The results of the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation's recent study of the Cambridge Municipal Airport did not sit well with some local officials.
Held Sept. 13 at the Zane State College Cambridge branch location, the primary objective of the Ohio Airports Focus Study was to share how Ohio's general aviation airports are being classified and the types of aviation system coverage being provided today, and to seek input on: Whether the classification system accurately depicts what's happening at your airport of interest; whether Ohio has appropriate general aviation airport coverage; if Ohio has the right types of aviation facilities and services in the right places; what improvements should be considered in the future; and which compliance factors should be considered when evaluating the airport system.
Local officials on hand included Airport Manager Terry Losego, Steve Potoczak of Delta Airport Consultants, Cambridge Area Regional Airport Authority Board of Trustees member Tom Stemmer, accomplished pilot Carl LaRue, Cambridge-Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation/Guernsey County Port Authority Executive Director Norm Blanchard and Jeannette Wierzbicki of Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association.
The study classified the Ohio airports in one of four levels. The study classified the Cambridge Municipal Airport as a "Level 3" airport. This classification of airports serves light, twin-engine and single-engine aircraft flying for business, pleasure and training. Its purpose is to fulfill nearly all the needs of piston-powered aircraft. Jet-powered aircraft can use these airports, but the primary focus is on meeting the facilities and services that support piston-powered aircraft.
However, Losego and Potoczak reportedly had several objections as to the criteria of the study for the value of the airport to the community. Objection points were:
• The value of the airport was based on the pilot surveys submitted based on the dollar amount they spent in the community, commonly lunch
• No consideration was given to the corporate jets that are doing business in the area
• No consideration was given to the oil and gas boom bringing more than a billion dollars to the area and corporate jets arriving and departing on a regular basis
• Points were deducted for not having a maintenance facility on site; however, the Cambridge airport has as many as five men available to perform on-site repairs.
The Airport Authority and elected officials are encouraged to access the Airport Focus Study online at www.AirportsFocusStudy.ohio.gov and fill out the form to object to the classification of the airport.
In other action, the Authority accepted the contract with Perram Electric for the installation of precision approach path indicator lights for runways 4 and 22 and the replacement of runway end identifier lights on Runway 4.
The new jet refueler truck was ordered Aug. 26. The approximate arrival date is 165 days from this date, placing the delivery in February 2014.
Potoczak presented a project cost description for fiscal year 2014 budgetary planning. The plan includes airport obstruction light rehabilitation (construction and repackage bid) Dever/Lemmon land purchase/reimbursement, flight check reimbursement and administration cost.
The board discussed what would be in the best interest of the airport, and agreed to reconfigure the plan, which includes airport obstruction light rehabilitation for two poles, the Dever/Lemmon land purchase/reimbursement, flight check reimbursement and administration costs. The plan would also include runway 4 and 22 extension, rehabilitation and GPS approach analysis.
The total cost for this project is $443,182. Federal dollars are $398,863. Local match monies are $44,319.
The Airport Authority Board authorized President Ron Guthrie to enter into the flight check reimbursement agreement in the amount of $7,115.78.
Fuel sales through Aug. 31, with sales through the same point last year in parenthesis, are as follows:
• Aviation gasoline -- 7,699.2 gallons (8,562.9 gallons)
• Jet fuel -- 14,585.4 gallons (16,905.6 gallons).
Operation (takeoffs and landings) through Aug. 31 with operations through the same point last year in parenthesis, are as follows:
• General aviation -- 732 (1,228)
• Business -- 524 (647).
Losego deemed the recent fly-in a success.
"A beautiful weather day drew hundreds to the 25th Annual Fly-In on Sept. 7," he said. "The airspace around the airport was filled with numerous aircraft waiting to arrive. Several different types of aircraft were on display for the community viewing. A big highlight of the day included the arrival and departure of Med Flight. The staff of Med Flight were very gracious and fielded many questions asked by the community.
"The Millennium Street Rodders held a show at the event displaying cars, trucks and motorcycles. Airplane Rides were also a big highlight for the local community. The Cambridge Lions Club served a delicious menu. The Boy Scouts did a wonderful job in parking the cars. The People's Choice Trophy went to Jim Ross of Cambridge for his 2007 Trike.
"The airport manager and staff truly appreciates all the volunteer help to make the annual fly-in a truly successful event."
The Cambridge Regional Airport Authority Board is scheduled to next meet at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 16.
Original article: http://www.daily-jeff.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment