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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-13 - Agendas - Final AGENDA FAYETTEVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, DRAKE FIELD • Meeting of the Airport Board 1 :30 pm, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Airport Terminal Conference Room 1 . Welcome — Chairman Bob Nickle. A. Please tum off all cell phones. B. Comments from the public on items on the agenda. 2. Minutes of the January 9, 2008 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. G. Museum Reports. 4. Old Business. A. Discussion: Name change for the Airport. • B. Discussion: MoGas. C. Final Resolution regarding VOR/DME-13 for Runway 34. 5. New Business. A. Temporary Use Agreement: The Engineering Institute. B. Lease Agreement: Christina Wilson, dba Airport Hair Salon. C. Discussion: Aerospace and Technology Park. 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 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 • • MINUTES FAYETTEVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT BOARAD MEETING January 9, 2008 MEMBERS ATTENDING: Bob Nickle, Janice Stanesic, Vaughn DeCoster, Richard Green, Tim McCarley MEMBERS ABSENT: David Hollman STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers OTHERS PRESENT: Leonard McCandless-Ozark Military Museum (OMM), Warren Jones-Arkansas Air Museum (AAM), Wayne Jones-McClelland Engineers, Blaise Sharkey-Million Air Fayetteville, Rick McKinney-tenant ITEM # 1 : Welcome — Chairman Bob Nickle. Welcomed everyone and directed everyone to have a Happy New Year, and to have a better year. A. Turn off cell phones as they will interfere with the filming of the meeting. B. Comments from the public on items on the agenda. None. ITEM #2: Minutes of the November 14. 2007 meeting. • A motion to approve the minutes was made by Janice Stanesic and seconded by Otto Loewer. The motion carried. ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports. A. Chairman Nickle. Offered congratulations to Warren Jones (AAM) for securing a grant for lights in the hangar, and on Hugh Brewer's donation of $25,000.00. B. Director Boudreaux, report on airport activity. Reported there had been nearly 1 ,000 less per month aircraft operations in 2007 as there were in 2006. We weren't as bad as some other local airports. The local AvGas sales have increased over the year, thank you SkyVenture. Million Air sold half millions gallons of fuel, which is 10 % below last year. Said he had not heard back from NWACC regarding renting the hangar, but he had been working with a company interested in opening a paint shop in that hangar, it is large enough to paint large planes. The FBO Hangar floor restoration project started in August and has had a few flaws, they are here this week to do some repairs under warranty. Wilma's Restaurant is working with a leasing company for space across from Lowe's on Highway 62 and may leave at the end of February. We have two other parties interested in the restaurant area. Chairman Nickle spoke of the need to have a successful restaurant; the ones we have had the last few years have struggled. Another possibility would be to rent it out as office space. That would be steady income for the airport. • C. Financial Coordinator Nicholson, report on budget and FBO. Displayed the operations and fuel charts. Operations for the year were down, checked with thirty 1 airports around the region and they have all experienced the same thing. We are in the • middle of the price range for fuel prices. Referencing the Financial Report, charts were shown. The figure under the Rents and Leases is not correct as Accounting has not posted the year end figures. Discussion followed about having a line item showing the debt service and rent received for the new corporate hangars. D. Senior Secretary Powers, report on T-Hangar leases. All units are rented. One T- Hangar was vacated this last month and was immediately filled. We have two coming open this month and they will be filled. We have about eight to ten names on each waiting list. E. Engineer Wayne Jones, report on construction projects. The striping project is completed. Paperwork has been submitted to the State for grant reimbursement. Utilities in the corporate hangars have been transferred over to the tenants. There is a problem with the big hangar doors in the new hangars and we are working with the contractor. The Obstruction Survey data has been sent to the FAA. Completion date is estimated by the end of March. A Change Order identifying the contract's scope of work has been sent through the City Council. Chairman Nickle stated the Amendment to Task Order #3 with McClelland Engineers will be brought up under New Business. It will include the Environmental Assessment for Runway 16, Runway Safety Area Improvement Project. The environmental work has already started; a representative from the Core of Engineers has been here to identify any wet-lands. Information has been sent to the firm lobbying for the Airport Safety Area to change the White Paper to show we have received FAA approval to go ahead with the steps to accomplish the project. F. Director Boudreaux, report on maintenance activity. Most of their work has been • on the hangars. A problem with the lights on the sign by the highway has been fixed. G. Reports from the Museums. - Leonard McCandless-Ozark Military Museum: They have applied for the City' s Building Permit for their Restoration Building. - Warren Jones-Arkansas