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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-10 - Agendas - Final l' • AGENDA MEETING OF THE AIRPORT BOARD FAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT 1 :30 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Airport Conference Room As a courtesy please turn off all cell phones and pagers. 1, Welcome — Chairman Bob Nickle. A. Comments from the public on items on the agenda. 2, Approval of the Airport Board Minutes of the May 20, 2009 meeting. 5. Receiving of Reports. A. Chairman Nickle. B. Director Boudreaux, report on airport activity. C. Financial Coordinator Nicholson, report on FBO and Budget. D. Senior Secretary Powers, report on T-Hangar Leases. E. Engineer Wayne Jones, report on construction projects. • F. Museum reports. G. Maintenance report. 6, Old Business. A. Airport FAA Certification Letter. B. Discussion: Airport Budget. C. Discussion: Replacement of Hangar. 7, New Business. None 8, Other Business. A. Items from the Public. B. Items from the Airport Board. 9. Meeting Adjourned. NOTE: Next Strategic Planning Meeting Next Airport Board Meeting July 8, 2009 • MINUTES OF TIIE FAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT April 20, 2009 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Nickle, Vaughn DeCoster, Richard Greene, Tim McCarley BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Otto Loewer, Janice Stanesic STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers OTHERS PRESENT: Tyrone Rogers-Fayetteville Government Channel; Blaise Sharkey- Million Air Fayetteville; Wayne Jones-McClelland Consulting Engineers; Robin Mero- Northwest Arkansas Times ITEM #1 : Welcome — Chairman Bob Nickle. A. Comments from the public on items on the agenda. None. ITEM #2: Introduction: John Doughtery, FAA Airport Certification Safety Inspector. Mr. Doughtery did not attend, was conducting the Airport Inspection. • ITEM #3 : Minutes of the March 18, 2009 meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Tim McCarley and seconded by Vaughn DeCoster. The motion carried. ITEM #4: Minutes of the April 8, 2009 meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Richard Greene and seconded by Tim McCarley. The motion carried. ITEM #5: Receiving of Reports. A. Chairman Nickle. Reported on a trip to Washington DC where he visited with Congressman Bozeman, who has done an excellent job helping the airport. B. Director Boudreaux, report of airport activity. Airport operations are down, fuel sales were bad for April, having only four or five days below minimums. Mentioned several days in May we have had a full ramp. Regarding the Runway 16 Improvement Project, the Environmental Impact has been approved by the FAA and they have issued the FONSI (Findings of No Significant Impact) which was the key to go ahead and go out for bids. Sweetser Construction was the low bid, but we can't award the bid until the grant funding has been announced. Reporting on the Runway Obstruction removal, the close-in trees marked as obstructions have been removed, others further out are scheduled to be removed. The Blood Drive is scheduled for July 10th at the Airport. Still getting responses from-the client interested in the Tech school building, they are still interested, still working to get their loan and lease. We have had several other businesses look at the building, some aviation related, some not. Hawker • Beechcraft wants to store aircraft here, 900's, 800's, and 700's. On May 30`h the FAA will conduct an all-day Safety Seminar in the Conference Room. The HVAC control system for the terminal is well on the way, and will be finished on time. There was one Change Order for $5,000.00. Reporting on the April 18`h hangar fire, it was a tragic event, lost two aircraft, and 1 there are four insurance companies involved, and all have their investigators, as well as the • City's. We hope to have the okay to clean up in about two weeks. He offered many thanks to the Fayetteville Fire Fighters for their work protecting the other hangars. The Air Museum has rescheduled the Kite Festival for June. The Air Museum is also hosting the USO dance on Saturday; tickets are $45.00 per couple and he has tickets to sell. They are also sponsoring the Veteran' s Troop Train event on Monday. The train leaves Springdale at 8 :00 a.m., they ride the train to Chester and lay a wreath on a veteran's grave, stop back at the Air Museum for a meal. The train trip is free for Veterans' and half-price to their family members. C. Financial Coordinator James Nicholson. Gave slide presentation of charts and graphs in the agenda. Five solid weeks of rain hindered airport activity, operations and fuel sales. He called attention to the rental fees that will be lost due to the burned hangar, about $ 14,000.00 for the rest of the year. D. Senior Secretary Powers, report of T-Hangars. We have one hangar coming open at the end of May. We have four names on both waiting lists, most are the same names. E. Engineer Wayne Jones, report on construction projects. The bids received for the Runway Safety Area Project were good, low bid was Sweetser. We expect to be able to