Transcript AOPA Webinar June 10, 2010 Airports and the Airport Support Network (ASN) Joey Colleran, Director ASN Bill Dunn, VP Airport Advocacy John Collins, Manager Airport.

AOPA Webinar
June 10, 2010
Airports and the
Airport Support Network (ASN)
Joey Colleran, Director ASN
Bill Dunn, VP Airport Advocacy
John Collins, Manager Airport Policy
Sean Collins, Senior Aviation Technical Specialist
Special Guest – Marjy Leggett
ASN Volunteer Vista Field, WA
Now you know who we are…
Who are you?
A. ASN Volunteer
B. AOPA member
C. Aviation/Airport official
D. Aviation enthusiast
Thanks for joining us - Throughout the
Webinar we’ll be selecting participants who
ask questions to receive one of our AOPA
giveaways!
What we’ll cover
Airport Sponsorship
 Accepting Money from the FAA – Grant
Assurances
 AOPA as a resource – The Airport Support
Network
 Threats to Airports – How you can keep
your airport viable

Who Owns Your Airport?

Three types of airports:
 Publicly owned, public use
 Privately owned, public use
 Privately owned, private use

Most public-use airports are owned and
run by a municipality, county or some
other type of government agency.
Who is in Control?

Most airport decisions are made by the local
airport sponsor!
Airport managers usually report directly to
these officials so it is important that the
manager understands the needs of the local
pilot community.
 The FAA Airport District Offices (ADO) are key
players
 State Aviation Departments

If you’ve just joined us…
Welcome!
 Panelists from AOPA Government Affairs

Guest: Vista Field ASN Volunteer
So far... We’ve discussed airport ownership
A question for you
Quick Attitude Check…
When it comes to keeping an airport alive,
the FAA is:
a. The Enemy!
b. Your single best ally!
c. Just a bunch of bureaucrats!
FAA Grant Assurances

What is a Grant Assurance?

Who qualifies?

Why accepting money from the FAA
protects your airport
 Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
 Land purchase
 Surplus property transfer
Facts you need about your
airport
Issue: City/County Sponsor wants to shut the
airport down for development – What can
you do to prevent this? Know the facts!
 Is my airport obligated?
 For how long?
 Who do I tell at AOPA? 1-800-872-2672
 How do I contact the FAA ADO?
Facts you need on Airport
Access
Issue: The FAA, TSA, or Airport sponsor wants to
restrict access to the airport:

Through the Fence Access

Commercial operators’ access

Some airports with air carrier or charter
operations may be required to institute
additional security requirements.
Minimum Standards
What are minimum standards?
 Are they required?
 Examples

 The FBO is charging $10/gallon for fuel, can
they do that?
 I’m an independent CFI (or mechanic) and
airport management is requiring an insurance
policy, can they do that?
The Airport Support Network
Question:
How many participants have taken the AOPA
ASN online course?
1. Yes
2. No
Available to ALL AOPA members at aopa.org/asn and non-members at www.asf.org
AOPA Resource: The ASN
The Airport Support Network is at the heart
of AOPA’s efforts to protect airports!

Created 12 years ago to help AOPA
protect the nation’s public-use airports

Today - More than 2,000 ASN
Volunteers at airports across the
nation.
The Airport Support Network
Does your airport have an ASN Volunteer?
Find out at www.aopa.org/asn/
How to contact AOPA ASN staff: [email protected]
The ASN can not step in and save your airport by
itself. It takes local knowledge, local politics,
and local support to keep an airport alive
The Airport Protection Game
Local Pilots have to demonstrate support for
their airport – get organized and engaged!
 Understand Local Politics
 Local Election process
 What Offices are Important to your Airport?
 Identify Friends
 Officials will respond to Constituents and
users of the airport

Meet Marjy Leggett
ASN Volunteer - Vista Field, WA
Fight for Vista Field
It could happen to your airport
 Local government ready to close
unobligated airport
 Local pilots join together to recruit and
support candidates for local office
 Successful election
 New local officials support Vista Field
 Airport saved!

A Question for you
What do you think might be the biggest threat to
your airport?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Residential Encroachment
Obstructions
Unfriendly airport sponsor/anti-airport group
No Threat
Local Threats to Airports
Understanding the major threats to your
airports…
 Incompatible Land Use
 Obstructions
 Your Airport’s Image – Perception v. Reality
 Noise complaints
 Safety
 Security
 Value of the Airport
Incompatible Land Use
Not just residential
 Encroachment occurs when airport sponsors don’t
properly plan land-use around the airport to
protect the airport and its neighbors.
 Guidance is available for planners
 www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/land_use
 Early prevention is key – get engaged at the local
and state level.

Obstructions



Buildings
Windfarms
Antenna Towers
What you can do?
Subscribe to Obstruction Evaluation notices
https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/portal.jsp
Know the local zoning/planning authorities
What does AOPA do?
What does the FAA do?
Your Airport’s Image
Common public perception problems that
threaten airports:
 Noise complaints
 Safety
 Security
 Value of Airport
Noise Complaints
Do your part, fly friendly.
 Acknowledge and address community
concerns.
 Are there existing noise abatement
procedures in place…make sure they are
publicized!

What is sound to one person, may be noise to another!
Safety

Mishaps happen – What can you do as an
airport user?
 Don’t jump to conclusions, know the facts
Resources for you…
 AOPA’s tips for dealing with the media
 The AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Security
“We determined that general aviation presents only limited
and mostly hypothetical threats to security. We also
determined that the steps general aviation airport
owners and managers have taken to enhance security
are positive and effective.” May 27, 2009 Department of Homeland
Security Office of Inspector General

Each Airport sponsor creates security plans, not TSA

AOPA works with federal and state security policy
makers to explain that a one size policy does
not fit all in aviation security.

Airport Watch – make sure your airport participates
Value of Airport
Local community/taxpayers often believe airport is a
financial drain on the city/county.
Few understand the airports real contribution
The airport generates indirect revenue and has
additional economic impact and quality of life
benefits for the community
Know what the airport does for your community:
 Jobs for Community
 Emergency Medical Flights
 Firefighting and Public Safety
 Business and Personal Travel
Your Questions for Us
AOPA Resources
http://www.aopa.org/asn/

Compatible land use, Planning process, Airport
compliance, Obtaining community support

FAA links
Airports http://www.faa.gov/airports/
NASAO www.nasao.org
ACRP publications:
Marketing Small Airports


http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/Marketing
_Guidebook_for_Small_Airports_163059.aspx
Economic Impact
http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/Airport_Ec
onomic_Impact_Methods_and_Models_157070.as
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Thank you!
Remember, for all your questions contact
us toll free number at
1-800-872-2672
To learn more about becoming an
ASN Volunteer email
[email protected]