSAS HAS SLOWED BUT WILL PICK UP AGAIN. THE NEW HANGAR SPACE WILL PROBABLY HELP THAT. INCENTIVES TO CORPORATE FLIGHT DEPARTMENTS MIGHT HELP. SHORT OF LEVELING TWO HILLS, I DONT THINK THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES. THE RECENT CHANGE IN THE FUEL FORMULA CAUSED A DECREASE IN COMPETITION IN OUR AREA. THIS WAS PROABLY A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO SOME DECREASED OPERATIONS. Gas Prices !! — You could make them lower on the east side if you wanted to. Too many resident pilots go to Siloam Springs to fuel up for me to believe they could not be lower on our airport. Go low and get the word out to places like • Aimay.com and people will come here just to get gas — just like they used to. Competitive fuel pricing. Lowering the price of 100LL should generate additional operations. (by phone) Pana d of S Do you have any other Ideas about what would help to make Drake Field the best GA airport in NW Arkansas? think it already is 1 . At one time Drake had the lowest priced AvGas in the area. Return to that policy and it will help bring people to the field for fuel. 2. Install a water cooler in or outside of the pilot's lounge on the Tee Hangar side of the field. 3. Repair the access gate going to the Tee hangars. 4. Install a larger reel for the grounding cable at the self-service fuel pump. 5. Replace the cap retainer spring on the self-service fuel pump nozzle. 6. Install high-speed wireless Internet access in the pilot's lounge on the Tee Hangar side of the field so pilots can use their laptops for flight planning and for updating their GPS database. I think we already have the best GA airport in NW Arkansas And, keeping in touch with all of us is a very good way to keep it that way. Possibly either the airport or the tenants could do something to help promote business for Wilma's resturant. Good airport resturants are scarce. It is pretty good as it is. An ILS approach would be nice. I like to fly and I used to be involved in a flying club that flew as a group to new and different destinations about once a month. The spirit was great. Perhaps something like that would work here. What I really hate is getting together with a bunch of aviators here in Arkansas and the only function is eating! Lets fly for goodness sake. Read and listen to everyone's concerns. There could be a GREAT TEAM built here on both sides. AT SOME OTHER AIRPORTS I HAVE USED, FLYING CLUBS HAVE HAD A BIG IMPACT. IF NOTHING ELSE, IT PROVIDES A MECHANISM FOR LOCAL PILOTS TO GET TOGETHER AND TALK FLYING, FLY TOGETHER, AND IDENTIFY AND FIX PROBLEMS THAT ARISE ON THEIR AIRPORT. SOME OF THESE ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE, OTHERS ARE MORE REASONABLE. ONE I KNOW OF HAS A LARGE GROUP AND SEVERAL AIRPLANES FOR USE, BUT THEIR RULES ARE SO RESTRICTIVE, AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP PRICES SO HIGH, THAT IT KEEPS SOME PEOPLE FROM JOINING. •WHILE ATTENDING AN EAA MEETING IN BERRYVILLE, A COOKOUT WAS HOSTED BY THE LOCAL AIRPORT AND ATTENDEE'S WERE INVITED TO BRING A SIDE DISH. ALONG WITH THE FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP, THE AIRPORT ALSO OFFERED A SPECIAL CUT RATE GAS PRICE FOR THE AFTERNOON. FOOD IS A GOOD ATTRACTION AND THE HOST COOKED A LARGE POT OF GUMBO, INEXPENSIVE FOR THE NUMBER PEOPLE THAT IT FED, BUT THE CUT RATE FUEL WAS ALSO VERY WELCOME. I BELIEVE THAT WITH A SLIGHT BIT OF MONEY SPENT TO SPREAD THE WORD, MORE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE COME. THIS EVENT WOULD NEED TO BE TIMED PROPERLY (OFF FOOTBALL SEASON, ETC) TO ATTRACT A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE. IT COULD BE COMBINED WITH THE MUSEUMS SUPPORT. Drake Field already IS the best airport in NW Arkansas. Keep the service up and get the prices lower if possible and it will stay that way. The rest of the problem resides in Washington D.C. and there is not much you can do about that. — Pay your AOPA dues and send $75 off to AOPA PAC every now and then. Fuel cost vs profit is a bell-shaped curve. On the one end, fuel sold at near cost generates lots of sales (operations) but little profit. On the other end, extremely expensive fuel is high profit per gallon, but few sales (operations) also resulting in little profit. The optimum (peak profit) is somewhere between these two extremes. At present, at $4.09 per gallon, we are on the high side of the peak. No pilot is going to go out of his/her way to buy fuel at Drake Field; it's loo expensive. To/from Oshkosh about 6 weeks ago, we purchased fuel in Moberly, MO for $3.28 per gallon. Airplanes were lined up to buy gas for both our visits. Word travels quickly about fuel among pilots. Do some experimenting. Lower the price and see how much the operations go up. The profit should go up too compared to what is being generated now at the current price. According to Aimay.com, the cheapest fuel within 50 miles of Drake is found in Tahlequah, OK at $3.68 per gallon. Can they afford it more than we can? Why not check with them and see what their experiences are? The airport needs to pursue additional revenue streams. Particularly, should try to attract a scheduled commuter to