award the bid at the June 5`s City Council Meeting. We are still dealing with the Highway Department, and expect some minor changes from them on the project. We are preparing applications for the FAA grant, and working on the draft Environmental Due Diligence, which must be completed before contacting the property owners for purchase of properties. Director Boudreaux said it was required before hiring an appraiser. W. Jones talked of rebuilding the destroyed hangar, saying it was 78' x 102' and the Airport is considering replacing it with a slightly smaller hangar because of the Building Code requirements now for the distance to the buildings on each side. Fire walls • may be required and will make the hangar cost more. The City's insurance said if there is a Code requirement, because a change in the code, there could be more insurance money. The existing floor will have to be removed. D. Hollman mentioned a holding tank under the floor of the burned hangar, he knew of the tank from when he had previously rented the hangar. He asked if the grade up to the hangar door would be changed as it was steep. Director Boudreaux said the airport could apply for a State Aeronautics 50/50 grant up to $300,000.00, but the insurance money has to be used first. W. Jones suggested having one grant for demolition and another grant to build the hangar. F. Museum reports. Director Boudreaux mentioned he had tickets for sale for the USO dance at the Air Museum. G. Maintenance report. Director Boudreaux related that staff had been getting ready for the Airport Certification Inspection which is under way now. Runway cracks were sealed by the City's Street Department. W. Jones said the last overlay was in 1986, and the re juvaseal in 2002 is holding up well. There is one area that will need attention in the next few years and then re juvaseal in about five years. We will try to schedule a walk-the-runway inspection once a year. V. DeCoster stated staff does a good job of keeping rocks off the east ramp. Director Boudreaux reported staff have been busy removing all the screws that have washed off the T- Hangar roofs onto the ramp Chairman Nickle said we are fortunate to have our maintenance staff. ITEM #6: Old Business. A. Discussion: Letter from Roger Woolsey, Million Air. • 2 • Chairman Nickle reminded the Board they had voted to reduce the rent for Million Air and SkyVenture by $500.00 per month starting in April for the balance of the year provided they stayed current. The impact to our budget is about $9,000.00. He indicated a reluctance to grant further reductions as our revenue is already reduced again with the hangar having burned. R. Greene said he was glad to have Million Air here, they present a good image for Fayetteville planes are parked in a professional way, however, business is tough for everybody. Our rents will be down with what we have already given to Million Air and SkyVenture. Director Boudreaux said Million Air's rent is now current, we had thought they were one month off but have found the accounting error. Director Boudreaux suggested leaving the item on the agenda each month so it can be revisited. Director Boudreaux explained the City is revising his job description, removing the Economic Development part out of the description and will have to take a salary cut, or the salary will all have to come out of the Airport' s budget, or he would quit and they could hire someone for less money. Budget paperwork starts in July for Budget Year beginning in January 2010. There is a lot we don't have control over, payments to the shop for vehicles, cost of fuel, its not an easy process. Board Consensus : To have a Budget Discussion item on the agenda each month for the balance of the year. Director Boudreaux commented that Million Air had added two planes to their hangar yesterday • and they have been added to our based aircraft count, which was given today to the FAA Inspector for our FAA 5010 Form. ITEM #7: New Business. None ITEM #8: Other Business. A. Items from the Public. B. Items from the Airport Board. Director spoke of the FAA Certification Inspection taking place this week, saying the firefighters met their response time, there was a small leak at the fuel farm which Blaise has already fixed, and a sign was not black enough. V. DeCoster said the firefighters have been very courteous in their fire training at the airport. The next Airport Board Meeting will be on June I Uh. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:32, David Hollman, Secretary Date • 3 Tayve e 1 IcAMATION DIVISION ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT • DRAKE FIELD June , 2009 MONTHLY REPORT Aviation Department Fayetteville, Arkansas For the Month of May, 2009 • ACTIVITY: May operations were consistent with the last several months only slightly up from last month. Hopefully the weather will hold and we will start to see more operations over the summer months. Million Air Fuel Sales were slightly up over last month but still well below the same month last year. The downturn in the economy is more and more evident in Fayetteville. _._ ___ • RUNWAY 16 RSA IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: We received confirmation of the grant approval from the Secretary of Transportation. Don Harris, Senior Program Manager Southwest Region notified us that the grant had been approved and asked us to send the application ASAP. The City Council approved application and acceptance of the grant at their June 2nd meeting. The FAA/AIP grant total is $3,622,548.00 which • includes $3,500,000.00 in discretionary funding and $ 122,548.00 in left over entitlement funding. State of Arkansas participation is $ 190,660.00 for a total project fund of $3,813,208.00. In addition to the construction contract of $3,017,900.00, the project fund will pay shortfalls in the Environmental Assessment grant and the Final Plans and Specs grant. The project fund will also pay for the appraisals and the land acquisition costs. MCE delivered the completed Environmental Due Diligence Audit (EDDA) so we are ready to award appraisal contracts for a primary and a review appraiser. The EDDA did not reveal any new information. We asked for quotes and qualifications from appraisers and have tentatively selected companies to complete the appraisal work so that we can acquire the property needed to construct the project. MCE is still waiting final approval from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department who must review and approve all roadway projects in the State. • ANNUAL FAA CERTIFICATION INSPECTION: The annual certification inspection was conducted by John Daugherty our assigned inspector. There were no major or repeat discrepancy write-ups. The inspector wrote up the fact that we did not inspect the runway just prior to Part 139 operations. We have not in the past made special trips to the airport for runway inspections on the weekend but had made the inspection on Friday. We will inspect the runway the day of in the future. Ares of concern included the Wildlife Management Plan. In the past they have not required a formal plan but in the future they may due to increased emphasis following the accident caused by the goose strike and forced landing in the Hudson River. Mr. Dougherty • suggested that we have a series of site visits from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to evaluate wildlife hazards and to make _recommendations for hazard remediation. Should the visits indicate that we need additional action, he could 4500 SOUTH SCHOOL AVENUE, SUITE F • AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING • FAYETTEVILLE AR 72701 479.718.7642 • 479.718.7646 FAX • www.acc fayetteville.org/govemmenVavia66n airpor�_eoonomic-development@ci.fayefteville.ar.us recommend a year long study to measure the wildlife hazards at Drake resulting in a formal Management Plan. He also suggested that we install 24 inch outriggers on the • fence in the south Runway Safety Area and make modifications to the stream water gates to eliminate potential wildlife infiltration. He also suggested that we add emphasis to our fueling inspections. • RUNWAY OBSTRUCTION REMOVAL PROJECT: No action this month. • AIRPORT BLOOD DRIVE: The next bloodmobile will be July 10, 2009 at the Terminal from 9:00 to 11 :30. Stop by and help your community. A blood transfusion is administered to patients here in the Ozarks every five minutes. • FORMER AVIATION TECHNICAL SCHOOL BUILDING: I have been in contact with our prospect and they are still working toward locating their business in Fayetteville. They were in town last week and had concerns with the burned out building. I reported that once the investigation was complete we would remove the debris. They might be interested in a new building if we were to replace the burned out building. We are in contact with an aircraft manufacturer that is looking for storage of several large new aircraft that are awaiting sale. Should they select our airport, we would use space in the building. The storage is for 4 to 6 weeks. • FAA FAASTEAM WINGS SEMINARS SCHEDULED: Mark Frankum, SkyVenture reported 22 pilots attended the seminar held Saturday May 30`h in the Airport Conference Room. Check the www.faasafety.gov website for more scheduled seminars. • TERMINAL HVAC PROJECT: The engineer has inspected the project and issued a letter of substantial completion. We are processing the payment so that we can apply for the State Grant reimbursement. The total project cost was $ 128,608.00 with the State share of $ 102,000.00. • • HANGAR FIRE: Four insurance companies have investigated the fire for cause and origin. The final visit by Electrical Engineers from each of the investigation companies will visit June 4. Following this last visit, we will pursue release of the site for clean-up. Initial information indicates that the clean-up including demolition and removal of the concrete slab will cost between $21 ,000.00 and $28,000.00. We will have to go out for sealed bids due to the cost. The insurance companies will take the aircraft remains away, our contractor will clean-up the rest. Additional cost will be the installation of fencing to close the gap in the airfield perimeter fence. We will use a portion of the insurance proceeds to cover these costs. We are investigating the possibility of replacing