Tue, Feb 09, 2010
Asks FAA To Come Observe The Situation, Offer Solutions
Airport officials at Aspen's Sardy Field (KASE) are concerned
about what seems to be an increasing number of people wandering
onto a taxiway that is used by private jet traffic moving to and
from the runway. They've requested that the FAA come take a look at
the situation over the President's Day holiday, and hopefully get
some ideas as to how to stop it.
Aspen Airport Aerial View
Airport Director Jim Elwood wrote a memo to the Pitkin County
commissioners saying he wants the FAA "to evaluate and assess
instances involving vehicles or pedestrians straying onto the
taxiway without authorization."
Elwood told the Aspen Daily News that the problem seems to
mostly involve tourists getting off airplanes and wanting to take
pictures of the surrounding area. He said that they often walk onto
the taxiway to get a good view of the scenery. But there was also a
pilot walking around on the taxiway trying to get better cell phone
reception.
Elwood said the condition became a problem when the FAA required
the airport to move its taxiway 100 feet to the east. That caused a
grassy area to be paved over that had been a natural barrier
between the apron and the taxiway. Now that natural barrier no
longer exists, and people just walk across the pavement to the
taxiway. Cars coming to pick up passengers also are winding up
on the taxiway with increading frequency.
Elwood said his biggest concern is that people and airplanes are
safe, and that's why he's asked the FAA for its help. “We
just want to make sure we’re operating at the highest
standard of safety.”
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