some nearby hubs; Tulsa, Kansas City, DFW. People don't really like the drive to XNA. Jets would be best, but I think the public would accept an older twin-turbo prop which would be less expensive to operate and maintain, thus keeping the price • competitive. (by phone) THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR SURVEYI Page 5 of 5 • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES Monday, September 10, 2007 - Canadian . Snowbirds to per ;aerobatics show . at Drake Field Northwest AramsTn6 about .05 Canadian Forces and : citizen : friendliness • ' ,fit personnel : Twenty-four among the factors in 'the ) lCanada'snine-jetairdem squadron members com decisionto`return. Frationteamwill'perform prise the team that travels The team 'flies with rake Field' on Sept. 26 in during the show `season. extreme. ,precision— with as tteville The show-.team has 11 air- little' as four feet of separa- lying CT-114 Tutor jets, craft, nine for aerobatic tion from wingtip to wirigtip fhb men and women of performances and two as —. at speeds ranging from the 431 Air Demonstration ' spares. I . 100-320 knots. More infor- Squadron will perform a This year the squadron mation, including vrde. o dariety of aerial maneuvers, will perform at 58 air shows clips;. may be found at the including the Big Diamond in 35, locations: during its . squadrons Web site, www. formation' . the Centennial mid-May through mid-Octo- snowbirds.forces.gc:ca. rtrst, the Double Inverted ber season. Seven locations Also appearing at the Wss,, the Concord and the this year are in the United show :will be Matt Younkin, ag Back Cross. Admission States with the rest in Can- Ray Vetsch, Phillip Butcher, 1,T$6`for 13 and older; 12 and ada. This is the'second time the 188th Fighter Wing and Faungerwillb'e admitted free in three years that the group the Arkansas Falling Stars of charge. Gates will open at has selected Fayetteville as*a parachute team. Attendees 3�.m. venue for its performance, are encouraged to bring their -'""`rhe squadron consists of citing responsive turnout own chairs to the event. • ION MVN 0 1.0 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES „ ,, JL .L Sunday, September 2, 2007 • Broken back, but no broken Spirit Truman Smith, family deal with troubles life dishes out BY WIUUM HARRISON Guest Commentary 0 ur wounded veterans earn our gratitude and con- The ordeal wasp t over. Truman was in the water 45 min- tinued care, but sometimes they need special con- utes while helicopters tried to get the horse collar to him. sideration and emergency attention, like our friend As he cut away the remainder of his chute with his knife he Truman Smith. realized his legs were useless. When they finally hauled him Truman gave his legs for his country years ago, but bad up he felt his backbone separate. Getting him into the cop- luck has followed him. Although he has fought bravely to for they raked his broken back across the steel door frame. rebuild his life and take care of his family, he still needs The pain was excruciating, yet below his waist he felt noth- help. ing and knew the hard truth: his spine was severed and his The first time fateput its dark hand on Truman Sinith—he legs were gone. Was a Navy pilot flying surveillance missions in the Pacific. Truman, paralyzed below the waist, was flown to Okinawa was 1963 and he was tracking.Russian submarines in the then to Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego and later to the uth Seas. Veterans Administration Hospital in Long Beach. His wife, He was 26-years-old that year, a small-town boy from Lynn, and their daughter, Melanie, joined him. While in the Arkansas, a graduate of his state university, recently married, hospital, Truman got days off and could join his family in his a lieutenant junior grade, optimistic and positive although wheelchair. He didn't want to be seen in public like that, but he was flying an old ADS that had twice gone to the aviation Lynn insisted. boneyard only to be.re-activated for use on aircraft carriers. "We're going shopping and out to eat. Get in your wheel- Taking off that bright October day his plane suddenly lost chair and let's go," she told him. They were at the beginning power and Truman fought to keep control. He knew these of her many years of devotion and endless encouragement. aircraft had a tendency to tum upside down in the water, Truman and Lynn had met at the University of Arkan- becoming a coffin for pilots, so he fell hard from 100 feet, sas and wanted to return to Fayetteville. In January 1966 he kept it upright, and started fighting to get out of his para- entered the law school determined to provide for his fam- chute. Seated behind him was his co-pilot and friend, John ily in spite of his injury. In 1969, he gradpted and began to Wasickanin, who was fighting to get out, too. Trtimans back, look for a job in a university town that was full of lawyers. was hurt in the crash and he was having trouble with both He went to work for a firm earning $300 a month, but a year the chute and canopy as the dark water rushed around them. later started his private practice. They were sinking fast. 4 He insisted