the building using the insurance proceeds plus a grant from Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. Total available for a replacement building will be just over $600K. MCE is looking to see what we might be able to build for that amount. • CITY WIDE ENERGY SAVINGS INITIATIVE: The contractor has not yet replaced all of the lights in the Terminal Building but is making progress. The Building has been sealed and all that remains is to repair the lights that have already failed and install the new fixtures in the Pilot Lounge. The contractor reports that they are awaiting materials. • ARKANSAS AIR MUSEUM: The Spring Kite Fest will be held June 13 and 14. For more information call the Museum at 521 -4947. Re 'Submitted, • Ray M. oudreaux, Direct s FaeeVle ARKANSAS Airport Progress Report TO: Fayetteville Executive Airport Board THRU : Ray M . Boudreaux, Director FROM : James Nicholson , Financial Coordinator DATE : June 10, 2009 Tower Operations: OPERATIONS - MONTHLY 2000 - 2009 e a 4 3 _ e zsal az u Aa >n aS a e aha 3A OPERATIONS - CUMULATIVE 2000 - 2009 � 60 �E 2A76 SIO 30 o a� A� n� Aircraft Operations Trends 12 Wena Lee[ M*nG on ��r _ow nMe 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 b 1500 Lpq 1000 500 q >ell s� � ,ell �' .� .� >� �� All ill �s ' 2009 Cumulative Avp Fuel Sales by Percent of Type Fuel Sales by Month 2009 m I Ms®Er.n.is 0 u L 4! m 6159)100.1,10f OIBWIfET, � � C '� a16NaF 100.4 Aqt 0 ♦� Oft AN #FEB INR .••AIR MT M u AM W OM NN D3 FBO Statistics: May 2009 Million Air Category Gallons % Category % TOTAL Jet Fuel sold to FYV-based customers 18 ,811 68.2% 56 .2% Jet Fuel sold to itinerant customers 8,773 31 .8% 26 .2% Total Jet Fuel Sold 27 ,584 85 .9% 82.5% 10OLL sold to FYV-based customers 2,390 52.8% 7 . 1 % 100LL sold to itinerant customers 21133 47 .2% 6.4% Total 100LL Sold 41523 14 . 1 % 13.5% y TOTAL ALL: 320107 96 .0% City Category 100LL sold Self-Serve 1 , 173 87A% 3 .5% 91 Octane MoGas sold Self Serve 170 12 .6% 0.5% TOTAL ALL: 1 ,343 3 .5% 10OLL 100LL sold self-serve 1 , 173 206% 3.5% 10OLL sold Million Air FBO 41523 79.4% 13.5% TOTAL ALL: 51696 17 .0% Survey of Fuel Prices: Fuel prices within 50 miles of FYV as of 6/10/2009 Ident FBO Name Jet FS 10OLL FS 10OLL SS 91 MoGas TQH City of Tahlequah (both selfserv) 3 .49 3 .49 _ SLG City of Siloam Springs 3 .61 3 .99 3A9 VBT Summit Aviation 3.75 4 .00 3.80 FYV Million Air Fayetteville / City SS 434 4 .39 3.97 2 .55 FSM TAC Air 4.33 4 .78 4.23 XNA Regional Jet Center 394 4 . 16 ROG Beaver Lake Aviation 3.95 3.72 ASG Pinnacle Air Services 3 .99 4 .20 - • , 1 s19 -� �a nevine Y EXhiCUTJW.? AIRPORT • OPERATING SUMMARY MONTH ENDING 5137/1009 AIRPORT BOARD OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 Actual Budget Actual Budget BudW YID Actual YM REVENUE Rents B Leases 430,259 470,000 469,292 498,200 207,583 182,390 Aviation Fuel 153,478 166,000 126,272 140,056 58,357 47,978 Conrad FOO 72,966 110,000 107,682 108,848 45,353 52,874 Miscellaneous 5,121 3,000 16,669 2,500 1,042 2,408 INCOME RECEIVED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 661,824 749,000 719,915 749,604 312,335 285,650 EXPENSES Personnel 301,229 314,262 313,187 327,808 136,587 137,837 Materials 8 Supplies 20,276 22,852 23,213 30,712 12,797 4,661 Aviation Fuel Purdlases 86,174 110,000 72,987 M." 35,417 19,638 Services B Charges 178,146 164,308 167,429 172,818 72,008 52,157 Cod Allocation to Gen" Fund 115,908 65,976 65,976 8,830 3,679 3,678 Maintenance 67,446 55,950 33,990 56,702 23,626 21,874 ATC Tower Costs 23,127 24,341 - - - Interest on West GA Hangars Loan (accrued) 17,500 35,000 35,000 32,667 13,611 13,611 INCOME USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES 809,808 757,669 711,782 714,537 297,724 253,455 NET INCOME FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES -GAIN I (LOSS) (147,982) (8,689) 8,133 35,067 14,611 32,195 INVESTING ACTIVITIES 2007 2008 2006 2009 2009 Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual YTD NON-OPERATING INCOME Interest W rnestmaks 26,326 24.000 8,650 Other- Gam (Loss) on sale of assets 5,480 350.870 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS EXPENSE 05048 AIP #21 Airport E)pans Equip (Airband RaQius) 2,677 06020 SkyVentlre Improvements Rebate 5,000 • 07024 Runway Approach Obstruction Study 45,000 07039 AIP O36 Correct Runay, 16 Safety Ana Deficiency 100,810 27,260 8,918 07039 AIP #37 Coned Runway 16 Safety Area Deficiency Phase 11 7,193 170,407 65,131 88055 Replace Arpad Fence - Flood Damage 9,200 _ 08074 Airport HVAC Improvements (Terminal) 4,820 130,876 123,288 07039 AIP 438 Correct Rummy 16 Safely Area Deficiency Phase III - _ _ USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES - _ 172,724 301,513 (162,184) FINANCING ACTIVITIES LOANS Principal an Wed GA Hag= Loan Payments on Loan Pdnctual (accrued) (46,667) (46.667) (19,445) GRANTSSTATE / FEDERAL Received from Dept Aero - W GA Hangars _ Reaised from Dept Aero - Re-Shipmg 73.448 - Reoahed from Dept Aero - ODsbudion Study 45.000 - Rcvd State Grads en Fed Projects _ _ State Grams on Fed Projects - 10,100 - Due/Received hoe AIP M Correct RW16 RSA 64,623 57,297 57,297 Due/Recelved from AIP #37 Coned RW16 RSA Phase 11 _ 69,993 69,993 Due/Repaca Airport Fence - Fkgd Damage FEMA Reimburse - 8,050 - 8,050 DuelReceimel from Airport HVAC Improvements - Stale Grad - 102,000 - DudReceived from AIP 038 Correct RW16 RSA Phase III _ _ _ NET INCOME FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES - 136,404 200,773 115,895 AIRPORT CASH BALANCE 595,809 567,622 498,919 877,697 CURRENT ENCUMBRANCES (CAPITAL) MCE TASK ORDER 03 - Engineering AIPM 18,342 MCE TASK ORDER 015 - Engineering AIP037 36,626 MCE TASK- MVAC Assessment - MCC Arworhs - HVAC Improvements - MCE TASK ORDER 01 - Engineering AIP#W S%Ma1 er Construction Inc. - Construction AIPn738 • LONG TERM LIABILITIES Hageair LoaLoanl 833.888 M APPROVED GRAS - CAPITALPITAL fMiO.lECTS RW76 Phase 1611 - Arpat HVAC Improvements - State Gram (102.000) RW16 Phase 111 AIRPORT CASH MINUS LIABILITIES 291,040 � 1 U.S. Department Airports Division Fort Worth, Texas 76137 . of Transportation Southwest Region Federal Aviation Arkansas, Louisiana, Administration New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas EC LVED May 27, 2009 I•. Q 4 20Q9 CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. L PARI Mr. Ray M. Boudreaux Director, Aviation and Economic Development Fayetteville Municipal Airport-Drake Field 4500 South School Avenue, Suite F Favetteville, AR 72701 Dear Mr. Boudreaux: Notification and Close Out of Letter of Corrections FIR No. 2009SW840031 The annual certification inspection of Drake Field was conducted May 19-21 , 2009. The inspection revealed that the airport was not being operated in full compliance with all of the requirements of Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139, the Airport Operating Certificate, and the Airport Certification Manual (ACM). • The following discrepancies were found and corrected during this inspection. 139. 101(b), ACM: The certificate holder failed to comply with their ACM by failing to conduct inspections prior to all air carrier operations. Correction Date: Corrected During Inspection 139.327(a)(1), Self Inspection: Certificate holder failed to perform daily inspections on weekends prior to arrival/departure of passenger carrying aircraft designed for 31 seats or more. Certificate holder implemented changes to the inspection program during this inspection to ensure these required inspections would be conducted and documented. Correction Date: Corrected During Inspection • JUN 0 4 % L9 AIRPORT 2 We have given consideration to all available facts and concluded that this matter does not warrant legal enforcement action. In lieu of such action, we are issuing this letter that will be made a matter of record. We will expect future compliance by the airport with the regulations. You may also consider this as our official notification that EIR No 2009SW840031 is now officially closed. Additional comments and recommendations are enclosed for your review. Sincerely, i� John M. Dougherty Airport Certification Safety Inspector Enclosure cc: Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, • 1 Airport Drive 3`d Floor Little Rock, AR 72202 • JUIN 0 4 2009 AiRP'URT COMMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS ANNUAL CERTIFICATION INSPECTION DRAKE FIELD May 19-21, 2009 a) Although the airfield markings have been painted in accordance with the approved Sign and Marking plan the taxiway centerlines at the ends of Runway 16/34 currently curve at their junction with the runway. The Sign and Making plan should be updated to show the taxiway centerlines extending straight to the runway and terminating at the edge of the runway. Subsequently, the taxiway centerlines should be painted in accordance with the revised Sign and Marking Plan. This is being written as a recommendation since the current taxiway centerlines are in accordance with the approved Sign and Marking Plan. b) The observed fueling inspection procedures were adequate to comply with the regulation but we believe the process could be improved. We encourage additional emphasis be applied to fueling inspection procedures and knowledge. • c) During our inspection, no specific wildlife issues were identified and we noted that airport personnel conducted an aggressive program to mitigate wildlife on the airport when they are detected. However, we. did note several site features that make the exclusion of wildlife from the airport more difficult. These issues include a flood plane on the south end of the airfield with such high flow rates that precludes the installation of a normal wildlife fence. There is a small pond on the northeast side of the airfield that is a natural attractant to waterfowl and there is a significant area of forested area within the airport fence that prevents the early detection of deer and other wildlife that have entered onto the airport. We recommend that means to remove or otherwise mitigate these issues be identified and implemented. d) The airport's last wildlife mitigation site visit was conducted about two years ago. We recommend that the airport contact a wildlife hazard mitigation biologist to inspect the airport for the purpose of identifying any current wildlife issues and propose proper mitigation