Air Museum: Thanked Million Air for being a good citizen and waiting for their payment after the Snowbirds' Event. The museum has new members on their Board, Hugh Brewer is Chairman and Ray is on the Board. Hugh also donated $25,000 and the City did a matching grant to pay for new lighting in the hangar, gift shop and library. They are working on getting heat in the hangar, they had to tum down three Christmas parties because of the cold. The Museum has applied for Air Force participation, and they are working on getting the hangar designated as a Historical District which will allow the Museum to apply to the State for funds to bring the hangar back to new original status. There are a number of events scheduled. Director Boudreaux reported that if the hangar is developed into a Historical District, FAA involvement would not be required. ITEM #4: Old Business. Chairman Nickle reported he had been selected by the City Council for another Airport Board Membership Term of five years. By Airport Board consensus Bob Nickle will remain Chairman of the Airport Board, and will not require a vote. ITEM #5: New Business. • 2 • A. Contract with Robinson Aviation ( RVA) for the operation of the Air Traffic control Tower at Fayetteville Municipal Airport-Drake Field. The old annual rate was $ 1 ,873 .92, the new rate will be $2,028.42. A move to approve the contract and forward it to the City Council for approval was made by Richard Greene and seconded by Vaughn DeCoster. The motion carried. B. The C3 Group, Inc. Lease Agreement for office space in the terminal building. The monthly rental rate will be $684.00. A motion to approve the lease and forward through the Contract Review process was made by Tim McCarley and seconded by Janice Stanesic. The motion carried. C. Task Order #3 with McClelland Engineers changing the scope of work to include the Environmental Assessment for the Runway 16 Improvement Area Project. A motion to approve and forward to the City Council was made by Otto Loewer and seconded by Tim McCarley. The motion carried. D. Discussion: MoGas. James reported that because of the price not many people have been purchasing the self-serve MoGas and we are wondering how beneficial it is to have the MoGas setting there over a long time for the very few customers that use the MoGas mixed with AvGas in their planes. Seventy-five gallons was sold last month. Director • Boudreaux said we have allowed a very small profit margin and it is still over-priced. Richard Greene suggested putting in the Airport's Newsletter that we are considering doing away with the MoGas and invite tenant comments; if no complaints we decide we don't need it. Chairman Nickle stated it had been installed partly as a safety issue, to keep tenants from bringing five gallon fuel cans on the airfield and keeping them in the hangars. E. Discussion: Change the name of the Airport, replacing "Municipal" with "Executive". It was suggested the change could be used in marketing, but not change on the aeronautical charts. V. DeCoster said it fits better with the quality of the airport we want to present. R. Greene said the pilots up in the air don't care either way, to them it is FYV. O. Loewer said he didn't want to vote until staff investigates the cost of changing the name, how many signs would need changed, how it would affect addresses on business cards, and would it run anyone off. R. Greene said if it did then we didn't need them. B. Sharkey commented the FBO would love the name changed. Chairman Nickle asked who would actually make the approval to change the name, it wouldn't be the Airport Board, and in the research we need to have our reasons for changing the name and asked Ray to report at the next meeting. R. McKinney suggested finding an airport that had changed their name and how it had affected them. F. FAA letter to cancel the Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP): VOR/DME-B. Director Boudreaux proposed a Resolution from the Airport Board to oppose the FAA removing the VOR until new equipment is in place, and operational, to take the place of • the VOR. 3 1` A motion to oppose the FAA removing the VOR until new equipment is in place and • operational that will take the place of the IFP / VOR/DME-B was made by Vaughn DeCoster and seconded by Richard Greene. The motion carried. ITEM #6: Other Business. A. Items from the Public. None. B. Items from the Airport Board. Vaughn DeCoster brought forth a concern from the airport-flying community: Runway Incursions and Airport Security. He suggested having an FSDO training at the airport for those that aren't pilots, and to remind the aviation community of ground traffic rules. He mentioned an aircraft had been stolen recently from a Miami, Oklahoma airport and that we need to remind pilots to lock their hangars, be more aware of rules regarding the entrance and exit gates, and suggested an inventory of the keys. Director Boudreaux said the airport delayed the security project because of designing the complete plan. It would be a 90/10 grant project. Director Boudreaux brought forth a concern from the Control Tower. When the tower clears you from the aircraft ramp to Runway 34, for instance, that does not mean you are cleared to cross the runway. You need to stop and request clearance to cross the runway. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:05 pm. David Hollman, Secretary Date • • 4 • aeyveVle • - ARK A N S A S AVIATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FAYETTEVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT • DRAKE FIELD February 6, 2008 MONTHLY REPORT Aviation and Economic Development Department Fayetteville, Arkansas January 2008 AVIATION: • The Razorback Basketball season is well underway so you will see DC-9's, B- 737's, ERJ 's and Domiers on the apron with some regularity. Operations were only slightly better than last month but reflected the typical January. Fuel sales were just over 41 ,000 gallons within only a few hundred gallons of last January and January 2006. • New runway and taxiway striping is complete and pilots report a great improvement. We are processing the final invoice and will close out with the State by the end of February. • The Runway End Obstruction Survey Project is still underway. The FAA is very • interested in the results as are we. It should be complete by the end of February as well. • We submitted change to Task Order #3 with McClelland Consulting Engineers (MCE) for the RSA Runway 16 Improvement Project to eliminate the final design and to include the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project. It did not require Council Action and was approved through the contract review process. It reduced the overall cost of Task Order #3 by about $25,000.00. Barnard Dunkelberg will be doing the EA with MCE and conducted public meetings and meetings with the State Highway department on February 4, 2008. The evening meeting was well attended. Most all of local land owners were there. The only comment was a concern by the lady living on Bailey Dr. She wanted to know how close the road would come to her house. • We met with Walt Eilers, candidate for Mayor of Fayetteville, to discuss the future of the Airport. • We met with John Gray, Mayor of Greenland about our development plan and the potential for future cooperative ventures between the City of Fayetteville and the City of Greenland. He also attended the first public meeting conducted for the RSA 16 Improvement Project. He is very interested in cooperating for Fire Coverage for Greenland. We will facilitate those meetings with Fayetteville Fire Department. He is very interested in any development that takes place as the airport is in the Greenland School District. • Louise, Airport Senior Secretary received her 25 year service award from the City • in January. Ray received his 5 year award. • Chairman Bob Nickle was reappointed to the Airport Board by the City Council. 4500 SOUTH SCHOOL AVENUE, SUITE F • AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING • FAYETTEVILLE AR 72701 479.718.7642 • 479.718.7646 FAX • www.accessfayetteville.orglgovemmenVaviation airport economic development@ci.fayettevi I le.ar.us • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: • We have responded to a request from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for an aviation related development. It could be $ 150M investment and 650 jobs. We have given them two sites that meet their criteria and hope to get a site visit. It is a blanket solicitation so we are competing with many other communities. • As a result of an ADEC solicitation, we are applying to ADEC for grant funding to potentially develop the land adjacent to the airport east of the T Hangars. We have met with the owner and are negotiating an option or purchase. Much must be done. The idea is to develop the area as an Aerospace Technology Park. Before we make an offer to purchase, we would need an appraisal, survey, environmental survey, geotechnical assessment and an archeological study. Once we have the information that categorizes the land as developable, we would consider a land purchase or long term option. Once the land is tied up, we would be able to develop a virtual design for the property. • We received a new flood plain map from the City that indicates the flood plain has changed significantly and shows the south end of the runway under the 100 yr flood. We know that to be incorrect so will work to send a protest to the data. The new map has not yet been accepted by FEMA or the City Council. • We attended the formal welcome of Case Stack Industries at the World Trade • Center. Case Stack was recruited and located in Fayetteville through the total effort of all members of the FEDC team. Dan Sanker, owner, purchased a home in Fayetteville and has opened his offices in town. • Five of us from the City attended the 14`" annual business forecast luncheon held at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. Respectfully Submitted, qRay . Boudreaux, erector • � M • Tayletev e • ARKANSAS Airport Progress Report TO: Fayetteville Municipal Airport Board THRU: Ray M. Boudreaux, Director FROM: James Nicholson, Financial Coordinator DATE: February 13, 2008 Tower Operations: OPERATION5 - MONTHLY 2000 - 2007 a 9 6 4 2 Iv i � - 41 1 al JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC • 02000 1266 1.735 loot LBO 1472 2.261 1450 2,51 2.92 1951 2,92 1479 02001 2.355 2830 2.821 2,634 2,901 4293 3,549 3,741 2,377 2,770 2,482 2,358 02002 2,55 2266 225 2,282 2,304 3A87 2.254 2.920 3,528 3.58 3.262 2.830 02003 3.22 2,379 2.908 3.380 3,39 5.378 4,347 3A74 4279 4,567 3,084 3A51 012004 3,443 3,888 4270 4.570 4,325 6,39 4.223 3.685 3,825 2.798 2.58 2.728 02008 2282 2,702 3,04 3,606 4,881 6.008 4,583 4A68 4.050 4,882 3.517 3.474 ■ 2008 3.932 2.8TI 3,051 3297 4,57 8,034 881 5260 4,367 2.907 2,730 2,281 02007 2875 2,785 3,048 3,98 3,95 3,11 3004 3,889 3.288 3.797 3.341 1823 812008 1 2,10 OPERATION5 - CUMULATIVE 2000 - 2007 60 v 50 b t 40 30 20 10 - 111fli Oki JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP I OCT NOV DEC 02000 1,266 3,001 4,682 6,295 7,767 UAE 6,878 14,027 1,59 BAM 20.282 21.701 02001 2855 4.685 7,506 9,140 1,041 9,334 20,883 24,824 27001 29,771 32,253 34,609 02002 2.55 4,421 8,830 8,91 11222 14,709 1BA73 9093 23,521 26A89 29,971 32,501 02003 3,92 6,501 8,409 11,759 5,088 20,454 24AH 28AB5 32,764 37831 40,45 43A66 • 02004 3,443 7,11 1%401 15,071 20.296 25,606 29A31 33,71 37.544 40,340 42.508 45237 02005 2262 4,964 8,068 11,673 9254 22,322 26,905 30873 35,039 39,721 43298 46,772 •2008 3.932 8,743 9,794 B4OB1 9,258 24,92 30A08 35,768 40,15 43.042 45,781 48042 02007 2876 5,10 8,208 11.384 14,579 9,760 20,704 24,453 27,741 3%538 34,879 36,802 02008 2,B0 • FBO Fuel Sales Charts: FUEL 5ALE5 - MONTHLY 2001 - 2007 b 60 0 60 • 4 %b 40 L � 20 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 12001 18,028 VAST 16A5 9,2B5 D,530 D430 9,530 5A07 20.493 25,14 22,382 28,266 o2002 29,321 28284 14,906 23,949 14,892 4%54 5285 20.400 39,385 28,447 24410 2%616 02003 3022 20,464 34,48 30.293 27,200 32,305 21865 30,298 27A92 5028 25292 26,792 012004 38,843 26,837 28,99 35.084 29.51D 28,46 2%234 3034 43,730 38,51 22,490 30,033 02005 42A38 29,563 32,48 28,253 28,15 38,58 22,233 28,468 33,07 48,837 38255 31298 02006 4%54 39,899 50,869 38605 58.253 Bt495 33.787 4%490 53,338 47,58 52,892 40,281 02007 41704 39,883 51271 48,944 43,650 37.152 32.704 37,985 50,706 50,938 43,371 29,033 W 2008 4058 FUEL 5ALE5 - GU MULATIVE 2001 - 2007 600 • %� 400 b r 200 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 62001 5,028 28.485 47,300 68,585 77,15 87,845 98,175 10,782 04275 59387 16%749 208,05 02002 29,321 55,605 70.511 94.460 D9,352 50,864 169.%9 1BOA49 220814 258,381 282A31 304547 02003 3022 59,986 94.1% 44.407 5007 163.94 205.577 235,875 283,367 314.495 340,157 366.979 02004 38,543 65.480 93589 128.673 58,163 166,359 207693 238027 282,557 35,838 341,328 37081 o2006 42.938 72.499 04077 02A30 161043 57231 2DA64 247.930 20%167 32TA41 368,189 397,497 02006 4194 6%033 91902 00.407 22BA00 290,55 323.952 385,442 45,780 465.978 55A68 559,149 02007 41704 S%387 132,638 09682 223,232 28084 293,788 331773 382,479 433.45 476.789 505A22 612008 41058 - - Survey of Fuel Prices: Fuel prices within 50 miles of FYV as of 2/11 /2008 Ident FBO Name Jet FS 1001.1. FS 10OLL SS 87 MoGas TQH City of Tahlequah (both selfserv) 3.69 3.89 SLG City of Siloam Springs 4 .67 4 .50 3 .99 FSM TAC Air 5 .05 4 .77 4 .24 • FYV Million Air Fayetteville ! City SS 4 .96 4 .89 4 .38 3 .25 ASG Pinnacle Air Services 4 .85 4 .86 4 .43 VBT Summit Aviaton 4 .65 4 .75 4.50 ROG Beaver Lake Aviation 4 .82 4 .84 XNA Regional Jet Center 4 .72 4 .99 FBO Statistics: January 2008 Million Air Category Gallons % Category % TOTAL Jet Fuel sold to FVY-based customers 16,999 48 .4% 41 .3% Jet Fuel sold to itinerant customers 18, 136 51 .6% 44 . 1 % Total Jet Fuel Sold 35 , 135 88 . 1 % 85 .4% 100LL sold to FYV-based customers 20019 42 .5% 4 .9% 100LL sold to itinerant customers 20727 57 .5% 6 .6% Total 100LL Sold 41746 11 .9% 11 .5% TOTAL ALL: 39,881 96 .9% City Category 100LL sold Self-Serve 11177 91 .9% 2 .9% 87 Octane MoGas sold Self Serve 104 8. 1 % 0 .3% TOTAL ALL: 11281 3 . 1 % 10OLL • 10OLL sold self-serve 11177 19.9% 2 .9% 10OLL sold Million Air FBO 44746 80. 1 % 11 .5% TOTAL ALL: 50923 14 .4% woea.�saeagr�sresyr�arlyPe r,�sraseyxde�aore 35 a Q� w . ff, Bi'ID%LLL Si% bSK nNMC N 00N M fB W AM MY AN AL AW SP CU 1& • Ma pq :7 LLCV (C ARKANSAS • OPERATING SUMMARY MONTH ENDING 1/31/2008 AIRPORT BOARD OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008 Percent Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual YTD Used REVENUE Rents & Leases 439,690 471 ,600 430,259 470,000 67,919 14% Aviation Fuel 191 ,314 217,000 153,478 166,000 9,524 6% Contract FBO 45,500 54,500 72,966 110,000 17,941 16% Miscellaneous 19,089 10,700 5,121 3,000 511 17% INCOME RECEIVED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 695,592 753,800 661,824 749,000 95,895 13% EXPENSES Personnel 291,066 319,648 301,229 314,262 26,565 8% Materials & Supplies 16,537 20,019 20,276 22,852 300 1% Aviation Fuel Purchases 129,680 157,100 86,174 110,000 4,210 4% Services & Charges 194,671 194,175 178,146 164,308 3,739 2% Cost Allocation to General Fund 132,684 115,908 115,908 65,976 5.498 8% Maintenance 68,938 59,390 67,446 55,950 164 00/0 ATC Tower Costs 23,337 21,780 23,127 24,341 - 0% Interest on West GA Hangars Loan - - 17,500 35,000 2,917 8% INCOME USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES 856,914 888,020 809,806 792,689 40,477 5% NET INCOME FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES - GAIN I (LOSS) (161,321) (134,220) (147,982) (43,689) 55,418 -127% INVESTING ACTIVITIES 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008 Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual YTD NON-OPERATING INCOME Interest on Investments 28,899 22,000 Other - Misc 207 • CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 06029 AIP #33 Master Plan Update 6,137 05034 AIP #34/35 W GA Apron 4,940 06020 SkyVenlure Improvements Rebate 12,000 8,000 1 ,000 06021 Airfield Markings - Repaint 77,873 06023 West GA Hangars 1 ,380,624 07024 Runway Approach Obstruction Study 14,674 30,326 07039 AIP #36 Correct Runway 16 Safety Area Deficiency - 183,700 USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES - - 1 ,467,141 222,026 1,000 FINANCING ACTIVITIES LOANS Principal on West GA Hangars Loan 700,000 Payments on Loan Principal (23,333) (46,667) (3,889) GRANTS STATE / FEDERAL Received from Dept Aero - W GA Hangars 600,000 - Due from Dept Aero - Re-Striping 73,448 - Rcvd State Grants of Fed Projects 65.504 - Due from State Grants on Fed Projects 6,137 45,000 Received from AIP #33 Master Plan 3,498 - Due from AIP #33 Master Plan - - Received from AIP #34/35 W GA Ramp 136,054 - Due from AIP #34135 West GA Ramp - - Received from AIP #36 Correct RW 16 RSA - - Due from AIP #36 Correct RW 16 RSA - 174,515 NET INCOME FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES - - 1 ,561,308 172,848 (3,889) 0ORT FUND BALANCE AVAILABLE FUNDS 708,280 654,465 561,598 612,128 E m o a c m O L m N a) U N LL Q N N m Y6 a) N y m E L c c c 'O L a) O1 c E 'm 'm (D w co Jo E (D 0C7 -0 c c m m V v m O > am L L m J c c 4)) O C: ta' o o c 0 m CL v LLF m m c ° E W ccm U c c d Z V C y Q m C N Z C ¢ U W C t5 t5 Z O a m 0) a) 0) O 0 0 0 0 0 c ? 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W M N M r� W O O N M V 10 O f` CO Q) O � N M V 10 ¢ ffi O � h h W W 00 00 W OD w W W OD 0 ) O) O) W O) 01 N M M M R V V 7 C V V V V C V C V V V V C V C NORTHWEST ARKANsAs Arkansas Democrat Gazette Cars would go tnrougn As for the industries, TRAVELE S 'CHECK a tunnel under a taxiway, airport officials previously and planes would slide over talked with officials at Boe- the top to get to the second ing Co. and Bombardier Inc. Runway about opening plane-build- Still, that's so far off ing operations at XNA, but that's it's hardly worth talk- those discussions didn't get " ing about, even though The far. There's still a view that Guru just did. Heck, the industries will come if the airport doesn't even own alternative landing surface ROB RT J . SMITH the land it needs for that is built. It would double as runway a taxiway into the industrial Alternative The airport owns land for area. what's being called an alter- "We've chased some big native landing surface and ones, and they would have landing spot probably isn't so many years been nice, huge deals, but as • away, said Kelly Johnson, the near as I can tell, there's no is No 1 goal airport's director. It would rhyme or reason to predict- , be west of the current run- ung when another project way and will cost at least $45 like that comes along," said Operating the Northwest million. Scott Van Laningham, the Arkansas Regional Airport "You won't know for sure airport's chief executive of- with one runway is a little what it's going to cost until ficer. "But it's nice to be able like two working parents you bid it," Johnson said. to have that open space over getting by with one car. It's the No. l project on our there and think about the The parents must coordi- list" possibility." nate everything perfectly to Johnson met with Federal get all of the family's daily Aviation Administration of- Robert J. Smith's column about tasks completed on schedule. ficials in Dallas last month people on the move in North- A second car would sure- and will meet with FAA o£- west Arkansas appears each ly help the family. fii ials in Washington this Monday. He can be reached at ' A second runway would week about the project. rsmith@arkansasonline.com. surely help XNA. Obtaining federal money for Bob Doran of Bella Vista some of the project's cost is recently sent The Guru a critical to doing it. note in which he asked about . The alternative land- XNAs runway situation. ing surface would serve "Wondering when the two purposes. It would al- second runway at XNA is ' low more regular, daytime going to bet" Doran writes. maintenance of the current "I'm thinking the original iuunway, and it would open runway will be 10 years old 500 acres to the west of the in November. surface for industrial devel- "I have checked XNAs opment. Web site without finding any Most runway repairs and info." maintenance occur at night, • The Guru also didn't because that's the only time find a word on the Web site planes aren't coming or go (www.Hyxna.com), but he ing. There's a five- to six- already knew the basics. hour window when the wotk The long-term plan is for can be done, but work creta§ a new runway east of Re- must be out of the way be= gional Airport Boulevard. fore the fust plane leaves just before 6 a.m. 3 • Arkan sa% Democrat V OAZCttc SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2008 .Airports trying to keep pace Funds for capital projects high on list for community leaders The current route from Lowell Seven ears later, the city BY DAVID IRVIN tu;Northwest Arkansas Regional y b a P- ARRANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE proved a $20,000 bond issue to IIIGHFILL — When the at- import maids past new suburban build a larger airfield about a mile ri€Ighborhoods, collapsed barns farther south, and it was called mosphere is right and the,sky is fields full of cattle and mi Drake Field kans residents a Northwest Ar- kalt's not exactly what one might Nationwide, aviation was in kansas are treated to an evening expect from the main thorough- decline during this period due to tapestry of slowly drifting con- faze to the area's most modern trails, seemingly woven across airport, but remedying that will the dire economic situation, but the setting sun mean a huge capital outlay of state President Franklin Roosevelt pro- -•They usually appear in the sky and federal funds, which could be posed a plan for land grant uni- neat the region's largest airport, yew in the future. versities to train pilots, both