on a normal life without anyone's pity. He and The canopy wouldn't budge and he thought he was kick- Lynn raised and bred Arabian horses on a farm they bought Ing upward with his legs, but he wasri t. His legs — as he soon off Arkansas 45. Lynn bought a Canadian national champion discovered — weren't kicking at all: stallion and they traveled to regional contests to show their As the cabin around him filled with water, he thought of Arabians. taking one last deep breath, filling his lungs and drowning, yet he fought on. He saw a dying light above him, made a last Truman also loved fishing and hunting and he managed to effort, and the canopy opened. Now he had another prob- take John Wasickanin's son, Todd, on a deep-sea fishing trip. em: his parachute was strapped over his inflatable vest. At Todd wanted stories about the father he had never known, so st he pulled the chute aside so the vest could inflate. He Truriian filled him in. The stories and remembrances meant egan to rise toward the surface. Seconds mattered and his a lot to Todd, so he and his family have visited Fayetteville breath was gone. Then he broke through. The plane was in and remained close to Truman over the years. the sea far below and he knew his friend Wasickanin was lost. In Fayetteville, Truman's professional career grew and Truman reads, watches televised sports, keeps up with changed. He became city prosecutor and later small claims his beloved Razorbacks, and stays in contact by phone with judge. He served as president of the Washington County Bar hundreds of friends: his Navy buddies, Sigma Nu brothers, Association. members of the.bar association and other disabled veterans. He also accomplished something with Lynn that doctors He's a born storyteller and quick to laugh. But he's fighting called improbable. Lynn became pregnant and their "mira-. rising medical costs and wants to keep Charolotte at home cle daughter" Charolotte was born. and not have her put away in an institution. As the years passed, Lynn raised their daughters; worked ' In the last year Lynn, a diabetic, has,been diagnosed with with the horses, and helped Tru with his daily struggle at breast cancer and congestive'heart failure. She can no Ion- home and work. They bought a sprawling brick home in a ger physically care for Tru and Charolotte in the home. Their hillside neighborhood and he took a fierce pride in his abfl- savings and assets are gone. ity to work and provide. In: their desperation, both Tru and Lynn. try to remain But fate, unfortunately, wasdt.fmished with them. buoyant. Truman owned and drove many cars with hand controls. He likes to tell.the story of the time he came out of a local He often did the family grocery shopping, dropped off the grocery store in his wheelchair with little 4-year-old Cha- girls at school and drove downtown to his office. One night rolotte and bags of groceries in his lap. They went down a ` in 1999 he was the last to leave work and waited for the ele- curb, tipped over,. and spilled everything into the parking lot vator that would take him down to the parking garage. When people ran to help them. A woman broke into teats at the . the doors opened he turned his wheelchair so, as always, he ,'sight. But Charolotte was laughing and said, "Daddy, can we could back into the elevator, but he fell into an open space do that again?" Rod dropped one flight down. The elevator had malfunc- They picked up their groceries and he got himself back in ned. He broke ribs, his pelvis, and every bone in his para- the wheelchair. It's still how he likes to think of himself and lyzed legs. his family. We may go down, but we get up. There's work to He faced amputation and months of medical care. After do. Get on with it. 22 months in VA hospitals his legs were saved, but his pre- cious mobility ended. He became bedridden. Friends, fraternity brothers and members of the bar asso- During all this fate dealt the family another blow ciation have established a special needs trust for the family. Their daughter Charolotte, a gynwpst and dancer, injured However, the trust proceeds are almost gone. Contributions her .back. When pain persisted she added another drug to can be sent to the Truman Smith Family Special Needs Trust, her muscle relaxant without consulting a doctor. She went Bank of Fayetteville, P.O. Boz 1728, Fayetteville, AR 72702. to sleep on the living room couch and never woke up. She had fallen into a coma and has suffered ever since with an William Harrison is an award-winning novelist, short irreversible brain injury. story writer and screenwriter who waw founder of the Uni- The house on Hilldale Drive has become a clinic: Truman versity,ofArkansas' CreativeWriting Program. He's the author sees therapists and has to be turned in his bed every three of several works, such as "The Theologian," "Rollerball Mur- hours while Charolotte requires round-the-clock attention. der and Other Stories," the screenplay for "Rollerball," "In a "In the last three years," Lynn says, "Charolotte has start- Wild Sanctuary" and others. ed smiling again." But Charolotte remains mute and dazed, so progress is slow. 2.1.(JY11 Ct�Y1 Ky �"