procedures. We recommend that the wildlife mitigation biologist conduct site visits of the airport during different wildlife seasons to better identify the wildlife mitigation needed at Drake Field. We are not requiring a year long wildlife hazard assessment at this time. e) The inspection of the fuel farm was conducted by the Airport Manager and local fire marshal. No violations of local code were detected during the inspection but a • couple of house keeping items were identified such as cleaning up some abandoned electrical conduit and removal of an unused hoses. In closing, we wish to thank you and your staff for the cooperation and courtesy shown to us during the inspection. It was greatly appreciated. � • • • • • • - • • • • • Ikk YILLLL . . Lk I Ir M1 {'i'�pnf r t. 1 ;ccs 'Cl.�a•`. 2 1: i • 1 II�fr � �te� s A I Ilkd Ilk ILLILLK ,a 1.a•%��R�{," ti \ JJJ>41 .�. � < !' . Ijli C'"�}` 2' IL J r ii 3s kkk y( r '•'JA F �r�"n Y • x h, J1 1. J p ell Ik Lkt a Ic rr � • • • • Y = eLI k • • • • Ilk i 1 r Ilk 6r ,� r �1 +. • • • A4 NORTHWEST Art'uNsas Times Opinion Wednesday, June 3, 2009 • Then, on May 22, the Northwest. Arkansas Times reported a letter written by Million Air CEO Times Editorial Roger Woolsey requesting a second reduction in rent, basing his case on "unprecedented financial Give an inch hardships." It's worth noting that Million Air, like •� • any other business, helps the Fayetteville econo- my in ways seen and unseen every day of the week. Should airport board hi terms of belt-tightening, the Houston-based company is progressing down a path that includes honor latest request? "staff reductions and operational sacrifices." One gets the unavoidable sense that 2009 wont uietly, a series of events that have unfolded be as profitable for Fayetteville Executive Airport this year at Fayetteville Executive Airport as last year was. Add a second rent reduction for (better known to locals as Drake Field) has Million Air to that list, and one wonders where the left us wondering if the airport's leadership isnt Airport Board will find itself. too kind for its own good. To begin, allow us to Surely, so does every member of the board, as review: well as Mr. Boudreaux. • First, it was reported in January the Fayette- We don't argue one bit with everything a fixed- ville airport ended 2008 with a financial surplus in base operator such as Million Air adds to the its operating budget, the first time that has hap- community. We realize what they've meant to the pened since losing commercial airline service to rebirth of Fayetteville Executive Airport, and hope the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport a decade they remain long enough to expand their present ago. Getting into the black (by roughly $40,000 location many times over. Still, from where we sit, after paying all the bills) was no small accomplish- it's difficult to encourage the airport to start hand- ement. We remember much talk spanning a num- ing out financial relief as though Barack Obama ber of years suggesting that Fayetteville Executive were in charge. Airport was destined to close. But by focusing on One reason has everything to do with the obvi- general aviation (and backed by construction of ous complication that's causing this 'mess: the private hangars to help pay the bills) things have recession. When will it be over? Next month? Next increasingly been looking up. year? Next decade? Of course it will reach a conclu- Which is great. Good for them. sion and the entire nation's economy will get back • In March, the Airport Board elected to give on its feet — but saying when that will happen two tenants — Million Air and SkyVenture Aviation with certainty is difficult to do. — $500 discounts on monthly hangar rent through When will Fayetteville's airport have the oppor- 2009. At that point, Million Air was reportedly four tunity to get back on track with lease rates without months delinquent in payments, though they have hearing the woes of the tenants? After all, cheaper since caught up with their dues. For an airport rent is always attractive for the tenant. What hap- just reaching profitable levels, it must have been a pens when other tenants decide they also need a blow, as the airport board had elected the previous governmental favor? year to freeze rate increases on their hangars for The original reduction in rent was a very nice the next two years. Then, in April, a hangar (owned gesture out of respect for the services provided by by the city of Fayetteville) and two planes were Million Air and SkyVenture and the kinds of cus- completely destroyed by fire, further reducing the tomers they've been for the airport. But another airport's limited income stream. reduction so soon after the first? Why not let some • In May, Ray Boudreaux, the airport's director, time go by to see how things work out? was quoted as saying that activity during the first Giving tenants more breaks would ultimately •our months of 2009 was "as bad as we've seen it" reach the point that the airport becomes a burden not exactly inspiring confidence. on city taxpayers again. Perhaps that already hap- pened. It would seem prudent to be understanding of economic conditions among the tenants, but also for the tenants to recognize that the economy cuts both ways. Saying no is hard for good tenants. But saying yes doesn't seem a responsible step at this stage. NORTIAW ST ARKANSAS TIM TUESDAY — May 26,2009 to�rai� Nf�w �e, �1� � t�u�i�c - yam .. r .. L. .Y ..