for Northwest Arkansas Regional in "I tell folks it is not a safe mix military and civilian operations, FYighfrll, where most of the jet of traffic;' said Scott van Laning- at sites across the country in the activity occurs. But personal and h'am, the airport's executive di- late 1930s. • corporate jets launched from gen- rector and chief executive officer. One of those sites was the Uni- eral aviation airports across the re- "You have rural trash collection, versity of Arkansas at Fayetteville, gt,gn contribute to the sight, nearly school buses, farm equipment be- and Maurice Ash McClelland was aundred years in the making. ing moved, and you mix that with one of the fust women in Fayette- 'In 1911, long before Wal-Mart folks trying to get to and from the ville to get her wings. In Decem- Stores, Inc., Tyson Foods Inc. or airport. It's just not a good mix of bet: McClelland now 87, described J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. traffic We really need a road that her experience as the only female were founded, Northwest Arkan- cotnes directly to the airport." in a class of 30 pilot trainees. ' sas was a sparsely populated scat- -Growth at this and other air- "They loved teasing me," she tering of farms, forests and hills, ports will ensure that business recalled. and the skies were vacant It was prospects consider Northwest McClelland had first envi- also the year the fust plane carne A06ansas in their relocation or sioned flying when she inter- to Northwest Arkansas, eight years expansion plans, local economic viewed Thaden as a high school after the Wright Brothers sailed developers contend. journalism student. Thaden was a powered glider down a windy already a well-known aviator, pact of Kill Devil Hills,N.C. — the BEG9K= and challenged the dominance of world's first motorized flight In 1911, a boxcar arrived in Fay- Amelia EarhaM the famed aviator The first airstrips here were etteville with a Curtis biplane on who disappeared trying to circum- cqw Pasm�• board, and the area saw its first navigate the world in 1937. That was good enough for the flight at a local exhibition on the Thaden defeated Earhart in the rotigh-and-tumble aviators of the modern site of the University of Powderpuff Derby of 1929 which tbiee, including Bentonville's Lou- .Arkansas campus, said Mike Eck- began in Santa Monica, Calif., and ise Thadeu a legendary flier who els, a local historian of aviation in culminated in Cleveland. She held tok part in daring competitions Northwest Arkansas several aviation records that year against the most famous names Field-hoppingbar ntormersand and would go on to work in the >n aviation history. the occasional layover of a military field. In 19SL the Bentonville Mu- ':Today, with the help of world- plane were all Fayetteville knew of nicipal Airport was named Louise class companies, a federal high- aviation until the Great Depression M. Thaden Field. way connecting the metroplex hitin1929. About that time, acom- McClelland got her wings in to a• cross-country interstate and mittee was formed to select the site 1940s but she wasn't in the sky long growing commercial air service, for a Fayetteville airport after World War II broke out and Northwest Arkansas embodies Noah Field Drake, a geology began caring for a family. rapid economic growth But just professor at the university and a asts current prosperity relies on member of the committee, con- securing state and federal funds tributed $3,500 to buy land where for infiastructure projects, so does the Tyson Mexican Original plant the future of its air service. sits today. The city pitched in 51,500. The economic impact of airports The total economic Impact of listed airports, estimated by the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics in a 2006 report: COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS Airport City Economic Impact Northwest Arkansas Regional Highfill $358.40 million Fort Smith 'Regional Fort Smithy $231 .35 million Boone County Regional Harrison D $12.21 million GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS Airport City Economic Impact Rogers Municipal, Carter Feld Rogers $93.60 million Fayetteville Municipal, Drake Field Fayetteville $34.04 million Springdale Municipal Springdale $18.56 million Siloam Springs, Smith Field Siloam Springs $4.87 million Paris-Subiaco Municipal Paris $2.41 million Clarksville Municipal Clarksville $2.26 million Bentonville Municipal, Louise M. Thaden Field Bentonville $2.20 million Ozark, Franklin County Ozark 1 $1 .65 million Carroll County Berryville $717,800 • Waldron Municipal Waldron $4979800 Booneville Municipal Booneville $404,000 Huntsville Municipal Huntsville $2919400 SOURCE: Arkansas Department of Aeronautics Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • 343 Ground was broken in 1995, and the airport was completed in 1998. The regional airport saw impres- sive, double-digit growth in plane operations for several years, but has slowed some in the last two. Boardings in 2004 was 14.16 percent higher than the previ- ous year. In 2005, there was a 14.11 percent jump over 2004. But in croachment from businesses and 2006, growth just inched upward roads, it will have trouble expand- at an annual rate of 0.41 percent. Though Northwest Arkansas ing without major infrastructure In 2007, boardings increased by had some star power in its early changes. 