-• +u C.i.,. . . .\-. 'LC N Fj't_•�' �T. -.SPP,+ 2ki -1 Area Veterans enjoy seventh Troop Train rads -lunche ® n • BY ROBIN MERG - xaUratlYtavgTu May showers on Memo- They didn't cancel the rial Day led organizers to war because of rain. cancel a parachute jump It's amazing what our during a TroopTrain lun- soldiers endure — cheon at the Fayetteville blistering heat,typhus, Air Museum. leeches, mosquitoes But, bad weather never that carry malaria. stops soldiers, said Col. Steve Gray, who retried in 1994 after 24 years in the (get ) Col. Steve Gray Air Force and was a speak- Event speaker er during the event. ,. . "They didn't cancel the war because of rain. It's amazing what our soldiers Earlier in the day, the endure — blistering heat, train stopped at a grave site typhus, leeches, mosqui- in Chester, where a memo- toes that carry malaria," rial commemorates work- Gray, now senior military ers who died during con- _ and veterans adviser for struction of the railroad. U.S. Rep. John Boozman, After lunch, participants R-Ark., said. :browsed the air museum. The Arkansas & Mis- Dan Laurie of Bentonville, souri Railroad sponsored an Air Force veteran who the event, in its seventh served from 1986 to 1996 year. It's the fourth year and in the first Gulf War, that included a luncheon; browsed the store with two sponsored by Tyson Foods of his neighbors' children. • and prepared by volun- Laurie said he rides the leers from Southern Bap- train each Memorial Day List Disaster Relief. Almost and tries to include young- 400 were fed as Mayor L.io- sters. He purchased balsa neld Jordan read a Memo- wood gliders for the 7- and rial Day proclamation, the 8-year-olds accompanying Farmington Cardinal Band him, who said they loved played patriotic music and the train ride yet were the Civil Air Patrol present- ed colors. resent-edcolors. See TRAIN, page A7 ;� t e.t�� p'+*aa � ' -r�+;�:*.r t+ > 7"ty� T •`r�Y9f..� fila.' 'a?�. t t Y a i°fit pt yg i �`iv5pGl { 5 in1� +Stir ara.h a�Y� S?� , �a � � ie"� y t*.�t.�� drT1 r •.. �,� e ,� .y M,�Z . his Ii'1 r 4k 4 1 i,a k r�i� 66 l p 45 'syn a un a /- 'w tY t � tax �Y 'fit t t y x xg "'- SO aro �M t1"'4tt � ! \ W't [[� °7 n i v.�i�5� r Jn,� �e s k'r.�` ` "K•'+R" s'jy�•t�� > �, � - 'L •. ♦ a 11 1�,*i ° _ t.��° i"Y� s b >n'i J• ''ta . x 6S �a.t� .Y�•'' m 4 w+ v�� �, t � p J . '"a�t.•1+ � � ^"W--•.� z . , '� ti? t `�# '�cT, r, �k 'g. n y �i� r,•��>:�, \y wi, ° y ,r: P J s • ,�•>y,R(•fx7 W � r r + fi* . ��SEsy '[x.i"'• .rr'4 `1•�d_'`.}�_ F ti a �, 4 i 'T } .�'a `-� "' � tea° � N p r �� �" 1 s �.i'S+ �`F�.;� � `i �J t as t Jr a t s- }.' .. £Y�7i a r J t' 4'MI ✓' 'AP4 ,p��kzr�•f ry• .'4+ < . "�' ''a r ..c F �' t� - {. .G ` sr J4: "l4 � �r 't'4 rb••ar✓ ,t} r y a a w a ty''. rsvx r tv r X j ; y°it _ + > a ' ".\" �'•..a..�. .a✓J a Y #y.t ff t.j ar r�`-FFFyyy»' .� t 5a F f'r •t sr, •c�` a `•x� : ti r li ry r 'F x itktD '1t ,{ sa �5)wx T, vo - t-. rt S '' `a �" "✓. :?.,� ¢,>a1t :k F^r e%.'ii /4sr ' ��r ��.�b ''.S x r� �� �J"a+ � Y aty>+•t� � laY N NSA � + �� r � 'A•,V f ; 1 ' 1 1 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Fayetteville'snewspaper serving e Washington County since 1860Tl �Mv � . +� INSPOM Wilkins lifts bat Hogs aa� moa aa�. -- —. inpostseason PAGEA10 WEDNESDAY — lune 3,2009 Airport receives runway safety , rant BY ROBINMERO ing on receiving the entire The airport's 6,000 feet WrtnwaiArunsastmm portion at once. The.project long runway will not be, can begin in-early Juty`arid affected. After weeks of waiting, the be finished in less than 18 Federal funds will pay • city of Fayetteville received months, he said: for engineering, the pur-: forrnalnoticeFiidayofa $3.5 Theprolecthi6iidesrelo- chase of 11, acres of adja= million federal grant cating 2;5 00 feet'of U S 71B cent property, grading, dirt; a runway-safety improve- a' few 'hundred feet to the work;culvertsandrepaving: ment project at Fayetteville west, creating a grassy" _. Onlyonehouse`is'impacted Executive Airport: i' area" 800•feet wide and 1,000 by. the high way4elocation, The 'City Council's on • feet long around-therunway. and * that- homeowner has . Tuesday formally accepted , The Federal Aviation Admin- been given the option of $3.5 rttilli.on `from' the U.S. istrationcurrently. does not . , selling or agjc ptmg noise Department of Transporta-. consider the runwatI y dimer - mitigation measures such' tion. Another $300,000 will signally correct, but years as; improved msulatfori to' come from `the 'state. The ' ago granted an exception .reduce noise issue had been tabled for calleda safetyl'deviation," U.S. Srens Blanche Lin-; several weeks because of Boudreaux `said +`.: colts, andMark I r or, along, delays to the grant process. the proJeci;,asnt under with U S Rep:., lohn Booz- Airport Director Ray Bou- taken .sooner :because the man•issued a press -release dreaux;saidthe