2.14 percent. aviators, it also had the business It does have the advantage of a "We've added some flights this presence of Ray Ellis, who took restaurant in the terminal, which year, added some destinations, but over civilian pilot training pro. is a popular stop for aviators our traffic hasn't grown a lot" grams in 1940 at Fayetteville and needing to fuel their planes and said Kelly Johnson, The regional in 1953 founded Scheduled Sky- feed their stomachs. It has quick airport's director. ways,,a commuter service, access to the heart of Northwest A general economic slowdown COMMUTERS Arkansas's industrial center, as across the country has decreased well as a new flight school on the the numbers of flight operations In 1998, all of the airlines pro- property. nationwide, but so far The region- viding commuter service in North- But "we are pretty well locked . al airport has had it pretty light. west Arkansas moved from Drake on both ends by streets," said In part, that's because the Field to the regional airport. Wyman Morgan, the city's direc- economic engine of Northwest "Phis is very important to say, for of financial and administrative Arkansas kept humming when It was the right flung to do," said services, other regional economies seized Ray Boudreaux, an economic David Krutsch, manager of the up. And the airport scored a new developer and director at Drake Rogers Municipal Airport, said he American Eagle flight to Raleigh, Field. has the goal for the airport, also N.C., in 2007, along with a $10 The regional airport was built called Carter Field, to become a million expansion to the airline's with room to grow. major economic catalyst forRogers maintenance shop at the Highfill At 8,800 feet, its runway is long and the rest of Northwest Arkan- airport • enough to accommodate the belie- sas.Nineteen hangars were recently Capital projects at the airport moth Boeing 747, as the president's added at the airport, and Wal-Mart are on track, but Congress has Air Force One has proved several Stores Inc., the world's largest re- failed to pass a spending bili to time& tailor parks a fleet of jets them fund federal grant money, which And the modern terminal 'We believe that the Rogers air- fundfelowexpantmonsion ans. Fay- building is complete with a maga- port has a lot of upside potential could l Municipal's planned ex- zine shop, a coffee shop and even and we are in the early stages of ettevipansion M safety aprons around a beer garden. Regional jets jump expansion plans [that will occur] the runway a which will require from here to New York and Los over the next five to 20 years," a repositioning of U.S. 71 — also Angeles, and the airport continues Knitsch said. TWo developments depends on the passage of that al- to pick up routes to major cities in the "formative" stage will get location bill. in a push to make air access to under way in the next two years Ifco bill. y leaders fail to get Northwest Arkansas more busi- Krutsch said, though he wouldn't the foommU.S. 412 northern bypass built, ness friendly, reveal details about the projects. a planned road project that would Fayetteville's airport, which pro- viouslyhandled all the region'scom- M MIED GROWTH come within four miles of The muter traffic, is still trying to assert Discussions about building regional airport, customer num- its ng regional airport in Northwest hers could stall. Van its new identiamong Northwest a r La "ngham, Arkansas' various airports. Arkansas got serious in the early the airport's CEO, said a highway "Just this morning, a family is 1990s, when the regional airport from the airport to Interstate 540 in here picking up their son, who authority secured federal alloca- is at least five years away. is coming home from the Army," .tions for the beginning stages of The $27 million in place for the Boudreaux said Dec. 19. "They the project But the deal hinged on northern bypass will take care of came in this morning — sister, the support ofI ama Co, which design and buying right of way brother, morn, dad — coming towas owned by Alice L. Walton west of Interstate 540. But thats pick up their son coming home and the Northwest Arkansas it. The total project cost is $300 from the Antry, and they are at the Council, a nonprofit made up of million, money that will have to be wrong airportarea business leaders. cobbled together from city, state That kind of thing happens In 1995, Llama contributed and federal funds. many times a day, he said. Many $5 million in bond anticipation Mike Malone, executive direc- tor of the Northwest Arkansas • infrequent fliers simply don'tival- notes to match grant mon an Council, said the establishment o th t commuter service moved amount thehat help of others errs- and of a regional mobility authority regi airport, and travel lion with the help ny would and will be critical to that road agerioesmnipoundtheproblemby Walton's company would inti- making continuing to list Fayetteville as the mately underwrite more than $79 project happen' commuter hub, Boudreaux said. million of bonds before the airport Malone wouldn't speculate on Up the road at Springdale Mu- had any contracts lined up, a risky when the Northern Bypass project nicipal Airport, general aviation is investment that paid off, said Van could be completed, but said the also the main focus, but with en- Iarungharn, the airport's director. project has been talked about for at least 12 years. NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Airport hosts meeting on runway extension Northwest Arkansas Time said the environmental the highway realignment is • assessment will take eight to expected to cost $3.8 million. A public hearing on the nine months. The meeting There are plans to expand environmental assessment Monday was the first step in the southern part of the run- for the reconfiguration of the process. way later if justified. U.S. 71 around the north Actual construction isn't As far as attracting a com- end of Drake Field was held expected until 2010. mercial airline, that prob- Monday evening at the Fay- The FAA is funding the ably won't happen for 20 to etteville airport. study, expected to cost at 30 years, he said. The area Airport Director Ray Bou- least $85,000. doesn't have the population dreaux said the airport wants Maddoux said the assess- to warrant it with the North- to expand the runway to the ment is required by the FAA west Arkansas Regional Air- north by 1,000 feet. to determine how the pro- port in Highfill. The Federal Aviation posal might impact the envi- One man asked about Administration requires a ,ronment. increased noise by the run- 500-foot safety area at the About 20 people attended way. Maddoux said resi- end of such runways, con- the meeting, but most of the dents adversely affected by sultant Kelly Maddoux said. questions were not related increased noise due to the Maddoux said the airport to environmental impact. expansion may be eligible plans to acquire 11 acres, Instead, they ranged from for some compensation from including part of the high- whether the project would the FAA. way and a closed gas station, help return commercial car- The highway realign - but no one will be forced out riers to Drake Field to why ment is part of the airport's of their house. The plan is to the runway wasnt expanding 20 -year plan . That plan curve the highway west of its to the south, which would includes $ 62 million in current path. not require the highway to projects to be spread out • "There are no homes with- be realigned. over the next 20 years. It in the land to be acquired," Boudreaux said officials includes space for homes he said. considered five options and with attached hangars and R.Wayne Jones, of McClel- that a northern expansion taxiway access, a hotel and land Consulting Engineers, was the best, even though a golf course. NORTHWEST ARKANSAS B • Alkaasas lknacraYj (J'iaZCttc - • • :TRAVELS S.'_ s ' M i . ROBRT SMITH me TBo ozman Jim Gattis, a civil engineer- association Instead, the toner tit an professor, suggested to association to do what it can The Guru that U.S. Rep. John to have the airport referred sends note Boozman hcould help. to as the Northwest Arkansas "Since thee aairrlines' mis- Regional Airport. The hope naming of the terminal on is that it'll cause flight atten- on airport their schedules seems s danting " and pilots to stop say- actually cause problems for ing "Welcome to Fayetteville" travelers, could Congressman when planes land at XNA. Regular readers know The Boozman insert a provision "We will make sure our Guru's on a campaign to ben- into a bill that would require members who serve these newbie Northwest Arkan- all common carriers to show airports are aware of passen- efit• sas Regional Airport passen- the correct name of the ter- gen' concerns said Victoria urinal?" Gattis wrote. One Day, an association ion spokes- gen by reducing confusion i about the airport's location. would think that this issue man. ate° would count as 'interstate Kelly Johnson, the airport The Guru even involved commerce."' director at XNA, said Booz- an actual politician in his The folks in Boozman's of- man's letter is worth a shot. latest effort (sorry), but fice weren't hip on XNA leg- "Will we ever eliminate only after a professor at the islation when The Guru told 'Fayetteville' being used?' she University of Arkansas at them about Gattis' idea said. "I'm not sure it's pos- Fayetteville wanted the politi- "When you've got health Bible. ciari s help. care and education and Iraq "I hand flight attendants As background for non- and everything else, you my business card, and I ask regular readers, there are can have a hard time draft- if they see the word 'Fayette- travelers who drive to the ing legislation for this," said ville' on there anywhere. We Fayetteville Municipal Air- Kathee Facchiano, Boozman's try to educate. It's just one of port, Drake Field, to board legislative director. "You want those awkward, strange tran- commercial airplanes. All of to see if you can find another sitions, but you'd think after them should have driven to way before you draft legisla- nine years it would be getting the Northwest Arkansas Re- tion." better." gional Airport, 28 miles away So Boozman sent a let- One would think. near Highfill. ter last week to James May, . The airlines moved from president and chief executive Robert J. Smith's column about Drake Field, starting in 1998, officer of the Air Transport people on the move in North- and now all of them fly from Association. Boozman asked West Arkansas appears each XNA. the trade organization to tell Monday. He can be reached at Nonetheless, people still its member airlines about the rsmfth®arkansasonline.com. show up at Drake Field to airport confusion, although board commercial flights. the letter never requests a As long as people's tickets ban on the word "Fayette- read 'Fayetteville,' they are ville" when discussing XNA. automatically going to think It should have. here," said Dawn Johnson, an employee of Million Air, Drake Field's fixed-base op- erator. "It still happens every day."