announce- highway,was a" :major,travel Tuesday notrirg•the critical mentwas better than expect- route until construction of importance of improving. ed, as the city wasn't count- Interstate 540. airport mfrasiruuctuie. • • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MMOW Eb f RIDAY — May 22,2009 N iqZ orortertor seeks further rent reduction BY ROBIN MERO rent on any hangars for two Nonnwtnnnamsfimg years. Boudreaux.said the board The fixed base operator at discussed *olsey's letter FayettevilleEkecuiiveAirport but took no:action. asked for a second reduction "We will keep tenant in rent, as the business is . concerns on the agenda. "falling terribly short in our We already gave them some financial viability" accord- relief, and that's all the board ing to an April 20 letter.to the considered it could afford," airport director. Boudreaux said. "They're • Million Air is eicperienc- very important to us, and to ing "unprecedented furan- the airport, and we want to cial hardships," CEO Roger keep . them. If there's some- Woolsey wrote. thing we can do; we try." The Airport Board in . Rents, and leases are March :gave two tenants, $498,000 of the atiport's bud- Million Air and SkyVenture get this.year. Fuef rev&we is Aviation; a $500 break each budgeted for $140,000. Rev- on monthly hangar rent enue from the fixed based through 2009, if they stay operator is set at $109,000, current and payon time. Boudreaux said. That Million Air had fallen includes Million Air's use of four months delinquent, or two hangars and 'the lobby $36,000, ' but since caught .area. up, Ray Boudreaux, airport According to Woolsey's director, said. Both business- letter, Million Air serves as es received a $500 reduction fixed base operator for 27 for' thefrst time in April. airports. The board in March said "Million Air is a true `part- it wanted to make a gesture ner' to the entire commu- toward the tenants, While pity, and we serve a much recognizing the airport's greater cause than just a fuel own struggle to maintain a dispenser at the airport," profit. The airport in 2008 Woolsey wrote. "We simply showed its fust profit since need your help in weather- losing commercial airlines ing these financial storms, to the Northwest Arkansas and hope you value our Regional Airport 10 years contributions enough to earlier. That's looking less immediately authorize our likely for 2009, as two ban- request." gars are vacant. Million Air's efforts to In the fall of 2008, the board voted not to raise See RENT, page A5 2 2 w Rentconsider projects that pro- reductions and operational rirote Fayetteville at large, sacrifices, over $700,000 in Continued from Al such, .. as' the Million Air annual expenses have been Magazine, and exposure. reduced. ... We are not ask- through .' radio, sk- through ' radio, television ing Fayetteville to carry the attract business flyers and and trade shows, sacrifice alone, but we began business. aviation. benefit The company has also our own painful adjustments the city as welt,•cWoolsey made cuts at its home office internally prior to asking for said. He ' asked the city to in Houston. "Between staff your help," Woolsey wrote. • • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES Thursday, May 21 , 2009 Slow Spring at Fayetteville's airport BY ROBIN MERO 39,587 . gallons.. , The 2008 A . second hangar ' ,was Northmtkkznu Thy average was,40,889 gallons. destroyed ��by _£ire April 18; • The airport in 2008 and the site has not yecbeen Activity at the Fayetteville showed its first profit since cleared. Executive Airport during the losing commerctal ..airlines ABeechcraftKing Air B200 first four months of 2009 was to the 'Northwest 'Arkamsas and Cessna Citation II'were as bad as we've seen it," Ray RegionalAifport 10,years ear- completely,_destroyed by the Boudreaux, airport direc- lier. The budget for this year fire,;--which was reported by: tor, told the airport board predicts another profit = a passerby'.in the. middle of Wednesday. $34,326 — but that assumes the night. "April fuel sales were all hangars are rented, :and Boudreaux said the cause as bad as I've ever seen. It ' * two are vacant. of that fire is not yet deer- was terrible flying weather. The airport's. largest han- mined. May has been gangbusters , gar was vacated by Arkansas The airport just received — we've had full ramps any AviationTebhrlologyEenterin insurance funds for the han- day the sun is shining,". Bou- 2007, Boudreaiixisstfllsearch- gar, and cleanup shotild dreaux said. ing .for a new tenant for the begin within the next two Fuel sales in April were 17,OOO,square-foots hangar. weeks;he said. • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS TIMES Wednesday, May 20,. 2009 A group effort /.A wN� BROOKE MMEELY Northv AArkarms`nm6 Aeonard, McCandless, Ozark Military Museum Board , of Wectiors president, from right,Ted Mack, Bob Kellett, Mike 1 ."Eckels, Dick Wood,I .Lawrence Skelton and. DarrelKoz work. ; together to load airplane wings onto a trailer Tuesday after `noowas they make;room in :the:Ozark Military Museum in Foyetteville;.The.group recentlyworked withAll Seymour to fix;up an, AHI S Cobra Helicopter. , •